How to Strengthen Weak, Damaged, Brittle Nails

Damage from Peeling off Nail Polish

Old habits die hard

I love nail polish, but I have an awful habit of peeling off my polish instead of using nail polish remover. And with peeling off pretty nail colors comes nail damage. 

Luckily, my grandma shared a nail strengthening secret with me when I was only 10 years old, and I’m sharing the nail love with you.

Grandma's Secret Nail Strengthener

Grandma's Secret

I was raised in St. Thomas with my grandma. She was the queen of the self-manicure. Every weekend, I would find her sitting on her circular, queen-sized bed taking care of her nails.

She would neatly round her nails with an emery board and paint on a magic polish that left her nails that were Hard as Nails.

One Coat Sally Hansen Hard as Nails

My New Base Coat

Throughout high school, I used the natural pink Hard as Nails. Lately, my nails are breaking off as they grow, so I've decided to try the clear polish, and use it as a base coat because I LOVE colorful nails.

Not sure my manicures will last long without a sticky base coat, but the goal this time around is to stop my nails from the deep, painful breaks. 

Mince Garlic for Polish and Lemon Juice for Hands

or Just Add Garlic

Looking for a DIY solution? My grandma also taught me to mince garlic and add it to clear nail polish to strengthen brittle and splitting nails. Let the garlic sit inside the polish for five days. Then polish with your DIY nail strenghtener.

Not loving the garlic smell? Just wash your hands with fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Repeat weekly for stronger nails.

For more nail love: Follow me on Instagram @myss.makeda

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