I need a nail strengthener/hardener that actually works - suggestions please

[ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba]

just that.

I don't have much splitting or flaking but my nails are quite "bendy" and so the tip of any nail varnish chips within hours of application.
I think a some hardening treatment might just improve the situation and so I looked up different brands but I'm so lost.
I don't even understand what the difference is between strengthener and hardener - or are they the same thing?

What brand do you recommend that worked for you?
thanks

Take biotin supplement and use mavala nailactin each evening before bed.

OPI nail envy. It’s brilliant

@Cactuslockdown

OPI nail envy. It’s brilliant

Yep, I have to cut my nails with toenail clippers they're so thick and tough!

I have very similar nails to you Op and a week or two with OPI nail envy and regular cuticle oil and they're completely different.

The only issue with nail envy is that it can start to yellow your nails after a while, and if I stop using it mine go back to bendy and ripping almost overnight. I've also noticed that even if I use nail envy as a base coat, a layer of ordinary polish makes mine bendy again (almost immediately after application), regardless of how long I've been maintaining the nail envy treatment. It's great when I want natural nails but not for manicures.

I saw a tip on here for using UV curable builder gel - normal gel polish bends and rips right off my nails normally, but I've started applying a thin layer of building gel under gel polish and it adds a hard layer so my nails don't flex anymore, meaning I can actually maintain a manicure because the tips no longer bend and crease/split the polish.

I tend to use the builder gel (with or without a gel polish on top), and then use nail envy when I remove it and am happy for bare nails for a while.

The thing about nailactin is that it’s nutrition to massage into the nails, it doesn’t block oxygen so the nails don’t discolour.

Another vote for OPI Nail Envy. It’s the only thing that sorted my nails out.

Yep. Opi nail envy. I use it under my base coat when I paint my nails.

awesome, thank you all

I will buy Opi nail envy - it wasn't even on the list of best strengtheners!😱

@BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs

thanks for explaining.
I've just bought a duo set with cuticle oil, I'll see how it goes. this is the longest nail I have right now (same on both little fingers) so hopefully the Opi will sort the rest.

solar oil on nails every day completely changed my nails. You can see results within days

The Sally Hanson one is great!

@WhenSepEnds

solar oil on nails every day completely changed my nails. You can see results within days

I've made a note, thank you @WhenSepEnds

@whitehorsesdonotlie

I tried it years ago but didn't see any change - maybe I didn't use it for long enough

Prenatal vitamins! The nail person commented on how hard my nails are the other day and asked what vitamins I was taking 😂

@Rosiiiiie

thanks but I couldn't. the very idea of anything pre-natal makes my stomach churn.
we've got 7 kids and are so done that when I occasionally have dream about being pg/having a new born I wake up in a cold sweat feeling sick.
if DH saw me taking pre-natal vits he'd have an aneurysm.

I take a multivitamin with iron plus vit D and other stuff so that's as far as supplements go for me!

Essie Strong Start. One coat as a base or two used alone for a clear varnish look. I saw a difference in a week.

mavala- a miracle in a bottle

@Emerald123

Essie Strong Start. One coat as a base or two used alone for a clear varnish look. I saw a difference in a week.

@Emerald123

thanks! I have a bunch of Essie polishes, they are really nice.
their top coat is superb, I even have the matte version because it's magical😁

I'll make a note

Rejavacote 2 - a friend recommended it and it has transformed my nails and actually, my whole 'look' now that I can wear nail varnish for the first time in my life!