u/Big_Mama_Hughes

I just did it manually with the round end of the free Mooncat magnetic wand, in circles around the nail perimeter for like 2 minutes each. Next time I’m going to try out the twirling the wand with the large end pointing down method, and then hit it with base coat before top coat several hours after that. It doesn’t totally suck but it’s not great, either, obviously. My other hand …basically just looks like velvet unless you look at it from a very specific and weird angle. 🙄
Products:
Essie Strong Start bc
3 coats Mooncat Millennium
1 coat Mooncat Speed Demon tc
Pura d’Or organic jojoba oil
Aquaphor

I started oiling and paying better attention to my nails in April-ish. I had a big chop in June after accumulating 3 breaks, and then in July I started very earnestly leaving my PNF alone. My nails are growing back now without the weird flares and folds! I have a couple of ridges left to grow out on my thumbs (due to watching Severance in June and catching myself picking them during an anxious bit 🙄). I’m going to try to add the vid from last night (18 Aug) in the comments. It’s because of this sub that I’ve made any progress at all, so have a heartfelt thank you!

Products used:
Pura d’Or Organic Jojoba oil in pics 2 or 4 through 8 (can’t remember exactly when I bought it)
Aquaphor in all pics

Pic 1: bare nails
Pic 2: Essie Strong Start base coat
Essie Expressie in Send A Message - 2 coats
Essie FX Expressie in Iced Out fx filter - 1 coat
China Glaze top coat
Unknown brand of jewel decals that I bought at CVS at least 9 years ago

Pics 3 & 4: Essie Strong Start base coat
OPI Achieve Grapeness - 2 or 3 coats (can’t remember)
China Glaze Top coat
Flower Nail Dried Flowers nail decals (from Etsy, that’s apparently the brand name)

Pic 5: Essie Strong Start Base Coat
Mooncat Sakura Serenade - 2 coats
Mooncat Speed Demon top coat

Pic 6: Essie Strong Start Base Coat
Mooncat Moonlight Lullaby - 2 coats
Mooncat Speed Demon Top Coat

Pic 7: Bare Nails

Pic 8: Essie Strong Start Base Coat
Mooncat Insomniac - 2 coats
Mooncat Speed Demon top coat

Hi, all, new to this sub. I was a nail biter in my youth and am a recovering nail picker. Keeping my nails nice is how I stop myself from picking, and also helps my adhd brain to be mindful of what I’m doing with my hands.

So, I’d been on this journey on and off for years (I’m over 50) but this is the first time I’ve ever actually educated myself about nail care 🤦🏻‍♀️

I can’t buy nail oil for at least a month (because I blew my budget on Mooncat for my birthday 🥴), and I have some 5+ yr old almond w/vit e oil that I can use - but it’s starting to go rancid (I can just barely smell the change in scent).

That brings me to my question: I regularly use Aquaphor on my hands and feet - would it be a decent substitute for nail oil if I slathered it on a few times/day?

Pics just because (send thoughts and prayers for the nail I broke a few days ago 😭). OH! Also! My right thumb nail divot (from picking) is almost completely grown out. The left one has a ways to go. Stopped picking again in… late February? Mid March?

Products: Essie Strong Start Base Coat Aquaphor Auracacia Sweet Almond Oil w/vit E

PS: sorry for the novel!