Sally Hansen Maximum Growth

Having finally kicked the habit of nail biting almost two years ago, my nails were long and ever so strong, amazing after the 30 odd years of abuse they have suffered!

However following meningitis last year, I just haven't been able to grow them, some of them split and others, well I have to admit, I just bite.

Sick of the sight of the gnawed, chewed look I happened upon this product, hoping for a miracle cure.

~ Price ~

In September 2006 this little bottle cost £4.25. Not cheap so I was really hoping for something really good!

~ Packaging ~

The varnish, obviously comes in a bottle but the packaging is somewhat 'over the top'. The bottle is inside a thick piece of card with the bottle shown and a lot of 'bumph' about the product and a photo of beautifully manicured nails.

~ Who is suitable for? ~

Anyone with short, weak, splitting or chipping nails.

Maximum Growth Phase 1 promises to 'strenghten nails to resist splitting, peeling and chipping'.

It contains a silk protein, offering you great-looking nails in just 7 days.

~ Applying it ~

This is a clear varnish and it is recommended that it one coat is applied every day over colour.
Quite frankly, my nails were so chewed and small that colour would have looked horrendous so I just put the varnish straight on to my nails.

After 5 days, the product details suggest that the varnish is removed and the whole routine should be repeated.

Apparantly the varnish needs to be applied every day as each additional coat penetrates the last one thereby adding strength to your nails.

~ My Experience ~

There is no doubt that the varnish gives a nice gloss finish to your short, stubby nails but as far as growth and strengthening of nails goes, this really does not do it!

I have to be honest and say that I did still chew some of my nails in times of stress or perhaps boredom in traffic jams but the ones that I didn't chew or nibble at, still didn't seem any stronger. After 3 months they are still weak and brittle, although growing slightly over the last couple of weeks due to sheer willpower not thanks to Sally Hansen.

~ Sally Hansen Products ~

This company produces a huge amount of what I would class as expensive nail care products.

There is a Sally Hansen 'Maximum Growth / Maximum Support Maintenance Programme' of which I am still on phase 1 due to the ineffectiveness of the first product.
Apparantly, once your nails have grown and are strong due to Maximum Growth, you should really move on to Phase 2 which is the 'Max Support Maintenance Programme. The Maximum support varnish, when applied as a base coat 'reinforces nails and protects against chipping'.

~ My Verdict ~

I have to say that even when my nails grow through sheer willpower, I will certainly not be rooting around for the Max Support varnish for phase 2, following the ineffectiveness of the product for phase 1 which I am thoroughly disappointed with.

Like so many things in life: weight loss, stopping smoking etc, stopping the habit of nail biting requires will power.

However as stated previously, even the nails that I have managed to stop biting are still brittle and weak despite the regular application of this product.

Before I end the review, I must share some of Sally Hansen's tips for nail care which made me chuckle, just a little:

• Don't use nails as tools
• Always use can and bottle openers, not your nails
• Use the cushion of your finger to push buttons

All in all, this is certainly not a product that I would recommend for anyone suffering from weak, brittle nails, it offers nothing other than a gloss finish.