Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Flaky nails

(78 Posts)
NanKate Wed 29-Jan-14 16:16:52

I love wearing nail varnish but sadly 2 of my nails peel.

Anyone got any recommendations for strengthening them please ?

NanKate Fri 07-Feb-14 07:16:49

UPDATE I have followed the advice from the Gransnet Crew and am happy to report my nails look fab, the best they have in years - thanks so much.

Tegan Fri 07-Feb-14 10:50:37

That's good! Must say I tried to leave the hard as nails off the end of my nails for a day but they started to break again, so the oil isn't making them any stronger [although. for some reason they seem to be growing faster] and my hair definately looks healthier than it has for years. Can't wait to try the Mavala when my hard as nails runs out.

rosesarered Fri 07-Feb-14 16:30:33

Haven't seen the Rimmel nail Nurse but I always use Rimmel 'Stronger' a small bottle of pinky pearly liquid and that is so good, I only have short nails these days [gardening wot does it] but use this product all the time now [and have done for past 5 years.]

NanKate Fri 07-Feb-14 16:43:22

Tegan when you use the oil on your hair is it on wet or dry hair please ?

Tegan Fri 07-Feb-14 16:59:38

I've got some that's from Holland and Barratt that I put on my hair the night before I wash it so it can soak in [that's the one I use on my nails]. But I then bought some from Boots 'renewing Argan oil' by 'organix' and I put that on when I've washed my hair and it's still a bit damp.Then I found some condtioner at the village shop that's £1.29 for a huge tube [no idea who makes that]. I tried coconut oil last year but that wasn't as good.

NanKate Tue 11-Feb-14 07:21:35

I have followed all the useful information and a miracle has occurred I have ten neat nice nails and NO flaking. Thanks so much everyone. smile

KatyK Tue 11-Feb-14 12:51:58

That's great NanKate smile

specki4eyes Tue 11-Feb-14 13:59:38

Can I ask you all this question..were your nails once strong? Mine used to be almost unbreakable but about four years ago they started flaking and breaking..my toenails though are getting tougher and tougher!

NanKate Tue 11-Feb-14 15:12:32

Yes Specki4eys I had good nails until about 10 years ago (I am 67 now) and my toe nails are now also hard to cut, one in particular.

I am so pleased with the Argon oil that I was recommended to rub in my nails, my hair is going to be the next place for a good lathering !

Tegan Tue 11-Feb-14 15:53:09

My nails were so strong it actually got on my nerves having to cut them all the time; it was when the ridges appeared that they started to break. My toe nails now grow incredibly fast and are difficult to cut. I put the Argan oil on them as well, and they're now much more manageable [I haven't got shares in the stuff, honest!].

margaretm74 Wed 12-Feb-14 19:04:13

Must go through this thread when we have finished decorating and follow the advice - before DD1 sees my awful nails!

mygrannycanfly Thu 13-Feb-14 20:32:42

Thanks so much for the update NanKate. My DD discovered nail nurse recently and she now has lovely nails. I'll have to investigate argan oil - I haven't tried it on nails, only hair (which is much the same thing chemically Doh!)

I use gel polish on my nails - it has to be "cooked" on with an led lamp, but it is very hardwearing and doesn't chip at all. I remove it every 2 weeks or so and my nails are always great as the gel coating protects my nails.

It takes at least 3 months to renew the nail so, keep up your care routine!

rosesarered Fri 14-Feb-14 10:07:47

Help needed! I have bought the nail nurse [Rimmel] I used to buy a similar product called Stronger [nail nurse much the same]. However that was 2 days ago, and I cannot open the bottle! Neither can my DH who is quite strong, it has a large slightly sloping lid, which we have tried unscrewing also twisting, pulling it etc to no avail seems like it's welded on.I will have to take it back next week, but just wondered if there was a knack to opening it that we have missed?angry

Tegan Fri 14-Feb-14 11:57:21

What if you put some nail varnish remover in a very small container and then turned the nail nurse stuff upside down and put it in the remover; it might soften it enough to then take the top off.

KatyK Fri 14-Feb-14 13:06:03

I buy this regularly and have never had a problem opening it. I think you may have been unlucky with the bottle you picked up. Sometimes holding it under hot running water can help. What a shame.

rosesarered Fri 14-Feb-14 16:59:47

Thanks for the tips, but if I mess up the bottle they may not take it back!

rosesarered Fri 14-Feb-14 17:00:35

I may try the hot water though!

Tegan Tue 18-Feb-14 12:03:10

Bought some Mavala;was surprised to find it was just a liquid, but have put it on the end of my nails with a coat of Hard s Nails over the top. Pretty impresed so far [but boy does it sting if it accidentally goes onto you skin]. I don't think the Argan Oil is helping to strengthen my nails but think it makes them grow faster in some way [and I find it quite relaxing putting it on in the evening].

NanKate Tue 18-Feb-14 16:40:44

Another use Tegan I have found for Argon oil is to oil the zip on my fleece it now whizzes up and down a treat !

Tegan Tue 18-Feb-14 17:02:57

We need to compile one of those 'thousand uses for' books! I've been putting it on my frown line..not sure if it's done anything as I tend to avoid the mirror these days. Trouble with my hands is that I can't pretend they're not there. Still can't get used to having square nails though [even though it is fashionable now].

NanKate Tue 18-Feb-14 17:40:35

I like the idea of the 'thousand uses for'.

Don't bother with the oil on your face, it did nothing for me except make my pillow greasy. hmm

mrsmopp Wed 19-Feb-14 00:43:26

Argan oil has done wonders for my face and neck. I use it on my hands and elbows too. It's really cheap in Lidl. But not sure how to use it on my hair - wouldn't it make it look greasy?

NanKate Wed 19-Feb-14 07:24:26

Maybe I should persevere with the oil on my face Mrs Mopp after your positive experience.

Tegan Thu 20-Feb-14 17:08:23

The Holland and Barrett oil makes my hair greasy [I put it on the night before I wash it] but the organix one is more of a serum and is just for hair.I've just been back to the shop I bought the conditioner from and bought three more just in case they stop stocking it. They said they could order me a case of it but I said it was tempting fate to buy that much confused.

utiyw Wed 09-Apr-14 04:19:37

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.