Refinery 29
I stopped these 5 bad habits and I have long, strong and healthy nails
For many of us, manicure is one of life’s little pleasures. But with the pandemic affecting our previous weekly appointments at the salon, we were left to their own devices when it comes to our nails. There are so many collections of long-lasting nail polishes and countless brilliant DIY tools to get a specialized finish at home, but recently I realized that some of the nail care techniques I had been following were not giving my nails the best start to grow long, strong and healthy. Add nervousness and bites to the mix, thanks to the stress and anxiety induced by COVID, and my nails looked decidedly bad. So, to try to bring my fragile nails to life, I decided to change things. From investing in a high-quality nail file to always using a base coat under the polish, keep reading to discover the most common nail mistakes – and the simple adjustments I’ve made to get my best nails so far. At Refinery29, we’re ‘here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of things. All of our market choices are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a link to which we have a link on our website, Refinery29 can earn commission. Investing in a high-quality nail file Multipack nail files are cost-effective, but some of them can be fragile and sanded, causing my nails to crack at the tip. Since I invested in glass or crystal sandpaper, my nails haven’t broken or stuck at all, and the speed with which sandpaper is impressive. I am using Leighton Denny’s small crystal nail file, which comes in a protective case; The Crystal Nail File by Nail Tek is another brilliant and highly valued option. One tip that all nail artists believe for healthy nails is not to sand back and forth – instead, sand slowly in one direction to keep your nails intact. Nail Tek Crystal nail file with fuchsia case, $, available at Ulta BeautyUsing A Base Coat before nail polish If you regularly skip a base coat before painting your nails, you may want to think twice. A good base coat not only acts as velcro for the enamel you apply on top, encouraging it to stay on longer, but it also protects your nails from stains, which can often occur if you use a darker shade of enamel. Stained nails can take on the color of your chosen shade and even look yellow over time – not great if you want to try the trend for nude or transparent nails. I love nails inc. Nailkale Superfood Base Coat, which treats nails while protecting. Since I made a promise not to skip the base (and I also applied a top coat), my nails have chipped much less than normal, so I’m not tearing off my nail polish. Which brings us to the next bad habit … Nails Inc. Nailkale Superfood Base Coat, $, available at SephoraNot Picking Off Nail Polish When you choose your nail polish, you risk peeling a layer of your nail off with it. The immediate results are stained, rough and scaly nails. Over time, you can weaken your nails, which may explain why they tend to get soft or bent after you harvest. When you notice a splinter, there are two options: fill with the same shade to prolong the manicure or remove with a mild nail polish remover. I find the latter an arduous task, but I really like the nail polish remover pots, which dissolve the varnish with a quick twist. The acetone-free version of Olive & June (more on that later) is a cult hit that is super gentle on the nails and the surrounding skin. Polish remover pot Live & June Mani, $, available at Olive & June Be Kind To Your CuticlesPicking your cuticles is said to affect the nail bed and affect the way your nails grow, especially if the skin around them gets inflamed. As a cuticle catcher I confess (often to the point of causing painful wounds), I have always wondered why my nails were irregular and striated. Since I checked myself and my nervous habit, I have noticed that my nails are growing more smoothly. One thing that helps is to make sure my hands and nails are moisturized. I keep a bottle of cuticle oil, like CND SolarOil, on my nightstand and rub it on my cuticles and nails to smooth out any small piece of skin (which I would otherwise choose) before bedtime every night. Applying hand cream immediately after washing your hands also helps. I opt for products that absorb instantly and leave no oily prints on my phone or keypad, such as CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream or Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Hand Cream.CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care, $, available on AmazonSwitch For remover without acetone, nail polish removers that contain acetone cut the polish at record speed. I think they are great and will always have one in my kit, but if I’m changing the color of my nail polish often, I alternate with something without acetone so as not to dry my nails and cause cracking. Acetone-free formulas may take a little longer to remove nail polish, but they will do your nails good in the long run. Try the OPI acetone-free nail polish remover, which is approved by experts. OPI, $ acetone-free nail polish remover, available at OPILO what do you see? How about a little more R29 goodness, right here? A Nail Pro to know if you should cut your cuticles I tried 5 gel nail kits at home and the cheapest way Why you should never choose your gel polish