Tips please on how to have nice nails!

[scoobysnax]

I am trying to leave behind my old, mumsy image, and trying to wear subtle nail polish on my hands for a more "groomed" look!!!!

My polish (Clinique) seems to chip after just one day and I would love to know if anything can be done to make it last longer as I don't have time to do it again each day!!!

Is it a good idea to use base coat, 2 layers of polish then topcoat?

And are the fast dry top coats worth getting?

Or are the only people with nice nails those who don't have kids?!!!

sorry I have dim-wittedly started this thread twice, please ignore this one!

Get falsies.

Get someone else to do your cleaning, washing up and anything that may cause you to chip a nail bassically!!

I used to have the longest painted nails and I always swore that once I was a mum that wouldn't change I managed to keep it up for about 6 months!

Now I sometimes do for a special occassion although the best colour polish I have found which gives a nice groomed finished, but can take a chip or two without noticing is a Clinique creamy colour (can't remember the name at work, but I'll check tonight) It give a glossy 'french manicure' look in one quick coat.

Buy revlon varnish - esp cheap int he USA

vaseline hand cream...the pink tube one

Clarins hand cream is good. Stops liver spots too (allegedly!)

Wow, half an hour between coats! I have been doing approx 1 minute!

And how many times a week do you reckon you need to re-do it??

I am going for a bit higher maintenance but maybe it just takes too much time - do any mumsnetters with kids have smart nails?

CD - what are liver spots? Sound gross.

Beetroot, thanks for the advice, you are my nail guru!
Twice a week it is, half an hour between coats, clear varnish only!