Chalkboard Nails

You should probably try a new basecoat/topcoat combination. Not all bases and topcoats are compatible with every person’s body chemistry. Give some other ones a try and see if that helps.

More info for the previous anon.

Check this out too: http://loodieloodieloodie.blogspot.com/2011/09/which-one-is-not-like-other.html

My nails are pretty badly stained most of the time. I just keep covering them up with polish because I wear it every day anyway.

Sally Beauty sells a few products that are meant to help with staining — one is a paste that I can’t remember the name of, the other is called Bubble White and is a powder you mix in water and soak your nails in. I have tried neither myself. You can also try buffing out the stains, but that can weaken nails.

Of course, they will also grow out, but for that you’d have to leave your nails polishless.

I moisturize them at least once a day with Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, twice if I can. I don’t pick at them or mess with them. I guess I am just naturally blessed with low-maintenance cuticles!

Base and top coats are meant to do different things, so any product that combines both is likely to not work as well for either.

Having said that, I asked around and some of my nail buddies mentioned Sally Hansen Ultimate Shield and OPI Start to Finish. I have used neither though so I can’t say for sure how well they work.

Yes, but base keeps the polish from cracking, and it also helps it stay on longer. Additionally, lots of blue, green, and teal polishes will stain your nails when applied without a basecoat, so beware of that!

It’s true that lately I haven’t done manicures as complicated as some of my older work, but I think that I have managed to still post interesting and unique nails (if I do say so myself… haha).

I do work full time and sometimes I take on freelance design projects, too, so I only do what I have time for. A girl has got to sleep and eat and shower, ya dig?

Having said all that, I do have some nail art projects in mind for the near future. I have also had a number of tutorial requests (which I am thinking about doing in video format) and a couple other secret projects on the horizon, so keep an eye out for all of those things.

1. Try to keep polish on them at all times! It helps reinforce them.
2. Moisturize your cuticles as well as the skin surrounding your nails. Healthy cuticles promote healthy nail growth.
3. You can use nail clippers to trim your nails, but its a good idea to try to seal the nail by filing it afterwards. Only file in one direction — don’t saw back and forth.
4. Eat a well balanced diet so you get the nutrients you need. 

Seche Vite.

Second place goes to Poshe.

My base and top of choice are CND Stickey and Seche Vite. Different things work well for different people, so it may take a bit to find the combo that works best for you.

People tend to vary on base coat preference, but other popular topcoats are Poshe and Cult Nails Wicked Fast.