When did you get your first manicure?

I don't know about you, but I was in my 20s before I got my first manicure. My grandmother was in her 70s! Neither of us were interested before then...but once my Granny got "hooker red" fingernails for the occassion of her 50th wedding anniversary, I was all in!

I thought the world had gone looney-tunes when I heard this week that kids as young as 4 now get mani/pedis, so I took a poll - and all of my friends with daughters and nieces know at least one 7-year-old who's been to the nail salon! My head was spinning and then Boston Guy COINCIDENTALLY announced that his 8-year-old daughter is having her 9th birthday party at a nail salon - she and 7 of her cute little friends are getting their nails did together next week!!

After the smelling salts took effect, I thought about it again. When I was 9, I was the only girl in the city basketball league. Nail polish was for grandmothers. I thought pink and makeup and Barbie dolls were weak. It wasn't until I was in my mid-to-late 20s until I understood how powerful being a chick REALLY is - especially if you're all done up! So after some thought, I am all for bringing a second grader to the salon.

How old were you when you got your first manicure/pedicure? Do you think the rules have changed?

Cheers, Lara

Comments

If it makes you feel better, I was 24 the first time I went to a nail salon. Not that I didn't love the girly stuff, but I never had the extra $$ to go to such a place. Of course moving to Atlanta from redneckville made a big differnce too. Wow a mani/pedi for under $30? whoo who!

Hmm...what if I told you that I'm 26...live in NYC...and have never had a manicure. HOW HAVE I SURVIVED THIS LONG?? It just seems so socially awkward, sitting there while the lady holds your hand. Plus, what happens if you want to play guitar, or paint, or actually DO something with your hands? I've never gotten the appeal.

So, am I nuts? Should I get one? Is it fun or something?

Yeah, I haven't ever had one either (I'm 22). I think it would be nice for a special occasion, but then, what about after the first sinkful of dirty dishes...? Doesn't seem worth it, since I kind of think nail polish looks a bit weird anyway.
I like the idea of a pedicure for the summer, but yeah, I would feel weird and...you put it so well, socially awkward. (strangely, i have no such qualms about my bkini wax appointments!!)

I do not even remember when I got my first manicure. I am sure I was 15 or so. My mom was not a girly girl so when we would go and get a polish change or something like that, it was the best!!! I love getting manicures, but pedicures are definitely the best. I wish I could afford to get them all of the time.

Yikes. I was 17 when I got my first (and last, at least to date) manicure, and that was for prom.
All of the airborne chemicals in a nail salon CANNOT be good for a seven-year-old's brain.

my first mani/pedi was around 18. for a first time it felt very grown up and pampering. now though, im 22 and i get one almost every week.
Its great to feel girly and want to do stuff to enhance that.Although i dont think at 7 they should be worried about this kind of thing.
Each age has it's peacks & treats that come with it. at 7 i think for me, it would've been my barbie collection.

I was 22 when I had my first manicure. My best friend and I decided to go when she visited me for a weekend. We're both completely hooked. Being pampered like that is something everyone should experience! When I got married, I treated all of my bridesmaids and my mother to a mani/pedi. My mother, who turns 50 this year, was shocked at the $$ I dropped, but admitted that she quite enjoyed it. Now she and I go whenever she's in town to visit.
To answer those who are concerned about hands in dishwater, etc... if you get acrylic nails, they are so much more sturdy than your real nails and the paint stays on so much longer. I get mine a sporty length and work with them, do dishes with them, everything. And if one breaks, just stop by the salon and they'll fix it right up for you.

I was probably about 9 years old. My dad actually took me because he was concerned I was too much of a tomboy. (Of course he still somehow didn't anticipate that I'd be fixing my bicycle chain right before going -- and the manicurist did NOT appreciate that.)

I was 17 when I got my first manicure. I think it's ridiculous to take a 9 year-old to a nail salon. We're allowing kids (especially girls) to grow up way too fast. Plus, when they buy into adult-women's beauty standards, they are robbed of the best years of their lives ... carefree youth. Let them play dress up, but don't let them believe they need to have their nails and their hair 'did'.

Never had one and got laughed at when I talked with my sisters-in-law about it. I felt bad for a few days because I was so out of the loop but I've been doing my own hair and nails forever. 60ish..and looking it. not a today gal... lack of funds, the why.

I agree with JustAGirl, the way young girls are physically overdeveloped these days, and the clothing that they sell for them (padded TRAINING BRAS, lace panty sets, low-rise jeans, halter tops, thong and low-rise panties, etc)....these things are made to enhance femininity and sexuality - why are we imposing them on children?

I know that I have old-fashioned tendacies, but, in today's world, why not let little girls be innocent while they can? They have the rest of their lives to get manicures and pedicures......sometimes I wish I could go back to the simple days....

By the way, I'm 26, single, and I am the 2nd oldest of 9 (5 girls, 4 boys).

Oops! I also got my first manicure when I was 24, first pedicure at 25. They're nice but not practical for me since I take TaeKwonDo.

Hi! i was in my teens when i got my first manicure, BUT i now have a 6 year old daughter who has been coming to the nail salon with me for years! she gets her toes painted and her nails done, as long as the shop isn't too busy! she loves it, even though it tends to chip off within a few days.

I was 19 when I got my first mani/pedi but now I try to get one twice a month. I love to be pampered. I am only 30 now but I agree with CG that some of the bra and panty sets and revealing sexy tops that are for sale in some stores are definitely aimed at very young girls. My mother would have gone mad if I brought home some of the skimpy lacy bras and panties that I see 13 and 14 year old girls buying.

I was a tomboy when I was younger (I'm now 31), however, my younger sister was a girly-girl. I think she was 8 or 9 when she got her first manicure. I was closer to 21.

I have taken my stepdaughter for her first pedicure at the age of 10 (she loved it!) & am planning a tips and toes party for her 11th birthday. I guess it just depends on the little girl.

I was probably about 14 for my first manicure. I get why everone is worried, and I agree that little girls are growing up too fast, but when you are getting your nails done with a powerful older woman like your mother you can have that all important girl talk that will not happen when you are sitting in the car or in front of the tv. I think in moderation it is ok. I know I enjoy my monthly Mani/Pedi, even though I have to save for it.

What is your name

I am 10 years old and yesterday I did my nails they are so darn pretty,sexy ,and beautiful and thanks to my nice ,sweet mother for letting me do my nails but girls and women dont worry I am not spolied