Nail Therapy

We all have our regrets when it comes to the beauty regime, whether it be not taking makeup off before bed or not applying an SPF. One of mine would be Gel and Acrylic overlay on my nails. I’ve had either one for as long as I can remember, barely giving my nails any time to ‘breathe’ from acrylics, extension tips to gels both bioscuplture and shellac.

They are something I have quite a love hate relationship with as I love the way they last on my nails without chipping but hate the condition they leave my nails in. After I finally took them off a couple of weeks ago my nails were thinner than paper - that's probably an understatement. In fact it's pretty disgusting how much they flake and break.

While I'm away on holiday I've decided it’s goodbye to gels for me and I am giving my nails some TLC with the aim of getting them back to a semi decent state.

To file my nails and even out any breakages I've been using these fantastic Stylefiles, which are curved and make filing nails so much simpler. Something so small yet makes such a big difference! For cuticles I've been applying Neals Yard Remedies Nail Balm at night as it’s a very rich hydrating cream and Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser and Balm in the mornings. I’m not too keen on the Sally Hansen balm but it’s early days and a Sally Hansen product has never failed me so I'll keep ya posted. 

For stumpy little nails I've been applying coats of Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle daily. I'm unsure of the correct way to properly apply this treatment but it seems to be working pretty well just slapping on some coats whenever I feel needs. Another little Sally Hansen treatment is the Nailgrowth Miracle Serum, which I've been massaging into my nailbeds every other evening – I’d say the combination of the two has really helped give my stumpy nails an extra boost as they seem to be growing!

Now onto the star of the show, Dr Lewinns Renunail Nail Strengthener, after having no luck with OPI Nail Envy I got second time lucky. This stuff in an absolute gem, something you’re supposed to apply two coats of and then another coat everyday but I've been applying two coats every other day and have seen a huge difference in the strength of my nails. They aren't as strong as I'd like them to be yet, still a couple of breakages here but definitely a huge improvement.

To top the whole thing off I've been appling a super nourishing handcream by Balance Me, which I've been keeping by my bedside as a lovely treatment.

We aren't back to normal nail strength yet but the finish line is definitely in sight! What are some of your beauty regrets?