I've been biting my nails since forever ago. Sometimes I do it out of anxiety or just boredom. The past few years, I've really cut back because I've wanted to grow them stronger. I naturally have brittle nails due to genetics & possibly my diet. 

About a year ago I tried getting gel nails at the salon. Definitely not for me. After about two weeks, I had to remove them, which was the hardest thing ever. Point is, they were damaged from the gel manicure & the removal process. Since then, I've gotten them stronger than ever before & here are some tips I've learned along the way.

Let your nails be naked.

For a while I wouldn't allow my nails to go without polish. My natural nails felt so uncomfortable & weak that I needed to constantly maintain at least a clear coat on them. After a while I realized this had to stop, so I got used to them without polish.

Nail polish gets addicting, so make sure you don't apply it too often. Your nails will grow weaker if you constantly apply/remove polish. The polish keeps the nails from efficiently absorbing moisture.

Moisturize Plenty.

I apply hand cream a few times a day, usually after I've gave them a wash, making sure I rub the lotion into my cuticles. The hand cream that I'm currently using is called Hand it to Me Dreamy Handcream by Ginger & Co. I love it because it contains a crucial ingredient, shea butter. Not to mention it smells amazing.

I'll try to apply coconut oil on my cuticles at least once a day because coconut oil has tons of nutrients that strengthen the nails. Drinking water has also contributed to the strength of my nails. I try to drink around 3 liters a day (100 oz).

Groom them regularly.

Just like our skin & hair, nails require a lot of attention in order to look pristine. I typically groom mine on a biweekly basis. I keep them relatively short because I have a habit of scratching people! If you have a jam-packed schedule, try to find time to cut & file them at least once a week. 

Use a non-acetone nail polish remover.

When you're removing nail polish, it's really important that you avoid acetone. Non-acetone removers work just as well as ones with acetone. Even when diluted, acetone strips the skin/nails, making them even more brittle. 

Nail polish removers with alcohol work fine, but just make sure to hydrate the nails afterward. Rubbing Vitamin E on the nails/cuticles will help them rehydrate & grow stronger.

Take vitamins that contain biotin or omega-3.

I take a biotin supplement daily for my hair, skin & nails. I need at least 1,000 mcg. If you choose to take a multivitamin, make sure it contains a decent amount of biotin for extra strength.

Fish oil is amazing for strengthening nails because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which I'm very deficient of. It goes without saying, a balanced diet will also improve nail strength.

All of these tips can be applied for the strengthening of toe nails as well. Hope you enjoyed some of my tips! Remember to contact me with any questions.

-Mars