Just interested in which parts of Cairo Mary would go to or where does she live, how often she comes to you, and how much she charges for a manicure or a pedicure.

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Originally posted by 7aya:
newcomer she lives in heliopolis, and i think she goes almost everywhere. she charges about 35 pounds although she's the kind of person who would change it depending on how much money you have so you have to insist that its 35 pounds! whats acrylic nails?

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Acrylic nails are very popular in the US. It's a liquid form of acrylic that they paint over your nails and make them very long if you'd like. They harden to almost steel after 30 seconds or so, then they are so hard you can't use a regular nail file on them. They are popular because women can instantly have nails all one length, and nail color can last almost 2 weeks, making you look perfectly manicured for a long time. As the nail grows out there is a thin little groove because the acrylic is so high and thick on the nails. So these grooves near the cuticle have to be *filled* every 10 days to 2 weeks.

I have very soft nails that don't grow, so I tried acrylic for about 4 months. They ruined my nails. they became even thinner, as thin as paper. It was awful. But some woman have very good luck with it and can use them for years and years.

One major problem with these nails is that the cheap places use an illegal chemical to set/harden the acrylic. It's very toxic and is illegal in most states. It has a horrible smell, whereas the more expensive chemical doesn't smell so bad. I would be a bit concerned if acrylic nails are that expensive in Cairo, that manicurists could be using the toxic chemical. Just something to look out for.

There is something similar called silk wrap, where silk is used rather than acrylic, and it's supposed to be healthier for the nail.

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Originally posted by Snoozin:
Acrylic nails are very popular in the US. It's a liquid form of acrylic that they paint over your nails and make them very long if you'd like. They harden to almost steel after 30 seconds or so, then they are so hard you can't use a regular nail file on them. They are popular because women can instantly have nails all one length, and nail color can last almost 2 weeks, making you look perfectly manicured for a long time. As the nail grows out there is a thin little groove because the acrylic is so high and thick on the nails. So these grooves near the cuticle have to be *filled* every 10 days to 2 weeks.

I have very soft nails that don't grow, so I tried acrylic for about 4 months. They ruined my nails. they became even thinner, as thin as paper. It was awful. But some woman have very good luck with it and can use them for years and years.

One major problem with these nails is that the cheap places use an illegal chemical to set/harden the acrylic. It's very toxic and is illegal in most states. It has a horrible smell, whereas the more expensive chemical doesn't smell so bad. I would be a bit concerned if acrylic nails are that expensive in Cairo, that manicurists could be using the toxic chemical. Just something to look out for.

There is something similar called silk wrap, where silk is used rather than acrylic, and it's supposed to be healthier for the nail.

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Originally posted by 7aya:
newcomer she lives in heliopolis, and i think she goes almost everywhere. she charges about 35 pounds although she's the kind of person who would change it depending on how much money you have so you have to insist that its 35 pounds! whats acrylic nails?

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Originally posted by Snoozin:
Acrylic nails are very popular in the US. It's a liquid form of acrylic that they paint over your nails and make them very long if you'd like. They harden to almost steel after 30 seconds or so, then they are so hard you can't use a regular nail file on them. They are popular because women can instantly have nails all one length, and nail color can last almost 2 weeks, making you look perfectly manicured for a long time. As the nail grows out there is a thin little groove because the acrylic is so high and thick on the nails. So these grooves near the cuticle have to be *filled* every 10 days to 2 weeks.

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Eeeeek ... that sounds quite awful!

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Originally posted by Debbie:
There are some places to do it, but it costs a lot of money. The materials are imported and expensive and difficult for the salons to bring in, so they charge a lot for the service. If you are used to paying some little Vietnamese lady or man about $15 for a fill, get over that fast...cuz you won't be finding this service cheap here at all. Sorry to say.

There is one woman in Dokki that will come to your home to do it, but she isn't as good as the people you are probably used to. I used her for years, and she is a good friend, but I had to quit doing the nails with her because I could't keep affording it.

Then there is a salon on Road 9 in Maadi that does them. It is called DINA I think. I never did go there as it is inconvenient for me and expensive.

The last one I know about is a German woman in Maadi that does another system, like acrylic, but different. I went to her once and all she did was bitch about acrylic nails and about how awful they are for your nails.. yadda yadda yadda. The nails she does are good looking and last several weeks (so I hear) but again, are tremendously expensive. If you are coming with a husband with a good contract then it really won't feel that expensive...just advise your husband to budget for your nails. LOL

Good luck figuring out what to do if you move here.

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Thank you to both debbie and 7aya, i wont be coming until february probably i just wanted to be prepared. you know, guys are not help with this at all so asking my boyfriend is like asking a wall hahahaha. I noticed most egyptian women did not have their nails done so i was wondering if there were places or not. Basically i only need them filled in when i am there as i get the originals put on here in the states. maybe i will start practicing doing them myself as far as the fills here in my home and just bring the things with me if i can get good enough at it haha. But please if anyone else knows for sure let me know. Thank you.
oh yeah, haha no need for me to have a husband with a good contract for this, i will have enough money to be sure to get them done, but also , my boyfriend will probably insist on paying no matter what the cost is, big booger man doesnt let me spend a dime.

Basically i only need them filled in when i am there as i get the originals put on here in the states. maybe i will start practicing doing them myself as far as the fills here in my home and just bring the things with me if i can get good enough at it.

I have been told that Egyptian women dont paint their nails as when they wash for prayer the water must touch their nails for them to be clean. So its not something that will ever be popular here.

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Originally posted by Debbie:
Mabrook. If you have one that can afford the prices these women charge and will pay for it, you got yourself a winner!!!!

Just curious though...is he aware your nails aren't real? Most men don't have a clue.

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Originally posted by Debbie:
SO MANY Egyptian women paint their nails practically, and I don't think prayer has much to do with it if they don't.

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Well, it has to do with Islam, you can't have paint nails while praying, so women you see with paint nails may have their period, or are Copt, or don't practice their religion.

[This message has been edited by RaniaMe (edited 03 August 2005).]

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Originally posted by Debbie:
You are joking! Who would tell you something like that? You've obviously never been to Egypt and seen the hands of anyone other than a peasant. SO MANY Egyptian women paint their nails practically, and I don't think prayer has much to do with it if they don't.

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If you take a closer look you might notice that many (of course not all) of the veiled girls don't paint their nails ...