Long, talon-like nails are no longer “in” and for most of us, that’s a good thing. Maintaining ultra-long nails is difficult enough, but even simple tasks can become nearly impossible.

Medium length nails that are elegant and feminine without being clumsy to work with are the look you want. Taking the place of the long nailed fashion trend is “nail art”.

A lot of nail art looks are difficult to achieve on your own but there are products that can help you. Nail polish pens let you “paint” just as you would with a paintbrush or marker. Airbrush kits with stencil or stencil wheels can help you create professional-looking results. Add some glitter or small faux gems for a little pizzaz. If you are adventurous and artistically inclined, you might try some free-hand painting on your nails. You can create some interesting designs with a couple of good paintbrushes and a toothpick. Consider using acrylic paints as well as traditional polishes.

Airbrush kits can be rather pricey, so if I were going to try doing it myself I might start with this kit at $29.95. If I showed any proficiency, then I might consider moving up to a more professional model airbrush that can start at $89.95. Think about it, if you become very proficient, you could defray the cost of your kit by doing manicures for others.

If your nail polish peels from the tip you probably used one or two thick coats of polish. The best way to apply polish is in thin coats and allow nails to dry thoroughly between coats. Thinner coats will dry faster, and the resulting nail color will last longer.

It is acceptable to finish with a clear top coat to protect the nail color.

For a demure look that fits with the office as well as a romantic evening, why not try OPI Italiana Collecton in Italian Love Affair. If you feel a little bolder, just ask the question with Your Villa or Mine?

Maybelline’s new express finish Advanced Wear Fast-Dry Nail Color is guaranteed to dry ultra fast in only 60 seconds and boasts a new anti-chip formula for longer wear. When you are short on time but want to have your manicure look fresh and polished, this product really comes through.

What I like best about express finish (aside from the 60 seconds from application to ready-set-go) is that it comes in 35 shades. That’s a lot of color choice. Many other speed-dry products come in only a few shades, but express finish has four shades of white - Opal Rush, French Tip White, Ivory in Seconds and Blushing Bride. It’s more like choosing colors at a paint store with the variations on a hue available. You are bound to find a color you like, whether you want a natural beige shade, dark brown, pinks, reds, purples or even blue. The new control-flow brush keeps you from making those mistakes that come from too little or too much polish on the brush.

Average retail price $3.99. Average time to great-looking nails, 60 seconds.

It is estimated that about 20% of the population has brittle nails. You know, those nails that won’t grow long because they are always splitting and tearing at the edge or because they are too weak and thin. Rarely, this can be caused by a medical condition or malnutrition but most often it is simply dehydration of the nails caused by frequent hand-washing, chemicals and even just a dry environment.

Surprisingly, the application of nail enamel is one way to combat the condition because it seals the nail, preventing further dehydration. Unfortunately, nail polish remover is one of the most drying things you can use on nails, so you don’t want to use remover more than once a week.

In medical studies, Biotin, one of the B-complex vitamins has been shown to strengthen nails and decrease brittleness and splitting. This discovery was made originally by veterinarians, who used Biotin supplements to cure hoof problems in horses and make them harder. However, the amounts used in the study far exceed the recommended daily allowance. The best thing you can do for your nails is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Medical experts all agree that deficiencies in dietary nutrition can affect the health and growth of fingernails.

If you suffer from brittle nails, keep them short. Avoid excessive exposure of the nails to harsh household chemicals and too-frequent hand-washing. Keep your hands and nails moisturized, soak the nails once a week in a hot oil treatment designed for that purpose and wear nail polish to seal in the moisture. A good choice is Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails. In time you will grow longer, stronger nails that won’t split and tear.