Finger Nail help needed

[jackie]

Silica? Wow- is that a vitamin supplement you get and where?

Just ask in your local pharmacy.

[Lobodeb]

Would you consider getting a gel overlay? Gel nails aren't as damaging as acrylic and look great! They're very tough, too. You don't have to get them long, either. Just tell them that you want it over your natural nail. The downside is that you have to go every 3-4 weeks to get them redone.

[Freedom]

I use the vaseline as well. My nails break in this cold weather we are having now, as soon as I touch the car or the mail box.

I never liked using polish too much work to put it on, wait for the fast drying stuff to dry. Then it chips right away. And the color never goes with what I am wearing today, it went with yesterday's outfit. Sigh. So I gave up on that.

I can shape them, like you said. And I use a buffer now and then to get a shine.

But the vaseline, that did the trick for me!

[Lobodeb]

Oh! And if you want to use a polish that stays, I recommend Avon. That stuff would stay on for a week with minimal chipping.

[RedHedd]

Biotin or silica can be purchased at GNC or any good health store - I like Vitamineshoppe.com - can't beat them for their prices.

Acrylics are very damaging to the natural nail. It sounds like your goal is to have your own nails become naturally healthy. Any moisturizer (vaseline, cuticle oil - I like Solar Oil or Burt's Bees lemon butter cuticle stuff) used regularly will help the nails too.

Buffers should be used very carefully and not too often - you don't want to buff your nails away and it can weaken the nailbed.

The Opi stuff Sirahved mentioned I think is their Nail Envy. Some people like it; I hate it - it's expensive and didn't work for me.

For a whole slew of good nail tips, visit the gals at the MakeupAlley.com nail board. Yes, that's me there too - this little RedHedd, with now-beautiful nails thanks to what I've learned there, gets around!

P.S. Congrats on the new job! It sounds exciting!

[moosmom]

Sally Hansen's Maximum Growth works really well. You put a coat on per day for a week, then take it off and start over. It strengthens them alot and helps them grow. I've used it for many years and swear by the stuff. Now it comes in clear and colors.

[Catsnclay]

Take silica tablets.

Silica??? Really?? I use silica with my clay work and have always been told not to breathe it in, because it is bad for you!

I wonder if it is the same?!

As for weak nails, I too have the same problem. I have the acrylic nails put over my nails too. They look pretty and it keeps me from biting my cuiticles a very bad habit, I know!

I was once told by a doctor to take pre natel vitamins for better nails! Never tried it, but if you do look at the nails of a pregnant woman they do have fantastic nails!!

[Catty1]

I picked up some silica tablets from my health food store (horse tail, the owner tells me ) and some Sally Hansen stuff.

Ask me in a month!

[catnapper]

Thanks again guys! I will stop by Walmart sometime this afternoon and check out their nail section. I start the job tuesday so I'll play beauty salon monday

[borzoimom]

Silica??? Really?? I use silica with my clay work and have always been told not to breathe it in, because it is bad for you!

I wonder if it is the same?!

As for weak nails, I too have the same problem. I have the acrylic nails put over my nails too. They look pretty and it keeps me from biting my cuiticles a very bad habit, I know!

I was once told by a doctor to take pre natel vitamins for better nails! Never tried it, but if you do look at the nails of a pregnant woman they do have fantastic nails!!

The best my nails ever where was when I was on prenatal vitamins when I was pregnant.. Good point! But now I am not supposed to take high powered womans vitamins- I only take calcium and b complex..