Best nail strentheners according to redditors

Mine used to do this. I started using nail magic and started upping my intake of omega 3s (salmon, walnuts, avocado, etc). My nails are now the most healthy they have ever been.

Hey guys! Firstly, thanks to everyone in this sub for finally helping me stop nail biting after 20 years. My mom is absolutely thrilled lol. A lot of this stuff has been repeated on here before but this is what worked for me:

• Get a really nice emery board/nail file. Something that will last you. Make it your friend. I found that I'd start the domino effect of biting all my nails off when I'd use my teeth to clean/pick under my nails. If you use a file instead, it feels just as satisfying and you won't set back progress.
  
• After I had chewed off my nails, the edges would be jagged and uneven, which drove me to bite them even more in an effort to smooth/even them out. Doesn't work well. Always ended up biting off even more and half the time it was still just as jagged as before. Nail file to the rescue, keep those edges smoothed and rounded! I found that feeling the jaggedness of my nails was one of the worst triggers for me to start biting. It's much more pleasant to feel a rounded nail, and even if I had my nails in my mouth I was less inclined to bite them.
  
• Once I finally started making progress on length, I discovered probably the root of the issue which was that my nails were incredibly soft and prone to peeling. When they'd peel and weaken, I'd bite them back down to the base because they simply weren't strong enough to hold up to daily wear-and-tear. My saving grace was Nail Tek Citra 2 for Soft Peeling Nails. It's a clear polish that as far as I can tell is concentrated magic. My nails are incredibly resilient and haven't peeled or broken off since I bought this >$10 bottle back in April. In the picture linked, it's the only thing on my nails. Nail Tek also has a formula for dry, brittle nails and several other products that may better suit your needs. Keeping your nails strong and healthy is key! Feeling how thick and strong my nails are has made me lose any urge to bite them.
  
  My routine was nothing special but I managed to find something simple that worked very well for me. I also started to get into nail art, which I had no idea I liked until my nails were long enough to give it a try!
  
  I don't expect this will work for everyone but I managed to break a 20 year habit almost completely cold turkey by making a few simple changes and I'm thrilled with the results. You've got this! Good luck!

I’ve used Nail Tek in the past. Make sure to use with a little bit of oil to make sure your nails don’t become brittle (I like jojoba, but olive oil works well if you have). Although it’s not marketed as a ridge filler, is thick enough that using it under polish should get rid of a bumpy surface. Best way to apply imho is to put on two coats, and then apply another coat every 3-4 days. Remove when you feel it’s getting thick and rinse, repeat. You could also just use it as a base coat for other colors.

Links for anyone who is interested:

Chevron stickers

Dotting tools

Stripe tape

O.P.I Nail Envy

I inherited my dry, peeling, thin-as-paper nails from my mother and I live in a very arid climate which doesn't help.

I've gone through hundreds of nail products over the past decade or so and the only thing that works is Nailtiques Formula 2 Plus in conjunction with a lot of moisturization (hand cream, cuticle oil, and all the water you can drink). When I get lazy and stop using nailtiques and moisturizing my nails go right back to peeling at the quick and refusing any growth.

Some other tips:

• Get a cheap angle brush for cleanup (like what you'd use for eyebrows or eyeliner - I picked up one from my local arts & crafts store in the paint section). After painting my nails I pour a small amount of acetone into a tiny ceramic or glass pot, grab my angle brush and a paper towel, and get to work cleaning up the edges. This is especially helpful on my dominant hand because that one can get a bit messy!
  
• Use a hand cream with AHAs at night to help exfoliate your cuticles.
  
  
• When needed, a gel cuticle remover in conjunction with an orangewood stick is a very effective way to push back your cuticles and get rid of extra skin around the nail, pre-manicure. After you've pushed back the cuticle skin, rinse it off and use cuticle nippers to cut off any hanging or dead skin (don't cut your cuticles off!).
  
  
• A crystal or glass nail file is great to keep around, especially for nails like ours! They're more gentle on the nail and they last forever which mitigates the price in my opinion.
  
  
• Always try to file in one direction, not back-and-forth. This helps prevent more fraying, peeling, cracking, and other general damage. I've found it also helps with tip chipping.
  
  
• Clean your nails well before starting any coats of treatment or polish. I use OPI's Chip Skip, but swiping an acetone-soaked cotton ball over each nail should work well too. The idea is to get rid of any oils or other unwanted particles that get trapped under the nail polish and eventually lead to chips and bubbling.
  
  
• When painting the nail, bring the polish over the edge of the nail (and a bit underneath if possible). Do the same with the topcoat. This should also help with chipping.
  
  
• Seche Vite top coat gets recommended frequently - I used it for quite a few years until I realized it was the reason my nail polish was peeling off and shrinking off my tips. It dries very quickly but it has the tendency to pull the polish underneath right off the nail. I've had full nails of polish peel off with that stuff. For a quick drying top coat that works like a charm - and is way cheaper - try ProFX's Quick Dry High Gloss Top Coat - just FYI the only place I've been able to find it in-store is Walmart.
  
  Good luck!

Nailtek - OPI nail envy did not work for me at all and it actually made my nails yellow. Nailtek worked its magic and now they don't break and actually grow out to a decent length.

PC BHA liquid and AHA gel - those annoying tiny pimples which never come to a head? they're called closed comedones and these two products got rid of all of them for me.

A pumice stone - my feet get hard quite a lot so I rub them with the pumice stone after I shower and they end up so smooth!

That's all I can think of right now.

Hey!
I think I have similar nails, thin, bendy, ridge covered, uneven smile lines, etc. I used to try to follow blog suggestions on which polishes to use and how to apply them and it never worked for me. But I LOVE painting my nails, so obviously I had to figure something out.

I wipe my nail free of oils with pure acetone, but I do not dry them any more than that. I used to use a ph balancer, rubbing alcohol, various other products marketed towards drying out your nail to keep polish on, but they didn't really help.

I use a base coat that is slightly ridge filling and slightly strengthening. I tested out a LOT of base coats before I found the one that works well with my nails. I needed something that would make my nails bend less, but not make them so hard that they would crack or break. I tried some that would make my nails so hard that they would basically shatter. I ended up really liking this one.

So now that my nails were bending less, it was time to use polishes. They were still peeling off in one big sheet. I decided to stop buffing my nail and let my ridges grow in to their full height haha Although the ridges sometimes slightly showed through the polish (if it was a thinner polish), the polish was lasting longer. I also used to get acrylics (like over 10 years ago) and found that the buffing they did was way too much and my nails wouldn't hold polish for a few weeks after taking them off.

SPONGING. okay, so sponging is the best thing i've ever done. Usually I use it for doing nail art, BUT it makes regular polish last a lot longer for me too! So instead of brushing on the polish, I apply the polish to a makeup sponge and dab it on my nail. I do a few dabs on each nail, and then go back in for a second and sometimes a third coat. It applies the polish in a thin coat and gets in all the little dents and cracks.

I prefer a really thick top coat that dries in a reasonable amount of time. I like Seche Vive (not to be confused with Seche Vite). It covers any remaining ridges, is super glossy, doesn't shrink, and seems to last well on my nails.

I moisturize probably 20 times a day? haha I don't count, but I do have a bottle at every sink (so I moisturize after washing my hands), at my work desk, by my door (the outside air is somehow also drying), and beside my bed. I don't like the feeling of nail oils, which apparently really do help the nails and skin around your nails, so this is how I try to get in as much moisture as I can. I really like the Vaseline Healthy Hands Stronger Nails lotion.

I don't cut my cuticles or hangnails. I just aggressively moisturize them and push them down as needed.

Hopefully some of this helps.

Check out the matte OPI Nail Envy.
It's marketed more towards men because it isn't shiny and no one would think you are wearing "paint." Its an AMAZING strengthener and the matte version is nearly invisible. I promise your male-ness won't be compromised with this stuff :)

EDIT: Just noticed the product description literally says "Ideal for Men." Also make sure it's the matte Nail Envy, not the matte Top Coat. They look similar but are very different.

I definitely recommend this nail repair kit from ORLY over attempting the tea bag method. It's much easier to apply, has a stronger finish in my experience, and it is much smoother to your nail so it looks less lumpy.

http://www.amazon.com/THUM-LIQUID-Size-2-DR/dp/B0015TJPW4

Try this

Got tied off gluing my fingers together trying to do the teabag method, so I chopped my poor babies down to somewhat respectable nubs and will try out a hydrating treament as soon as it arrives in the mail, since my nails are apparently made of brittle glass now :(

Worst is trying to go a week+ of no polish to try and give the treatment time to work while my break grows back out.

First, I would always suggest keeping some sort of nail polish on your nails. It puts a protective layer over the top so they will be just a little bit stronger. I have never used coconut or almond oil to moisturize my nails, I use healthy hoof. Its a nail cream that really seems to help me with dry cuticles and nails. Something along those lines should benefit you.

I recently discovered this video and she explains a lot about how to file and shape but also some basic nail care. She also has a massive list of resources in the description that should be helpful.

What kind of gloves do you wear for work? They shouldn't be causing your nails problems, gloves are there to protect your hands and nails.

They have this stuff called Thum that helps with quitting this habit. I should know, I did it for 20 years and finally just stopped because of this stuff.

Sparkles

Thanks for doing this! :D

https://www.amazon.com/Eveline-Cosmetics-Intensive-Treatment-Conditioner/dp/B00B84OJ54
This is what I personally use. Eveline 8in1 total action. Lucky for me I can find it in every drug store in my country. It has done wonders for me. Before I bought it I never had long nails. Of course it took few months to see the effect (about half a bottle) so don't get discouraged if it doesn't work in first few uses.

Nail Envy has a dry & brittle formula, OPI Avoplex is good for the times you're taking a break from polish, Sally Hansen Extra Moisturizing 4-in-1 nail treatment is great (and available at target! I just started using it, and after gels no less- already I can see a difference), and Nail Tek Hydration Therapy has a few different formulas depending on your nail type.

Hydrating treatments don't aim to compensate for lacking keratin, but instead help nails retain moisture by incorporating vitamins and chemicals that help draw and lock it in.

It's definitely worth checking out! Here's a link to it on Amazon :)

It's supposed to fuse the layers of your nails together to strengthen them and thicken the layers I think. It's also supposed to smooth any ridges and prevent flaking.

Here you go! I guess it's not an off-brand and I've seen it at Ulta but it's much cheaper at $6 with free shipping than Nail Envy. Also, I've heard some pretty negative things about Nail Envy and this has never failed me.

Nothing to 'cure' them, but a great ridge filler is https://www.amazon.com/Nailtek-Foundation-Ridge-Filling-Nail-Strengthener/dp/B0002DLEJG

Keep your cuticles moisturized and always apply some sort of gloss or treatment to strengthen them. Dont pick at your nail polish, if it's just a little damaged apply another light layer of top coat. When they all start to peal, clean and re-apply.

If you get a snag, very light filing to take off the hard edge and apply a layer of clear coat.

There are also nail repair kits for big splits. https://www.amazon.com/Orly-ORLG0238-Nail-Rescue-Kit/dp/B002KYF068

First things first - you've got to hydrate those puppies. Take a small bowl and heat up a tablespoon of coconut oil in the microwave. You can add a number of different oils to it; I use jojoba and olive oil. Add a couple drops of rosemary essential oil to it. When the oil cools down, soak your nails in the mixture. As you're soaking your nails, massage each one in circular motions, for about a minute. Do this 3x a week.

Drink plenty of water.

Invest in a good hair, skin and nails supplement. I like biotin and evening primrose oil. I started taking evening primrose oil a month ago, and I already have half an inch of growth on each of my nails.

Use a clear, nurturing nail polish - I really love Sally Hansen's Complete Care, 7-1. You can buy it at most drugstores or here, on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Hansen-Complete-Moisturizing-Strength/dp/B00392HBQC

Use this treatment once a week. It will keep your nails shiny and make you less prone to biting them.

Good luck! I'm a recovering compulsive nail-biter as well.

Here's another alternative to the Nail Bitter. It's made from cayenne pepper extract and citric acid.

Just be sure you don't put it on while your cuticles are all fucked up. It'll burn like a son-of-a-bitch.

I've been testing out the various products marketed towards men. The more I explore this Sub though, the more I think these 'male' products should really just be sold as a regular product for all people who want a less shiny finish.

I like wearing clear shiny nail polish, but when I'm at work I don't want to draw too much attention to my nails since I work in a primarily male dominated industry (construction). My boss actually wears clear shiny polish, he's a pretty masculine straight guy too, but I don't think I'm confident enough to wear clear shiny nail polish all the time... yet.

I've tried the following clear, matte/semi-matte products. If you find a glossy pink/pearl tint as mentioned in your main comment, you could use one of the following products over top to remove the 'glossy' finish.

OPI Nail Envy Matte - This is the most natural looking product I've tried. This product isn't even marketed towards men, but it's probably the product that most men who want to wear some sort of subtle polish should consider before trying anything else. OPI Nail Envy Matte looks like you've buffed your nails perfectly but isn't too shiny, no one would really notice you're wearing this, but you will definitely notice how nice your nails look.

Orly Nails For Males - This is also quite natural, but a touch shinier than OPI Nail Envy Matte. If you apply this product as recommended (two coats) people might notice you're wearing something as it makes your nails look really perfect. I actually really like the way this product makes my nails look, but I wouldn't wear it on the construction site.

Essie Man-E-Cure - This is sort of natural, but shinier than Orly Nails For Males. This product makes your nails look really nice, it's more shiny than it is matte and people will definitely notice you're wearing nail polish.

Hope this helps!

Wow, that's great progress! I know OPI makes a matte version of Nail Envy that would also be good for a guy or anyone who doesn't like or want the look of polished nails.

I'll add to the mountain of answers with this! I've always been a nail biter, so I have weaker, thinner nails as a result. This is the only thing I've found has really helped strengthen my nails and help with growth as well. I found when my nails grew out, that they weren't as flexible (I could easily bend mine as they got longer before this miracle goo) and seemed thicker. I also like that it helps keep your cuticles moisturized which is very important with nail health. The other great thing is that it's very reasonable and you only need a bit so it lasts a while.

I use nail tek number 2 (for soft peeling nails) as a base coat and it has helped my nails a lot. For me it's a very solid basecoat too it doesn't chip or peel even if I go a little overboard with coats of polish.
I have also tried taking the hair, skin and nails supplements aka biotin like someone else mentioned. I noticed that it helps a little. However I read a study a while back saying that most supplements are just rice powder and stopped taking them.
Nail Tek II: http://www.amazon.com/Nailtek-Intensive-Therapy-2-Treatment-Peeling/dp/B0034E702U

I purchased Thum Thumb Sucking Nail Biting Treatment (http://www.amazon.com/Thum-Thumb-Sucking-Biting-Treatment/dp/B0015TJPW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368467728&sr=8-1&keywords=thum) and used it for about 20 days. It worked. I initially tried it for only about 1.5 weeks with out any great results. It wasn't until I committed to 20+ days of use that I broke the habit. The nail polish goes on slightly clear and tastes mildly spicy. The goal of this product is not necessarily a deterrent to nail biting but as a signal to your brain that your are doing something you are not consciously aware of. You are bringing a background process into the foreground. However, I will mention this, just because you stop nail biting doesn't mean you will stop the underlying cause of nail biting. If that's not addressed then you will just find another personality quirk to vent from. But at least your nails will look healthy. :-)

I feel like I've shown it off a million times but I'm still the proudest of my pineapple nails I did for 420

As for what polish I want the most right now it's actually not a polish but a nail treatment. My nails have gotten so dry and I have no idea what the cause is but they really need help.

Amazon! Nail Tek Intensive Therapy II 0.5 oz (Pack of 4) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IAEWUZ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X.LUCbTFNFC3C

I have used this stuff, I think it was about $5 at my local drugstore. Certainly worth a try for the minimal investment.

http://www.amazon.com/Nutra-Nail-Green-Hardener-0-45/dp/B000142MDS

I seems to help but I rarely play for more than an hour a day so I haven't really put it to the test. It makes the nail shiny so I have one fabulous fingernail.

Sparkles maybe I can go a week and not break a nail

my nails need help

I would do a dark brunette with some auburn highlights. You're so pretty any of those 3 colors would look great on you, but I just love the warmth in your hair, but think a few shades dark would look great! (but not of the red, you don't want to go that purple auburn that I rocked for so many years - doesn't look natural or good on most people.
Rainbow

These are the two things that have worked for me. You don't have to use them together.

1. nail magic hardner (around $10 and freeshipping on ebay or you can get it at sallybeauty and I believe you can return it if you buy it from a sally store, so if you can't use it ect. You won't lose your money.) is the best and only polish strengthener that has ever worked for me. I don't recommend it too much, because some people have a reaction to it. :/ If you can use it though it's great.
   
   
2. mavala scientifique ($14 on amazon, really small bottle, but it's like a thin liquid and it only goes on the tips of your nails).

I swear by this stuff for my nails. Can be messy to deal with but to me it's worth it.

Gena Healthy Hoof Cream - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006Q00ZI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i0vtDbA7BBYRF

Well, you can start by taking a Biotin supplement or prenatal vitamins. Those will help speed up the growth of your natural nails. You'll also want to get a strengthening polish of some sort. OPI Nail Envy is popular, but I'm not sure what's available where you live. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Hand cream as often as possible. Apply cuticle oil at least once or twice a day. There are tons out there. File your nails gently, and if they're not too sensitive, buff the surface to even it out. Don't over buff it. It shouldn't hurt. After your nail surfaces are stronger and less sensitive, you might want to get a cuticle remover gel and some orange wood sticks. Apply the cuticle remover, let it sit for a minute, and then use the orange wood to gently push back any of the stuff growing up your nails. Wash your hands after using the cuticle remover, if left on too long it could burn your skin. Moisturize.

I linked some products on amazon. Just because I linked specific products doesn't mean that's what you have to use. It might take a little while to figure out the routine that works best for you, but you can do it.

I bought this one from amazon -$5.49 + $1.28 shipping- and it's legit! Amazon just has stuff cheaper. Plus Ulta marks up stuff a lot.

Strengthening base coat. I personally use this one, by Nailtek, but there are others that you can grab at any drugstore, like OPI Nail Envy.

Have you tried this kind of nail polish ?
It's pretty bitter and strong, so I find it keeps me from biting my nails. It's also clear in case you're not out. Also, I recommend taking Biotin if you can! It'll help your nails and hair to grow faster. Weirdly enough, I've found that when my nails grow almost as fast as I can bite them, I'm less likely to chew on them in an anxious fit. And when they're painted, I tend to pick at the nail polish rather than at my nails. I hope this helps!

1: oh hey errmagerd! Thanks for the contests!

2: such nail art - Star Wars mani. I worked really hard on this one.

3: this is how we do it - I wish I had a secret for nail care! I've tried SO many products recommended here (and given them each a month of use) with no luck - but maybe one will work for you: Sally Hansen Complete Care, OPI Nail Envy Original, OPI Nail Envy Maintenance, ORLY Bonder, and Nail Tek. Still my nails peel at the tips. I really don't know what to do, aside from keeping my nails trimmed short or not polishing at all. I'm trying this by Sally Hansen, now. I've only been using this for one week, so it's too early to tell. I do use cuticle oil, and like most people here, I use Emerald & Ash (as well as Rainbow Honey & Essie Apricot Oil) - though, I'm not as religious about it as I probably should be. I tend to wait until my cuticles look in rough shape. >.>

https://www.amazon.com/shirleyjj-ORLG0238-Orly-Nail-Rescue/dp/B002KYF068

Is this what you're talking about?

TWEEZERMAN Neon Hot File, 1.6 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YRBWOWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.DpDAbEJ83K1M to buff out the layers that detached

Orly Nail Rescue Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KYF068/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ZEpDAbEVZVRVF to seal the layers after the flaps are gone

I used to be a nail biter too. This is what helped me:

•Carry a nail file around. Glass nail files are the best IMO. They can take some getting used to since some people get a "scratching on chalkboard" effect when the file at a certain angle. Just file them whenever they get uneven or jagged.

•Use nail strengtheners. I like Nail Tek Foundation since its matte and it makes it difficult to peel or bite layers off. It also makes your nail polish last a long time without chipping.

•Moisturize your cuticles. There are tons of moisturizers out there but it all boils down to which one you think you'll commit to using daily. I like Lemony Flutter because it's creamy and smells like lemony pastry. My sister uses Mango Mend because it has a vaseline-like texture and she prefers the sweet fruity scent.

What you'll need the most is motivation. Look at tutorials and pictures. Soon enough you'll catch Lacquerista Fever like the rest of us.

I use a cuticle oil I got from julep on my nails but Essie makes one that Ive used before that I like.

Are you using a base coat when you paint your nails? I found that when I didnt use a base coat my nails seemed to be weaker and more flimsy. OPI makes a good nail strengthener called Nail Envy. A lot if the folk at /r/RandomActsOfPolish consider it their Holy Grail. Though I opted for Essie's Strengthener. It works really well for me.

I would also try to avoid using acetone unless its necessary, I only use it to remove glitters and harder to remove stuff since my nails seem to be sensitive to it. Then I follow with my cuticle oil.

Ive read somewhere that cutting your nails causes damage to them. Im not sure I believe that but I stick to using a glass nail file to keep them in shape and the length I like. Its easier for me to shape with the file.

There is more than one shape you can make your nails (disclaimer: I dont know how well the chart works on what nail shape works for your nails, I just thought it was a good starting point and neat :) ).

I haven't tried the rebuild from Seche, but I use the Seche Natural Matte Finish nail treatment and it's really helped a lot with my weak peeling nails. I didn't know that Seche made rebuild, but I've had such amazing luck with Natural, that I image rebuild might be just as good!

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: http://smile.amazon.com/Nutra-Nail-Green-Hardener-0-45/dp/B000142MDS


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|




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This stuff. Tastes awful.

I like the Sally Hansen Nail Growth Miracle. It's a great base for dark colors - I find it really eliminates staining for me. I also just like the regular OPI top coat or OPI Nail Envy in regular or matte.

Personally I wouldn't push the cuticles, before I started doing my own nails i hated it when they would do it at the nail salon. I use cuticle eraser whenever i paint my nails and I also rub healthy hoof in every day and moisturize with hand cream (i got that as a gift though, probably any lotion would work.)

I use nailtiques formula 2 as a basecoat. the past few months my nails have been very peely so I have not been painting them as often, just doing clear coat twice a week. I also trimmed them all the way down (not a problem for you yet!) because of that. I started taking biotin last week too, and i've been trying to take all my vitamins (D3, B12, multi) and drink at least 64oz of water a day. I don't have a biting problem but one or all of the products i use make my nails taste awful when i accidentally touch my lips so it might help with the biting.

It sounds like a lot of work but if you leave all your nail care stuff near a place where you spend time sitting still or whatever (I have all my stuff on my work desk) you will see it and remember. I also have a checklist for the water, vitamins, etc so i remember every day.

good luck! i managed to get a coworker to quit biting her nails but now she has a big time indie polish habit so not sure if i ruined her life or not haha

My nails get flakey at the tips and start to peel. I use Healthy Hoof Cream. I got mine at CVS for $7ish