It does what it says on the tin

I've booked a manicure for the day I embark on my cruise and a pedicure for the next day

Thank you for that janerowena - I had been wondering! And that's a good tip about the soap before gardening.

I just leave mine to break off, they are very strong. I do a lot of gardening and it is hard sometimes to keep nail polish on because it does all get scrubbed off, so I don't wear polish every day, only maybe at weekends or on holiday. I work oil down behind my nails before I cook, and hard soap before I garden, to lessen the nail scrubbing. Typing - you learn to use the pad of your finger, not the tip.

My nails are a very low maintenance area. I cut them with clippers and keep them short and rounded. I am in awe of those of you who have beautiful nails - I think I've had mine done once or twice in my life. What I don't understand is how, with long manicured nails, you can manage to make pastry, do the garden, type?

I saw a GN post recommending Barry M nail polish - 'cures' in daylight, lasts for ages and looks like shellac. I went straight out and bought some and lo and behold, it does exactly that! Two thin coats and a topcoat does the trick. Wunderbar! I hate having shellac gels removed, so this is perfect for me. Apologies to whoever posted the original recommendation, I can't find it, Doh!

I love the new colours out from Rimmel in their one coat 60second drying varnish,the colours for the summer are pale green/pale blue and a lovely lemon certainly not to everybodies taste but they certainly brighten up your fingers and toes.They are on offer at Superdrug at the minute 3 for 2 so 3 pots for £5.98 a bargain buy,there are lots of other colours too from reds to pinks.

Stansgran. I have to ask what world you are in if you think that having a travelling beautician come to your makes you a Russian Oligarch.
Do you know that it's cheaper. Same as a travelling hairdresser.

As hands are on show all the time, it's rather nice if they look good.

Tegan I too am using the recommended Mavala Scientifique and it is the first nail hardener that has worked for me.

Thanks for your suggestions too Anno I will keep a note in case I need a change of product.

It is so nice having decent nails after the peeling ones I had before.

About a year ago, my nails were a mess- chipping, peeling and breaking. I tried various preparations but the only one that has worked is Nailtiques Formula 2. Within weeks, I could see an improvement and now there's no sign of the scruffy nails they once were. I still use the Nailtiques which looks just like a colourless polish and acts as a base when I want to wear a colour. Incidentally, the best top coat I've found is called Seche Vite which really does what it says - dries quickly - and protects the coloured varnish.

No Stansgran we are not oligarchs, just a load of Gransnetters who enjoy flashing our nails. I painted mine a lovely grey/lilac last week.

My eldest GS when he was 3 went up to a lady in the chemist who had a purple streak in her hair and said 'Look at my Nan's nails' which were also purple at the time. I was pleased he had noticed. That's my boy. [ grin]

I had shellac nail polish done just before I went away and it was perfect for three weeks. By then my nails had started to grow and then I started using my nails to pick paint from DS1's front door (with their permission) and did get a small chip. I was pleased with it and would have it done again for a special event or holiday but not for day to day as I do lots of gardening etc .

Katek me too .... every 4 weeks.
Nails are in great condition.
Best tip ever -use OPI cutical oil.

I've had gel polish manicures every 3 weeks for the past 4 years. My nails are perfectly fine underneath-I do think it makes a difference if you get a properly trained nail technician.

I would like to be sprinkled with pixie dust, sounds great.

stansgran

It's like another world out there. Toenails ,pixie dust,travelling beauticians. Are you all Russian oligarchs? This website should be Baboushkas .com actually I had my nails done once in 2004 in New York.

My mobile beautician has just left having painted my toe nails in a deep pink with Pixiedust. No, I'd never heard of it either. It is a matt varnish with texture - only one coat on top of the base coat, so did not take long. It feels slightly rough and has tiny shiny bits in it. I have my toe nails done once or twice a year but don't bother with my fingernails as they would never last. I used to do my own toe nails but due to anno domini they look much better if Becci the Beautician does them.

Just seen this thread, very timely as I have just returned from having a manicure. my eldest DD thought it was time I had a pro manicure so paid for me to go along and have one.It is really relaxing and rather nice, and my hands/nails look all the better for it I must say, as they had been plunging in and out of the garden planting stuff for the last three weeks.Beautifully filed now and base coat, two coats of polish and a top coat applied in a pretty apricot colour ( so many colours to choose from, the agony of choice!)

Yes it does harri I wasnt expecting it to be any good but I love the finish.

glass they look like fabulous colours, toe nail varnish seems to last much longer than finger nails anyway.

Hello jingle mwah

Hello Glass. Mwah!