What state are your nails in ?

[mrsmaidamess]

Mine are shortish, squarish, with a pale pink French manicure colour (without the naffo white tip on the end).

They are however trying to flake in this abysmal weather.

i am ashamed of my nails and hands - i am 36 but in this weather have the hands of a 90 year old.

haven't filed or painted them in months - am having an early night as suffering from all day morning sickness and may summon up the energy to paint them pale pink and file them too

I'm like traceybath, my nails are in a terrible state, my thumb nail has just broken off below the skin line my cuticles are always dry and cracked. I noticed the other day my mum's are terrible too, so are ds', he's only 16 months old but his cuticles are really split too. Poor love, not that he'll care about his nails in all likelihood.

You two need to spend 20 minutes tomorrow giving your poor nails some TLC. You must report back to me to let me know what you've done.

At the very least, slap some hand cream on tonight, for the love of God.

Oh I know, I have a giant jar of kiehls hand cream which is brilliant in my bag as we speak. The handwash here at work really dries my hands out and I'm so bad about putting cream on after I've washed them. My hands really age me, going by my face I can get away with almost ten years younger, but I'm going to be wearing gloves the rest of my life like Joan Collins!

I hate long nails too but mine magically break off as soon as they get too long, it's like they know I don't like them!

Mine do that too...the edges get all bendy and chewy.

I imagine they collect all manner of bits and bacteria under their talons. Yuck.

Mine are always short and natural, I give it a coat of clear varnish to make them shiny for special occasions

ok reporting in - nails have been filed a light coat of essie ballet slippers applied and copious applications of hand cream.

Parlous

Mine are awful at the moment. Breaking, flaking all over the place, splitting into layers and peeling off. - just can't seem to get those pesky layers rejoined again.

Does anyone know what I mean. Any suggestions?

Well done tracey...doesn't that feel better?

rip, do you wear nail varnish? Because I find that really helps to keep my layers together, as I am prone to flaking too. I keep mine reasonably short too.

Mine are short (generally because they always break and flake) and I wear clear polish almost all of the time - usually nail envy, although I've been trying a Jessica-bond-your-layers-together-type-product. Could this be the problem?

I've never used anything like that before...but its not working, is it?! Perhaps you are deficient in some B vitamin or something?

Those glasses suit you!

Yes, I've been wondering if it could be something like that. You're right. It definitely isn't working!!

Funny thing is, my mum's nails are exactly the same. Could it be genetic?

mine are about 1/8th inch long at the tips. I have found that using an e xpensive nail file- £2 for 2- and they are washable- John Lewis- is so much easier than the paper emery boards.
I file them into ovals and use a very pale pink Mavala polish- almost clear. Re -do about every 4-5 days as it doesn't last!

Really?! I guess you're right.

Thanks for the diagnosis doc.

Yes, I think it does.

Mine have a definite yellow pallor to them. Thats why Rimmel 'Whitener' nail varnish is sooo amazing, takes all that horrid yellow out.

Hmm, I'd never considered lack of UV light a a reason...I thought it was just the pigment in the dark polish staining them.

Yes I'm sure a base coat would help, but I can never be faffed to apply one!