What's a cheap way of making your nails look good?

[andijustchangedmyname]

Tried gel nails but they peel off me, acrylicas only last a week before they are lifting so way too expensive. Tried my own gel nail kit but I'm just rubbish.
Should I just give up and accept I have to have plain stumpy fingers?!
My nails do grow but it's the painting side I'd like

I use nail wraps and love them, never had any issues. UK based i use Holy Grail Nail.
If happy to wait i use Lily and Fox based in Aus, they charge £1.99 a set and free shipping, which can take c3 weeks.
I lightly buff my nail before applying and they adhere really well, i change them every week but could get 10-14 days from a set if i wanted.

Nail wraps are good. You can get better at painting them inc. at home gels with practice and lots of good YouTube videos

Or just keep them in really good condition. Use a cuticle butter Burt's Bees is excellent and hand cream regularly, I just use Palmers Coco Butter. You may find that suddenly they've grown and not split or whatever issue they have. Then maybe treat yourself to manicure without polish which is not very expensive to shape them.

If you shape at home I fins it is better to cut them straight with a very sharp pair of nail cutters which is wide enough to do the entire length of the nail and just round the corners with a file, rather then file. Keeps them stronger and looks more professionally done.

Nail wraps from Oh My Gosh! nails. Really good, easy to apply and last about a week. No extra equipment needed.