Nails are one of the ways people can express their personality and sense of style. For many students, nail designs can be a creative form of self-expression. 

However, nails require time, money, effort, and maintenance, which can make them difficult to sustain. Many student athletes in particular struggle with nail maintenance due to the wear-and-tear that practices and games may bring. Some sports don’t allow nails for their athletes at all.

Senior McKenna Morgan, who plays for the varsity volleyball team as middle blocker, runs into this issue often during the season, giving her something to look forward to once it concludes. 

“I got done with volleyball season, and I was able to have nails for the first time in a while,” she said.

Another difficulty students often run into is the lack of durability fake nails tend to have; if not prepped well, they can easily fall off or go missing.

Some students go to a salon or nail technician to get their nails done, while others do it themselves or ask fellow students for help. Regardless of location, artist, or design, a nail set can take anywhere from as short as a few minutes to several hours to put together.

For example, a simple manicure may only take 45 minutes, while longer fake nails — like Gel-X, acrylic, dip, or shellac — can take much longer.    

Some of the most popular places for people to find nail inspiration is on social media platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, or Instagram. Some people recreate designs they see online, while others mix and match elements from different sets to create a look that feels uniquely their own.