Your fingernails don't have to be long to be beautiful. Far from all people can get long fingernails and having them can be very unpractical (especially when typing and texting with your cell phone). However, if you want your fingernails to grow longer and look beautiful, here are some tips:
If you have difficulties getting long nails, try a square shaped fingernail. A straighter nail tip is stronger at the top which will prevent it from chipping.
Wear gloves when you do the dishes or other things involving water.
Don't bite or pick at your cuticles. I, myself, have had great difficulties keeping myself away from my cuticles and this has actually resulted in some of the nails coming off the finger at the top which has caused the shape of the nail to change. So don't do that!
To take care of your cuticles, use cuticle oil and push them back with a cuticle stick. There's also something called cuticle remover that can help you get rid of dead cuticles that are stuck on the surface of the fingernail. Work the stick gently. Use circular movements.
Use a hand and nail moisturizer often if your hands are dry. Don't forget to pay extra attention to the cuticles. You can wrap your hands in cling wrap for about 15 minutes to get a more effective treatment.
File your nails often. This will help them to grow longer as they will just start chipping if you don't look after them. File them horizontally, only in one direction. Finish by gently filing them vertically (usually there's a softer surface on the other side of the file that you can use).