Social media users have been captivated by a clever typing hack shared by a woman who had just gotten her nails done.
Gigi (@gigichuut) posted a viral video demonstrating how she uses pens to type on her laptop instead of risking damage to her fresh acrylics. The clip has racked up 2.9 million likes and 21.6 million views.
“POV: you’re just a girl who got her nails done and works an office job,” she wrote in the text overlay.
In the video, the office worker holds two pens to tap on her keyboard, preserving her newly manicured nails from chipping or breaking.
“This would’ve made a great ASMR vid if my bracelet wasn’t tippity tappying next to my clickity clackying,” she humorously captioned the post, alluding to the sounds the pens made while she typed.
Two experts weighed in with Newsweek about the woman’s hack.
Simone de Vlaming, the founder of Beautymone, from the Netherlands, told Newsweek: “That viral video had me laughing—it’s a fun example of the lengths people will go to protect that fresh set!
“While typing with pens might not be a long-term solution, it sure is a unique idea.”
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She provided the following tips for caring of a new set.
- Be Gentle: During the first 24 hours, avoid putting too much pressure on your nails to prevent damage.
- Hydrate: Keep cuticle oil or hand cream handy to moisturize your nails and prevent dryness, which can cause lifting or cracking.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Steer clear of cleaning products and other chemicals for the first few days to avoid nail lifting.
- Choose a Manageable Length: Opt for a nail length that suits your daily activities to reduce the risk of breaking or chipping.
Cameran Battley, a nail technician, from Indiana told Newsweek: “As a nail tech I totally understand why she did this. Most people when they get their nails done are rough with them.
“For example if they have acrylics they may use it to open a can and those behaviors can “chip” away at the integrity of your enhancement. It’s best to not use your nails as tools and use gloves for activities such as cleaning.”
Typing With Acrylic Nails: The Challenge
For those with acrylic nails, typing can pose a challenge. V Beauty Pure suggests using the pads of your fingers instead of the tips of your nails to avoid strain or breakage. Gigi’s creative pen method is a novel workaround, but with practice, many can adapt to typing with longer nails. Using a stylus for touch screens is another common alternative.
The comment section was buzzing with users impressed by her ingenuity, with many relating to the frustration of damaging newly applied acrylics.
“I swear Gen Z is way smarter than us millennials,” one user quipped.
Another viewer shared, “Gurllll u need a tippy type keyboard, I learned it within seconds of skimming thru the comments.”
A Tippy Type Keyboard—designed for easier typing with long nails—features raised and larger keys, allowing users to type more comfortably without relying on the tips of their nails. It’s one of the many tools available to help people maintain their nail beauty without sacrificing work productivity.
However, not everyone saw the need for a workaround. Some commenters preferred typing with long nails, seeing it as part of the experience of having them.
“I got used to typing with long nails. It’s really easy for me now, you should practice and see how it goes,” Jessica said.
Another added, “I loved typing when I have nails. It’s oddly satisfying.”
Newsweek reached out to u/gigichuut for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.