How to strengthen your natural nails

[Colette]

My nails are very weak and flaky. I’m hoping to strengthen them and grow them a bit so they are long enough to paint. I’m looking for a cheap alternative to having regular gel nails etc
Not sure if this is possible, I’ve been rubbing oil into the cuticles , gently filing any rough edges and they’re still pretty awful.
Any advice, products ?

Honestly, gel polish absolutely wrecked my nails and it was only ever an occasional treat for me. It’s taken my nails nearly a year to stop flaking. So unfortunately I think it’s just a matter of time. I did have some balm in a little tin which smelled nice but I doubt actually did much to help.

@HamHand Yes I thought that might happen with gel nails, mine are so bad to start with and the cost if you’re going have it done regularly.

Oil was miles better for my nails than any strengthener, which just made them very brittle

@CarterBeatsTheDevil Have you any ones in particular you can recommend?

L-lysine and selenium. Will take a few months to see the benefit though.

The only thing that seems to work for me is sunshine! My nails go really brittle in the winter but as soon as I go on holiday or if it’s a particularly nice summer they grow like crazy! Keeping an eye on this thread to see if there’s anything that can help me keep my lovely nails in the winter too!

Biotin supplements, nail oil rubbed in at night, always always always wear rubber gloves if you're washing up or cleaning.

The Essie range of improvers, gel varnishes (non UV) and top coats has been a game changer for me.
It looks just like a gel mani 💅🏼

Thanks, this is great

I think I just used Sally Hansen's cuticle oil - just a little smudge rubbed all over the nail worked very nicely.

The stuff they put on horses hooves! Beware the stuff is very potent smelling but it will strengthen your nails! Someone who works with horses gave him this tip!

https://www.johnlewis.com/mavala-mava-strong-fortifying-base-coat-10ml/p2961487?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1haWw=

I’d highly recommend Mavala Strong, game changer for my nails that were in recovery from gel nails. still takes a while for them to get back to normal though

Taking collagen has helped mine. Hunter & Gather is what I use - alternate bovine/ marine collagen powder.

FYI They are billed as tasteless and I would agree with that (I add to coffee), but the marine one does definitely impart a fishy whiff to your drink that you can sometimes detect as you sip.

What is the stuff ?Im intrigued

I use almond oil or even a quick dab of olive oil when cooking. Nail wraps ruined mine when I briefly tried them rather than my usual naked nails. It took about three months for the flaking to grow out.

Leaving my nails completely bare and regular filing, hand cream and cuticle oil, makes mine naturally stronger, I get them to grow quite a length.

The only thing that helped my ridiculously weak and flaky nails was massively upping my protein intake. I eat a lot of protein due to the diet I'm on and noticed my nails were so much stronger and actually grew. No amount of hand cream, nail varnish or cuticle oil ever helped.

Linseed oil I imagine?

I think its just called hoof oil! I don't know what the ingredients are or if its "bad" for you to use on your human nails (probably is,) but I used it like a cuticle oil.. not every day, just sometimes- and it definitely worked! It smells kind of industrial though.. you don't want to put it on if you're going out! You need to wash it off before you see anyone! (Hence my not using it every day!)

I actually might buy some.. haven't had it in years.. perhaps there's even a nice smelling version of it now... I'll keep you posted if i find one!

Oh maybe? Is that what they use?

I’m the same so a few months ago I tried a few things. Rubbing in almond oil, taking a supplement, the paint on treatment and moisturising daily. I swear my nails got worse. I gave it all up about a month ago, but in the last week I have noticed my nails are stronger again. Not sure why!

@Colette @gingergiraffe
Just had a look... does seem to be linseed oil for the horses!
I wonder does any old oil do the trick now?

Collagen has really improved my nails. Also my skin and hair!

Yes it’s this stuff, Effol, bloody marvellous. (Keratex is good too, but only sold in large quantities and not very practical unless you’re using it on horses)

www.horseandhoof.com/SKU21363-5?srsltid=AfmBOoq1REi1nO7jU1nXNCwleKwi5JcAWpGk4cVnKUVscCAWrdFsO1mW6mI

Thanks hoof oil looks a bargain, will try it !