Could I do it? Was I brave enough to experiment with false fingernails? Looking down at my own short nails that I cut down at every chance, I decided to step up to the challenge.

At dinner with friends one evening, it was clear that while I still believed short and natural were the best way to go, the perfectly manicured fingers in the room clearly indicated that my preferences were falling out of favour.

Sheer pink polish adds a classic touch

Later that week a certain well-respected local beauty took one look at my battered rain drenched hands and confided, "You know, mine are fake. acrylic tips! It works wonders." I didn't need another hint.

So off I went to Trisha, one of upper St Andrew's secret weapons. She's built up quite a clientele among ladies on the go and those desirous of privacy, taking appointments conveniently at all hours and in the privacy of her home or yours.

The friendly aesthetician revealed a barrage of polishes, powders and tools all set to create the delicate-looking manicure that could withstand any force of nature, such as a Wilma-drenched Frenchmen fete. I told her that my nails grew quickly. I also told her that they tore even more quickly, usually snagging the first available piece of couture in their way.

Working deftly she tut-tutted and pulled out what looked like an assortment of claws. Instantly I shied away.
"I don't know if I could put those on," I stammered. Trisha assured me that once she was done with my tips, all preconceived notions of curly nailed, finger-tapping women would go.

Her technique was simple, the tips and acrylic coat should serve as a means of reinforcing the existing nail, not as a substitute.

She glued the tips on and filed them down until I couldn't tell where they began and my real nail ended. She cut and filed the nails to a length that was short enough to amaze even old friends when I mentioned that they weren't real.

The acrylic was by far the most interesting part of the process as a thin brush was dipped in a sweet smelling chemical and a fine white powder to create a sheer gel that was wiped over the nail. More buffing later and my nails were firm to a fault. A light coat of sheer pink polish topped off the job.

I couldn't believe how real they looked, now, the real question was, would they last?
And last they did.

Regular manicures usually chip by the second day of a normal week. This time, in addition to my curious stares and tapping against a credit card to see just how strong they really were, there was nary a chip in sight. I couldn't keep my big mouth shut, but everyone was surprised when I told them that the manicure was "enhanced".

Longer nails were awkward for a short-nail girl, but at least I know that this is a great option for a manicure that really lasts.
Budget on about $2,000 for manicure with tips and pedicure.

Hints from the pro
It turns out that many myths float around about tips and acrylic coats. According to Trisha, all your worst nightmares can be easily prevented. Here are some useful hints:

1. Travel with nail glue. The worst that can happen is that part of your nail tears leaving an extra strong nasty snag. Until you can go see your nail technician, glue-ing the spot is the simplest way to protect yourself and your clothing from scratches and tears.

2. Keep your appointments. Water will NOT settle under your nail, causing fungal growth, if you simply re-fill the acrylic on schedule with the rate of growth of your nails. On average an appointment every two weeks should be sufficient.

3. Have your manicurist file the tip and buff the acrylic as thin as possible. Thick, layered nails are never chic.

4. Keep some cuticle oil at home and massage into your nails instead of lotion. The cuticle and finger will absorb the moisture from the oil much more easily, and this will help preserve the edges of your polish.

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