Beauty

[IMW]

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@Mom2Dogs wrote:

Thanks all!   I do use a cuticle cream and the Sally Hansens product...but nails and cuticles rarely look nice.  I even use argon oil or vaseline at night on my hands...nothing really works well...I must be a tough old bird.

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I have tried everything, I even use paraffin daily for waxing hands and feet. Nothing works for cuticles and nails. I also take Andrew Lessman’s Hair, Skin and Nail

vitamin’s, nothing helps.

I have many medical conditions and take many drugs, I’m sure that doesn’t help.

[BirkiLady]

Also, keep your hands well moistened with a good lotion. I usually apply and massage each nail and cuticle each time hand lotion is applied. Keeps my nails strong and healthy all year long. 

[phoenixbrd]

The only reason I get manis is to have my cuticles groomed.  They get thick and hard quickly.  I get a mani/ pedi twice a month.  My manicurist is wanting me to start with gels, but then I wouldn't see her as often and my cuticles can't go more than two weeks or my hands look unkempt.  I've tried trimming them myself and it just doesn't look the same. I've tried all kinds of products...hard and excess cuticles unfortunately have to be cut. I wish I was off this merry go round, and could find a solution to overgrown cuticles. A product that softens doesn't cut it and pushing them back doesn't solve the problem.

[software]

If I don't keep my cuticles groomed, I get awful hangnails.

I use the Original A+D ointment, it's baby diaper cream, without the zinc.

It's petroleum jelly with vitamins A & D

[Mom2Dogs]

@software I have used that product as well....seems my issue comes and goes....All I want for Christmas is nice looking nails and oh...the age spots to be gone......I know that would be a miracle, those pesky spots are here to stay.

[Dazlin]

I too have horrible thin, soft nails that have vertical ridges and split.  Terrible cuticles.  I tried acrylics for a short time, which looked great and manicures lasted, no breakage either.  But I didnt like going every 2 weeks and the expense, so I'm back to doing my own.   What helps so far, is the Sally Hansen cuticle remover (blue bottle) and O.P.I. Nail Envy for soft, thin nails.  I use their polish, and got the Plumping Top Coat.  To my surprise,  my nails stayed good for a whole week,  and the plumping top coat stays super shiny the entire time.  I even took a pottery class😀.   I still have ridges,  but at least they held up with no breakage.  I keep them on the short side, and use hand creams whenever I can.  Honestly,  there have been times I just gave up on my nails, they're just so lousy, but then my hands look awful,...so back to polishing them🙄.   Maybe give OPI a try. HTH!

[tobes]

Long ago I used a Revlon cutical product that was great.  Not sold anymore.

[Shanus]

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@Mom2Dogs wrote:

My cuticles are a mess, and I do try care for them...I have used lots of different products but nothing works long term.  I am going to do a manicure this weekend, what concoction do I use to to soak my nails, thanks?

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@Mom2Dogs  I’m certainly not an expert on manicures, but I make jewelry...file metal, have my hands in acid (in error if I forget to grab copper tongs), am using tools to set stones, etc. My hands/nails take a beating. If my cuticles are torn or split, infection can enter because of the metal shards and “studio dirt”. So hand care is #1 with me.

Cuticle/nail care is soaking my bare nails once a week in olive oil (warmed in microwave) for 15 minutes before bedtime. I wipe off hands w/ dry cloth, push cuticles back w/ corner of cloth...no cutting. The next morning, after washing w/ mild soap, Perfect Formula clear gel coat or strengthening polish of your choice. Gloves are worn going out in cold weather to protect cuticles/nails/hands from drying out. I’m constantly putting on a rich hand cream when not in studio.

Every night, I brush on argon oil (poured it into empty polish bottle) and massage it into cuticles. The nails grow from cuticles...that’s where repair and healthy nails begin. I also cut my nails short...end of fingers to prevent splitting/peeling. Hope that helps you.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Shanus..thanks for sharing your tips...I handle paper on a daily basis in our business...along with lifting heavy boxes, etc...I think that is part of my problem as well, paper is drying to hands....let alone washing dishes, gardening...I will try soaking my hands more often.

[Shanus]

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@Mom2Dogs wrote:

@Shanus..thanks for sharing your tips...I handle paper on a daily basis in our business...along with lifting heavy boxes, etc...I think that is part of my problem as well, paper is drying to hands....let alone washing dishes, gardening...I will try soaking my hands more often.

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@Mom2Dogs  Agree that paper, for sure, is quite drying. DH is an accountant and handles papers 24/7. His hands get so dry,  they crack. He soaks w/ the olive oil and uses the Kiehl’s heavy duty hand cream each night and their lighter one at night. He stocks up when their site has discount. 

I always wear gloves for dishes, house cleaning, gardening...any time I can protect my hands, I do.