OPI Nail Envy, nail strengthener?

[Hippychickster]

I've just bought this thinking it was £10.95 but it was actually £18.95, so I'm hoping it will be brilliant and turn my soft, peeling thin nails into talons!

Anyone tried it? Is it any good?

I didn't get on with it I'm afraid. I mainly used it as a basecoat, the result was that the polish would peel off, more often than not taking a thin layer of nail with it. This also happened when I tried doing the thing where you put on another layer every other day.

There have been several other threads about it in the past, seemed to be about a 50/50 split between people who love it and people who found the same as me. So it may be great for you.

I didn't think it was great either I'm afraid.

I do however really rate Nailtiques products.

I used it as a base coat for about a year. I really liked it and it helped me grow long nails for the first time in my life. Then saw someone post about some blue Mavala nail strengthener and I prefer it.

Oh no!! Now I'm going to have to buy those two as well! I'm determined not to have gel again.

Thanks for your replies. I'll try it for a bit and if it's no good, I'll try the others recommended.

I really liked it for a long time and it did help my nails.

I had just ran out of NE and had taken gels off nails were ruined and felt like a change.

Do you use Seche Vite? When I was using Nail Envy, nail varnish and Seche Vite my nails were so long and thick they looked a bit plastic. I loved it

No I've never heard of it, but I've had a look on Amazon and ordered some on your recommendation!! I love the sound of plastic looking nails! Mine are always so short and weak

Sorry didn't work for me either.

However Dr Lewinns range is the daddy

No no no!!! You have to stop recommending stuff now or I will be trying stuff for the next 10 years! If OPI doesn't work, I'm going for Mavala, then Nailtiques, then Dr Lewinns. If I don't have fab nails by then I'm giving up! But I'm absolutely sure the OPI and Seche Vite will do the trick!!!

Ha, Mumsnet is bad for my bank too

I hope they work for you Hippy

It ruined my nails. I thought it was rubbish- an expensive mistake.

Ditto Logon's post

I like OPI. I wear it like a clear polish and it protects my nails. Mavala (green?) nail strengthener is great. Vicious stuff (don't get it on your skin or cuticles) just for the tips of your nails but made a real difference.

I'm using Nail Envy at the moment. It's pretty good, although I keep forgetting to reapply. It seems to make my nails more "thick" and plastic, and sticks down all the flaky bits so it has a chance to grow out.

I didn't pay anywhere near £18 for it, though - you woz robbed, OP.

Before that, I tried the Sally Hansen stuff, but that was rubbish.

Did nothing for me personally, coconut oil rubbed in daily though has resulted in the longest strongest nails I've ever had!

Ha!

I was the same tried loads...

Nailtiques was just 'ok' as well

I have tried loads too. My nails peel and flake horribly, both from the ends and from ridges which split too.

I bit them for years, then had acrylics which helped me grow them. When they came off my nails were very soft and weak but they were best when I use Nailtiques, polish and top coat. Having got them to a good point they then suddenly began splitting and nothing has helped at all.

The best improvement so far has been with the Dr Lewinn's Renunail hand cream which I am trying to use regularly (keep it by the sofa so I use it a couple of times during each evening)

ooh I'm for it, I find out really helps my nails and particularly my 1 that splits. I use it as a base coat and as ur meant to always works well for me but have to agree didn't pay that much, qvc do a duo pack with the top coat which is good too

I would just add that although I don't rate Nail Envy, Seche Vite topcoat is great (except it goes all gunky in the bottle after a few months).

I use Nail Envy and Avoplex Oil when I'm not at work (I can't use any nail products at work).
Christmas and summer holidays is my main usage time.

I have very weak nails but when I make a sterling effort, it's brilliant for my nails.
In winter, I keep my nails short so they don't split (they do in the cold and I have to wash my hands a millionty times a day and wear latex gloves)

I've got some Seche Vite too, not used it yet.

I think Nail Envy is terrific stuff. I'm 48 and for the first time in my life I have nails now. :) Use it on its own to harden the nails and also as a base coat for their coloured polishes. I applied the latest one on Tuesday evening and it's wearing at the tips a little but has not chipped. Massive fan. Won't be buying anything else.

I love Nail Envy. It makes a huge difference to my nails with very little effort. Seche vite is definitely the best top coat.

I have to say, I've only been using this for a week and my nails are already much harder! It seems to be working. Just waiting for my Seche Vite to arrive now

Ok my nails are much harder now so pleased with the OPI. I got my Seche Vite today so was very excited.

I put on two coats of OPI, two coats of nail varnish and then the Seche Vite while the nail varnish was still wet, as recommended by the SV. I left it for about 10 minutes but it was soft and wrinkled up when I touched it.

What am I doing wrong? I thought it was supposed to make your nails rock hard and dry in minutes

I'm not sure. I use one layer of basecoat, two of colour and then the SV, the first nail is dry to a gentle touch by the end of doing the 10th nail, then properly touch dry after about 10 mins. I go to bed at that point so not sure how long it takes to be rock hard.

Maybe I just put too many layers on. I'll try what you have done WKWTTG and see how it goes. Thanks