Hollywood beauty Julia Roberts is reported to shun expensive products and bath her nails in olive oil for a few minutes once a week.

Frequent manicures and the use of drying varnish removers can leave nails brittle. Olive oil is an age old nail strengthener which is mildly antibacterial and rich in essential fatty acids that nourish the skin cuticle and the nail itself.

For the best results soak your hands and nails in warm extra virgin olive oil for five minutes.