“Let me see your nails!” That’s honestly one of the first things readers say to me when I meet them in the parks!
Dole Whip Cupcake
Since Disney Food Blog historically has been a “faceless” brand (early on it was always our policy to stay anonymous so that we could report on the true experience that any guest would receive when they went to a Disney restaurant or attraction…like an old school food critic), but in all of my photos I always had a manicure. And then, when we hired Tina (who was our primary reporter in the parks for 5 years), her nails were always immaculate — as well as the rest of her; she’s a style ICON!!!
So the Disney Food Blog “manicure” was one of our unforeseen calling cards! We didn’t require our reporters to have manicures or anything. It just happened. And I’m going to be honest with you about WHY.
Orange Lemonade with Sweet Cream Foam
I’m a nail-biter. A horrible nail-biter. I have been since I was tiny. I bite my nails down to the nubs. Like…until my fingers hurt. My anxiety is so high, that’s always been one of my outlets. Apparently it’s genetic. People who have this gene are more likely to develop Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior disorder (or BFRBs) like nail-biting, hair-pulling, face-picking…stuff like that. Anyway, that’s what I’ve got. So my nails were always gross-looking! And I knew I had to fix that if I was going to be holding food up in front of the castle for pictures LOL!
Krampus cookie at Gideon’s Bakehouse
So I started to get manicures to help myself stop nail-biting. And it worked! Even today, the only way I can stop myself from biting my nails is to have a heavy-duty manicure where those nails are so thick you’d break your teeth if you tried to bite them! Do I like to get manicures? Nope. It’s just a hassle and a waste of time as far as I’m concerned. But, for me, it’s basically a medication to help myself stop what has proven to be a harmful practice.
Butter Pecan Praline Sundae
So there you have it! The “DFB Manicure” had nothing at all to do with brand and had everything to do with my weird brain and genetics. We’ve never (and still don’t) require our reporters to have beautiful nails…or even nice nails. We don’t really care about their nails at all. We just want great reporters! But the legacy still remains of the “DFB nails.” So that’s a fun little piece of lore for you!
Thanks for following us here at DFB!
 Three Times I REALLY Wanted to Quit When I Was Building Disney Food Blog
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Love your work. Don’t feel bad. I do the same with my nails, for the same reasons. It IS hereditary, as well, as you said, and both of my kids do it, too. Keep up the great job, and thank you for all you do!!!!
AJ, I was a notorious nail biter as a child. As a family every couple of years, we would go to Michigan from California, by car! When I was about 8, my grandmother told me she would give me $10 if I didn’t bite my for 2 weeks before our trip. It was hard not to…but I did it. And got my $10. Bribery works. My suggestion is set a date and plan a reward for yourself. Of course, your reward would have to be something non-Disney
I was always a nail biter too! Getting acrylic nails was the only way to stop it lol! I also discovered that my short, stubby sausage fingers looked much more long and slender when I had my nails done. So that was a plus too!
Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to get my nails done, so I’m back to short stubby nubs. But I’m ok with that too! We can’t be perfect all the time
Hi. From London Ontario Canada. And I also bite my nails to the quick… I have also for my entire life of 62 yrs. Tried to stop this problem . But at my age have said thats ok and what the heck… If this is the worst thing that we are doing . That’s OK….
So be Ok with your nails and yourself. Do not let judgement of other get under your skin. We are better Women than that and deserve better. Sooo it’s OK and be Happy with ourselves.
On a side note I have been a DVC member sice 2014 and have Loved every year that I have been a member. On average coming 3 x’s a year. And a I have beena true fan sicnce I was 7 yrs old.
” My father took me when I was 7 yrs. old and we stayed at the Polynesian.
Thank you
Helen
I was not expecting an explanation for the reason for the manicured finger nails and instead clicked on this article thinking there might be a reveal of how the nail colors often coordinate well with the food items. I thought you’d tell us how you plan for that and get quick color changes at the salon or have your own huge variety of polish colors at home or at the office. I also a few times suspected the nail colors were changed with computer technology like Photoshop.
Thank you for sharing such a personal story with us! Also, we were lucky to meet Tina (and her partner!) at a food and wine event a few years back. Hearing her stories was just fascinating!!
One last thing—I am personally glad that more natural nail shapes seem to be back in vogue….🤣