For the past year or so my nails have been an absolute mess. About a year ago I started taking Appearex (Biotin supplement) and then stopped after a couple of weeks and I’m not sure why. I don’t know whether it was related to stress or what but my nails were getting worse. Even for the wedding they were so short and would break and peel way too easily. Only during the times that I would get weekly manicures would they look ok. I also haven’t had proper thumbnails for years.
Then, a month ago I found my box of Appearex and started taking them again. The reason it appealed to me is the tablet is so small and there is no smell like other vitamins. I hate taking tablets and this one is tiny. The smell and size of vitamins is why I have never taken them before… and then I found Gummi Vitamins that have changed my life. Lollies with breakfast. YUM!
On the Appearex instructions it says to wait three months to see results from taking it. I started noticing a difference after a week and now, my nails are out of control! They are strong and no peeling or breaking or anything. I even have thumb nails! The only downside to taking Biotin is that it has really thickened my already too-thick hair. So I find it takes longer to do in the morning and my layers aren’t as sleek.
So as well as taking this every day, twice or three times a day I use an alpha hydroxy moisturizer and Seacret Cuticle oil. That is all – no painting nails with a strengthener every night, no weekly manicures – just that. And they are the best they have ever been!
I painted these while driving up to Boston on the bumpiest road in the world…
Varnish wise, my favourite colors are –
OPI Bubble Bath –
Essie Tea and Crumpets –
Essie Eternal Optimist –
OPI Bogota Blackberry always on my feet –
As an addition, I picked up some of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects polish/stickers… wow. So handy and I loved them! BUT – the stuff is really hard to take off and application really is the key. For the patience it takes I think I’d prefer to just get a manicure.
This is how they looked before I tidied them up around the cuticles and was about three weeks ago so my nails are now even longer. They didn’t last as long as ten days but I think having applied them once, next time I’ll do a better job and they’ll stay on longer.