Give me your best nailcare tips

[GirlInTheGreenhouse]

My nails are horrendous. They've always been awful, I used to be a biter but now they're just weak, they split, overgrown cuticles, the lot.

The only time they've ever looked decent was when I was working and I had a manicure every three weeks with clear gel overlays. They looked fabulous and the gel protected them so they grew well. Having them professionally shaped and filed meant they grew strong as well and they all looked even.

Now I'm a SAHM with no budget for such luxuries! I'm barely capable of filing them myself (and don't even have a decent nail file). So please give me your top tips of easy (and cheap!) ways I can improve the look of my nails myself. TIA.

Hi! Another ex-biter with weedy nails here! I've been using coconut oil on mine for a couple of months and it's done wonders (just the cheap one from Aldi). I use a 5p size blob and massage it into my nails and cuticles a couple of times a day & rub any excess into my hands. My nails seem stronger and whiter-tipped and my dry split cuticles have healed.

I file mine every day. It stops there being any bits to catch on things or absentmindedly nibble. I have found that they grow much better if I do so. I also paint them regularly at least with a clear or nude colour as they then look nice and groomed.

Keep a nail file and a hand cream in the bathroom. Everytime you go in there you can just file one nail that needs it. Put hand cream on as often as you remember (I find neutrogena or garnier in red tube both good), leave a spare in your bag and downstairs too. Put a cuticle oil or similar next to your bed and rub some in before sleep on the nights you remember.

Don't buff
Don't use a rough emery board, buy the smoother grey ones
Apply nail oil twice a day
Wear gloves when doing any housework.

Apply hand cream regularly.

Pic of my nails, filed daily and just painted with a clear polish.

High grit nail file- 240 or higher.
Use a good quality cuticle oil daily massaging the nail and cuticle.
Never pick off nail polish.
Wear gloves to clean and wash up.
Use a formaldehyde free nail strengthen paint on daily.

Soak you hands and use a a cuticle remover then gently push back cuticles. Do every 2 weeks.
Be aware nail quality is mostly genetic.

OPI nail envy when I remember. Keep them shortish to prevent splitting high up.