It does what it says on the tin

Oh God! I thought for a moment you were talking about face makeup (how many coats?!)

But what is happening to your actual nails underneath that lot?

My face is in tact Jing well just about.

My nails are fine underneath because I haven't had that gel nail procedure with a laser light on afterwards which some manicurists do. This is just a top coat nail varnish using no lasers or heaters just pure fresh air to dry it.

You mean that you have the time to put on FOUR coats of varnish and wait for them to dry!! I have a bottle of nail varnish in the passenger side of the car and just hope all the lights are red when we go out and I'm not driving. I am so in awe of four coats.

Stansgran Drives MrA up the wall when I put make-upon/ do my nails in the car

My OH deliberately puts the brakes on when I try to do mine in the car, he finds it hilarious!

So it's better than Diamond Nails then? That was pretty good. I used to use it as a base coat, then apply the colour, then another on top. I only wear it about four times a year though!

I have to wear Sally Hansen 'Hard as Nails' all of the time because my nails are now so brittle . Don't know what I'd do without it, although I have recently started to re use Mavala nail strengthener [as recommended by Marelli]. When I first tried to use it a year or so ago it didn't help but I've tried using it on just one nail for a while and it seems to be doing the trick thus far.

Last summer I tried Avon Gel nail varnish, you dont need any more than one coat and its long lasting, cost wise its very reasonable and often reduced.

avonshop.co.uk/product/make-up/nails/avon-gel-finish-nail-enamel.html

Firecracker is my favourite, perfect on toe nails.

Hello Glass. Mwah!

Hello jingle mwah

glass they look like fabulous colours, toe nail varnish seems to last much longer than finger nails anyway.

Yes it does harri I wasnt expecting it to be any good but I love the finish.

Just seen this thread, very timely as I have just returned from having a manicure. my eldest DD thought it was time I had a pro manicure so paid for me to go along and have one.It is really relaxing and rather nice, and my hands/nails look all the better for it I must say, as they had been plunging in and out of the garden planting stuff for the last three weeks.Beautifully filed now and base coat, two coats of polish and a top coat applied in a pretty apricot colour ( so many colours to choose from, the agony of choice!)

My mobile beautician has just left having painted my toe nails in a deep pink with Pixiedust. No, I'd never heard of it either. It is a matt varnish with texture - only one coat on top of the base coat, so did not take long. It feels slightly rough and has tiny shiny bits in it. I have my toe nails done once or twice a year but don't bother with my fingernails as they would never last. I used to do my own toe nails but due to anno domini they look much better if Becci the Beautician does them.

It's like another world out there. Toenails ,pixie dust,travelling beauticians. Are you all Russian oligarchs? This website should be Baboushkas .com actually I had my nails done once in 2004 in New York.

stansgran

I would like to be sprinkled with pixie dust, sounds great.

I've had gel polish manicures every 3 weeks for the past 4 years. My nails are perfectly fine underneath-I do think it makes a difference if you get a properly trained nail technician.

Katek me too .... every 4 weeks.
Nails are in great condition.
Best tip ever -use OPI cutical oil.

I had shellac nail polish done just before I went away and it was perfect for three weeks. By then my nails had started to grow and then I started using my nails to pick paint from DS1's front door (with their permission) and did get a small chip. I was pleased with it and would have it done again for a special event or holiday but not for day to day as I do lots of gardening etc .

No Stansgran we are not oligarchs, just a load of Gransnetters who enjoy flashing our nails. I painted mine a lovely grey/lilac last week.

My eldest GS when he was 3 went up to a lady in the chemist who had a purple streak in her hair and said 'Look at my Nan's nails' which were also purple at the time. I was pleased he had noticed. That's my boy. [ grin]

About a year ago, my nails were a mess- chipping, peeling and breaking. I tried various preparations but the only one that has worked is Nailtiques Formula 2. Within weeks, I could see an improvement and now there's no sign of the scruffy nails they once were. I still use the Nailtiques which looks just like a colourless polish and acts as a base when I want to wear a colour. Incidentally, the best top coat I've found is called Seche Vite which really does what it says - dries quickly - and protects the coloured varnish.

Tegan I too am using the recommended Mavala Scientifique and it is the first nail hardener that has worked for me.

Thanks for your suggestions too Anno I will keep a note in case I need a change of product.

It is so nice having decent nails after the peeling ones I had before.