Nails

Is Your Manicure Ruining Your Nails?

The answer: Unfortunately, yes. The good news: These manicure tips should solve your nail problems

by Dawn Davis

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I was never that into manicures. I know that's a taboo thing to say these days, but I genuinely like the look of bare, clean nails -- and how they match every outfit. When nail art (and manicures in general) started to become wildly popular about two years ago, I was resistant. And it wasn't until earlier this year that I finally caved and started painting my nails regularly. The reason? I felt left out. Other editors were sporting "Hunger Games" flames and ombré effects, and my nails looked sad by comparison.

Once I started wearing polish, I couldn't stop. I felt naked without it. Then, just a few weeks ago while I was doing an at-home mani, I took off the old color and was horrified: My nails didn't even look like my nails. They were dry, brittle, and flaking at the edges.

I'd always been lucky enough to have strong, fast-growing nails, but something had changed -- and the only thing different was my manicure addiction. I immediately put away the polish and rubbed some CND SolarOil, $7.99, into my nails. I haven't gotten another manicure since; after three weeks of no polish, my nails are just beginning to look healthy again.

Skip ahead to find out why your manicure is ruining your nails.

While I may have fixed the problem, I'm not willing to give up manicures forever. (There are so many great summer colors to try!) Besides, plenty of people wear nail polish constantly and have perfectly healthy nails. So I set out to determine what they're doing right and I'm doing wrong. I talked to a spa director, a manicurist, and a doctor, and I learned the biggest manicure mistakes (I was making most of them) -- as well as how to wear nail polish without completely destroying your nails. If you're a manicure addict too, keep reading.

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CND SolarOil

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Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Smooth & Strong Base Coat

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Older comments

the chemical part- julep supposedly is a better type of polish lacking at least some of the chemicals. super cute colors too i am waiting for my colors to come in the mail

by brianna121791 Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 07:43AM Report as inappropriate

This is bad news for me - I am always trimming and cutting my cuticles. Never seems to give me any problems tho!

by jenna_christine Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 01:59PM Report as inappropriate

My parents always warned me of the dangers of chemicals--now I'm sensitive to the smell of polish. I love my gel manicures and hate to give them up; usually the polish just "falls off" in sheets by itself.

by GigiSD Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 06:03PM Report as inappropriate

Good info. Base coat is a must for sure, and now they have those that dry so fast! Like Orly Bonder. The biggest thing is wearing gloves while cleaning and moisturizing.

by venenumletalis Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 06:39AM Report as inappropriate

Valuable information. As I get older (I'm in my 50s) i'm realizing that just about anything connected to our bodies changes.

by JenniHusker Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 01:48PM Report as inappropriate

This is kind of a shock to me. I kind of always wondered, but it's true. I'll have to start cutting back on when I go.

by lanereidbeauty Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 12:39PM Report as inappropriate

This is very good information. This needs to be passed on to my friends who constantly have to have acrylic nails put on. I imagine they don't have actual nail left anymore.

by darkangel81 Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 08:15AM Report as inappropriate

I'm always confused about the cuticle question - what are cuticles? How do you care for them? I don't think I have very noticable cuticles.

by schien Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 03:23PM Report as inappropriate

great article, definitely need to moisturize better!

by venenumletalis Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 03:43PM Report as inappropriate

good things to know

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 08:07PM Report as inappropriate