Female fingernails?

[jennifer6]

Hi ladies,

I'm still out to most (including family+work), but it's been suggested that I grow out my nails and hair for the moment when I'm ready to be out and show the physical side of this transition.

I haven't cut my nails for a few weeks and they're definitely getting long.  But they just look like long male fingernails.  Any way to shape them a bit more feminine?  I have long, fairly slender fingers (odd match for my 6'1 frame).  Sometimes I paint them when I'm alone (and instantly feel better about my hands and myself) but not ready to be out in public with it yet.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks!
Jenn

[Randi]

I keep mine trimmed to somewhat of a point and trimed away at the sides-that is I keep them this way when I am able to keep them long. They are brittle and break easily when I work with my hands. Look at pictures of women's hands and look at what they are doing.

Brandi

[Karla]

male fingernails?? 

I just recommend you keep your nails nice and shaped, moisturize when you need to or in extreme weather, wear gloves.
If you want to pain them without being out use clear polish or black if it suits your style.

[Rebekah with a K-A-H]

male fingernails?? 

I just recommend you keep your nails nice and shaped, moisturize when you need to or in extreme weather, wear gloves.
If you want to pain them without being out use clear polish or black if it suits your style.

I think what Jennifer means is the fact that male fingernails are generally wider and flatter, and don't grow with that gentle curve that female fingernails often have.

To answer that: I don't think there's much to be done beyond softening the edges with a nail file.  I think my nails look a little different than they did when I began HRT fifteen months ago, but I have no real way of quantifying that, and at this point I really don't care about the way they look, considering I pass without any issues.  So, I guess HRT might help in that regard?

(Also, though I really dislike painting my nails, on occasions when I have been forced into it by my sister, leaving the very edges unpainted does seem to provide them a more feminine immediate appearance.  You might want to try that.)

[Aileen]

(Also, though I really dislike painting my nails, on occasions when I have been forced into it by my sister, leaving the very edges unpainted does seem to provide them a more feminine immediate appearance.  You might want to try that.)

Gonna give it a try. Great hint! Guess I need to add that to my little list of dirty tricks to improve passing

[justmeinoz]

I learned fairly early on that sexual orientation will affect this markedly.  Any Lesbian with long nails will go a long time between girlfriends!       Mine are painted but quite short. 

Karen.

[Rebekah with a K-A-H]

I learned fairly early on that sexual orientation will affect this markedly.  Any Lesbian with long nails will go a long time between girlfriends!       Mine are painted but quite short. 

Karen.

Hahahahahaha.  What nails?  I bite them down to oblivion.

[justmeinoz]

Until I started to paint mine I used to pick mine. Now I generally don't for some reason.

[Rebekah with a K-A-H]

I guess it's easier to play guitar if you don't tear them to shreds until your fingers get all red and irritated, but I just ignore that and play anyway.

Speaking of which, that's a bass in your profile picture, mm?  What brand is it?

[justmeinoz]

It's an Epiphone EB-0, short scale bass with a Di Marzio pickup to give a better sound. The original was very 'muddy' and a lot lower output in comparison.  What are you playing?
I have also been playing a Yamaha acoustic 12-string I picked up at half price. Lovely Roger McGuinn jangle to it.
The nails are okay, but the polish takes a battering. I am thinking of shellac next time I get them done professionally.  They are supposed to be a lot tougher.
Karen.

[Rebekah with a K-A-H]

I use an Ovation 6-string, though at home I have a Paul Reed Smith, a Martin, an Ovation 12-string and mandolin, a Fender Stratocaster with modified whammy bar, an Epiphone Les Paul, and a Schecter bass.

I also have a K. Kawai baby grand, which is my baby, and an 88-key Yama MO-6.

[mimpi]

Lol at the lesbians and short nails. It's true and I do stare to make sure!

Yamaha made some lovely acoustic guitars, don't really play anymore but have a beautiful 'Nippon Gakki' classical from 1970 that sounds and plays amazing although it's really scratched and dinged to bits. Gibson P90 Melody Maker in the cupboard too that has been there for years now.

[8888]

Shorter scale usually means more mud. For guitars I would never use anything below 26", for bass 34" at least.

[jennifer6]

Thanks to all    I'm sitting here smiling...they do look so much better!

I spent an hour this afternoon filing away trying to get something a little more womanly (and sneaking glances at the manicures of my female coworkers).  I came home and put on purple polish, and then played piano for an hour (if poorly).... Sorry guitar players, I want my nails too badly!

[Miniar]

As a manicurist I'd like to give ya a hand.

Longer is not always better/more girly.
It's not about length, but shape, grooming and styling.

So, if you feel longer nails doesn't look better, then file them more often and try to get a shorter nail with a gentle curved tip.
(like this maybe)


DO NOT cut cuticles, but whenever you wash your hands, do it in warm water, let your fingers soak for a couple extra seconds, then dry your hands, put on a tiny click of hand lotion, rub it in, and then press down on the nail and stroke up towards the cuticle. It'll push lotion into the cuticle area and feed the nailbed and also keep your cuticles soft, pliable, and "tidy".

Worst case scenario, you can get tips added. (I suggest resin, not acrylic nor gel, if you can find someone who does resin nails. It's a lot less damaging to the nail underneath and has a lot of easy solutions for repairs if you ever need 'em.)
When they add tips they reshape the whole nail, so you can get that curved surface that way.

When it comes to nails, simple is "usually" better.

[justmeinoz]

What is your opinion on shellac compared to ordinary paint Miniar?

[Miniar]

It has potential. It hasn't really made it to Iceland yet, not that I'm aware of in any case, which makes me kinda curious about possibly obtaining the stuff myself and setting up shop so I can offer this to locals... but while I'm a trained manicurist I haven't worked in YEARS and my hands are shaky with new meds and fatigue and anxiety and bla bla bla so I'm unsure if it's "wise" to try to get back to work....

I find the process fascinating, and CND is cool for actually realeasing something "new" rather than just releasing "more of the same". Modern nail polish was invented in the 1920's and has hardly been changed since!

I do see some problems with it.
1. Acetone is a harsh chemical, regardless of how you use it. It destroys the natural fat of the skin which helps keep your nails healthy and it is possible that with repeated applying/removing/reapplying that it'll cause long term weakening of the nail "OR" that the nail will "require" reapplying of shellac to keep from weakening, but I can't say with any certainty because I haven't examined the process in detail.
Either way, I'm hesitant of Acetone.
2. It's not a DIY thing. It has to be professionally done. Therefore you can't really compare it to traditional polish as we're talking two completely separate things... and since it isn't DIY, it's possible (or rather likely) people are getting overcharged for it (starting with the salon)!

Still....
It looks.... cool.

It's not a replacement, but it's definitely a development to keep an eye on if you're into nail polish or manicures at all.....
It's cool enough to make me want to get back into actually working with nails!

[noleen111]

What I did to make my fingers nails look more female

I grew them and then filed them and buffed them and used nail polish.

When my nails are painted read, they really look like a girls finger nails.... I even started painting my toe nails in warmer weather... (red as well)

I love my nails red... 

Even clear nail polish makes your nails look lovely...