I keep mine coated with a solar gel....

I have always had soft nails that tear easily. Added 11 years of working in healthcare, with constant washing and Germex. Maybe when I retire someday, I will have pretty long nails.

Mine get beat up from hand quilting. I don't let them get very long- they annoy me when they're long, and break up from the quilting.

I use a shellac substance... and FINALLY have decent nails that have been virtually indestructible for several years now! I love having pretty nails... don't keep them long, just pretty! and I do everything in them... I do use gloves when washing dishes, etc., but that's because my skin gets so dry... my profession requires frequent hand washing so I'm constantly applying moisturizer, too.

Now that I'm a beginner hand-quilter, I can see that I'll have to be careful in a few places, though...

I do have good fingernails but I keep them trimmed at about 1/8 th past my fingertips. I find them really handy for picking up pins,holding fabric in just the right position, holding fabric for ironing etc. I really miss them when I break one or two. I don't very often use polish because it tends to chip doing dishes.