14 day nail polish/gel nail varnish......help

[Dingle]

I am considering investing in some new nail products. My nails aren't a bad shape, grow quite quickly but are so soft and breakable. The fact that I work in a Pre-school and wash them so often really doesn't help.

I was wondering if any of these 14 day nail varnishes, which I believe are gel based, are any good. I just want a nice protective coat over my own nails to help protect them.

Opinions please. x

[trumpton]

Before investing in an led lamp and gel varnishes ( and if you do Boots sell Sensational for £70 includes lamp and starter kit )
Instead....
I am using a base coat , then a normal colour then topping with Sally Hansen Insta Dry . ( red bottle , white lid ) my nails look fab and I have been asked if they are Gels. The Sally Hansen came recommended on here .

I have only just stopped biting my nails after about 60 years (!) so you can guess how fragile they are.

[Dingle]

Thank you, I have tried Sally Hansen products in the past but a lot of products seem to just peel away from the nail bed. The last one I tried was Hard as Wraps.

How often do you re-do your nails please trumpton?

[trumpton]

If a pale colour prob will last a week but am currently wearing a dark plum and am on 4th day . Only one has needed to be cleaned and replaced and one other a quick repair .
The reason I really rate the Insta dry is that it hardens the polish immediately and shines it beautifully . I use it last thing in the evening to give them a good start .

[shellyf]

My daughter does my gel nails.They last for almost three weeks.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

That's what I do too, put it on before bed, the Insta Dry is a really good product. The other thing that I have found makes a big difference to how long my polish lasts is wiping my fingers over with nail varnish remover just before doing the base coat. Mine are lasting a week now even with dark colours, before I started the wiping I was lucky to get two days without chipping.

[pippop1]

I used to work in an art room and had gel nails constantly for a few months. I gave up in the end as I always had to go back as one or two never lasted even 10 days, never mind two weeks. It was a big waste of money so in the end I stopped having it done (£25 every two weeks with free adjustments if one fell off).

The salon said that other people didn't have this problem and perhaps it was my job. I think it was partly the job and partly my weedy nails.

Now I use OPI Nail Envy which helps a bit. I do have very bendy think nails so I don't think that helps.

[valiumredhead]

Use No 7 Stay Perfect Top Coat - makes varnish last a week if you use a pale colour. Amazing stuff!

[valiumredhead]

And use Sally Hansen Miracle Cure as a base coat - dark blue bottle.

[Alexa12]

Seche Vite top coat is brilliant. If you go over the edges on the nail tip it will seal and last much longer.

[flux500]

I have shellac and it lasts 3 weeks easily and then just the odd chip. Gel nails should last brilliantly if applied correctly. My manicurist wears gelish and hers last 3 weeks even with her being a manicurist and having so much contact with acetone!

[Jackstini]

Second Trumpton's vote for SensatioNail, it's amazing - but you can now buy it direct from their website for 60 quid! - free p&p, the sizes of cleanser and basecoat are larger and you can choose any colour.

Am currently wearing Dusk Til Dawn, my summer favourite was Tahiti Sunset.

[PlumSykes]

I have Gelish. Lasts 3 weeks without chips.