Please can anyone advise on my nails

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

I was getting gel (and then BIAB) for a few years and stopped almost a year ago. My nails were in an awful condition, paper thin and sore. Since then I've tried all sorts (several different strengtheners, OPI nail envy, a special "after gel nails" repair stuff etc) but although they're definitely better than what they were, they're still horrible.

Im currently using CND RescueRXX. I'm using it more than twice a day and applying hand cream often. As far a I know it has to be put on bare nails. But they look awful and I'm wondering should I not have something on to add protection? Maybe it's counter-intuitive?

Attached is a photo just taken so I've not put the CND or any hand cream on, just bare nails.

I go on holiday next month and would really like to have somewhat decent nails.

Anything else I can try? There are ridge down most of my nails should I buff them? The lady in The Salon Life says not to? Maybe I need to watch more of her videos but there's a lot to wade through!

Caster oil is really good for nourishing your nails

As thanks for this thread, my nails are awful, and I have buffed them. I've had a Biotin injection and going to go monthly. I'll start with the EA 8 hour tonight. My problem is that they are so dry and then I pick the skin. Currently doing that with my pinky which now has a split nail and I suspect an infection on the nail.

Is that a typical jelly cube for collagen? Or something else?

The 8 hour cream doesn’t have urea in it, which is one of the most important ingredients in terms of it looking after your skin. That said, the 8 hour one still looks nice.

And it doesn’t look like Aldi do it anymore either.

I found the nail and hair vitamins from Lidl give my nails a boost when I need it.

When you get your nails done can you say you don't want buffing? I've only had my nails done a few times but I always felt that wasn't good for them.

Aldi only do it now and then anyway, you just have to keep checking.

I think you're right re urea, but can get that in a cheap foot cream, the one above is £25.

Ref jelly cube - that's just a normal jelly cube, as they are made of gelatin which comes from pigs trotters.

Definitely don't buff split nails. Also, cut them as short as you can, to the top of your finger. (Split nails need cutting, not filing, though you can file down snags and pokey bits).

I’ve been using holy gels recently as my nails
were damaged from BIAB and like them as they’re just like stick on gel that peels off again with a gentle soak
in soapy water and doesn’t damage your nail. I have brittle nails no matter how much oiling I do but i have dry skin all over so no big surprise. The clear (or coloured) gel just gives an extra thickness so they don’t flake and brake.

Sympathies OP. Been there as well. I just kept cutting them short, looking after my cuticles, Nail Envy and they’ve recovered. So don’t give up hope, you’re doing all the right things. I now just use a Nails Inc dupe for Dior Nail Glow and can’t imagine getting my nails done in the salon again.

Try henna you will 2 tablespoons mixed with black tea, you will need to have a day off when you applied it's dry you take it out and applied again keep repeating until you achieve colour reddish you like now it's summer will dry so quick but make sure it's organic.it's same used for hair different only you use one application for hair when dry you wash and that's it until next time but for nails will take few applications, check that brand below also do enough research. I had worse problem than you I never looked back.
Certified Organic Henna Powder For Hair

Dior Creme Abricot is the best cuticle cream ever. Yes it's not cheap( about £27 a pot) but a pot lasts me over 6 months using it at night, I haven't had one split cuticle since starting to use it a couple of years ago and mine would regularly split especially in the winter, my nails aren't dry either now, I'll never use anything else.

I just thought I'd share an update as I spent a lot of time on my nails since my original post and have had great results!

I have kept them short and used CND RescueRxx religiously several times a day. Lots of Vaseline rubbed in the whole nail at night and hand cream throughout the day too. Apart from the odd occasion I have kept them bare which went against all my instincts!

They are still not perfect but so much better I'm really pleased. I'm about to paint them so have taken another photo I'm not sure if it really shows the improvement but I can definitely see it in real life and friends/family have noticed too.

I had the same OP, glad yours are looking better.

I used Mavala Scientifique K Plus Nail Hardener with Keratin every day and they transformed in about three months. I'd never get shellac again ... I'd rather do them myself with breaks of a few days between polishes.

I started taking perfectil , only the standard ones I think they're about £6.50 a box in boots /superdrug etc and it really made a difference to my nails and it also really improved my psoriasis. Also, look into taking a good magnesium supplement, I got some that someone recommended on here and they definitely do give me more energy/less sluggish and good for nails and skin too I think x