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I Quit These 5 Bad Habits & Got Long, Strong, Healthy Nails

For many of us, a manicure is one of life’s little pleasures. But with the pandemic throwing a wrench in our previous standing weekly salon appointments, we’ve been left to our own devices when it comes to our nails. There are so many great long-wearing nail polish collections and countless genius DIY tools for achieving an expert finish at home, but I recently came to realize that some of the nail care techniques I’d been following weren’t giving my nails the best start at growing long, strong, and healthy. Add nervous picking and biting to the mix thanks to COVID-induced stress and anxiety, and my nails were looking decidedly worse for wear.So, to try and breathe life into my flimsy nails, I decided to switch things up. From investing in a top-quality nail file to always using a base coat under nail polish, read on to uncover the most common nail mistakes — and the simple adjustments I’ve made to achieve my best nails so far.At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.Investing In A High-Quality Nail FileMultipack nail files are such good value for money, but some of them can be flimsy and sandpapery, causing my nails to split at the tip. Since investing in a glass or crystal nail file, my nails haven’t broken or snagged once, and the speed with which it files is impressive. I’m using the Leighton Denny Small Crystal Nail File, which comes in a protective case; Nail Tek’s Crystal Nail File is another brilliant highly-rated option.A top tip all nail artists swear by for healthy nails is not filing back and forth — instead, file slowly in one direction to keep your nails intact. Nail Tek Crystal Nail File w/Fuchsia Case, $, available at Ulta BeautyUsing A Base Coat Before Nail PolishIf you regularly skip a base coat before painting your nails, you might want to give it a second thought. Not only does a good base coat act like Velcro for nail polish you apply on top, encouraging it to stick around for longer, but it shields your nails from stains, which can often occur if you’re using a darker shade of polish. Stained nails can take on the color of your chosen hue and even appear yellow over time — not great if you want to try the nude or sheer nail trend. I love nails inc. Nailkale Superfood Base Coat, which treats nails as it protects.Since making a promise not to skip the base coat (and applying a top coat, too), my nails have chipped far less than usual so I’m not picking off my polish. Which leads us nicely on to the next bad habit… Nails Inc. Nailkale Superfood Base Coat, $, available at SephoraNot Picking Off Nail PolishWhen you pick your nail polish, you risk peeling off a layer of your actual nail with it. The instant results are mottled, rough, and flaky nails. Over time, you could weaken your nails, which might explain why they often feel soft or bendy after you’ve gone on a picking spree. When you notice a chip, there are two options: Fill it in with the same shade to prolong your manicure, or take it off with a gentle nail polish remover. I find the latter to be a chore, but I really like nail polish remover pots, which dissolve varnish with a quick twist. Olive & June’s acetone-free version (more on that later) is a cult hit that’s super gentle on nails and surrounding skin.Olive & June Mani Polish Remover Pot, $, available at Olive & JuneBe Kind To Your CuticlesPicking your cuticles is said to affect your nail bed and impact the way in which your nails grow, especially if the skin around your nail becomes inflamed. As a self-confessed cuticle picker (often to the point of painful sores), I always wondered why my nails were bumpy and ridged. Since checking myself and my nervous habit, I’ve noticed my nails are growing through more smoothly. One thing that helps is making sure my hands and nails are moisturized. I keep a bottle of cuticle oil, like CND SolarOil, on my bedside table and rub it into my cuticles and nails to smooth away any raggedy bits of skin (which I’d otherwise pick) before bed every night. Applying hand cream immediately after washing my hands also helps. I go for products which absorb instantly and won’t leave greasy prints all over my phone or keyboard, like CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream or Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Hand Cream.CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care, $, available at AmazonSwitch To Acetone-Free RemoverNail polish removers that contain acetone cut through polish at record speed. I think they’re great and will always have one in my kit, but if I’m switching up my nail polish color often, I alternate with something acetone-free so that I don’t dry my nails out and cause splits. Acetone-free formulas might take a little longer to remove polish, but they’ll do your nails a lot of good in the long run. Try OPI Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover, which is expert-approved.OPI Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover, $, available at OPILike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?A Nail Pro On Whether You Should Cut Your CuticlesI Tried 5 At-Home Gel Nail Kits & The Cheapest WonWhy You Should Never Pick Off Your Gel Nail Polish