Best products to strengthen nails?

[bigbuttons]

Does any have any recommendations I need to use something, mine always split when they get to a certain length. My cuticles are in a bad shape too.
I am taking gelatin powder which is really helping them grow but they are still quite soft.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Your nails sound like they're suffering from Winter.
The cuticles - use a balm or oil at night (Avoplex from OPI or the Leighton Denny one maybe) or in an emergency Vaseline.

Keep nail short to reduce risk of splitting (mine get those annoying splits at the side half way down the nail)

Mavala scientific is well reviewed (I tried it because I can't wear nail product at work) it's a clear, non varnish coat (you only apply to the free edge)
OPI Nail Envy does the best for mine but not when I'm at work. And t goes a bit yellowy on me (nice!)

Take a photo of them now, then every 7 days so you can see the improvement.

[Perfectlypurple]

Was just coming on to say Mavala. It worked for me after years of nail biting and having weak nails.

[MyNameWasElizaDay]

I've always had weak splitting nails and have tried lots of different products on them. The only thing that's worked for me was changing my diet.

I started eating more protein and essential fatty acids, I have nuts and seeds on my cereal every morning and after a few months I noticed my nails had really improved. I have to file them down now as they get so long. Might be worth a try OP

[bigbuttons]

Thank you everyone.
I will definitely look into improving my diet. I do eat healthily and am taking powdered gelatine, but there's always room for improvement!

Thanks for the tips on cuticles, I must keep them moisturised, that will help my nails too i guess. I will get some lava today and order some Opi too.

[Lelivre]

Another thing that may really help is a glass file. If you use this a little every couple of days it seems to help hugely with the splitting. Also keeping the nails polished and fixing chipped polish as it happens. My nails are very very poor (bendy, split and peel) but by doing these things I can get them to a decent length. In addition using lots of cream many times a day and rubbing this into the cuticle area.

[amazonianwoman]

Nailtiques formula 2, applied every day. It works!

[itsbetterthanabox]

The eating gelatine won't do anything.
A good cuticle oil rubbed into the nail and cuticle multiple times a day will help. CND solar oil is the best.
Wear gloves when washing up or cleaning. File with a fine grit file in one direction only.
An IBX treatment at a salon would fix them and allow them to grow healthy. It's amazing stuff- ibxnails.com/benefits-ibx-system/

[BrendaandEddie]

Powder gel colour. I know! Everyone said they'll be damaged. I've never had nails like this

[bigbuttons]

Why won't gelatin help?

What's powder gel colour? Can you do it yourself?

[itsbetterthanabox]

Because there's nothing in gelatine that can help nails or that won't be digested and just used as energy in your gut.
There's no such thing as powder gel.
If you do use a hardener. Especially a formaldehyde based one like mavala then use extremely sparingly as overuse makes them brittle and does the opposite of what you want.

[BrendaandEddie]

there IS such a thing as powder gel as i have it on my nails look!

waves fingers

Salon - lasts three weeks

[TheCrazyDuchess]

Nailtiques as suggested earlier. Expensive but brilliant- order from Amazon xxx

[itsbetterthanabox]

A lot of cheap salons try to make up products to bring people in.
There isn't such thing as powder gel.
It'll be acrylic nails with a gel polish topcoat. Which is how acrylic nails should be finished anyway.
http://www.nailogic.com/store/displayy_siteinfo.asp?RID=43

[bigbuttons]

OK, I'm confused, why are there so many sites/studies/ testimonials etc that say gelatine has helped?

I did try nailtiques years ago. seemed brilliant for a while and then left my nails in a terrible soft flakey state.
Perhaps this is true of all products though?
I have ordered some flexitol nail conditioner in the hope that they will strengthen through being kept moisturised and nourished.,

[Autumn2014]

Pregnancy... A bit extreme but my nails have never been stronger since becoming pregnant.
Could be the pregnancy hormones or the well pregnancy multi vitamins I'm taking.

[itsbetterthanabox]

The thing that will do the most for them is using a good quality cuticle oil on the nail and cuticle multiple times a day. It really is the best thing. OPI, solar oil, China glaze- any pro brand cuticle oil.
The gelatine thing is an old wives tale.
m.nailsmag.com/qa/70001/does-gelatin-strengthen-weak-nails

[weaselwords]

Sally Hansens diamond hard is stopping mine from splitting but doesn't address why they are so weak in the first place.