I was struggling with this issue for a long time.Finally I think I got it.This is what I do for heavy many hours work I always wear gloves.First I put vaseline on my hands and a bit under nails.It will protect your nails and yes no dirt will get there the vasseline is like a barrier.then I put gloves the same kind used in medical or for food handling.If you get the ones with talcum powder they also will protect from dirt.Then I put my regular garden gloves on top of them.If I have to take my gloves off for any reason sometimes the first pair has to be replaced if your hands get moist you won't be able to reuse the same ones.So I just change them as needed.If I do light work I just stay with the first pair and change it as needed.It does work and my finger nails stay reasonably clean.If I do it well and re-apply vaseline each time the gloves are changed then my nails stay clean, but the hands stay moist and it will ruin your nail polish after few hours.

Dearest Remy, my heart is hurting for you about Creton. I know that you will be giving him lots of extra love and attention. I was in your situation a little over a year ago with my kitty, Kiki. I cried lots of tears, too. I DO want to thank you for the treMENdous box of plants that you sent. Again, I am just bowled over by your giving spirit. Roses! Oh, how I love roses! I have a special area that I have set aside for roses. It's a sort of memory garden to honor the wonderful lady who sold us our piece of heaven. Mildred, our landlady when we farmed, sold us land that had been in her family for 100 years. People just don't do that here in Iowa, but she did, and we will always love her for it. She was a "rose" person. Thus, my rose garden. Thank you for the roses Belle de Crecy and Rosa Glauca. Thank you also for these: -Campanula persifolia-pics of it look so pretty. -Iris flavescens-another beauty! -Geranium 'Biokovo'-I have started collecting these kinds of geranums and have them planted on the west side of our home on a small slope. -Salvia transylvanica-the blue color in pics is my favorite color of blue -Candy lilies-anxious to see color(s) -Veronica gentianoides-another pretty color -Sedum album-I looked this one up and the plantfiles called it "Chunky Fingers!" LOL That's just how it looks, too. -Tradescantia 'Bilberry Ice'-I don't have this one and have been wanting it. Thanks! -Euonymus--looks very interesting. Can't say that I have seen it but am looking forward to what it will look like. -And the goody packet of BEAUTIFUL Angel stickers! I LOVE them!!! Gardeners hand lotion, Spring Cherry flavored green tea, and I thought it was GREAT that you sent the single serving packet of Tide!!! LOLOL Just what I need to wash my dirty, stinky gardening clothes in. Remy, you have again blessed me with more of your garden. "You" will be all over my place, and I love that thought. Thank you sooooo verrrrry much!!! Many HUGS, Mary Ellen

The part that make removal uncomfortable is the heat generated by the friction of the grinder. The nail artist can't be in a hurry and just 'go to town' on them and grind away. They must stop periodically and let things rest. They also have to keep an eye on the work process so they don't grind the actual nail down making it too thin to protect the nail bed. If going back to the salon is not an option you could just buy a few nail files and spend and evening in front of the TV sloooowly filing them off. At least that way you know the job will be done right. Afterwards rub some beeswax, or a beeswax and olive oil mixture, on them.

I have in the past.Always did them myself because I hated the thick look of all I had seen done in salons.People always complimented how nice mine looked and thought they were my "real" nails.LOL Up until I was in my late 50's my own nails were thick and strong then they started breaking and peeling and I could never get them to grow.That is why I wore the fake ones.I don't do them now mainly because they are a pain and take too much time and maintenence. Lynn- Does arthritis have something to do with the splitting? I have a thumbnail that has a split and I do have arthritis in that thumb joint.But I have it in the other one too and it is fine.My mother had a thumbnail that did the same thing but she was a seamstress and did a lot of crafting that involved using that thumb a lot,as do I,so we just attributed the split to that.She also had arthritis. Linda-You have lovely hands and your nails look nice.I like the rings too.