But at what price?

Don't you wonder how they do it? Those women you see operating computer keyboards or cell phones with impossibly long nails. It doesn't seem natural to allow them to grow so long and it certainly doesn't seem like it makes their life easy to function with them at that length, sometimes up to an inch and a half! It boggles the mind to wonder how women with long nails wash their hair, pump gas, do up buttons and zippers or even open bags of chips! Even scratching an itch must present somewhat of a challenge. For all the inconvenience, there is a definite pay-off of the attention-seeking kind. The longer a lady's fingernails are, the more attention she is bound to attract to herself.

Health issues
There are a few health issues that surround long nails. The first is obvious: catching a nail in a car door or anything else for that matter can be dangerous because if it bends back, it can injure the finger. Secondly, typing with long fingernails can lead to RSI (repetitive strain injury) because the typist is forced to use the flat of her fingers instead of the tips. When you adapt the flat-finger position, you compromise the structure of your hand, which results in discomfort over a period of time. Operating machinery can be particularly hazardous with long fingernails. The above issues can mean the difference between employment and unemployment, as they tend to narrow your options for jobs. Additionally, a study carried out by an infectious-disease specialist in Halifax, Nova Scotia found that nails longer than one inch are at five times a higher risk of carrying the pathogens that cause staph and yeast infections than short, regularly-trimmed ones. False nails such as acrylics are also more prone to bacteria and more difficult to disinfect. Washing hands becomes far more important with longer fingernails, as does cleaning beneath the nails.

Aesthetics
As far as long nails go, most people either love or hate the look of them. For the women who wear them, though, they insist that their long fingernails are beautiful and they wouldn't be without them. Many men find them incredibly sexy, especially when painted in a bright, glossy color, or perhaps decorated with diamantes, glitter and airbrushed pictures. Women such as Pamela Anderson and Anna Nicole Smith are poster girls for impossibly long nails and it's clear that their physical assets are impressive on more counts than just what's at the end of their fingers!

Long nails means greater surface area on which to paint or decorate. Some women take great pride in the artwork they have applied and happily change it weekly or more or less frequently.

Lifestyle
Obviously, an active woman who enjoys playing tennis or basketball will have distinct problems dealing with long nails, and ten-pin bowling would really be out of the question! Playing a guitar is out, so is stuffing a turkey. Driving a car presents difficulties, as do regular household chores such as making beds, ironing clothes, washing dishes and vacuuming the floor.

Long nails are an expression of individuality and being able to change the look of them on a whim is priceless to the women who keep them. As long as they are maintained in a clean and healthy condition, and they don't restrict one's lifestyle unreasonably, there's no reason why anyone should tone them down or trim them short.

Instant beauty for your fingertips

And it becomes somewhat of an addiction!

It's been said that a lady's hands say a lot about her. If that's true, then her fingernails have the potential to speak volumes! Chipped, bitten, flaking and generally unkempt nails do nothing for a girl's image. On the other hand - if you'll pardon the expression - nails that are groomed, manicured and dressed up with style, say that she cares about her appearance and that she enjoys looking good. Creative nail designs bring out the artistic side in a woman. They allow her to be free from conformity and to express her beauty in her own way. Whether she chooses nail designs that are contemporary or way 'out there', you know by looking at her that she enjoys drawing attention to her hands.

Sometimes a girl's passion for painting her fingernails starts in early childhood when her Mom lets her try some on while doing her own. As she gets older, she experiments with new colors, changes the shape to suit the current fashion, and comes up with a new design every week to fascinate and impress her friends at school. Her beauty arsenal is equipped with the latest, quality products from polish remover to adhesive sparkles, buffer boards, cuticle creams and toe separators. She gets together with her girlfriends and together they ooh and ahh over photos of celebs and talk about who has the best nail designs … Beyonce Knowles is a favorite, as are Christina Aguilera, Pink, Pamela Anderson, Anna Nicole Smith and the ultra-glam Gwen Stefani. Inspiration is as close as the latest fashion magazines.

Eventually, teens who are passionate about doing their own nail designs turn into grown-ups who frequent nail salons and enjoy the pampering and skills of a qualified technician who introduce them to the delights of airbrush designs, nail glitter and any other latest service that comes along. Some nail technicians are true artistes in their field. Their creativity, combined with their cosmetology qualifications gain them respect from their clients, and the best ones need no advertisement since word of mouth brings them all the business they can handle.

Nail designs for special occasions:
" Bridal - French manicures are traditional, but why not embellish all ten fingernails with miniature faux pearls and diamantes?
" 40's glamor - perfect for a formal occasion. Bright red, high gloss movie star nails look fabulous with immaculate shaping.
" Gothic - plain old black doesn't cut it anymore. A touch of silver can make all the difference.
" Birthday glitz - it's your birthday; add some pizzazz! Co-ordinate with clothing and jewelry, and maybe even make your fingernails look like birthday candles!
" Spring has sprung - plaster your nails with tiny daisies and carry the brand new sunshine around with you.
" Halloween - Bright orange nails with skulls and crossbones, black bats and spider webs.
" Christmas - "ho ho ho" painted all over your nails as well as holly, angels and bells, brings the festive season to your fingertips. Or try metallic silver and gold polish for added sparkle.
" Valentine's Day - love hearts, tiny cupids and plenty of pink show you're in the mood for romance.

Seeing someone sporting amazing nail designs really draws your eye to their hands. Attached to those hands is a person with a zest for fun, a love of self-grooming and a passion for creativity.