Making my hands a little more presentable

[PrincessPoodle]

I know that this is probably futile, but I'm still trying to hang on to being a little girly. Are there any nail polishes for humans that actually can put up with the abuse our hands take. OPI does a pretty good job, but I only get it to stay for a few days. It's not like I have long nails (mine are really short), but I figure it looks nicer when I shake hands in introductions things like that. I have found that bag balm (wear gloves after applying) and udder delight (by cut-heal) do a pretty good job of putting some moisture back.

[doggydivas]

I like to look nice too. So, I get acrylic overlay on my nails. No tips just my own nail. The polish sticks to that for some reason. I can go for about a week and a half before needing to repolish. I love it!

[dogandi]

I had

fake nails for yrs and never had a problem with the polish coming off, I kept them a medium long and people always asked how do you keep your nails so nice doing this job?? simple answer I pay for them. Good luck Dawn PS when I had fake I never got hang nails!

[neanea]

Use Desitin diaper rash cream for dry and/or chapped hands. It's the best for overnight healing I've found.

As for polish, I never wear it, but if you do a good base coat before you polish, then do a top coat, that should help. The base coat has a bit of texture to help the polish grab the surface of the nail better and it will not run/wear/chip off as bad. You might also try 2 coats of top coat.

[felzenhaus]

Sorry, can't help you on the nails. Never could get them past a certain point while grooming and riding horses. I just picked up the Home Medic (sp) parafin soaker at Bed Bath and Beyond. Very pleased. My hands get so dry and I have an allergic dermatitis so they crack very badly and get tiny blister type things on them. The wax was very nice!

[MamaTiff]

I like to look nice too. So, I get acrylic overlay on my nails. No tips just my own nail. The polish sticks to that for some reason. I can go for about a week and a half before needing to repolish. I love it!

Where do you get acrylic overlay?

[nuk]

Most of the girls in my old salon had fake nails, they seemed to hold up pretty well. I painted mine with opi also, basecoat, 2 coats of polish, topcoat. usually could last a week. of course I am one of those people who could keep the same nails training horses and cleaning stalls :P

[D'tails]

Sally Hanson french manicure set stays on really well compared to normal polish. Its the kit that comes with a flesh colored base coat, a white pen for the tips, and a clear top coat. Works best with just base coat and top coat...no white pen on tips.

[brownlikewoah]

lately I've been using a clear polish by sally hansen. Not exactly a cute color, but my nails look healthy, shiny, and it helps them be a bit stronger. Plus, when things begin to chip it is not as obvious.

[doggydivas]

Where do you get acrylic overlay?

From any nail salon. Just have them put the acrylic on your nails without the tip. Your nail will grow to the length you want and won't break as easy. Plus the acrylic holds the polish.
The reason I do this is because it doesn't matter how many basecoats, top coats, brand of polish's I try. They just chip and peel the first day.

[Helly]

I also use Sally Hanson, in a neutral color. Sally makes a variety of polishes. I use Maximum Length.

It's important to prepare your nails well, too. Make sure they are clean of any oils or nail polish residue. And most importantly, make sure they are dry. Even when they feel dry, they may not be, because nails will absorb some water when you wash your hands. So remove old polish, wash your hands well, and let them dry for about an hour before applying polish. And don't apply hand lotion until after you've done your nails.

Two coats works best, IMO. A clear base coat will help prevent your nails from absorbing color from your polish, and also helps the colored polish adhere. If you want you can apply a clear top coat, but I think that many coats are more prone to pealing after you get your hands wet.