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I recently decided to grow out my nails for the first time in six or seven years. (Shocking, I know.) Whenever someone comments on my trimmed, unpainted hands, I like to give my standard reply: "I hate the look of chipped polish," or, "I don't like seeing unclean nails," or the occasional, "Yeah, I'm just such a tomboy." But the whole truth is just that my nails break all the time. I can manage maybe a few centimeters of growth past my fingers but after that? Hello, peeling, brittle, and uneven nails. Part of this might be because I'm unable not to peel off gels, press-ons, or regular polish. Nail polish remover? I don't know her. What I do know is that peeling back layers of polish is super duper fun: cue, brittle nails. But then I decided to grow them out. And to my amazement, I was the proud owner of naturally long nails for a few weeks. I put this all down to the fact that I finally invested in a nail strengthener to keep my nails from snapping. Below, you can find 12 of the best nail strengtheners that will transform your brittle, peeling manicure.
This nail treatment uses keratin, which is what nails are made of, to create the strongest, toughest nails you've ever seen. You can apply it alone or as a top and bottom coat with color polish. I will also be applying it to my ego to see if it makes that stronger, too.
If your cuticles are in desperate need of help too, this hand and nail cream uses calcium and jojoba oil to make them strong enough to grow past your fingertips.
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Probelle Nail Strengthener
Use this alone or over color for a manicure that won't let you down. You have nails that crack and peel just by looking at them? Not anymore.
If you're like me and enjoy that wonderful feeling of peeling off gel nails, they'd appreciate an apology in the form of this bottle. Not only does it help strengthen your nails, but it has a subtle pink color that will make everyone think your nail beds are naturally healthy.
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With wheat protein and calcium, apply this nail strengthener to get back unbreakable nails that won't crack immediately after getting a manciure.
Swipe on a couple coats of this to make your nails to get their act together. After a few weeks, you won't be able to tell that you mainly use your nails as chew toys.
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If your nails are so brittle they snap at the slightest touch, this oil will give them the flexibility they need to become stronger and healthier. Think of it like therapy for the hands.
Not only does this top coat deliver a chip-free manicure and gloss to die for, but it will also strenghten your nails as you wear it. Can you say "win-win"?
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For a vegan formula that naturally makes nails stronger, apply this on clean nails every other day for a week to watch them heal after everything we put them through.
For the extremely damaged nails, this super strong treatment will undo everything you've done to your hands in just a few uses.
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With a blend of keratin, calcium, and garlic (!!), this treatment will harden nails so they're resistant to breaking, peeling, splitting or overall just remaining little stubs on the end of your hands.
For a trip to the nail spa, this oxygen nail treatment will keep them healthy while also letting them breathe. As a nice added bonus, the slight pinky tone will make your nails look super healthy and gorgeous.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
