Wedding Blog
My cousin recommended Nailtique, a protein polish, for my problem nails. There are three different types of treatments, formula #2 (the one I use) is for nails that peel or are naturally soft. The polish helps to bond the peeling nails, making them stronger. Formula #1 (Oddly named, as it’s what the nails aspire to use after using the second formula, it said) keeps nails strong, but prevents them from becoming hard. What on earth does that mean? The third formula is a protein fixer. It’s a protein based thinner that will help restore and maintain a smooth appearance, without affecting the formula you use already.
The stuff smells like paint thinner, and I SWEAR I can feel my nail beds burning. 
It seems to be working on my pathetic thin nails, though! Well, all but one nail. I have nine lovely mid-length nails, enough to see the white, and to scratch Mr. Kiwi’s back. Then there is Stubby, the one renegade nail that refuses to grow. I’m not too OCD about things being even, but seriously, what is the deal with this guy?
Okay, I admit, I want pretty, long nails for the wedding. So, I may end up getting fakes. 
I really don’t want to, as I know how much acrylics damage your real nails, but I would love some pretty perfect nails for the day of, as my fingers are a little squat and look better with some length on the end of them.
What did you do for your nails? For those of you still un-married, what are you preparing to do?
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Share this post: Stubby
I went to [insert big box store of choice] and bought Broadway artificial nails. (Note that I did this twice, once as a trial run and once for the wedding.) I loved them. Are they great for your real nails? Not really, as they super glue onto your nails, but they aren’t as damaging as the permanent ones nail salons do. I loved them because they come with multiple sizes so you can find the sizes that fit best on your fingers. You then glue them on and file them to the length you like. (No scary Halloween length for me.) They looked real. I got complements on how nice they looked and they even fooled my makeup and hair ladies, who also do manicures. Also, they cost less than a real manicure.
I highly recommend you try them - before the big day.
It’s probably not too bad to apply acrylics just this once if you need them. But you still have a few weeks - maybe Stubby will give in and conform in the meantime, and you won’t have to go the acrylic route!
I am very lucky to have been blessed with my father’s nails which don’t break easily and have nice cuticles, so thankfully, I won’t have to do much to my nails except make sure I don’t let them get too long in the couple of weeks leading up to the wedding (if I let them grow more than about 3 mm past the tip of my fingers, they become a bit more prone to breaking.) Then the day before the wedding or maybe the morning of, I’m going to get a mani/pedi. I’m planning to have an all over colour on my toes and a French manicure on my fingers.
I have used Nailtiques Formula 2 and it always works! I also have a problem nail (the same on actually, on each of my feet) that never seem to catch up with my other nails in the strength dept.
Oh - regarding the acrylics - I HATE them. If you are like me and have weak or thin nails, the acrylics make them worse. They file down the top layer, where I can feel it burning. I have used the Nailtiques to build them up. And then when I want them extra nice or even stronger, I will get Silk Wraps, in which they do file the top layer, but very minimally, and you can ask them to file only a little. It’s your real nail, feels lighter than acrylics, and easier to remove when you need them.
Oh and if you want your nails to be stronger longer, try to keep the tips as square as possible. If you file them to a point, it seems weaker.
I’ve been a nail biter all my life. Years ago, my cousin got me some of the stuff that makes them taste bad. I’m keeping that on my nightstand, but sometimes I forget to use it. I’m hoping this is going to help me. stubby fingers crossed!
Miss Kiwi, I’m sorry, I have to laugh a little at “Stubby”! I have a similar problem — I can get them to all grow, but inevitably, at the critical moment, I manage to screw it all up, and snap one of them, resulting in the same problem as you: 9 pretty nails, and one ugly-butt one.
For my wedding, I did a very pale pink polish on both fingers and toes. (And, in typical fashion, managed to smudge ONE nail while leaving…) I’d probably stay away from bright/dark colors for wedding anyway, but I’ve also noticed that they also don’t look so great on shorter nails as well.
I would recommend taking pre-natal vitamins (which should also strengthen your hair) and making sure you are getting enough protein in your diet. Lack of protein and some minor vitamin deficiencies are the two main culprits for weak nails.
I’m pretty much going to just hope they look nice…and if they don’t, I’ll chop ‘em and throw a coat of paint on. I used to worry about it, but right now they are so far down on my list of priorities, haha…
ugh i have a nail biting habit too and I find myself chomping away even though I know I’m not supposed to! I bought some of that control-it cream and it makes everything taste nasty, but I’ve stopped using it b/c I eat brown bag sandwiches and carrot sticks for lunch, and I prepare food and it makes everything taste horrible, even after multiple washings (and I’m OCD about washing hands). Also sometimes my hamsters lick my hands when I hold them. It is just too inconvenient.
Yeah, I have nailtiques too and it works (sorta) until my nails get pretty and long and then I get a nasty hang-nail, right where the white started. it SUUUUCKS. It always happens. I’m not sure what to do for the wedding, but I know I hate long nails so maybe I’ll just get some manicures before the wedding so they’ll be short, but neat.
I just caved in and had acrylics. There are always “hand shots” from the ring ceremony, and I wasn’t risking any ugly pictures. It took a while for the damage to grow out, but it wasn’t a big deal.
As an alternative to acrylics, get silk wraps! They are great, really thin, and go right over the nail (so no filing of natural nails necessary!) They don’t feel fake to me either. I got them for the wedding (mom has been getting them for a long time), and decided to keep them because now a manicure lasts 2-3 weeks instead of 2 days before with my weak nails. I am a silk convert!
Miss Kiwi, I have a miracle for you. My mom, who has never had nails past the ends of her fingers, found this great stuff called Nail Magic at Sally Beauty Supply for $7. So cheap and it is amazing! I have now used it and many of my friends. My mom (and the rest of us) now have to clip our nails because they are too long! It makes your nails so strong. (Nailtiques never worked for me and I have tried numerous other products).
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Mrs. Kiwi, Los Angeles
Age and Occupation in 06: 27, Bookkeeper
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, P.E. Teach/Coach @ private schools in LA
Engagement Date: March 31, 2006
Wedding Date: November 3, 2007
Venue: Radisson Hotel
About Me: I'm a bookkeeper who failed high school algebra. I'm currently living in Los Angeles, literally a street over from where I grew up with Mr. Kiwi, my honey of three years. We have a jumbo mini-dachshund (seriously, he's huuuuge), and we're planning an autumn themed wedding on a shoestring, paid for by ourselves. The wedding date is my late grandma's birthday, I needed her there somehow, and that seemed like the best way for us. I can't believe I'm a Bee! I couldn't be more proud!
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