QuestionI want to allow my nails to grow long and beautifully without breaking do you think getting tips would be the answer to my problems? If not please suggest something i can do with them
AnswerProbably not. I remember back when I started having my nails done professionally, I thought if I put tips or acrylic or some other product over them and let them grow out, that I'd be able to take the product off and just have beautiful, long nails of my own. 20 years later, with 15 of them working as a professional nail technician, I now think if I could just lose 30 pounds I'd be able to KEEP it off.
Point is, if it was that easy to KEEP weight off, I wouldn't have gained it to begin with; and if it was that easy to KEEP your natural nails long, you wouldn't be looking for a way to grow them out.
Of course, I mean this all very lightheartedly, since I've been in this situation myself and learned first hand that-- for me-- the answer to long nails is wearing acrylic.
Not necessarily for you though! For most people it's absolutely possible to grow their own nails out beautifully. Here are some tips for doing so:
I don't recommend starting out with any sort of extension product over your nails. What happens is that as the product grows out you will need to have the product "filled" or "rebalanced" in order to avoid it lifting from the natural nail as the nail changes shape and flexes as it grows, and to avoid the product from becoming heavy as it moves toward the tip and unbalances the nail, making it more likely to break as it grows.
Get regular manicures. Find a nail technician in your area who specializes in natural nail care. Start with weekly manicures and use the product the technician recommends for strengthening your nails as they grow out.
Whether you opt to commit to a regimen of professional services to aid in your goal or choose the do-it-yourself approach, be prepared to be absolutely dedicated to routine maintenance! Caring for your nails can take a lot of time and attention, you'll have to make a point to fit your manicuring routine into your daily schedule. Be prepared to polish your nails every 2 to 3 days, taking time to soften and push back your cuticles, apply a cuticle softening creme or lotion, and apply polish-- complete with basecoat and topcoat-- and allow to dry completely before going on with your day. In addition, apply a quality cuticle oil that does NOT contain mineral oil (mineral oil can dry skin) 2 to 3 times a day and probably another coat of topcoat.
Once you get the hang of it, it isn't nearly as much work as it sounds like. It'll become part of your routine just like taking care of your hair and skin and the rewards are worth it!
One more thing to be prepared for is to accept when your nails have reached their maximum length. Once you start to see results, it can be tempting to keep growing your nails longer and longer. Most people will notice that at a certain length your nails will start tearing at the corners or breaking off. This is the point at which your lifestyle is not conducive to wearing your nails any longer and the best thing to do will be to take note of that length and keep your nails there. The consequences of trying to grow your nails longer than your lifestyle allows is that you will start breaking your beautiful, natural nails that you have worked so hard to grow out. They will start tearing in the corners and breaking down to the nubs. It will be heartbreaking, both for you and your manicurist.
One more idea: There is a service known as Juliettes that was especially popular in the 50s. It involves "wrapping" the natural nails with tissue paper (often end papers for perms are used) and keeping them in place with clear polish. Since more permanent enhancement products such as gel and acrylic became available, Juliettes have become a lost art but can be very beneficial in the process of caring for natural nails. You can try to find a professional who is skilled in this technique (or at least knows what it is and is willing to try it!) or you might want to see if you can master it yourself. This technique will add strength to the nail, without the need to "fill" the product as it can easily be removed with polish remover.
