My Mani-Damaged Nails Are Screaming—15 Gems That Perfect Bare Nails in Seconds (2024)

Japonesque

Nail Clippers

Nail tools might not be the most exciting products to shop for, but they're certainly the most practical. Seriously, without the right tools, my natural nails are nothing.It should come asno surprise that the first and most important tool is a good pair of nail clippers. I find that cutting off excess length and damage is the first step toward rehabilitating my natural nails.

Olive & June

Nail File - 3 Pack

Then comes the time to file my nails. I'm always sure to do this gently. My nail-tech friend instructed me to file in one direction rather than using the see-saw motion we're all used to. This will help keep nails intact and prevent extra damage from occurring.

Tweezerman

Nail Pushy Cuticle and Nail Cleaner Tool

Once my nails are filed into a smooth, even shape, I reach for a cuticle pusher. It's not cool to say, and I know I'm probably making multiple dermatologists and nail experts cringe, but I hate my cuticles. I want them gone. Whatever I can do to minimize their appearance or remove them entirely, I'll do. It just makes my natural nails look so much more polished and purposeful.

Trim

Cuticle Nipper

It's likely no surprise that I also use cuticle scissors. I know you're not supposed to remove your cuticles entirely, but you know my stance on that. I'm always carefultotrim them back without getting too overzealous and accidentally snipping my skin.

Olive & June

Nail Strengthener

Once my nails are perfectly prepped, I move into stage two, which is all about strengthening them using nail-hardening products. This is one of my favorites from Olive & June. I used it every night for a week, and I swear my thin, bendy nails were totally transformed into sturdy and strong ones.

Jinsoon

Hyper Repair Base Coat

Here's another nail-strengthening product I love. It's from one of my favorite nail brands, Jinsoon.

Sally Hansen

Advanced Hard As Nails Strengthener

I don't care what anyone says. This is a classic for a reason. It costs less than a latte, and strengthens my nails faster than I can book an appointment at the nail salon.

French Girl

Nail & Cuticle Oil

Here's where things reallykick into gear. When I'm on a mission to rehabilitate my natural nails, I stock up on moisturizing products. To start, I'll use cuticle oil everynight before bed to soak my nail beds in moisture while I sleep. I'm obsessed with this one, which uses argan and pomegranate oils to provide essential fatty acids and rosemary and rose geranium oils to help stimulate nail growth. Plus, the little rollerball applicator makes it mess-free.

Liberation Nails

In Good Hands Cuticle Recovery Oil

I love this cuticle oil. It uses avocado, cottonseed, apricot, acai, and pomegranate seed oils to keep my nails and cuticles looking soft, smooth, and good as new.

Deborah Lippmann

Cuticle Oil

I also like thisoil from Deborah Lippmann. It soaks my nails in jojoba and coconut oils,butabsorbs pretty quickly.

Tenoverten

The Rose Oil Nourishing Cuticle Oil

WheneverI'm at Target, I feel a powerful and all-encompassing need to buy one of these (even though I already have multiple at home). I love that this cuticle oil is infused with rose flower oil to even texture and a blend of jojoba, argan, pomegranate, sweet almond, and hemp seed oils to moisturize.

Nuebiome

Amaretto and Biotic Hand Remedy

Once my cuticle oil is on, I like to seal in the moisture with a deeply hydrating hand cream. It's an extra step that always pays off since it makes my hands look polished and perfected, even when my nails are bare. This one uses pre-, pro-, and postbiotics to nourish skin and lock in moisture. Plus, it doesn't feel heavy or greasy on my hands. It's one of my favorites.

Nécessaire

The Hand Cream

Another hand cream I love, this one is the perfect no-frills formula. I like that it contains peptides to keep my skin plump over time. I also like that it's fragrance-free, so I can use it constantly without fear of irritation.

Gold Bond

Ultimate Healing Hand Cream

Don't sleep on Gold Bond. This little tube has been sitting squarely on my nightstand for months. It's my go-to when my hands (and nails) are dry and splitting. It instantly softens and strengthens with seven moisturizing ingredients plus vitamins A, C, and E.

Bare Hands

The Dry Gloss Manicure Kit

Last but certainly not least, I want to talk about the at-home natural nail care kit I'veused for the last couple of weeks. I think it's the perfect investment if you want to have the basics covered without making multiple purchases. It includes cuticle pushers,a polisher, and cuticle oil to hydrate and add natural shine to nails. The former uses a glass and mineral blend to gently bind to keratin cells in the nail. The latter uses jojoba, grapeseed, castor, and sea buckthorn oils to moisturize without greasy residue. Everything is wrapped up in a chic vegan leather case for perfect portability. I'm kind of obsessed with it.