this is what I wanted!

2025/11/19 Edited to

... Read moreIf you're new to nail art and excited about achieving the perfect look, sharing your journey from "what I wanted" to "what I got" can be inspiring and helpful for others. Many beginner nail techs start with a vision, but the process often involves learning new techniques and experimenting with colors and tools. The hashtag #beginnernailtech is popular among those who document their progress, helping to build a community where challenges and successes are shared openly. Nail designs are incredibly personal, reflecting individual style and creativity. For beginners, it's important to start with basic skills such as proper nail prep, even application of polish, and clean lines. Over time, adding embellishments like decals or small hand-painted art elevates the look closer to the desired outcome. Saint Paul, Minnesota, hosts many local nail artists who actively engage with those starting out. Engaging with nearby professionals or following niches like #nailinspo (nail inspiration) can provide ideas that are both trendy and achievable. Posting your own "done by me" sets not only documents progress but also encourages feedback that enhances skill development. Remember, authenticity and patience are key. The transition from "what I wanted" to "what I got" often includes happy surprises and valuable lessons. Whether nail art becomes a hobby or a career path, embracing the journey with its ups and downs helps to build confidence and uniqueness in your style.

Related posts

This is what I wanted
Those are the nails I wanted for my engagement!!! Set to get married in October 2026!!
🎨Kenna🎨

🎨Kenna🎨

47 likes

This is what I wanted
I paid 20 dollars for my sister to do my nails and well
Maddie  (13)

Maddie (13)

276 likes

This is what I wanted…
But instead got this and now years later it’s faded and makes me so angry to look at 😭 I was 19 when I got this and at that point in time I couldn’t handle confrontation whatsoever. I showed the artist the inspiration picture (he did one of my previous tattoos and it came out beautiful, but it was
Summer☀️

Summer☀️

78 likes

This is what I wanted…
What I wanted vs what I got 💖🫶🏼😍
CamiSueD_31

CamiSueD_31

32 likes

This is what I wanted and this is what I got
This was 60$ I am so happy!!! So worth it 👍👍🤩
Ur_fav_kenzie_

Ur_fav_kenzie_

22 likes

What I wanted vs What I got!
It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten my nails done and I finally got the time and money to do it! I’ve always done the square nails but I wanted to try something new and get the coffin shape. I’m also not a fan of super long nails so this is as long as I’ve ever had them. But I absolutely lo
Lyssa

Lyssa

1329 likes

What I wanted…
#nails #glitternails #whatiwantedvswhatigot
Karen Shipp

Karen Shipp

721 likes

On This Edition Of What I Wanted Vs What I Got
Valentines Day is coming up and you know I had to go all out with my nails. I’m so in love. #valentinesdaynails #nailsforvalentines
Rachel Schenck

Rachel Schenck

674 likes

What I Wanted vs…
What I did! Im very happy with them and have received many compliments. So summery and fun! I never wanna take these off. #nailinspo #citrusnails #whatiwantedvswhatigot #whatiwanted #summer nails #summer
Bre 🍋

Bre 🍋

3305 likes

What I wanted vs what I got
Looking back they’re ugly but I had these when I got engaged so they’re still special to me! #NailArt #Nail #naildesign #nailtech
Madeline Mertin

Madeline Mertin

7456 likes

What I wanted vs
Fall hair #copper #fallcolors
Brianne

Brianne

1531 likes

What I wanted vs What I got
OBSESSED!! #lemon8diarychallenge #for the nails😊 #pretty💅🏽 #spongebob #planktonmemes #Lemon8Diary #lemon #NailArt #pink #green
Nail Girl 💅

Nail Girl 💅

3232 likes

What I wanted…
#whatiwantedvswhatigot #christmasnailinspo #nailinspo #christmasnails
Karen Shipp

Karen Shipp

357 likes

what i wanted💁🏻‍♀️
#pet #MyPetDiary #nails #acrylicnails #coquette #pink #nailinspo ⭐️Overall rating: 10/10 Fort Worth
𝒶𝓃𝒾𝓉𝒶🌷

𝒶𝓃𝒾𝓉𝒶🌷

1012 likes

What I wanted
I did my own nails ! 💅🏽 and I love them 🤍🤍🤍🤍✨ I got the BTartbox Nails and they are AMAZING ! 🛍Brand: BTartbox Nail 💰Price: $25 ⭐️Overall rating: 10/5: this is what I needed, I’m all for budget friendly finds ! This is everything for me. #nails #nailart #nailsofinstagram #manic
Rainn_🤍✨

Rainn_🤍✨

551 likes

What I wanted! Vs What I did myself! 🥰
#naillnspo #i just need these nails
Jas Pro

Jas Pro

683 likes

what I wanted...
I wanted the vampire nails but short, and I think they're cute, but idk if they read as well short. I did them myself so I could always ask for my money back, but I probably won't give it to me since I'm just being difficult. #nails #vampirenails #whatiwantedvwhatigot😉🥰
nick

nick

757 likes

What I wanted vs. what I got 💅🏽💞
#got my nails done 💅 #nails #NailArt #nailideas #nailinspo 😩🤍😉 Long Island
Caroline ☀️

Caroline ☀️

800 likes

What I wanted…..
Wasn’t time to completely redo them but I wanted a different color so I filed off the old, added a bit of builder gel, and voila!!!! #nailedit💅🏾 #unfiltered #nailinspo #bettlesnailpolish #NailArt
Jas Pro

Jas Pro

1179 likes

What I wanted
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! I also did ask for the hot pink so that’s why the pinks are different. I’m so happy with them! #Nail #nails #nailinspo #hotpink #preppy #cutenails #sparkly #nails
Maeva💕

Maeva💕

1078 likes

What I wanted 🤔 vs. what I did
Saw these on my feed and fell in love 🥰 so I finally decided to take some me time and try to recreate! #nailedit💅🏾 #enjoy doing my own nails #nailtech #holidaynails 💚❤️🎄 ❄️
Lulu B🦋

Lulu B🦋

266 likes

What I wanted
My nail lady has done it again 🧡🧡 absolutely stunning
Kylee Beann🌿🌞

Kylee Beann🌿🌞

2030 likes

What I Wanted
💰Price:40$ #got my nails done 💅 #Lemon8 🍋🍋
Leah

Leah

1027 likes

What I wanted VS
Omg these are so cute I thought they were gonna be $200 but they were only $100. For how much bling and detail she did. They only took like 2 hours is that long I can’t tell 🤦‍♀️. I think they are very cute 🥰. Ive never got nails like this before cause I didn’t know how good they were but to my sur
🃏

🃏

1338 likes

What I wanted vs What I got! Nail edition!
#nailinspo #weddingnails #unfiltered #love #nj New Jersey
Cynthia

Cynthia

525 likes

What I wanted:
Nail Inspo! #nailinspo💅🏼 #naillnspo #vactionsnails #whatiwantedvswhatigot #summer Gallery Nails
✨Justice✨

✨Justice✨

3474 likes

What I wanted
First time doing nails!!!!!!!!! What is your honest review and is there anything else I should try❤️
Lilly💖❤️💜

Lilly💖❤️💜

139 likes

What I wanted vs what I got 🙄
I LOVEEEE!!!! I added the last pic so you don’t have to ask your nail tech to ignore the pose 🤣💗 “I want these but please ignore what she’s doing” #nailinspo💅🏻 #beautiful nails swipe 👉🏻 #pretty💅🏻 #💅ideas #expectationvsreality
zuzu

zuzu

2063 likes

I wanted the pastels & this is what I got 🥹
I’m so disappointed ☹️ I saw this cute drink online and I wanted to try the new flavors but when I got my drink it was so ugly lol , 😂 honestly it was tasty 10/10 on the flavor but -1000000/10 on the presentation. Did anyone else experience this with this drink ? #lemon8diarychallenge #S
TAINNIYA ☆

TAINNIYA ☆

11 likes

What i wanted vs What i got 🙀
birthday nailssss are here !!!!🎀 so cuteee my nail tech SLAYEDDDD 😩💖 #fashionfinds #nails #NailArt #nailideas #nailinspo #coquette #coquetteaesthetic #nailcontent #cutenails #coquettenails
Nancy

Nancy

2244 likes

What i wanted vs what i got✨
#nails #Nail #nailinspo #nailinspo2024 #got my nails done 💅 #fyp #fypシ #fyplemon8 #fy #viral 10/10 looks exactly like the inspo
mania

mania

3434 likes

What I wanted Vs what I got!
My nail tech/shop never fails me!!! I wanted a lighter pink but it matched the base of the nail so we changed it to this pink and she choose the wrong blues but I still fw it ! #whatigotvswhatiwanted #nails #pinkaesthetic #blueaesthetic #fyp
Kiera Pierce

Kiera Pierce

2770 likes

WHAT I WANTED VS WHAT I GOT!!
what I wanted vs what I got ! my girl did not miss! #nailsforbaddies #charlottenails #mediumnails Charlotte 📝🤎😍⭐️Overall rating: /10:10
Tierra

Tierra

1495 likes

What’s something weird you wanted for your house!!
Tommy Martin MD

Tommy Martin MD

215 likes

What I wanted vs what I got
So I like what I got but it’s not what I wanted. The nail tech did have the rhinestones for my pinky so she recommended to do cute flowers instead, at first I was a bit iffy to get it but I said I was going to trust the process also the base color for the blue is not the same but oh well neverthele
Shaneila

Shaneila

723 likes

What I wanted… 🍂🤎
Honestly obsessed with these… I couldn’t wait any longer to do fall nails 🤭 #fall nail idea🍂 #fallnailinspiration #fallnailideas #fallnailvibes #whatiwantedvwhatigot😉🥰 #whatiwantedvswhatigot #fallnaildesign #fallnails #nailsoflemon8 #fallnailaesthetic
kenna | nail tech

kenna | nail tech

2783 likes

what i wanted
i did these MYSELF and im so proud the best nails i’ve done💕 took me a hour but im so happy
urfavequestrian

urfavequestrian

846 likes

what i wanted..
just some shiny dark blue nails 🥹 #blue nails 💅 #chrome blue #unfiltered #Lemon8Diary #nailinspo #unfiltered
hannah jane <3

hannah jane <3

341 likes

What I WANTED vs. What I Got
I was so excited to get these done for weeks🥲 I know I’m late with this post, but I was too frustrated to post about it. This was the second time I went to this Nail Tech. I found her on IG, and I’m pretty sure she isn’t fond of me based off her work. Mind you, I don’t know why that would be! She d
Tehmaari

Tehmaari

557 likes

Tattoos I wanted and what I got Pt 1
These are some of the tattoos I wanted and got #tattoo
MayasWrld

MayasWrld

2339 likes

What I wanted vs. What I got: BIRTHDAY NAILS
My nail tech did her thingggg!!! I trusted her with my nails and she ate DOWNNN!! I’m obsessed w my birthday nails #birthdaynailinspo #bdaynails #whatiwantedvswhatigot #nailinspo
Nanna Dandam

Nanna Dandam

1313 likes

what i wanted..
she killed it! the little flowers 😩 #nails #nailinspo #buildergelnails #naturalnails #Lemon8
jordynkiera_

jordynkiera_

1221 likes

What I Wanted Vs What I Got
I decided to go with something else other than the ones I previously chose. I am in love. #fallnails Update: Wow I can’t believe how much attention this got. Thanks guys. Update 2: This seriously blew up. My goodness. Thanks so much everyone. Update 3: Omg, so much attention. You guys ar
Rachel Schenck

Rachel Schenck

789 likes

What I wanted…
I am obsessed!!! She did such an amazing job! #NailArt #spookyseason #halloweennails
Karen Shipp

Karen Shipp

397 likes

WHAT SHE WANTED VS WHAT SHE GOT
This set came out soooo cute. I love a good ole hello kitty nail set. My client loved them and that all that matters 💕 #hellokittynails #zebraprintnails #nailcharms #Lemon8Diary #lemon8challenge
Cortni B

Cortni B

1448 likes

What I wanted...
My nail tech is the best 🤎 #nailinspo #shortnails #philly #phillynailtech
Alli7208

Alli7208

533 likes

What I Wanted Vs What I Got
I’m so in love. #these nails are everything #fallnails🍁🍂
Rachel Schenck

Rachel Schenck

522 likes

What I wanted…
Because I wear press ons and know EXACTLY what I am getting when I apply them while I save a $hit ton of $$. Y’all it’s 2024 let me help you ditch the salon! This specific style, lasted me 13 days before I ended up removing them on my own. WITH NO pop offs! We have so many styles and colors/ design
Morganne_nicole

Morganne_nicole

623 likes

NAIL INSPO - What I wanted vs. What I got
We love blue! 🦋🔵🌀🔷 With all the viral blue nails going around, I knew I wanted a little bit blue but wanted a design as well. These are so fun and I love this shade of blue. My nail tech did me justice. 🙌🏼💙 #nailinspo #bluenails #bluenaildesign #lovemynailtech #beforeandafter #
Tiff 🌸

Tiff 🌸

614 likes

What I wanted vs what I got🌸✨
Credit to @Faith Evans for the cute nail idea!
Tori

Tori

2710 likes

What I wanted vs what I got
#whatiwantedvswhatigot #fallnails🍁🍂 #beautiful nails swipe 👉🏻 #abstractnaildesign #💅ideas 📝Fashion Style:
Jasmine Symone

Jasmine Symone

1074 likes

what i wanted vs. what i got: tattoo edition
I actually love the fact that my artist gave me a bigger heart (because I have a big heart lol… no?) This was my first tattoo - on the face is crazy, right? I put it on my sideburn so I can discreetly cover it with edges or a circle bandaid. If you’re wondering what my current career path is, i
lyiah🩷

lyiah🩷

1150 likes

💙🪬🧿 What she wanted…
How’d I do?? Do you prefer the inspo? *client only wanted the design on two fingers* #whatiwantedvswhatigot #nails #nailsoflemon8 #nailideas #summernailinspo #nailinspo #NailArt #nailspo #nailtech #vacationnails
kenna | nail tech

kenna | nail tech

1136 likes

What I wanted
Nail experience
Grace Miller

Grace Miller

418 likes

What I wanted vs What I got! I love it🥰
I love my 🍎red nails! I'm not a matt girlie I love the shinny pearl tent bright color look!! 😍💅💖
AlimasVibes

AlimasVibes

629 likes

See more