Growing Nails Long

Nov 22, 2011

Alisia M.

Is there a better process to grow my nails without them breaking afterwards. 

Nov 22, 2011

Brenda R.

try using the OPI nail envy, it makes your nails strong so you don't break them too often :)

Nov 22, 2011

Myrna P.

Nail Envy is good and Nail Tek. I use that and after years with acrylic I will swear by Nail Tek. Great

Dec 13, 2011

Angie B.

I have yet to find a treatment that works for me. What does work, is keeping them painted all the time.

Dec 13, 2011

Andrea S.

Nail Tek is good! Also, China Glaze nail lacquers contain hardeners - my nails have never broken when I wear any of their polishes. :)

Dec 13, 2011

Myshel D.

Like Angie I try to keep them always freshly polished. Keeping them pretty helps me not bite them...lol and seems to keep them hard. Also if you wash dishes always use gloves and try not to use really hot water. I find that high heat weakness the nails. For the past 3 years I had acrylic nails but three months ago I had foot surgery and was homebound...so I had to let my nails grow naturally and the product that I have been using is called " Nail Magic: Nail Hardener" that I bought at Sally's beauty store. It has worked for me. In these past 3 months it helped repair the damage I did to my nail for the past few years with acrylic.

Dec 15, 2011

Erin F.

I also use Nail Magic Nail Hardener. My nails are typically paper thin and prone to bending and splitting into layers. After a week with polish on, using Nail Magic as the base and top coats, my nails are HARD.  

Dec 15, 2011

Carly-Ann C.

I had terrible nails for a long time and now I use nail envy and duri nail growth system alternatively and they're in really good condition. Get a decent crystal nail file too so the edges are left ragged. I wrote a whole post about the two treatments on my blog and my experience with them http://thoughtsinlittleboxes.com/2011/12/07/my-favourite-basecoatstopcoats/

Jan 9, 2012

Tia B.

I agree with KrizzTina....right now my nails are the longest that they have ever been in my 30 years on this earth. But I do all those things that she states except I use my cuticle oil like once a day instead of 4 times a day. But my goal was always to use it 3 times a day just never happened. Also I drink a ton of water....my nails eventually grew but my issue was them growing out and then breaking off so that is when recently I added a nail hardener to my regiment. I love doing my own manicures and stuff but this all came with much patience...and its something that takes time and you have to keep working at it

Jan 26, 2012

Emily B.

I just shared this info in another thread but I really want to spread the word because I think it works and is totally cool:

I've had nutrition experts tell me the secret to strong and healthy hair and nails is silica... avaliable at health food stores in liquid or capsule form.

Jan 26, 2012

Melissa M.

Nail Tek didnt work for me at all. I used it religiously for months with no results. I may give the opi one a try though. But i also agree with Krizztina, you gotta keep at it!

Jan 28, 2012

Julie D.

From a cosmetic point of view, I use Nail Envy and I've found that it works really well. Painting your nails helps too because it adds a protective layer on top and a little bit of thickness to your nail. I also recommend Barielle's Nail Strengthener Cream (http://www.barielle.com/Nails-Nail_Strengthener_Cream.html) - nail polish alone can only do so much to your nails before they start harming and weakening them more than strengthening them.

However, using cosmetics, like I said about just using nail polish, is ONLY GOING TO GET YOU SO FAR. It's crucial that you understand the link between what you eat and your nails/hair/skin! I know it might sound weird that what you eat affects your nails but it really does. You should be intaking a good amount of protein: all types of beans, almonds, and other nuts are good sources. Don't forget they also rely on minerals and vitamins - omega-3 is a MAJOR player in this, you can get it from foods like salmon, or you can take fish oil supplements (you can google people's thoughts/reviews etc - but all the ones I've seen are positive) and of course, you should be drinking lots of water. However, as a last thought, keep in mind that the strength and length of your nails is also something that is partly hereditary - but what I've said should help :-)

(as a bonus: all the things I've said about diet to help your nails will ALSO help your hair!)