Nail advice please!

wilroda

HI

I am thinking about having my nails sorted and am a completely ignorant when it comes to nails and the different types to have. ie Gel/acrylic etc.

My own nails are brittle and ridged, look pretty awful really and to top it I also work with plants etc so they can get pretty grubby.

Which ones would be best? I dont want to have them done if they cannot stand up to alot of punishment etc and cost an arm and a leg!

I also have no idea of the cost of having them done....

Thanks!

kerrydrobertson

if your nails are bad now then i wouldnt really suggest getting false ones on regardless of what ones.
if you really do want to get some then nails inc do a 3 week manicure which i think they put some kind of gel layer over your nails.
maybe just have a nice luxury manicure as i feel it helps me to keep on top of my nails

BitterAndTwisted

Eating gelatine and massaging some almond oil into your nails will do a lot to make them stronger. As far as I know, nearly all false-nail treatments cause damage to the natural nails underneath, so once you start, you're on a treadmill as far as I'm concerned. In my opinion, most women who have false nails choose to wear them much, much too long and I really don't find inch-long talons attractive at all.

karen24_2

If you're anything like me you never wear gloves for gardening and housework, so I won't advise that. I wouldn't bother with artificial nails if I where you as you'll only further damage your natural nails, instead do as a someone else suggested and rub almond or cuticle oil into your nails and cuticles. You could also invest in a buffer to help remove the ridges a bit, and a good nail file to seal the tips of your nails even if they are short. If you have a bit of time before bed and can bear it you could put lots of hand cream on and wear cotton gloves, this will also help condition your nails and your hands in general.

Lady_Willow

best thing you can do to improve your nail strength is to drink lots of water, keep them hydrated. (My manicurist told me this).

wilroda

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I do try and take care of my nails and hands in general, but with my job it usually includes alot of scrubbing followed by loads of hand cream. Always applying it at night.

I have checked the prices of gel nails locally and it seems very expensive! - then you need them refilled about 4 weekly at even more cost.

Quite simply far too dear for me I am afraid! Ah well, back to the cream i suppose......

thatsfabulous

I used to have Gel nails and then stick on but now my nails are awful. Getting better now but a few weeks ago my nails started to lift, I read on the internet about what it is I have cant remember name but not going back to wearing stick on nails now.

False nails dont seem to be 'in' that much anymore. All the celebs are having the 'minx' nails (a film with an adhesive back that is applied to the nail bed with heat) which dont damage your nails but not sure on the price of them in the uk? the states are going mad over them at the moment.
Heres a picture of what they look like on
http://www.pourfemme.it/wp-galleryo/minx-nail-art/minx-nail-art.jpg

My friend had Bio sculpture nails done which is gel over your own nails and it looked really nice plus it doesnt damage your nails.
I am going to give my nails a couple more months but i am going to look into it when mine are back to a better state.
They dont damage your own nails and my friend had them done for £18 and only need doing every 4 weeks.

http://www.biosculpture.co.uk/home.asp

amyb_2

I have acrylic nails as mine are horrid and break regularly. I've been wearing acrylic nails for 8 years or so non-stop. I tried glass and gel nails but find they break too easily. Acrylic nails last me ok and i'm pretty tough on them. I've grown out of scary WAG type square french manicured nails and no keep them round and natural looking. I have them painted at the salon and with a couple of applications of top coat i find the polish still looks good after two weeks.

But; remember you will need to gt back every two weeks tho get them infilled (£20 ish). Then removed and a new set every 3 months ish (I pay £10 for soak off and £50 for a new set)
You will need to wear gloves when washing up or doing anything rough.
It isn't a quick fix - your nails won't get stronger underneath - the acrylic over the top will worsen the natural condition of your nails.

Not trying to put you off - i love my nails - but you may be better just trying to build yours up with treatments/healthy eating.

The other thing if you are happy with the lenght is to get a overlay - you can get a permnanat gel polish set with means they will look neat and polished for two weeks at a time. Again with this though you would need to have it buffed off and reaplied every 2-3 weeks as it grows up.

space_rider

If you are going the acrylic route, beware of those that wear masks to do the nails and use a machine to file down the nail bed itself. I went to a salon and asked what they used and if they used MMA, her english wasn`t brilliant but seeing as they all wore masks I assumed that was the case. I decided to still have my nails done there as they are fantastic at nail art for special occasions but wouldn`t have acrylics done.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1174768/Having-nails-skin-cancer-doctors-warn-women.html

amyb_2

space_rider wrote: »

If you are going the acrylic route, beware of those that wear masks to do the nails and use a machine to file down the nail bed itself. I went to a salon and asked what they used and if they used MMA, her english wasn`t brilliant but seeing as they all wore masks I assumed that was the case. I decided to still have my nails done there as they are fantastic at nail art for special occasions but wouldn`t have acrylics done.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1174768/Having-nails-skin-cancer-doctors-warn-women.html

Yes - forgot to say that.
Chose a salon where they file your nails by hand with files. Not where they use electric drill things. These can really damage your nails be as it is too easy to file too much.
These ar nomally asian salons - and annoyingly are much cheaper. But the quality isn't as good. The nails are normally much thicker and not blended down into your cuticle line.

belfastgirl23

Why not just get a manicure once in a while? A professional shape and tidy can make a big difference to the appearance of your nails and make you feel more groomed. Even clear nail varnish (or one of the nail protection varnishes) can make you feel better and make your nails look better.

Oh I have also found that massaging even vaseline or whatever into the cuticles regularly also helps strengthen the nails...I would do this a few times during the day..

I would also advise steering clear of fake nails, especially in your job...