Do you bother with your nails if you don't have nice hands?

[GlitteredAcorns]

I can't work out if my painting my nails I am making the most of what I have or drawing attention to my short stubby fingers. I wear black a lot and like red nails, but I find that I always leave a trail of red on paper and white furniture, like I've been painting with a crayon. What to do?

I do because a professional dancer once told me that she'd been taught to ensure all of her extremities were well presented...and then you seem to be well groomed. So hair, hands and feet. If they all look nice, the rest of you does!

The varnish you're using doesn't sound like it's good quality? I'd use a clear top coat on it.

Do a top coat on the nails. I have nice hands but they are very dry and eczema-prone, so I try to keep my nails as nice as possible to make up for it. That's the joy of nail varnish; you can have any colours you like! I am a goth and I wear burgundy, dark green, black, glitter, purple etc.

Yes, use a top coat or get gels.

Yes. I've got short stubby fingers and they look much less hobbitish with gel nails.

I have sausage fingers and my nails are always painted a neutral colour. It elongates my fingers apart from anything else (and doesn't show any chips )

Chipped black or red will definitely draw attention to them and make them look worse.

Use a gel polish, they will stay shiny and last longer.

Horrid little stubby fingers here - very occasionally wear nail varnish, generally nude colour.

I think varnished longish nails would make your fingers look longer.
On a similar theme, I never wear bright lipstick as I think it accentuates my thin lips and bad teeth.

I had short, fat fingers, and then a few years ago the arthritis kicked in (I'm late 50s), so I've now got swollen joints, and generally mis-shapen fingers. I'd do anything to avoid drawing attention to them, so no nail varnish. But I make sure the nails are clean and well-shaped, because that's what you do.

Thank you ladies. I'll try some gel polish. Any recommendations?

My nail technician uses a brand called Glitterbells althouh im not sure if you need the UV lamp to dry them. OPI is a good quality brand also.

A neutral colour will always make nails look better but bold colours should only be used for well shaped nails on nice hands.

I have large 'aged' hands (i'm 32). I always feel really with polish on so i only use clear stuff once in a blue moon.

I do however paint my toenails that are rarely on display

I think fancy colours and extensions look awful on wrinkly age spotted hands.
I have short stumpy hands like coal shovels. I like a nude squoval nail. very occasionally a rouge noir.

When all my nails are the same length, either short or long, I paint them. I have square hands and big knuckles. I use Rimmel in any colour I fancy. I don't usually match fingers and toes, feel like a bit of a dick. I'm 44.

If I paint my nails I always stick to neutral or pale colours. I can tell the difference if i try a bold colour. It makes me fingers look short and fat. Pale or nude varnish makes them slightly more elegant.

Okay so neutral it is, you have convinced me
I just need to find something that looks good on my skin and lasts ages

OP - I have the same problems as you when I wear strong opaque colours, I leave a trail over every paper I touch. When I can be bothered, I use a top coat (the fast-drying one that's always recommended here on MN), which helps.

I've recently discovered the Essie Colour and Care range and have been really impressed with how good the varnishes are, plus they don't stain my nails at all.

As far as fingers/hands/nails is concerned - if you like it, then wear it :) Different nail lengths / shape can also make a huge difference. Short square nails in bold colours can look really cool on any hands imo.

I never was a nail polish person because I found it difficult to do myself and it always chipped after a day. I’ve just been to have a mani pedi before my holiday ( feet like trotters otherwise) and I’m won over. The hands lasted 2 weeks before any chips appeared ( this was regular polish). I got a re shape and new colour on and it was what I consider to be very cheap. So I’m going to give it a go being a woman with painted nails. Why don’t you give it a go for a one off and see how you feel about it?

Short nails all the way though... especially if going for a dark colour. The only stylish people I see with long painted nails wear vintage style clothes which obviously suits that look.