My nails are crap

[pumpkintits]

Any recommendations of how to get my nails stronger??

I've been using Sally Hansen Hard as Nails polish, regularly oiling my cuticles and applying hand cream. I wear rubber gloves when doing the dishes, generally trying to take better care of them etc but this is what they are like with nothing on at all.

They are soft and break easily, I end up having to cut them right down because they break and the ends just seem to flake away.

Any suggestions for miracle nail products to give me strong nails?

Oil after every hand wash. And regular warm oil soaks. Also follow The Salon Life on YouTube and watch some of her videos. She has excellent advice.

This stuff works - seriously, horse hooves are keratin, exactly the same as fingernails. I suspect the only reason they sell teeny weeny pots of it is for the ex-horse owners who know how good it is. It even smells nice.

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Effol-Hoof-Ointment-for-Horses/c8217/

I’m following The Salon Life advice and delighted with results. Oil and lotion each time you wash sounds a faff but with her method it takes less than a minute. She is particularly helpful on when to use products like nail hardeners and when to avoid them.

I’m so glad you’ve found her helpful. I pretty much recommend her on every nail post and think people are going to think I’m associated with her somehow!😂 I promise I’m not but the fact she has so much info for free is brilliant.

I used to spend loads of money on getting my nails done and them being wrecked and I can honestly say since following her advice, they’ve been great. I’m keeping them short for now but my chronic peeling and flaking has totally gone.

Also, I have treated myself to some oils to put in my handbag. I got this one the other day.

Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing Roll-on Cuticle Oil Pomegranate & Fig 10ml https://amzn.eu/d/g7Vmjzq

I will probably refill it too when it’s done a roller ball and top comes out easily enough.

I also got a couple of these for at home and then decant from a bigger bottle. I find them a bit less of a faff than a bottle and dropper. And you can refill them. You might find them useful.

Refillable Water Brush Pens Set Water Colour Brush Pen for Artists & Beginners Painting, Calligraphy & Lettering, Watercolour Oil Acrylic Paints Aqua Brush Pen, Pack of 1 by Stationery Island https://amzn.eu/d/eiyxWcR

Opi nail envy is great - Amazon sell it a lot cheaper than rrp

Thanks so much for the advice, I'll check that YouTube channel out 😁 I bought a huge bottle of almond oil as I read it's meant to be good for hair and nails and have been decanting into those watercolour pens as the cost of buying actual oil marketed as nail oil seemed crazy!

No idea how long it should take to see some improvement

CND RescueRXx - it's on Amazon for about £14 and it's amazing stuff.

It's a nail oil you brush on & just rub in. Only thing that's ever worked for me, I had awful flakey nails and could see a big difference after 2 weeks of using it once a day. I only use it occasionally now and my nails have stayed strong. Really recommend it.

Longer term solution, but evening primrose oil capsules taken for other reasons really strengthened mine - they grew in much stronger and thicker. Noticed the improvement then worked out why after checking online, nothing else had been changed. Can be a bit expensive but there are often good deals e.g.
https://www.boots.com/efamol-woman-pure-evening-primrose-oil-500mg-90-capsules-10000663

BeretRaspberry
Thanks for those links. I will definitely look them up. I was interested to see The Salon Life recommending products by Eucerin and CeraVe, two dermatologist brands not normally associated with manicures.

pumpkintits
The website goes into a lot of detail about how nails grow, different types of nail problem, what to realistically expect from treatments etc. I hope you find it helpful.

Another vote for this.

Nailtiques Formula 2 is also excellent, if you prefer a polish.

I second this. I’ve used it for years. It’s not a varnish in the sense that it doesn’t flake or chip. You have to use it daily but results are great.