Beauty

[bunk]

My nails are all broken, vertical ridges, cracked with dry overgrown cuticles. what products out there work? i've tried hard as nails but i don't want to use all those harsh chemicals. any recommendations? i started taking biotin as well but my nails are splitting vertically.

[Kay SD]

I came across a little kit called "Ruby Crystal." They sell from their own website. The kit contains a calcium oil for the nails, another oil for cuticles, some buffers for ridges, and the best nail file I've ever had--gives my nails a really strong edge with no snags. I find I need to use it every day, and when I DO, my nails and cuticles get healthy and look good. When I don't, especially if I put my bare hands in dishwashing detergent, my nails start to break, split, etc. Not very expensive and the kit lasts forever, so it might be worth a try.

[Katluvr58]

I just took off my acrylics and the ladies here suggested Naitique Pro (CVS sells it) and Hard as Hoofs Cream (Walmart). My nails are growing back and they are much stronger after two months. They were like tissue paper before. They are also whiter than they used to be.

[Shelbelle]

Duri Rejuvacote #2 topically and, make sure you stick with the Biotin and that your dose is high enough, at least 5000 mcg daily.

[rosi red]

Hi,

I use the rejuvacote and also Nails of Steel by Merrell. I had the worst nails and now they are just beautiful.

[Shelbelle]

On 5/21/2014 rosi red said:

Hi,

I use the rejuvacote and also Nails of Steel by Merrell. I had the worst nails and now they are just beautiful.

I use the Rejuvacote #2, not as chemically formulated as the original one.

[ChynnaBlue]

I wanted to love Duri Rejuvacote, but it peels off my nails when used alone and doesn't keep my polish on when I use it as a base.

I've been using Nailtiques Formula 2 Plus and getting great results. (You need to check out which formula is best for your own nail type before purchasing. Getting the wrong one can make things worse.) I'm lucky enough to have it carried in my grocery store, but if your store doesn't carry Nailtiques, you can try CVS, Ulta stores, or local beauty supply stores (not Sally beauty. They carry Nail Tek instead. You can try those instead, but I don't have personal experience to share regarding those.)

The Nailtiques (and Nail Tek) system has several formulas and you switch based on needs. After I use formula 2 Plus, I'll move on to 2 and then 1, the maintenance formula. Someone else might start at 2 or 3 and go to 1 from there. 2 Plus is the emergency formula for problem nails (so you might start there) and is a very tiny bottle. After you finish it, you move on to another formula. I've been using the same tiny bottle for 4 months now and thin it frequently with the special protein thinner I got in a set with Formula 2.

I also really liked Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat. It worked very well as a base coat for color and look fantastic alone because of the UV tint that makes the whites of the nails pop in the same way that black lights make white pop. My nails always looked healthier with that on and it was my "cheat" for a natural looking French manicure - I'd use that under a sheer pink or cream color and no white polish.

[DoneTryin]

I started using Nailtiques 2 about 2 months ago & am seeing great results. I have always had peeling nails & had recently started getting horizontal cracking right at the spot where the nail starts to go beyond the fingertip. I got mine from Amazon, but I think it's also sold at Walgreen's along with the other stores cited by other posters.

I should add that I use Andrew Lessman's hair/nails/skin supplements, somewhat erratically (I forget to take them), & that could be contributing to the better nail health.

I also bought one the Ruby Crystal sets from HSN about a month ago & am pleased with that product.

[Shelbelle]

I would love to hear more about Nails of Steel, never heard of that one, thanks

[lulu2]

Nailtiques #2 and Barielle liquid protein

I have one nail with a vertical no matter what I do.