Nails

[Merryoldgoat]

I have terrible nails - I’ve been a biter since childhood and they’re in a state.

I’ve bitten off several sets of acrylic nails over the years but might manage better now.

Is there such a thing as ‘manageable’ false nails and what should I ask for? I don’t want them very long at all, just to look groomed.

Plus DH has bought me a new ring for Christmas and I’d like my hands to look nice when I show it off. Pic so you can see the shit I’m starting with.

Bumping for the late night style mavens.

Oh thank you. I’ll bump again in the morning if needs be

I’ve been there!

I have gels done every three weeks and I ask for them to be short. I cut them with normal clippers and file when they get too long. It’s the only way I could stop biting them.

Stunning ring btw.

You need builder gel or BIAB (the Gel Bottle).

I had a hard time keeping on gels and also bit off several acrylics but this stuff doesn’t budge! Rather than extend your nails it overlays the natural ones so you don’t get immediate length but my nails are in great condition.

@AC2022

I’ve been there!

I have gels done every three weeks and I ask for them to be short. I cut them with normal clippers and file when they get too long. It’s the only way I could stop biting them.

Stunning ring btw.

Thank you - and that’s a fake ring!! That’s my ‘I’m so fat my engagement ring doesn’t fit so I got this cracker ring from eBay’ 🤣🤣

It’s good to know gels will work with short ones.

Sorry if this sounds silly but have you tried just putting polish on yourself? DHs nails are like yours but he picks rather than bites. During lockdown he randomly put polish on one day and discovered it stopped him attacking them (and he liked them painted!?).

He mainly nicks my Dior Glow which is a slightly tinted clear that just makes then a bit blowy, find the ritual of doing it and using cuticle oil (again mine) has really helped.

And thanks for the ring idea mine are in danger of needing a Fireman to remove so have been looking at silicone rings, will go look on eBay

Try OPI Nail Envy. You can get clear or tinted. You paint on a layer every day for a week (I think, it's a while since I used it), then remove the layers with polish remover and start the process again.
Sally Hanson does something similar but I found OPI more effective when I was needing to rescue flaky, brittle nails.

Getting my nails painted professionally with a gel polish is the only way I stop biting/ breaking mine. I don’t do it often but already they’re looking great one week into a gel polish. And it doesn’t ruin the nail like an acrylic can.

Thanks so much for the ideas - I would prefer to grow them if possible so I’ll try some of these suggestions!

@LefttoherownDevizes

I’m just under 3 stone away from my real and perfect engagement ring fitting again which is the same setting as the cracker ring but a much smaller and mor normal size. It’s not fit for years.

I’m just under 3 stone away from my real and perfect engagement ring fitting again which is the same setting as the cracker ring but a much smaller and mor normal size. It’s not fit for years.

Oh cripes me too op!
How do we loose finger weight?!?!

@user1471548941

You need builder gel or BIAB (the Gel Bottle).

I had a hard time keeping on gels and also bit off several acrylics but this stuff doesn’t budge! Rather than extend your nails it overlays the natural ones so you don’t get immediate length but my nails are in great condition.

this was my first thought, but OPs nails might be too short still - an extra week of growth might be enough.

Buy the disgusting nail biter stuff and put it on religiously ! Then book for a gel overlay and as time goes on your own nails will grow underneath . You have the option then just to have your own nails ( you sound dangerous like me) or continue with the overlay which I do .

This one

@MammaLovesLeopard

Finger weight is real. What really intrigues me is if my feet will also go down a size… FAT FEET!!!

@IamGusFring

That stuff is really vile. For about 3 days when a hardened biter like me starts to ignore it.

Many short acrylics in combination with the bitey stuff?

I’ll have a think.

They look really pony with paint on as they are - like a 2yo got to mum’s polish and had a play.

I used to have nails like yours and managed to stop biting using acrylics. I just went to my local nail place and asked for short acrylics just under the tip of my fingers and round shape (round is better because you can't shew the corners!). I got infills every 2/3 weeks. With acrylic I don't think it's worth getting shellac colour as normal polish sticks nicely to them. I also found it quite helpful to be able to switch the polish colour myself. Sometimes I do that when I'm tempted to bite as a sort of distraction technique. Good luck!!

Also once you stop biting and your nails grow you might be able to stop the acrylics. I still get tempted to bite sometimes so I vary between natural nails / shellac /dip powder / acrylics. And I almost always make sure to wear nail polish so if it gets bad I can at least peel that off before biting.

Ok, I’m going for acrylics tomorrow! Excited and going to make sure they’re nice and manageable and subtle.

I’m on a bit of a self care mission. I’m trying to get healthier and stop eating so much.

Hair next but that’s way more tricky…

Are you happy with your new-look nails, @Merryoldgoat?

Care to show us a picture?

I really am - not finding them too hard to manage either at the moment!

I decided on sparkle for Christmas. I think I’ll need to go about twice a month for fills? It definitely feels like this could help stop the biting.

My husband says they don’t look like my hands and he gets surprised when he sees them for a split second.

I think I’d like a more rounded shape next time but these are a million times better than the chewed horror underneath!

My nails used to look like yours and these are now my natural nails (shellac paint).

I started getting them done about 2 years ago when they were super short with a "builder" base. I found that choosing a colour/design I loved meant I didn't want to ruin them and actually hurt my tooth when I did absent-mindedly try to bite them.

Acrylics weaken your nails so I would avoid having them for too long and try to go for gel polish instead!

They look good @Merryoldgoat.
You'll really enjoy choosing shapes and colours and, meanwhile, your nails will be growing underneath then you can have them covered in gel.
I was a nail biter for about 35 years. For years since I have worn gel over my own short (by choice) natural nails.

I got acrylics in august in an effort.to stop biting and flicking and breaking my nails. I hated them but it helped mostly break the habit.

Since then I've had a bank strengthening treatment as my nails were weak..and I've kept up gel nails every couple of weeks.

I can still flick a nail if I get a rough nail and I still have to work to not mess with them or nibble them if they arent smooth. So I have a 4 sided nail file and buffer to smooth them if they get rough. And if they get too long in between appointments I buff them back.

It's not ideal and I still have to work at it but I'm no longer embarrassed of my nails.

They look very nice and so much better @Merryoldgoat.
It is possible to stop biting, without polish I bite mine and the skin around them ☹️. I keep polish on them, even clear which deters me!
I have natural reasonable length nails now, and keep a file and hand cream on my desk at work, and in my handbag as the urge to bite is always there in the background!