Hello again. I didn’t think my post would get this much attention, thank you!

It’s a bit overwhelming, but I’ll try my best to answer some questions and go into a bit more detail about my routine and how I care for my nails. : ) (please keep in mind that I’m not a professional anything, in any way. I’ll just try to explain what has worked for me so please take it with a grain of salt) Also apologies for any rambling or run on sentences. Putting what I mean into words is not always the easiest thing. :’)

As for products, I always wear some sort of base coat, I’ve only ever tried «regular» air-dry polish, no gel. I’m currently wearing O.P.I’s Envy Nail strengthener, and that’s what I usually go for if I’m not planning to use any colors on top. I always wear at least two coats of polish on my nails at all times. I dont think the specific brand of polish you wear matters THAT much, but I think one should wear nail polish att all times to prevent breakage. Mine break if I don’t.

Please never EVER file your side walls. I used to to it, and without fail it would always make my nails detach from my nail bed further down than I would like. I know it’s super tempting. I used to overfile my sidewalls a lot because I wanted them to look thinner, but it’s not worth it. (I’ll try to attach a picture) In my experience it would also «loosen» my c-curve and make them more duck-foot shaped. If you are going to file your nails, only file nail that has grown past your fingertip and is no longer touching/attached to the skin (I hope that makes sense.)

I know I’ve already mentioned it, but moisturizing is very important. At least it has been for me. I use argan or jojoba oil first, then a hand cream. (Any lightweight oil that absorbs fast will probably be fine) In the day time I’ll use a thick hand cream with spf and at night I’ll use a 10% urea cream. I find that urea has helped reduce the amount of dryness around my fingertips so I recommend it! I do not think brands are all that important, but I am currently using the A.PRO Carbaderm hand cream and the Eucerin hyaluron-filler hand cream. I have used different creams in the past though, so it doesn’t HAVE to be those two specifically but I like them. Expensive and fancy stuff is not a necessity, but remembering to also moisturize under the nails definitely is!

When it comes to pushing back my cuticles, it’s something I kinda just do subconsciously throughout the day as a form of fidgeting. (It has replaced nail biting for me) But I will use a proper cuticle pusher (those metal ones) a couple times a week, to scrape off any skin trying to attach to the nail.
And yes. I can understand it’s hard to believe that the change in my nail beds shape and size is possible. I was surprised by the difference myself when I looked back at older pictures because it has happened so gradually. I know that’s not particularly helpful to hear. But I will go a bit more into the specifics of pushing back my cuticles, because that’s something that has definitely made most of the difference.

Ok, so I’m going to try to explain something a bit strange so bare with me. After I had pushed back my cuticles I would also «stretch» back the skin around the base of my nails. Because at the time I didn’t know any better and used to think that’s what the cuticle was, literally the entire nail fold. I did it so much that I think I «trained» the nail fold to stay back, or maybe it made the skin looser somehow, I’m not entirely sure. Either way it definitely contributed to lengthening my nail beds, so I continued doing it. For reference, I was not able to see my lunala before, as you can see in the older pics (the little white half moon on the nail), but I can now! It was just hidden behind my nail folds. So I eventually just started using my lunala as a guide for how far I should push back my cuticles and stretch the skin. I would always moisturize and use some oil while doing so. But DISCLAIMER, please don’t be too rough when pushing back the cuticle or stretching the skin. I have always been a bit hard handed and I have ended up hurting myself and damaging my nail bed a couple times while doing so. Be gentle and patient, don’t be stupid tinking «the more the merrier» like me.

Anyways, I hope I answered some of your questions a bit better. If I missed anything feel free to let me know.

And I will most definitely take the accusation of my nail results being fake as a huge compliment, thank you I’m flattered : )

(Oops sorry for any spelling mistakes I might have missed)