How to have nice nails/ hands?

[Chocoholicbaby]

I wondered if anyone had any genius suggestions for getting lovely hands and nails. I think my main problem is horrid dry skin around my nails, especially at the end of my fingers. The skin on my hands starts to peel if I use scented hand creams though! Lovely... Does anyone know any good unscented hand creams? Als

[Chocoholicbaby]

Hit post too soon...

Also I have weak nails which split easily. Does anyone know how I can fix this? Is there a nail undercoat or similar which works?

[AlwaysSleepingBeauty]

La Roche Posay do a brilliant un scented Cicaplast hand cream, it's about £5 a tube and one of the best I've tried so far. It's good with gloves at night too.

[Sleepyfergus]

I've been using solar oil every night now for about 2 weeks and my nails and the skin around them has dramatically improved. I apply it at night when I get into bed, just paint it round the sides of my nail and cuticle, allow to sink in a bit and then massage in. Followed by Clarins hand cream, but Aveeno would also be my choice as it's I perfumed and sinks in really well. Whole process takes 5 mins tops.

I also used Flexitol cuticle and nail cream to soften any hard skin around the nails.

Finally, if I'm on a conference call at my desk (esp one where mainly listening and not partaking!!) I massage in Burt's Bees lemon balm which I think has also helped. The wee tin is tiny that you could keep on in your bag and apply if on daily bus/ train journey etc.

[Sleepyfergus]

• unperfumed

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Rub coconut oil or Vaseline into nails twice a day, doesn't take long at all! There's a thread on here about it atm.

[phonebox]

Eat cod liver oil. And avoid stress.

[coffeeinbed]

Cream, Neem oil, file a little often.
It's just perseverance.

[t3rr3gl35]

Another vote for Solar Oil here. Also - wear gloves as much as possible..rubber gloves in the kitchen, nitrile for all other household chores, leather or fleece for walking the dog/general outdoors and good rawhide for in the garden. (Confesses to having a different type of glove for every activity.... ). Also confesses to having annoying contact allergies!

[HarlotOTara]

I have been using opi nail envy on my nails and they are much stronger as a result.

[Ememem84]

I've recently stopped having my nails done. Used to get gels once every month-6weeks. Have had a break for the last 3 months.

I've found that because I have "naked" nails I've started picking my fingers. And they look terrible. Booked appointment for new nails. Hoping that because they'll be all shiny and neat I'll stop and will start looking after than

[SundaySimmons]

See my thread here...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2022005-Petroleum-jelly-for-nail-growth-testers-needed

You need to use a hand cream for your hands, but my nails are fantastic thanks to using petroleum jelly. Only a tiny amount is needed and I put it on at bedtime. A quick smear on each nail and in the morning the growth is visible and the nails look like I have just had a manicure as they have a beautiful sheen.

[Capitola]

I often get comments on my hands and, a lifetime ago, was a hand model.

I never, ever even pick up a wet cloth without rubber gloves on! I put hand cream on morning and evening before bed and if dh is away I slather on this cream and wear cotton gloves to bed. This seems a bit like cold cream and curlers to me, hence I only do it when alone.

My nails are strong naturally, and I do a DIY manicure once a week. I use any old base coat, Jessica, Essie or OPI nail varnish and Essie or Seche Vite topcoat. I don't use any cuticle creams, I just push them back every day in the shower or in the steam room at the gym.

I wear SPF every day in the summer, although I have a couple of what look like they might become liver spots.

I'm similarly precious about my feet!

[Chocoholicbaby]

Thank you all- so many great suggestions! Will definitely try them all.

[atthestrokeoftwelve]

Rubber gloves in the kitchen!