I’ve been digging Kid Sister’s Pro Nails for more than a minute now, and finally there’s a video! I think it’s adorable. It makes me want to hit the salon and get my toes done up. With the fingernails matching!
I love the finger dancing but I must say, some of those manicures are a bit too Flo Jo for me. And here’s a fun fact – the chorus of Pro Nails comes from Project Pat’s Good Googly Moogly. What can I say — I live in Miamuh, the southernmost part of the Dirty South. But let’s talk about my random musical taste some other time. This post really is all about nails!
It’s been a while since my last Kid Sister referencing nailpolish post, and tis the season for holiday glam. For Christmas party season, I like to do it up from head to toe. This year, my work holiday party has a black and white color theme, so I am contemplating the reverse French manicure. It’s a little bold, right? The look was quite popular at the fall fashion shows, and I know we’re in a different season now, but it’ll work with the dress I’m wearing. For some fun tips on reverse french manicures, check out All Lacquered Up, a blog dedicated to keeping your nails fly. I really love the glitter silver reverse French, and if I could possibly make my nails look that perfect myself, I’d be seriously proud.
Polish painted on stubby nubs bitten to the quick isn’t a cute look, and losing your Lee Press Ons is embarrassing to say the least. Step number one to pretty nails is letting them grow to be healthy and strong. I generally don’t keep my nails extra long – some of them start splitting at the corners when they pass a certain length. It was pretty heartbreaking to have an almost-uniformly long hand of four nails, then the one short, sad nail that had to be cut. But thanks to Nail Aid clear liquid bandage, I can stop a breaking nail in its tracks and maintain an almost-perfect mani. Hooray!
Nail Aid is the perfect product for bellas who are interested in healthy, beautiful nails — emphasis on healthy. Check out their values. Nail Aid has partnered with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Breast Cancer Fund in an effort to prevent the production and sale of dangerous cosmetics. They’re the first and only nail treatment company to do so. That means no formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate, or any of those known carcinogenic chemicals that are the foundation of every other nail product on the market. Also, no animal testing. They’re certified by PETA and the Leaping Bunny Organization. And the company also supports the Green Belt Movement International, which is a truly admirable cause. And besides all of the wonderful do-gooderiness, even better — their products actually work!
I’ve been using the Grow Tougher, which promises longer, harder nails in just 5 days. This stuff definitely helped cure one of my nagging nail problems — splitting and peeling of the top layers of my nails. When my nails crack on the corners, I dab on a little liquid bandage and I’m good to go. I haven’t yet tried the Brush On Wrap treatment, but I bet it’d help my splitting and peeling problem. The ultimate test that this stuff is working for me? Recently, I went to get a manicure with my friend Raina, and she says, “your nails look fake. In a good way.” Hey, thanks!
What are your nail problems, bellas? Let me know — I’m giving away FIVE NAIL AID products! Leave a comment below telling me about your specific nail problem and the Nail Aid product you need. Together with the good people of Nail Aid, five comments will be chosen, and the winners will get their item of choice. I’ll close these comments on Friday. Keep your eyes peeled for more giveaways – they’re about to start coming fast and furious for the holiday season! It’s Christmas, and you just might get the presents!
Psst… Looking for nail color without the toxic chemicals? Check out Anise — they’ve got a gorgeous range.
My absolute biggest nail problem is that I constantly have really dry, ragged cuticles. Oh, and the nails on my index fingers always seem to break.
What’re the odds that I would be up early filing my nails as I read your blog entry??? My biggest problem with my nails is breakage even though I have a healthy diet and take vitamins. One nail will break (always the index finger) so I always have to cut the others to match. 🙁
I only use animal-friendly/carcinogen-free products for my hair & skin, but I never thought to search for safe products for my nails. I would loooooooooovvvvvvvve to try the Brush on Wrap…or maybe the Clear Liquid Bandage! 🙂
My nail problem, all my life, has been that they are very soft. I drink lots of milk, eat lots of yogurt, all that stuff, always have, but my nails have never been hard. They grow long with no problem, but since I have been a girl, their softness has caused them to be able to be bent back past the nail bed, so that I’ll have a little white line in my nail bed, which eventually breaks when it grows out. No to mention it’s painful!! So, now I just clip them down. I would love a product that would help harden my nails, and the fact that this company is sooooo responsible ethically and environmentally is just amazing.
I am cursed with the ragged cuticles too. They are always dry and it shows…BIG TIME. Nothing I have used seems to work. I even went to the extreme of stashing cuticle oil bottles all over the house and sleeping with shea buttered hands in gloves. (Only works for 2 days)
I wish I had the nails of my mother but she her beautiful nail gene skipped me and went to my daughter.
*SIGH* I have nail envy!!!
This is my first time commenting on this site but I must say I love, love love, the info! As far as my nails, I’ve been growing them out for the last six months after wearing artificial nails off and on for years. Besides the fact that I have those unsightly ridges from years of that awful drill they use on your fill in, I find that my nails tend to crack very easily. It’s really been bad now that it’s colder. It seems my nails get caught on my sweater or stockings daily. So, I’ve been taking my vitamins, which includes Biotin, and just waiting for nature to undo what I’ve done.
Bella,
Since I’ve had natural hair, I’ve keep my nails natural too-no more acryilic (sp) tips. Now my nails are thin and peel all the time. I would love to try the Nail aid Brush on wrap.
Hey Bella
My nail problem is similar to yours, where my nails will be all nice and the same length and then the inevitable happens and one splits or breaks. Then I have to cut all my nails cause I don’t like that 4 long 1 short look! lol. So the product I need is Nail-Aid Brush on Wrap and I read that it’s good for ridges too, which I also have on my thumb nails (which I got after wearing fake nails).
I’m weaning myself off acrylics for a minute. I’m in desperate need of Yellow Off and Nail Repair to get my natural nails back in tiptop shape, girl! Natural nails, natural hair…2008 will be a glorious year.
I forgot to mention the product I would like to try…either the Grow Tougher or Brush On Wrap.
Ditto on the cuticles. I’m fortunate in that I have very healty fingernails that grow well. But in the last few years, my cuticles are horrid. I’d love to try the Cuticle Cure. Thanks as always for the great information!
My biggest problem is that my nails are weak and thin and therefore break easily. I’d worn long acrylic, silk wrap fiberglass (you name it:)) nails since entering beauty school in about 87-88 up until maybe 2 years now since I’d had them done for my brothers wedding. The blame is placed on improperly taking them off yet even when the correct procedures were used to remove the nails my nails were weak. And no matter how long I go without them, they never strengthen to the point the were pre-artificials.
Before beauty school my nails use to grow long and strong and I’m at the point where I’d prefer to have my natural nails grow to a nice lenght rather than getting fakes any longer. So my product choices would be Grow Tougher or Brush On Wrap.
I’ve always wore my nails long. going to the nail salon was a 2 week ritual getting the expensive gel. my nails grew strong and healthy. Hey, I wanted the best. Now since my old job has laid me off…this new job is not paying me that kind of dough. so bye bye nail salon. I decide to do them myself. Its been 8 months and I notice without the strong gel protecting my nails they split and break very easily. Grow Tougher or Brush On Wrap would work for me.
My nail problems begain when I was younger, I would constantly bit my nails to the nub, then in my teen years I started getting my nails “done” I was the acrylic queen, until last year when I decided to stop spending money and damaging my nails. Long story short, my nails are really weak now, they will grow but as soon as they grow out a little bit they break, chip, bend, etc…As recently as Sunday, I had some uniformity (finally) but then as luck would have it my middle finger nail chipped, my index finger nail split, and I bit my thumb nail…so I had to wack them all off..so thus starting the process all over again *sigh*…I have been looking to go back to acrylics, but I don’t want to subject my nails to that trauma again. The Nail Aid would be my choice of products to try.
I have always wanted strong nails. I’ve used many products that have not helped them to strengthen. My mom has always had nice strong nails, but that gene passed me by. I would like to try these products to see if this is what I needed all along. I’ve tried acrylic nails in the past and it just made my situation work. I would love if you all picked me.
hi all. i don’t have a nail problem to report yet but i do want to report how i was just so excited watching that fun video. it’s so playful and silly. made me feel like dancing. nice to see on an afternoon break!
My left big toenail hates me! LOL! No really, for about 8 years now (NO LIE) my nail breaks at the exact same place. Now I hate to toot my own horn, but I have pretty feet…gettin compliments from the brothas on the regular. But this one toenail is determined to be my downfall! Okay, so imagine your fingernail breaking. But when it breaks in the worst possible place where it hurts and you have no choice but to cut it and start all over again, that’s what my toe does–over and over again. I got some acrylic put over it once before, but I felt like the biggest idiot walking around with ONE FAKE TOENAIL. LOL! So please, tell me you got something to help a sista out! Even if you dont hook me up, can you at least give me the name of a product that can stop this from happening? The rest of my obedient, normally grown toenails thank you in advance!
My nails are problematic since I have asthma and this tends to thin one’s nails. They tear easily and the thumbnails tear in the same spots- on either side! This is not only painful but it looks awful, too. The Nail Aid Brush On Wrap treatment sounds like it would save my hands from looking so sad!
To put it bluntly Bella, my nails are a piece of crap. I’m constantly having to cut them down due to the trifecta of splitting, breaking, peeling that is the nemesis of my nails. It is so embarassing that I’ve pretty much given up on my nails completely hence the continual chopping them off whenever they grow more than half an inch, however I’m a bridesmaid next year and will have to get these hands in shape before then.
Signed,
Desperately Seeking Nail Aid
I used to bite my nails for years. I stopped after the birth of my son. It just didnt appeal to me anymore. I have no problem growing my nails. My problem is when my nails grow above my fingertips, they consistently crack and break at the point where the nail is not attached to the skin. Drives me crazy!! It happens more on my thumbs and pointer fingers.
I would love to try the Clear Liquid Bandage, Brush on Wrap, or Yellow No More. 🙂
I suffer from the same ailment as you Afrobella – those blasted split corners!! So, I always end up looking like a mad woman with three perfect nails and one hanging on for dear life, that snags my stockings because I can’t part with my split nail..lol I need that nail AID like a dying man needs a last meal.
I’m a nail biter and a cuticle picker. Not sure there’s a product that can “cure” this behavioral issue. I’ve fallen on and off the nail biting wagon for years. I’m going to Uganda and Tanzania next month. After visiting the travel clinic this week I’m realizing how important it will be for me to not have open wounds on my hands. Unpretty paws didn’t motivate me but curiously contracting an infectious disease does.
I’m ready to try to stop biting and picking. Is there a product that can help? One of my pointer fingers splits from the nail bed whenever I let it grow. I’d like to “fix” this too.
Bella, I would love to try the Grow Tougher. My nails just refuse to grow. I take vitamins and calcium faithfully. Yet, they refuse to cooperate with me and in addition, they peel. Thanks.
ooohhh pretty nails are my thing now, pretty short nails. i dash weh (threw away) my acrylics for now and have been embracing short nails colored in jewel tones and now i have on red. im so in love! for now till i change again anyway, but i think its so cute, the lil spot of color on ur finger tips…
makes me do all kinds of fancy twirls with my hands, its amazing how u walk different in new shoes and make diff gestures with new “hand-do” eh
lol
I have had a pretty strong policy about natural nails as well. My nails seem to do pretty good as long as they are polished. When they are pretty>> I do not bite them and tend to keep them shaped well.
My problem is that I don’t have time to freshen up my nails multiple times a week… Especially now that I am in Med. School. A working/ studious sister needs a polish or top coat that really won’t chip!! and will last at least 5 days!
Just a few minutes ago I broke one of my nails because it got caught on my jeans. My nails are so wimpy, but they grow long, so when they break (usually by accidentally hitting something) they crack way below the nail bed and sometimes bleed, like my index finger is at the moment (ouch!). My toes are the same way. At the slightest impact they break mid-nail, ruining many a pedicure (bleeding cuticles is not exactly a cute look). I wish I could find something to give my nails a little back bone, not to mention stopping the daily peeling and chipping. Maybe the Liquid Bandage or Grow Tougher would help!
“your nails look fake. In a good way.†That’s awesome! I want someone to say that about my nails! Mine grow, but they are so thin, they are razor sharp! I don’t want to accidently scratch a kiddo at the preschool where I work so I just keep them super short:( “Longer, harder nails in just 5 days.” that sounds like a dream!
Thanks for your info on a product that’s affordable and safe (for us and the animals!) Good luck to all, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Hey Bella!
I have the same problems you do. I’m looking at a short middle finger nail among it’s longer counterparts – 9 long and 1 short is definitely not a good look. Mine also tend to split at the tips at a certain length. Both of the treatments you use sound like they would help tremendously.
I’ve never been that into my nails since they always managed to break before reaching a suitable length, but they’re growing longer now and I’d like them to remain as long as possible. =)
My nails grow a little and just when I think I don’t need to get an overlay b/c my own nails look so good, BAM! One splits, breaks off unevenly or below the edge of the nailbed. I cut them to make them all even or cut the edge of the offending nail as far down as I can stand it without making it bleed. Then, I start over. It’s worse in the winter when I have to deal with my temperamental nails and dry, rough cuticles and hands that have peeled and bled when I didn’t think to coat them in Vaseline or Shea butter repeatedly throughout the day. I need whatever they make to keep my nails together so they don’t break in layers and strong enough to stand up to Chi-town winters. Thanks Bella!