Need fingernail expert!!

All this planting, digging, weeding is taking a toll on my fingernails!!
Not that they were good to begin with. But even though I were gloves they still get dirty. I scrub with nail brush but still dirty. I do massage cuticle cream on Sundays, but should I be putting on some type of protective nail polish?? And what would that be??
Any other tips would be great!!

I keep a nail hardener on mine.
I can see how much it helps because the clear stuff is yellow by the time I'm done in the yard.

I was just a couple minutes ago talking about this with my daughter's friend. She commented that my nails look artificial (they aren't).

I always had nice nails until a couple years ago when we started doing renovations and I sadly started neglecting them. They were chipping, peeling and breaking so I decided to start caring for them again.

I talked to a young woman in our local drug store and she suggested getting the Sally Hansen Triple Strength nail strengthener.

I apply 2 coats of strengthener, 2 coats of polish and 1 coat of clear about twice a week. My nails are flourishing and I continue to cook, clean with solvents without gloves and generally just do whatever needs doing and they've held up great.

That's the same hardener I use, I love it.

Mine get dirty from outside, mostly on the sides of my pointer fingers and it stays in there forever it seems like. After I garden, I do something like wash the dishes or take a shower, and that constant water usually cleans the skin well, and then a nail brush underneath. I put a clear nail hardening polish on the nails and after I'm out of the shower or done doing dishes, I push my cuticles away from my nail. You can get a cuticle pusher anywhere, they have a rubber end on one end, that's what you use. This majorly helps with hang nails, which are caused partly because the skin sticks to the nail and when the nail grows, the skin stays attatched and then it pulls the skin with it and the skin cracks. By pushing the skin away from the nail, it detatches from the nail and doesn't grow with it, and you don't get hang nails as much. I hope that makes sense. You can also use a metal nail file (the pointy end) to clean under the nails....it works really well, and cleans all the gunk out, allowing the nails to breathe underneath and they grow faster if you do this and push the cuticles back. Just don't ever file your nails with a metal file!

To keep dirt from getting underneath your nails-- scrape them over a bar of soap! The soap barrier will keep any dirt out, and when your ready to wash your hands it cleans up easily (of course )

Originally Posted by chichismom

To keep dirt from getting underneath your nails-- scrape them over a bar of soap! The soap barrier will keep any dirt out, and when your ready to wash your hands it cleans up easily

(of course

)

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Ok, I love you, and now I feel quite stupid!

I will definitely have to remember that one myself.

Originally Posted by chichismom

To keep dirt from getting underneath your nails-- scrape them over a bar of soap! The soap barrier will keep any dirt out, and when your ready to wash your hands it cleans up easily

(of course

)

Click to expand...

You should add that to the "Fun Stuff to Make Our Cookbook Special" thread for the fundraiser! I would love to have little tips and hints like that scattered throughout the cookbook.

Originally Posted by valanhb

You should add that to the "Fun Stuff to Make Our Cookbook Special" thread for the fundraiser! I would love to have little tips and hints like that scattered throughout the cookbook.

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Sure! Should I go post it now? Or will you guys just put it in there? Your more than welcome to it

I just thought of another when your nails yellow or discolor: soak them in a VERY VERY diluted solution of bleach and water. Everyone knows how whitening bleach is soak for about 15-20 minutes. Afterwards rinse very well, and follow with good moisturizer ( i use vitamin E).

I thought of another while typing that one

If your nails just will not grow: try filing them in a more square shape. Oval or round nails are more prone to bending, splitting/peeling. With the squared nails, the sides are stronger and will not bend as easily-therefore splitting/peeling less

Originally Posted by chichismom

Sure! Should I go post it now? Or will you guys just put it in there? Your more than welcome to it

Click to expand...

Yes, please post it. That way everything is in one place when we go to put it all together. You've got GREAT nail tips!!

Originally Posted by valanhb

Yes, please post it.

That way everything is in one place when we go to put it all together. You've got GREAT nail tips!!

Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm going over there now............

Lemon Juice is great for the yellowing underneath your nails too and is not as harsh as the bleach. I like the NutriNail line of nail hardeners too. Another thing that helps is WalMart has their own version of I can't think of the name of it, it starts with an "e" (as soon as I click to post this I will remember the name of this stuff, my daughter uses it for her eczema). Really good heavy moisturizer, put some of that on your nails and cuticles and work it in real good and towel it off before you wash your hands with soap or liquid soap. That will get the dirt off without drying out your hands so much. Then moisturize, moisturize your hands and your cuticles it makes such a difference in the way your nails look when your cuticles aren't all dry and beat. The cream is Eucerin, WalMart makes an excellent version and it is affordable. Changed my nails, hands and feet.

Originally Posted by chichismom

To keep dirt from getting underneath your nails-- scrape them over a bar of soap! The soap barrier will keep any dirt out, and when your ready to wash your hands it cleans up easily

(of course

)

Click to expand...

That's one I've used for a long time!! It's a great one!

I get a protective layer of gel or acryllic put over my nails at the nail salon.

You have to get it refilled once a month but to me its worth it as my manicures last just as long and I dont have to worry about doing my nails.

Originally Posted by maverick_kitten

I get a protective layer of gel or acryllic put over my nails at the nail salon.

You have to get it refilled once a month but to me its worth it as my manicures last just as long and I dont have to worry about doing my nails.

Click to expand...

She would kinda look weird with manicured gel nails and being a gardener!

Originally Posted by fwan

She would kinda look weird with manicured gel nails and being a gardener!

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Grooming is everything Fran!

Mine are really short and paintd naturally so you cant even tell I have the protective overlay.

My cousin has them done too!

I used to have acrylics but they really screwed up my nails
and i dont feel like paying 30 euros a month just on my nails

Does anyone use cuticle oil? Does it help anyone? I have really tough cuticles and they need to get softer. I am trying to stop biting them now so this thread is helpful!!

I get nasty hard cuticles, I use wool wax creme on them, works great.
After a shower of doing the dishes when they are soft, I used wool wax, also right before bed and throughout the day any time I've washed my hands.

Don't know where it can be purchased though it's made by Marcha Labs Inc.