QuestionQUESTION: I'm trying to grow my nails long. I've tried using nail hardeners and lots of them dont work. So far, the only thing that seems to be working is the sally hansen hard as nails nail hardener. Its the one with the white and red lable. My nails are weak. They always break and split. Its never on the tip of the nail, always near the tip of my finger.So all the growth i have has to come off :(. I hear nails should have a yellow tint to them because of what they are made of. But, mine are white.I use to bite them. I dont any more. I take biotin and hair,skin and nail vitamins. I get plenty of protien. They still break. What else can i do?
ANSWER: Nails are like teeth: they all are various shades of off-white. Mine are also very white by nature, people ask me all the time what color polish I use for my French manicure when I'm not wearing any polish at all! So don't worry about the color.
The best length for you nails is determined largely by physics. Your nails are like teeter-totters-- when the free edge (the part that is not attached to your finger) gets long enough, your nails will start to break-- usually right there in those little corners by the tip of your finger. This means that the tips of your nails get put under pressure, causing them to bend. That area when the nails grow off your fingertips is called the "stress area" because that's where most of the mechanical stress gets concetrated.
It sounds like the problem is simply that you want to grow your nails longer than your daily lifestyle will allow to be. You will either have to change your daily habits to be even easier on your nails, or you'll have to settle for shorter nails-- or you could opt for a gel overlay which will give them a little added strength and allow you to grow them a little longer. But even with laminates over your nails, physics still wins and there's still only so far you'll be able to grow them without changing your lifestyle.
Congratulations on not biting your nails anymore! It sounds like you are really taking good care of them now!
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QUESTION: how would i go about doing the gel overlays? I also found this nail polish at sallys, its called instant artificals, Says its suppose to give nails the strength of acrylics.do you know if its any good?
AnswerWell, I have to admit, I am a professional nail technician-- I'm going to recommend finding a skilled professional for gel overlays. BUT, you could also invest in a UV Gel system at Sally's and learn to do them yourself. It's a lot like polishing your own nails, but will take some patience and practice to perfect.
I'm not familiar with the "Instant artificials" product, so I can't tell you how well it works but it appears to be a simple nail hardener. I doubt very much that it will actually make your natural nails as strong as acrylics.
