I go to a salon once a fortnight-ish
My hands and nails get battered at work and this is the only way I know that keeps them looking good.
I have a pale pink or a French manicure polish
I swear by hemp hand cream from Body Shop because it acts like a barrier too
I always keep my nails short and clean, I use nail clippers and and emery board. I used to let them grow longer and occasionally used a pale or clear nail polish but found one nail would break so I had to cut the rest of them short to match 
I’ve never been to a nail salon.
Just a little growth, polish once in awhile if going somewhere.
But I do bright red toe nails when I live in sandals all summer.
I always had long nails and wore polish until about 18 months ago.
I noticed my usually strong nails were flaking and actually hurt.
I think it was something to do with the new types of nail varnish.
I have rarely worn any since then and keep my nails fairly short, no problems now but, I do miss having nice pretty nails.
Thanks for this thread because I just remembered I have to do something with my nails after gardening and cleaning this weekend.
I look after my nails once a week with a simple manicure and some Barry M “bubblegum”. I used to use OPI but this one lasts all week and only needs one coat to look like you’ve made an effort.
Perhaps if I was retired I wouldn’t bother but in a corporate environment women are expected to conform to contemporary stereotypes. Mind you so are men. They can’t just come in with bedraggled hair, unshaven and wearing slippers and a vest & expect to be taken seriously. I’m sure some have a manicure too. So such is life, however superficial.
That’s strange though,have you had a blood test? Just that you might not be getting enough vit D or something.
Actually Tessa I agree, I think the new gell polishes did for my nails too especially the Sally Hansen ones. I stopped using them.
I’m very wary about those gel polishes … I just buy bog standard nail varnish, use a base of hard as nails and a top coat of the same
I’m not any good at nail art as I’ve no dexterity in my hands. Years ago I used to have foils which looked like nail art without the hassle. Can’t find to buy them any more
I have always been proud of my nails and always wear nail polish. Unfortunately following chemo two years ago they have not been the same, but I do still paint them. I also allow a few days with no polish, just buff them. When putting on polish, I apply a coat of nail hardener, then two coats of polish, followed by a clear gel. This way I find they usually last a couple of weeks.
I do however always wear rubber gloves when using cleaning products, because I suffer from eczema.
I also got the acrylic done…and what a mistake that was. They have never been the same. They chip and break so easy. My nails are ruined. It has been two years and the nails are still in bad condition.
I have this also. I hate how they split. I have horrible nails now but they used to be nice.
I have never really looked after my nails or my hands for that matter but apart from a few DIY scars they remain as soft as a wotsit.
Brush?
That’s a coincidence, I noticed grooves in my nails this morning and a quick visit to Google informs me that it’s a sign of getting older but can be helped by taking a vitamin A supplement and cod liver oil capsules.
You also need vitamin D… so why not sit in the sun eating carrots for a few days.
The cod liver oil just loosens up your joints, so makes it easier to carry your deck chair into the garden. 
Hmm … sitting in the sun in the garden? There’s just one snag with that one . still, I’ve got a hot (hopefully) holiday in August, if my nails can last that long.
Please don’t give him excuses eccles, we have trouble getting him out of bed, let alone into the garden, as it is:!: 
Sun? What sun? Haven’t seen that around these parts since last August. 
I take those chewable vitamin D tablets instead to stop me getting rickets. 
Don’t worry Judd, Mups and I are packing our bags as we speak. There will be plenty of sun, for us all, in Sicily!
I bite my fingernails but no longer able to reach my toenails.:(
I need a new friend
