Help me be more girly?

[SwimDeep]

Feeling inspired by my new haircut, perfume sample, and the nail polish color pip thread, I have decided that I'm going to start taking better care of my fingernails. They're really bad right now...super short, bendy (if they get long I can tear them off without biting), the cuticles aren't bad, but the skin around the corners of my nails is always dry and overgrown.
Also, I'm tough on my hands - manicures never last more than five days before they're so chipped I have to take the polish off.

I'm starting from scratch here. I have no idea what tools I need. Nail files? Clippers?
I know I need a base coat and a top coat. Is clear best for both? (I've noticed there are pink/white base coats?) Is OPI a good brand? What's the difference between gel and lacquer?

So many questions!
Help?

[tiramisu]

I like CND Stickey base coat. I wear Seche Vite top coat but I don't love the shrinkage.

My all-time favorite hand cream (which you have to search for online) is Biotherm Biomains. It's the best for my hands, nails, and cuticles.

[Deleted]

I 2nd the prenatal vitamins

also gel lasts a little longer I think

[SwimDeep]

YAY! I've got a list together, and I'm headed to Target this afternoon. I wonder if H would freak out if he saw me taking prenatal vitamins... that might be a fun prank.

pinkplasticdoll - thanks for the heads up about the extra work involved with gel. I already don't have a lot of time to spend on myself, so I'll just keep it simple for now.

I'm going to pick up some Burt's Bees cuticle cream, hopefully the OPI Nail Envy, buffers, clippers, files, one or two colors, and the Seche Vite top coat.

Thank you for the help!

[Deleted]

biotin?