STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

small fry · Chanel

base and top coats

relrel · Marc Jacobs

I always use a base and top coat, always. What kind of nail-polish are you using? There's definitely some brands that will chip a lot faster than others. But regardless, I just don't expect my nail polish to last more than a week, maybe a week and a half if it's a nicer brand. Also, how long are your nails and how strong are they? I chip my nails a lot faster when they are longer, you might want to try keeping them as short as possible if you have problems with chips. And depending on your job (and how much you run around after your kids!), the nails are just going to chip. I'm on a computer all day and sometimes just from the typing, I can chip my nails.

There's also the fancy gel process manicures which are supposed to last really, really long. But I've also heard horror stories about what the chemicals do to your nails with the gel process so that's something to keep in mind.

Kelly · Hermes

I never wear a base coat or a top coat :-X

I think a base coat would actually be good for my nails, but it makes the (already long) process of painting and drying my nails even longer so I don't do it. And a top coat...I've tried a few, but they never seemed to really help my polish last any longer, so I just stopped doing it. With or without a top coat, my nail polish doesn't last more than a few days before it starts to chip. I keep my nails shorter than most people I know but I also type all day at work.

I tried a gel manicure once and it did last an incredibly long time, but it also totally wrecked my nails so I haven't done it since.

small fry · Chanel

Thanks ladies.Relrel I have the cheaper brands, and my nails are fairly short b/c they always break and peel. Although I did order 3 new ones from opi, hoping they last longer.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Nail polish can help seal peeling nails, but I imagine a peeling nail makes polish more prone to chipping too. You say your nails break too. Are they brittle?

Water is the biggest culprit for nail polish failure because it causes so many problems for nails too. It helps to not do your nails right after showering--just like you wouldn't paint wood siding after it had rained heavily. Wearing gloves while doing dishes and/or giving kids baths is probably a good idea too.

When I paint my fingernails (very rarely), I use a base. I don't always use a top, because, like Kelly, I get impatient with the whole process.

Have you ever tried one of those 4-sided nail buffer/files? I think those go a long way to helping develop a smooth, uniform foundation upon which to apply nail polish and bottom/top coats. You can also buy the tools separately. I think they consist of a very fine nail file, a ridge file, a smoother, and a shine buffer. Plus, when you're not wearing polish, your nails look nice!

Lastly, do you take vitamins? I see a couple nutrients coming up in the little bit of research I've done (and personal experience). I don't know how accurate it is, but you might want to look into making sure you're getting enough healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, etc.), biotin, folate, and linoleic acid (found in veggie oils like safflower).

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

I do my own manicure, diligently, once a week, I always use top & bottom, it seems shinier & evens out when you use top coat, also try to buy 1 product that is both top & bottom, in order not to have 101 unneccessary products. Usually, it's Sally Hanson's "Tough Nails" or "TOp & Bottom Coat", also by the same brand, I get in in Target.

I do wash dishes, other things around the house, so it starts chipping on somewhere....4th day? depends upon the color polish, not the top coat.

bellaluna · Nine West

I've been doing my nails since I was about 10 (a long time) and in my experience the best products for me (also with dry brittle nails) are : base coat - OPI Nail Envy for dry brittle nails. Polish- I like OPI and Essie but also like some of the newer Sally Hansen colors. Plus I like the rounded brush. Top coat is a must - seche vite is not as good as Out the Door. Dries faster and seals the manicure well. I agree about gloves, a MUST! Oh! Also use Solar Oil on your cuticles before bed. Hope this helps! I've had good luck and get a lot of compliments on my nails.

bellaluna · Nine West

Oh, wanted to agree with pollyjean about the buffers but be careful - I've found that using them too much or too vigorously can make nails peel. And thumbs up on vitamins. Biotin plus a multi, omega, d3, and a good diet will def help. Also, if you can get a glass file, I've found those to work best. File nails in one direction - vs. back and forth. you can also wet the file and file your edges with less dust and it seems to help with peeling nail edges (nail itself, not polish).