How to Have Nice Looking Fingernails

I've always been envious of those women who seem to have beautiful looking fingernails, with seemingly little effort.  I spent most of my childhood, and a good part of my adulthood as a chronic nail biter.  I have short fingers and my hands are small in proportion to the rest of me, and add to that the chewed off fingernails and you get someone who is very self conscious of how their hands look.  I tried going to nails salons and getting acrylic tips put on, but that can be a bit of pain because you need to go for regular fills, and it's not the healthiest option for you finger nails.  If you want to make your own nails look good, read on where I'll share my tips that have worked for me to get nice, healthy looking nails.

Stop biting: Easier said then done, I know.  There are products out there that you can put on your nails that taste bitter and act as a reminder not to bite when you put your fingers in your mouth.  I tried a product called Stop and Grow when I was a kid, and it worked for a while.   But it did wear off and I did bite my nails.  I don't put anything like that on my nails now.  I carry a small emery board with me whereever I go because a trigger for nail biting for me is a rough edge on my nail.  I find if I keep my nails smooth, I'm less apt to bite.  I also find that wearing nail polish discourages me from biting, which leads me do my next tip.

Give yourself a weekly manicure: Spend about an hour, once a week, pampering your hands and fingernails by giving yourself a manicure.  Spend some time shaping your nails, moisturizing your hands and putting on a pretty nail polish, and you will be less likely to ruin the effect by biting your nails.  Promise yourself to go without biting until you next manicure.

Don't try to grow your nails too long: I have friends that have natural fingernails that are quite long.  I think everyone has a certain length that their nails will get to before they start to split or break.  Try to maintain that length by filing with an emery board, or clipping when you need to.  If you're giving yourself weekly manicures, then you shouldn't have any problems maintaining the right length for you.

Don't use your nails as tools: One thing that can wreak havoc with your manicure is using your nails as tools.  If a staple needs to come out of some papers, use a staple remover.  If you need to open a pop can, use something else other than your fingernails.  Using your nails to pry anything open is just asking for breakage.

Eat a healthy diet:  The saying garbage in garbage out is very true, especially when it comes to what foods you eat.  Everyone should eat a balanced, whole foods diet to look and feel their bests.  There are certain foods that do benefit your nails.  Protein, foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C and Vitamin D all play a part in healthy looking nails.

So that's what has worked for me.  Give it a try and see if my tips can work for you.  If you have any tips that I haven't mentioned that work for you to get nice, healthy fingernails, please share in the comments.