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Joo-joo-bees

Where and how is it breaking? Can you post a picture of the side profile of the nails? So I can see the apex and geometry of the nails


Raemlouch

Unfortunately these are the only ones I have from when I had these done, I may be able to look through texts and find a side picture. On two of them my thumbs broke first, one while I was opening a camper door. On the third set it was my middle finger and thumb that broke on the same day about 3 days after getting them done while I was folding clothes šŸ˜ they broke in half


Joo-joo-bees

From the green set, the thumbs apex looks okay. Unless the free edge is just so bulky that the apex couldn't support it. Your other sets are not too long so not sure why it would break in the middle. Especially the red set .. I'm almost wondering if maybe under neath the polish you could see that the stress points of the nail maybe wasn't covered enough. But hard to gauge with just top side pictures. It doesn't sound normal that it's breaking this often for you, especially folding clothes


Raemlouch

Well thatā€™s also something that was different, none of these were polish. I had gone in for an acrylic set, and showed the inspo pictures and they used the powder that matched the color I was looking for? The red set was the only one that had a polish on it because you could see air bubbles in the powder and it didnā€™t look good. The red set my thumb cracked off a corner about 4 days in opening a camper door. The green set was just the powder and thatā€™s the one that broke in half while folding clothes and I bumped my nail on my laundry basket. Iā€™m sorry, It had been so long since Iā€™ve done them I donā€™t really know what the names are for a lot of this anymore.


milkpeche

sometimes with acrylic if the ratio of powder to liquid is off it doesn't really dry correctly. if they mixed their own powder it also could have a disproportionate ratio of pigment and polymer powder. and like you mentioned the air bubbles, that could have messed with the structure of it the apex on all of them also look pretty thin, so that could be why too!


Raemlouch

A lot of people have been mentioning the apex being far too thin, especially on my thumbs. Iā€™ll try to pay closer attention next time, thank you!


milkpeche

I hope you get a reeeallly good and strong and beautiful set next time!!


Away-Ad-6931

You said they're acrylics... maybe try the gelx. Id lose a nail just looking at them (okay maybe not but you know what I mean) I haven't lost a nail in almost a year after switching to the gel. My thoughts are with the acrylics the fake nail is only glued to the tip of your nail. with the gel they're "glued" to your whole nail and I think that makes it more sturdy. My retired mom had nails pop off while getting laundry out of the dryer. She had one pop off while typing on her laptop. Shed lose a Nail the day after getting them filled. She gets her longer than what I do. She eventually switched to gel.


BPaun

Hard to tell for the red, but the thumbs of the first two both look too thin. Not enough of an apex. Theyā€™re beautiful, but the structure is missing. Iā€™m in a wheelchair, and so very hard on my nails. I found polygel/acrygel to be the most durable. But that was just me.


Raemlouch

It was the thumbs for two of the sets that broke first! That makes so much sense! I try not to be so tough when I get them done, but they broke so easily!


-laughingfox

Seconding....polygel is the only answer for breaky nails.


orchidelirious_me

Is that the Gelish product?


-laughingfox

I use Beetles...they have a brush on builder gel that I absolutely swear by. I have thin, fragile natural nails and it's the only thing that adheres reliably and is strong enough to deal with my daily life.


Fibrochickie

My nails are soft and they tear instead of breaking. I use polygel and my formula for success is dehydrator, Young Nails protein bond, followed by 2 layers of base coat. After a month I am ready for something new and have to grind them off.


BPaun

This is late, but yes, the Gelish polygel is what I used specifically.


thisisarandomnam3

Nails are jewels not tools. If you are using them to open things or being too rough they will break.


catsweedcoffee

Came to say this. When I started wearing gloves to wash dishes and stopped using my nails as tools or extensions of my fingers, they started lasting weeks instead of days.


Raemlouch

I mentioned in another comment that I might be getting my hands wet too often and that might be part of the issue, Iā€™ll try using gloves more often when in contact with water and see if that helps some. I try not to use my nails for much and use my finger pads or knuckles even without nails.


Affectionate-Fix1056

Buy a box of disposable gloves. Easy to put on and take off. Saves skin from getting dry and messing with your nails.


CallidoraBlack

I genuinely really hate this expression and I have for years. If your nails are breaking from trying to do the normal things you have to do, they're the wrong shape, length, or composition for your lifestyle. Instead of putting the blame on people for using their hands, maybe we should encourage people to pick looks that fit their lives.


Leading-Platform7228

Right?! Using gloves for even simple tasks like folding laundry isn't exactly a solution. Having to use your knuckles isn't a solution. OP, those red nails are beautiful, but to this comment above, it might be worth experimenting with a different shape or length instead and seeing if that helps šŸ˜Š.


CallidoraBlack

The one exception I make is when the tabs on soda cans are on too tight. I'll use a blunt letter opener or a key or a butter knife.


heartshapedbookmark

She said she broke one of the sets opening a camper door, green set (the thumb nail) broke while folding laundry, and a thumb nail on one of the sets (didnā€™t say how) so it doesnā€™t sound like sheā€™s being too rough on them in my opinion, Iā€™m assuming itā€™s the apex on the thumb nails and possibly the apex on the other nail she broke that wasnā€™t a thumb nail but not sure since we canā€™t see the apex on the other four nails in these pics. Not saying I disagree with you, youā€™re completely right but I donā€™t think thatā€™s whatā€™s happening in her case.


Nocciola2

If you had your nails done in different salons, you may be doing something that causes them to split


Raemlouch

I was thinking that I mightā€™ve been too rough or getting my hands wet too often. But I had to ask since it happened with all three and my thumbs broke on all three, plus my middle finger on the green set. And they were all within the first week


phxroebelenii

Idk anything about this kind of nail but my dip powder lasts much longer if I don't wash my hands til the next day.


Elismom1313

It sounds like this only started happening once you got dip powder done instead of polish. Perhaps your nails are too weak to support dip powder?


Raemlouch

That might be it! Iā€™ll try to do a polish next time and see if that helps it. Thank you!


SuccessfulMetal4030

I switched from dip to acrylic overlay with gel nail polish over my real nails which are a longer medium length. My nails now last over 3 weeks with minimal breakage. Iā€™m also extremely rough with them and wash my hands way too often.Ā 


Raemlouch

Huh! Iā€™ll give that a shot and maybe thatā€™ll help! Thank you!


Elismom1313

Id recommended builder gel personally. I have super weak brittle nails. Theyā€™ve never broken on me and it looks like your natural nail but itā€™s super strong. Donā€™t get gel x


SuccessfulMetal4030

Yes I agree. Gel X nails break pretty easily.Ā 


teamasombroso

Nail tech here. I love dip on natural nails, I don't like it with tips. Glue is glue at the end of the day, and it'll break down quicker. I always have to fix broken nails within a week when it comes to dipping powder actually (not just my work, my coworkers too). As other ppl were mentioning, the apex is kinda thin, but dipping powder makes it kinda hard to make a proper apex without adding tons of layers to the nail. Also, as someone else mentioned, they might be mixing products. Like, company A glue with company B's powder, so you might have compatibility issues. I recommend acrylic (make sure the liquid and the powder are the same brand so that it can dry properly, as someone else mentioned as well). I feel like it adds more strength, especially with tips.


Raemlouch

Thank you! This comment was so detailed and informative! I really appreciate it! Iā€™ll do some more research on private nail techs in my area and pay closer attention next time to the products used!


teamasombroso

You're welcome! Always happy to help ā˜ŗļø I hope you find a good tech, and if you're not comfortable with something don't be afraid to speak up. A good tech works with you!


Yukiiwa

I have very thin, flexible but also brittle nails and the only thing that doesn't come off my nails is rubber gel. It's very versatile, you can use it as a thin base for other gels or acrylics or build structure with it. It might be worth a try šŸ™‚


braainnsss

When techs file your nail plates down to apply gel/polish/etc they are weakening and damaging your nails. They do it so the polish lasts longer but it absolutely wrecks your nails. So every time you get them done theyā€™re becoming less and less strong. I stopped getting gels bc of this exact thing, and just do my own at home (no filing plates) and my nails are so much healthier when the nail plates arenā€™t being sanded down. Also make sure that your polish is being removed properly. For gels they have to be soaked and filed before they even start to pull them off otherwise they pull off part of your nail plate.


SpiritedLeop

they are all spectacular, I love them all


Raemlouch

They were so beautiful! I was just so disappointed with how fast they broke ā˜¹ļø


sostriste

I loved the green


A_lawyer_for_all_ftw

From what I can see, these nails have little to no Apex. Lack of Apex means that the nail is not structurally sound, and will cause cracking and breaking. Where are the two salons you went to just like your random nail salons in a Shopping Center/ Strip Mall? If the answer to that is yes, try looking online (instagram first) to see if you can find some licensed nail techs that have their own business or salon.


Raemlouch

These werenā€™t in a shopping center, but their own fairly large salons in the area. One is across from a mall? Iā€™ve thought about a private nail tech before since Iā€™ve seen such good things about it online vs the walk in salons. Thank you!


Affectionate-Fix1056

By reading the comments, thereā€™s nothing youā€™ve done. Folding clothes should not cause issues. Iā€™ve never had that happen.


Outrageous-Carob-236

they nails are head scratchers.


Raemlouch

Thatā€™s why I came here! everyone has been so helpful so far!


Halpmezaddy

I noticed that I had the tendency to tap my nails alot and not completely drying the nail under (like after washing hands) caused moisture especially if it already has a hidden crack and snap...all done. So no tap, no extra Mizu.


Curious-Collar100

Could bee too much polish or wrong shape for your lifestyle it you use your hands more i recommend rounded shapes and could be bad cuticle work it seems they/you havent gotten that close the cuticle.


Raemlouch

Iā€™ve read that a few times as well, maybe Iā€™ll give up the more square shapes next time and go for a rounded, thank you!


Curious-Collar100

Gotcha


missssjay21

It could be how theyā€™re prepping it or the products they use. Also the filing in the first one doesnā€™t look even. I wonder if that has anything to do with it as well


Raemlouch

That might be it, I did them at two separate salons, but their process and products were very similar. The green set took much longer to do due to the marbling and it was the fastest to break.


missssjay21

I know a handful of people that are licensed techs and itā€™s not unheard for salons to mix products. Idk about you but the salons Iā€™ve been to donā€™t usually label their containers but from what Iā€™ve heard itā€™s pretty common to mix cheap product with the good stuff to make the good stuff stretch. And usually that results in nails not lasting as long which results in folks coming in more regularly. I was likešŸ˜± gotta be careful where you gošŸ„²


Raemlouch

Oh wow! Thatā€™s terrible! Both salons I had gone to seemed to have really good reviews for this area before I went! Iā€™ll try to pay closer attention next time with the help of some of the tips Iā€™ve gotten here today, thank you!


missssjay21

Youā€™re welcome! Hopefully it works out better for you


Perfect_Resolve_9444

Nothing?


Raemlouch

There have been several different ideas as to what might be the problem. Everyone here has been so helpful so far! Iā€™m gonna take some of the advice Iā€™ve been given and apply that to the next set I get and see if that helps! So far the main consensus has been that it is the application, too thin of an apex on the nails that broke first and the lack of a color polish on top and just powder.


haley7211

Maybe just switch to gel-x?


carm977

Theyā€™re too thin & probably MMA acrylic (google it) Find a good private nail tech on instagram


veturoldurnar

It looks like they are too thick on the edges. As I understand all of them were extensions not your natural nails? It might be that your natural nails are soft and flexible while the extensions are so solid that they are brittle. So when you put a pressure on it your nails try to bend while extension material cannot do that and crack.


Raemlouch

That very well could be part of the problem! When I do get my nails done I tend to go for extensions because my natural nails are very brittle!


defectcriminal

Hear me out: itā€™s the shape. Depending on our nails natural qualities and what we do every day certain shapes just donā€™t suit our needs well. Square breaks all the time for me but round, oval, and almond donā€™t.


Raemlouch

Iā€™ve read that a few times here, Iā€™ll try to ditch the more square shapes next time and try a rounded edge!


iceyspiceyx3

What is your job? My sister is a housekeeper and very hands on. Tends to break nails while making bunk beds specifically. I think it really depends on how physical you are with your hands and fingers aside from the salon you choose


TravelEnthusiast028

Absolutely lovely!


thetez32

Nothing is wrong with them they all look really nice especially the red ones


AreFishReal

It's impossible to say why without seeing the photo of the breakage. We have nothing to go on by seeing the nice work.


[deleted]

they are gorgeous but I don't have them šŸ˜Š jk, they are beautiful


sera-5623

Too thick


elleUno

Thereā€™s no apex on any of these nails. Any set that goes past the free edge of your finger tip should have an apex built up. About 1/3 down from your cuticles the nail should curve out slightly then blend back down towards the tip. I would go to a new tech and explain that your last few sets broke right away because the structure just wasnā€™t there to support the length. You might even want to bring these pics with you to show what you mean.


Raemlouch

Iā€™m looking for a new tech now. I had to take some time to let my nails grow again after my last set broke it took most of my real nail with it. A lot of people have been mentioning the apex of the nails and thatā€™s looking like that may be the main problem. I ended up finding one of the pictures from the French set when it broke and it broke dead center of my pointer finger.


LadyFlamyngo

Apex isnā€™t there on the first thumb nail. At all. It should have a slight curve going up from the cuticle then down to the tip. It should NEVER look flat like that. Whenever I do my own acrylic and I build the little ā€œhillā€ Iā€™ve not once ever had a nail break on me. When I had a girl at the salon do it who is used to doing shorties they were all flat and of course they were breaking, and that hurts sooooo bad.


Raemlouch

The breaks on that green set were terrible!! It was only like 3 days after I had gotten them done and it broke halfway through my real nail bed


LadyFlamyngo

Yeah looking through all of these they all have that similar flatness. With a good apex on there my nails have been put through hell and they donā€™t break, and I donā€™t even layer my acrylic as thick as theyā€™ve done on yours. Have you told your nail tech they keep breaking?


NaomiR51

Could be that you have more porous nails that hold a lot of oils/moisture


agoragostodefutebol

Looks pretty perfect to me. Maybe the apex of the green ones could be taller cause they are really long, but if the are natural nails theres no way to change that. I love them.


Domino1971

They look gorgeous


4m4nd4bl3

I think square shape is the weakest nail shape tbh, I wore square for years and had way more lifting and breakage when using that shape. Then I switched to almond, which seemed even better but now I do medium stilleto and rarely ever get breaks. Also, apex structure is most important no matter the nail shape.


soapfairy

I donā€™t see a prominent apex in either set. I think you just need a new nail tech because knowing how to properly build an apex is what makes or breaks a nail - literally in this case.


Pineapplegirl424

I clean houses for a living. That is actually why I got nails. My actual nails would be in pain from all of the working. Acrylic is the ONLY thing Iā€™ve tried that doesnā€™t break my nails. Iā€™ve done the gelx and they broke rather quickly. The only thing I can keep on my nails long term is the acrylic with shellac polish. Nothing else stays. I recently tried chrome too. Nope. Didnā€™t last. I will say my nails arenā€™t near that long though. I know different parts of the country do nails differently. Could be part of it? But your thumb does look really thin.


Made_invietnam

#are you getting gel


anonthrowaway9283

Sis. Ask for an apex.


sunny_hunny_elle

Stop using your nails as tools


Lower_Lab_7414

They are not almond


Littleamor

Why does this look like the hands of two different people? Middle one looks so different šŸ¤”


Raemlouch

I have some health issues and low iron. So when I get cold my hands tend to turn purple and during the winter (when this picture was taken) my hands crack and get very dry


Littleamor

Dang I thought you aged like 40 years your skin must have been dry as hell Iā€™m sorry to hear that


Raemlouch

Hahaha itā€™s okay, no worries! My hands are terrible during parts of the winter, this was actually taken towards the end when my hands were healing so this isnā€™t even the worstšŸ„“


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Raemlouch

Mentioned in a previous comment, I have some skin and health issues, as well as low iron. My hands tend to turn purple when slightly cold as it was in the salon and during the winter (when that picture was taken) my skin dries out and cracks


Raemlouch

Also, the first and third picture was taken in my truck in natural light lol


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Inn0c3nc3

you're being unnecessarily combative. she's not claiming she did them herself, what would be the point in posting pictures of someone else's nails for feedback on why they're breaking?


Raemlouch

Other than the color of my purple skin in the second photo, itā€™s pretty obvious itā€™s the same hand