Does anyone not use nail polish on their finger nails anymore?

[citygirl1961]

Just wondering as my nails seem to break and split every time I use polish. Not so bad on my toenails as they are stronger anyway and I can't go out with bare toes in summer when I wear sandals as I think they look too bare but for my fingernails I am wondering if just a clear base coat will suffice.

I do like colour on my nails but I am fed up of the polish chipping and my nails breaking. I have had gel and acrylic nails in the past but they ruined my nails even more.

Is there anything natural that I can use that won't damage my nails?

I use a good quality base coat, 3 coats of polish and a good topcoat. They last a week. I HATE gel polish. It looks thick and fake. And RUINS nails

Never done it tbh….

Essie do a ‘treat love colour’ range which I use as base coat on toes (for summer sandals I prefer painted nails) and v occasionally use on my hands - it does help them grow strong and not split but to be honest I’m a reformed nail biter so they never get v long before they bug me and I have to file them short again. I would like nice long nails, had acrylics a few times 20 + years ago but the in fill maintenance was expensive and annoying, and the state of my nails underneath when they came off was awful, took ages to recover.
Never tried gel as looks uncomfortably thick and nail destroying to remove, plus uv lamps can’t be good for you!
cutex do a gorgeous nail oil which smells of marzipan which I like.

I love colour on my nails, and my nails have always been strong and healthy, but menopause put a stop to that. It dries them to a crisp. If i could be bothered I would put it on for an event and remove it after, but i can't! I'm used to bare nails now, even in toes in sandals. Moisturised and well manicured is my look now.

I have never used nail polish .I couldn't for years and years as I was a nurse .Got gel nails a few times for special occasions and they drove me bonkers and my nails were in a terrible state for months afterwards.Nail varnish is something for me to pick at so does not last long .My nails break easily from house and garden work so now I keep them short scrubbed and clean.I like short nails

I have a yearly mole check with a dermatologist. Her advice is keep nails varnish free. Primarily so that any issues with nails or nail beds can be detected and treated before they become serious. She particularly mentioned sublingual melanomas and the lack of training of nail technicians in recognising them.

I always have nail polish on. I find it quite relaxing to paint them. I use Nails Inc superfood base coat, then mostly Nails Inc, Dior or Essie polish. I use a Dior top coat. They last about a week, but I will change it as soon as it chips.

I do my own gels at home and my nails are still nice and strong. They last for a about 10 days before they start to lift at the corners, and then I stop using gloves when I do the dishes and the hot water helps them just peel off after a couple of days. I buff any little bits that are left off, and then use a good cuticle oil for a week or so before doing my nails again. My nails are really nice and strong

I don't polish my nails at all. Last time I did it was about 5 years ago for a wedding but doubt I would bother now

I always have polish on my fingers and I do my own - my nails are in incredible condition since sorting out my low ferritin levels. The longest they have been in decades with no splitting. I'm amazed.
I do let my toes go polish free in the winter and otherwise when they’re not on display - healthier to let them breathe/dry properly.

Never used it and don't plan to.

Not since around 14. I put it on my toes if I'm wearing open toed sandals, which I don't wear often.

I stopped wearing nail varnish on my fingers about five years ago. I'm not very good at painting them and then they're chipped within a few hours.

I sometimes have gels or acrylics done if I want to treat myself or for special occasions. They do damage my nails a bit when I take them off but my nails quickly heal over then next month.

I do paint my toe nails myself in the summer though.

I have only very recently started wearing colour on my nails again. Dior Nail Glow is expensive but the quickest and easiest way I have found to give a groomed look without colour.

I haven't worn nail polish in almost 20 years (I work in aceptics and its not allowed, even on toes). My nails are lovely and shiny.

I know lots of people who don't use any products on their nails, still, including me, and most of them have lovely nails. I don't have lovely nails, but not through damage from nail polish/nail products.

My daughter tells me there are some lovely, less harsh polishes now that still give good results, but she's not available today for me to ask for brand names. She only uses products on her nails sometimes though and after one go with acrylic nails said never again, and spent ages getting her nails back to how they should be.

Always use a good basecoat (even if using a cheaper polish) and likewise nail varnish remover that isn't like paintstripper. Spend the bigger part of the budget on getting this right. Maybe use some nail oil or cuticle cream if they seem to need it, too.

The thing about wearing gels is you have to respect your nails. Apply cuticle oil at night (last thing I do) and when it is time to remove the gels do NOT pick!.
I always soak cotton wool in Acetone and cover the nail and then wrap with foil on every tip. Don't over do it - keep checking and when the gels soften gently scrape away.
After that quickly get more gels !

@Stripeystrip201 · Yesterday 15:09
I haven't worn nail polish in almost 20 years (I work in aceptics and its not allowed, even on toes). My nails are lovely and shiny.

Your nails are nice and healthy. Sometimes it's nice to do something with them. I know, I feel great with a colour on and a bit more length than this. gels allow me to have longer nails than I would normally. They are stronger longer

Nail polish lasts 2 minutes on my hands until it starts to chip so I’ve been using nail strips from www.worthyof.co.uk

They have lots of different designs and usually last 2 to 3 weeks.

I never use polish on my finger nails. If I have done in the past for a special occasion, I need to take it off within 24 hrs or they will flake and break and then I need to wait 3 months for the whole nail to grow out to non flaky nails.
I like the natural look.