Basic nail & cuticle care - help needed

[FindingStuffToChuckOut]

Ok so I'm a big baby & my nails are dreadful. I do bite them, but have stopped successfully in the past and want to give it another go. Main problem seems to be quite thick cuticles - they grow down my nails, split & snag at the sides & I pull them. Ouch & ugly!

I know, I know it's horrible!!! I really want to look after them - I can't afford manicures, I'm not going to spend a fortune on miracle products though I will buy some well priced bits if necessary. I don't want long luscious nails (well beyond me) I just want nicely groomed shortish nails with lovely cuticles. Everyone else seems to manage it - most men have nicer nails then me & I can't imagine they spend hours oiling their cuticles & filing their nails.

Plus I really don't want DD picking up on this bad raggedy nail habit from me!! My Mum didn't teach me anything about nails (though hers were unvarnished but quite nice) & I'd like to set a positive example.

So your top tips on basic nail/cuticle grooming would be really appreciated.

Ok the more you pick and chew the worse they grow IME

I would recommend a decent manicure just to get them where they should be, hyen you can maintain

Burts Bees Lemon cuticle cream is lovely. A bit of that rubbed in each night while you watch telly will keep them pushed down

Wear a neutral pale French manicure type nail varnish (without the white tips) even if your nails are bitten, it makes them look miles better and discourages chewing

Slather on hand cream before you go to bed, rub it all into your nails/cuticles/knuckles, add a bit extra for good measure when it's all rubbed in, then wear cotton gloves to sleep in.

that must be it cybbo! I've been doing this all my life I guess so lots of damage.

I do use a good handcream but it's not enough, or not regular enough!! Must do so more regularly. Good tip re starting off with a manicure but I'm too embarrassed to take these motley stumps into a professional

They'll have seen far worse, trust me. Also, the handcream thing may need to be every night at first. Get into a routine of doing it, like setting your alarm or brushing your teeth. And don't forget the gloves.

Dont use antibacterial soap-dries everything out like buggery

Keep a pair of Tweezerman cuticle nippers to hand (£17 from Amazon). You can also get a small Tweezerman set to keep in your handbag.

As soon as you get any scraggy nail or cuticle ends, nip them off. It makes it much less tempting to nibble them (am also a life-long biter).

I find salon manicures to be a waste of time/money unless you can go weekly. But you should go once or twice to see what they do, then you can copy them at home.

They will have seen worse!

I find that if I keep my nails buffed/painted they look nice and I don't want to ruin them. But I do have to re-do them a couple of times a week.

I use OPI nail strengthener and polish, but also have a No 7 fast drying nail polish for when I don't have time to do them properly.

Oh, the irony, have just bitten off a nail as I typed that! It had split at the sides and was annoying me! Will have to do a repaint later.

Ok I'm slathering on the hand cream and on the look out for cotton gloves.

Will give myself a mini manicure this weekend (I've had a few in the past so kind of know what to do). I even have some cuticle oil somewhere and I'll dig that out too.

Little by little I'll get there.

off to look at Tweezerman stuff ...........

thanks for your input everyone