my nails are rubbish. any wonder products I haven't tried?

[foosty]

they are so weak, splitting and peeling and I want to start taking care of them so they look pretty!

my hands are in and out of water all day and I probably should wear rubber gloves but it's such a a hassle

I hate getting manicures - can't bear it when they snip at my cuticles but am quite happy to do them myself

can anyone recommend a harderner/strengthener? I'm using a Rimmel one ATM but it's rubbish. Got a Sally Hansen one too but no great results with it

What should I be doing?

Yes Nail Magic it's brilliant!

thanks Karbea - it's a tenner on Amazon, is that the standard price?

I use Sally Hansen nail growth miracle in the gold bottle but always put a coloured nail polish on top of it. Also use their cuticle remover once a week. Pretty low maintenance but have good strong nails that used to be crap and I never use rubber gloves!

Also meant to say use a decent nail polish remover that doesn't strip the nails. If you can be bothered put nail on oil them before going to bed. Jessica do good remover and oil.

I got mine from amazon. It really is the most amazing product I've ever used, I really would recommend it.

I got mine from amazon. It really is the most amazing product I've ever used, I really would recommend it.

Opi nail envy is brilliant

so with cuticle remover, can you just rub it on but not have to snip them off?

Yes foosty - you can just push them down. Use a good cuticle oil then to condition new nail growth and then use Nail Envy/Nail Magic to strengthen.

If you want pretty polish but hands are in/out of water try gel polish - will last for 2 weeks so your nails can grow during that time and I have found my nails break much less - the gel seems to somehow absorb most of the impact - and I am very clumsy unlucky.

You can get home gelpolish kits if you prefer to do your own, I do.

Keep your nails short. Don't try to grow them, use a good nail oil, never let anyone snip at your cuticles always push them back.

Nail oil and hand cream every night.

Almond or grape seed oil is brilliant and cheaper than most branded stuff.

Forget wonder products - weak nails are a sign of a bad diet. Eating more vegetables and increasing iron intake will improve your nails,

here

my diet is generally pretty good - I'm def getting more that my 5 a day.. plus a fair bit of dairy...thought the calcium would help?

I'm going to boots tomorrow so will stock up - I do need to get back into the habit of using hand cream regularly again

I don'want long nails, just strong ones...and a wee bit of length, enough to file into a nice shape and so they look nice and healthy

interesting article, btw, LittleTyga - thanks

LittleTyga I eat more veggies than most people I know and ahve done for years. Still my nails are dreadful!

A couple of years ago a friend gave me a bottle of almond oil- this really does the job.

Keep cuticles soft and nails strong. Mine had previously been very weak and split easily. Now I just use a bit every night when I get into bed and it really seems to do the trick. You can get in most chemists for about £1.50 I think?

Yes almond oil is brilliant for nails! Takes time and patience and regular application before you see results though.

Mine is Dr Hauschka Neem Oil.

How odd HipHop and foosty May I ask if you drink a lot of tea? this can effect iron absorption. Also eating raw Jelly cubes is meant to be good for strengthening nails.