10 Habits Mistakes That Are Destroying Your Nails

Quarantine has not been kind to our manicures. Some people prefer clean and bare nails, which are versatile with most looks. But many salon regulars were caught without manicures and nail care. At the moment, your nails might be looking brittle, dry, flaky or yellowed. Don’t worry – we’re here to teach you about the ins and outs of strengthening your nails and making them look and feel healthy again.

1. Nail biting

This is a nasty habit that many people are guilty of, and often happens when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. Apart from leaving you with uneven and stubby nails, doing this can transfer the bacteria on your hands to your mouth, as well as creating open sores on the fingers. Both of these things can make you sick. Our solution? Paint them. If you do a color, it’ll make you less willing to bite down and ruin your manicure. If you do a color, the flavor of that clear nail polish is sure to deter you.

2. Cutting cuticles down too much

Cutting your cuticles off is a common part of many manicures. But instead of using a cuticle clipper, consider pushing them down with the help of a cuticle oil, which softens skin and makes the pushing motion easier. Even using a cuticle remover is better for fragile nails – our cuticles are our friends, not foes!

3. Acrylic or gel manicures too frequently

They last longer, they look amazing, and hold up well for those who work with their hands. However, to make these materials stick, you need to buff them, which often thins out the nail to dangerous level. Plus, to remove them, you have to basically bathe them in acetone, which makes your nails look like stripped down boards.

4. Applying toxic polish

Nowadays you have to specifically request organic polish, because the stuff that’s in them nowadays can be scary. Amongst the ingredients on the back of your everyday bottle includes formaldehyde, which embalms dead bodies. If you can, always look for polishes that are 3/4/5 free (lacking certain chemicals).