If you paint your own nails at home- not gels or acrylics

[ILoveMaxiBondi]

Just normal nail polish. What do you use and how long does it last? I do a lot of cleaning with hands constantly in and out of water/cleaning products etc but I have finally gotten my nails to a nice length and shape and have been wearing nail varnish over Christmas. My New Years resolution is to look after them and wear gloves everytime im cleaning.

So what do you use and include pictures if you like!

They look lovely Going.

Someone recommended solar oil by cnd for cuticles- amazing stuff! Really has helped cuticles and nails.

A few people have recommended nail envy by OPI but there are loads of different versions. My nails are really thin and bendy but tear rather than flake so I'd be grateful if anyone could tell me which to use. Thank you!

I have Solar Oil, it smells so nice! It does do a good job on cuticles but I've not been blown away by it and when mine runs out I won't re-purchase.

Have attached a picture of the Nail Envy I use.

1 coat Sally Hansen Double Duty Base + Top Coat
2 coats Maybelline Forever Strong SuperStay 7day Gel 130 **
1 coat Sally Hansen Double Duty Base + Top Coat

Lovely gloss. Lasts about a week - but I do wear rubber gloves for washing up and cleaning.

** I've been using Rose Poudre colour for about five years now which is very similar to the Vinylux Satin Pyjamas, which I might try.

Also the Maybelline has a lovely flat wide brush (although like every bloody nail varnish it doesn't reach far enough down ).

(me again!)

And, apparently, this is the reason why, which kind of makes sense I suppose.

The brush reaches the bottom of the bottle when the lid is completely screwed on, if the brush would be any longer it would be squashed when closed. I wish there would be a small button on the lid to push it and it would add an extra centimeter to the brushwand...

I'll get back in my box now.

@goingslow Essie 'A Cut Above' has just arrived. It's a glittery one. Looking forward to summer too I've also ordered 'Meet Me At Sunset'

Just had a google - love the glittery one! I have Meet Me at Sunset and it's one of my favourite colours ever. It's a great coraly orange, suits everyone.

I thought Solar Oil was for using with shellac type gel?

But, yes, mine are splitting and peeling like mad currently. I use Mavala which does seem to help. Essie do a treatment varnish that comes in about three colours too.

@VanGoghsDog You can use the solar oil stuff on any nails; bare / normal polish / gel...whatever. I'm in it for the smell really. It's like liquid marzipan

@goingslow my DH says to me every night 'you're using that bloody marzipan oil again aren't you?!'

@goingslow

Hmmph, I had it when I once had shellac and the nailtech advised me to get it for that, then I stopped having shellac cos it ruins your nails, and gave it away. I do recall loving the small, sort of chocolatey.

This is day 7 of CND Vinylux, no touch ups and I'm super hard on my nails (washing up, opening cans of coke etc). I also use Organica Nail Guardian which is taking the USA by storm, best nail product ever for strengthening nails and keeping them healthy, beats everything else I've tried (and I've tried them all!)

I'm considering buying some Orly Bonder base coat. What are our thoughts? Does it make a difference?

I think it really helps and it lasts ages as it goes on very thin, and there's really no drying time.

Evening Ladies,
I was going to pop into this thread last night asking what you all do about that pesky nail polish that inevitably ends up on the skin around nails post a fresh manicure.
Being a slattern I went food shopping last night with nail varnish all over my fingers! Okay, slight exaggeration but my nails were far from perfect.
Today, after a normal day I have NO varnish on my fingers, sooooo if you can bear a day of not so perfect nails you will be rewarded with perfect nails in no time at all!
I can’t believe that I’ve not realised this before now and I hope that this tip helps someone else 😊

That's a lovely colour, @BradleyPooper.

I did mine again last night. The Revlon Vixen lasted well, with a couple of touch ups. I've gone for Essie Sizzling Hot with Essie gel top coat. And I'm being a bit more religious about putting a Nail Envy vase coat on and my nails seem to be splitting / peeling a bit less which is good.

@goingslow you're so neat! They look amazing!

Thank you! They won't stay that way for long 🙄

@WineNotTea

I paint them before bed, then after my shower the next morning when the skin and cuticles are softer I can scrape the excess nail varnish off.

Similar to VanGoghsDog I usually clean up my cuticles in the shower. I rub my cuticles gently with a wet flannel and the excess polish comes right off easily. I'm delighted as messy cuticles were always my downfall.