Nail Growth Update

About two months ago, I shared with you all that I was getting rid of my gel nails and starting to grow out my own nails (see my post here). I’ve never had my real nails grow out past my finger tips, so this is really an exciting time for me!

I’ve always had a habit (& still do) of biting my nails or putting my fingers in my mouth, so I’m trying to get away from that by using nail strengtheners and always having them polished! For whatever reason, when my nails are painted, I don’t have the same urge to bite them.. but now I’m developing a habit of picking at them! So my manicure’s are lucky to stay on my nails for more then 2 days…

Anyways, since then, I’ve been using OPI – Nail Envy as a base to all my manicure’s. It helps to fortify, protect, and strengthen nails by using wheat protein and calcium. At the beginning, I used two coats and then added another coat the day or two after that. I did remove and reapply it after the 3rd day only because I wanted to keep it looking fresh. When using it under nail polish, I also use two coats – but I do find this isn’t a great base coat as it does make my nail polish peel off easy. I know this isn’t what it’s used for, so I’m not upset that my nail polish doesn’t last as long as I’d like.

It’s really made my nails much stronger and less brittle. I did suffer a break on my ring finger (the same nail that was short on my first post).. so it’s short again *sigh*. For my nail posts, I’ve been gluing on a fake nail on to give me length, but I realized that it’s stunting the growth of my actual nail, so I’m trying to leave it be for a while.

I’m also using CND’s Cuticle Eraser, Solar Oil, & RescueRXX several times a week to help my cuticles and nails get the moisture and nutrients needed to keep them looking and feeling strong and healthy. I use the Cuticle Eraser to hydrate and moisturize my cuticles, and the Solar Oil & RescueRXX in combination to again hydrate my cuticles and surrounding skin, as well as to make my nails stronger and prevent any peeling, white spots, or breakage.

I hope this helps! Not every regimen works for everyone, but I thought I’d let you all know what I use since I’ve never grown out my nails and I’ve always thought of them as thin & brittle – but not anymore! 🙂