Nails breaking all the time

[Twinsforthewin]

Hi, my nails just won't grow 😭 I am gutted because I love to paint them, but every time I do them now, they are all splitty and flaky for months after. They won't get past the end of my fingers and my dream is to wear the cool thermal indie nail polishes I bought years ago.

I've heard about builder gel but what is it/can I do it myself? If I go to a salon what do I ask for? I know there's gel manicure but I've had it a couple of times and it makes the problem much worse after removal. I've tried Nail kale, Sally Hansen, various drugstore "strengtheners" and no joy 😭

Is there something that can be gradually painted on and make my nails thicker/stronger? Or am I I just looking for unicorns? I don't want huge long glamour model nails, just a couple of millimetres past the end of my fingers.

Pic to show current sorry state of affairs

Vitamin D, which lots of us are deficient in in the U.K. strengthens nails and stops peeling/flaking. It might take a couple of months to boost enough to have effect though.

I have had great results from CND Rescue

I find filing and keeping them short - and rubbing a nail oil into cuticle (I use a Jessica one) every night and using hand cream.

You need to look for builder in a bottle (BIAB) manicure. They paint it over your own nails and it acts like a protector. You can have it the base colour or then have gel colour on top which will need refilling after about 3 weeks. It costs me about 42 pounds every 3 weeks but I love it as my nails are usually always spot on. Yes it may not be great for nails but mine are so crappy anyway plus I'm a biter and picker so it would look even worse.

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/biab-nails