WOMAN WITH WORLD'S LONGEST NAILS CUTS THEM AFTER 30 YEARS OF GROWTH

Ayanna Williams (USA), who holds the Guinness World Records title for the world's longest fingernails, has officially parted with her extreme manicure. She cut her nails for the first time in 30 years this past weekend.

Dr Allison Readinger of Trinity Vista Dermatology in Forth Worth, Texas (USA), assisted Williams in cutting her nails with an electric rotary tool.

The world title-holder shockingly broke her own record for the longest fingernails on a pair of hands with a new length of 733.55 cm. The record holder has not once cut her nails since the early 90s. As expected, this was an emotional, bitter-sweet goodbye for Ayanna. 

"I've been growing my nails for a few decades now. I'm so, so ready for a new life. I know I'm going to miss them, but it's just about that time – it's time for them to go."

Ayanna dedicated over 28 years to growing her nails, and they have become an integral part of who she is. As a young adult, did Ayanna love growing her nails, but even as a kid, she always loved nails and nail art and has fond memories of asking her mother to check how long her nails were. 

Ayanna was first officially recognized in 2017 for her super long nails. She was also one of the record-breaking stars to feature in Guinness World Records 2018. At the time, her nails measured 576.4 cm and required over two bottles of nail polish and 20 hours to do her manicure. 

Recently, her lengthily nails took up to 3 or 4 bottles of nails polish, and Ayanna had to complete the task over a few days.

With her nails reaching a seriously long point, Ayanna started to face day-to-day difficulties. She struggled with activities like washing the dishes and putting sheets on the bed. 

"With my movements, I have to be very, very careful. So, usually, in my mind I'm already preparing for the next step that I have to do to make sure that I don't hurt myself with my nails – or break them. I'm excited about cutting my nails because I'm looking forward to new beginnings."

Ayanna said that she received lots of different reactions from others who would see her nails in public, but most were positive and supportive.

"I have this thing that I do with children when they come up to me and they say 'are those your nails?!' and I say 'yeah', and then I ask and I say 'How old are you?' and they say 'I'm ten or I'm seven', and I say 'Guess how old my nails are? They're like 28 – 29 years! They're older than you!'"

Even though this entire journey will be one that she'll never forget, Ayanna is now looking forward to the future. And the legacy that her record will bring for generations to come.

However, Ayanna's hard work and dedication to her fingernails will never be forgotten. They will now be preserved and on display at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum in Orlando, Florida. 

"It's gonna be awesome. It's going to be a like a wax of myself even though it's just my nails. I can't wait to see that, for real. I'm going to be grinning from ear to ear. Just really think about it, it's amazing."

However, regardless of her record title, they will always be one of her favourite accessories.  

"With or without my nails, I will still be the queen. My nails don't make me, I make my nails!"