There are some people out there that have naturally strong nails and I envy them. Unfortunately I’m not one of them and I’m guessing you’re not that lucky either. It’s hard to tell how those people got their strong nails. Maybe they won the genetic lottery or eat super healthy all the time, maybe they do dark magic in exchange for perfect nails, I will never know. But I do know how to fake it. So here are a couple of tips and tricks that I know and use to keep my nails looking strong and not breaking all the time.
1. Wear Gloves
Your nails should never be exposed to any harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures. So make sure to wear protective gloves when you’re washing the dishes or cleaning your home. Same goes for wearing gloves in the winter, it’s good for your hands and your nails.
2. Keep Them Short
It takes about 3 months to completely regrow a damaged nail, and the best way to do it is to keep it short. If your nails are thin and brittle it’s best to buff and trim them in order to prevent further breakage and encourage them to grow.
3. Use Base Coat
In an ideal world you would be getting regular manicures. But we all get busy, so the next best thing is to keep a couple of layers of protective base coat on at all times. It’ll protect them from water and soap and keep them stronger. Try to find base coats enriched with vitamins.
4. Moisturize
Moisturizing creams aren’t just for your skin, they help your nails too. So make sure to keep a tub of hand cream with you at all times. When you’re massaging the cream into your hands, make sure to massage it into your nail beds too.
5. Use Cuticle Oil
If your cuticle is dry, so are your nails, so use cuticle oil. It’s not a gimmick. Cuticle oil will help your nails grow stronger and shinier than ever. Invest into a good one – it’ll last you for ages, since you only need to use a tiny amount at a time.
6. Eat A Healthy Diet
Listen it’s true, we are what we eat. So if you want your nails to be strong and looking good you gotta eat a balanced diet. It’s really not that hard to eat a salad once in a while and make sure you’re getting all the fats and proteins too. Also, drink enough water, keeping hydrated is good for your nails.
7. Supplements
If you think your diet is fine – try using supplements. There are creams and oils for your nails that are fortified with useful supplements. Get yourself some “Hair & Nail” vitamins too. Biotin is also a good supplement for nails – so don’t knock it till you try it.
8. Give Your Nails A Break
If you wear gel nail polish or acrylic nails all the time – it’s a good idea to stop. Give your nails a break and leave them naked for a month or too. We’re not saying to leave them completely alone, use all the tips above, but just don’t go covering them with gels and acrylics all the time. It will only cover the problem instead of fixing it.
