r/naturalnailprogress

Help tweaking my routine for fracturing/brittle nails

Help strengthening natural nails

Hello friends! I am getting back into caring for and painting my nails regularly after years of on and off nail care. I desperately need help with a routine and products for my nails. I am a cuticle picker to the max, so please pardon the cuticles as it’s something I’m also working on!

TLDR product list:
Nailtiques formula 2
Bliss kiss cuticle oil
Marin hand lotion

Previously I was using OPI Nail Envy as a nourisher/base coat, but my nails fracture and bend often, so I recently switched to Nailtiques formula 2. However, now I’m getting chips in my nails as they are harder, but more brittle (and still getting some splitting, see thumb pics.)

I have the bliss kiss cuticle oil pen that I am trying to apply after every hand wash, but I work in veterinary medicine and I’m washing my hands so constantly that it’s hard to keep up. I also garden and do woodworking, so I’m just overall hard on my hands. I have a lovely Marin lotion that I also apply as much as possible.

I would absolutely love recommendations on base coats to help my nails, as well as shaping advice because I feel like my natural nails have major duck-feet syndrome going on unless I push my cuticles back like a spartan shield wall.

Pictures included from today and a few weeks ago before life got in the way of remembering to post.

TLDR: bendy fractury nails now also brittle, pls help my fan ass nails

While my nails, I think, are healthy and don't break easily if I keep them polished and within a decent size, it kind of bothers me that the edges aren't super white or even in their coloring.

Does anyone have any advice for this? <3

First pic is from yesterday, second one from the beginning of February. I've had my nails the way they were in the second pic for quite a few years, and then I thought, why not grow them out? More room for nail Art and all that. So here we are lol.

Products used: 1st pic: Manhattan 7in1 base coat, 2nd pic: essence whitening base coat.

I'm still learning how to shape them evenly but i am proud of the progress

Product list

Nail stickers: from temu

Top coat: essence 2in1 base and top coat

I've been a chronic nail biter my entire life, I've finally managed to force myself to stop and let my nails grow out, so I've never noticed this before!

I use gloves when washing dishes and such to help protect them, but my nails are paper-thin and relatively dry, so I am a bit lost on how to take care of them more properly! I don't use any products aside from the jojoba oil pen from Bliss Kiss, so any insight from those more experienced with natural nail care is super appreciated. 🙇‍♂️

Yesterday I wanted to do my nails with gel polish and was scrolling through Pinterest for inspiration, that's how I stumbled upon a tutorial and the lady in the video was talking about how you should try to replicate the nail apex. English isn't my first language so I was confused what that meant, so I did a quick google search and looking at my nails, I realized that they don't really have an apex. They look mostly flat from a profile view, and now I'm wondering if that's why my nails break easily.

My nails kept breaking at a certain length until I stopped using cuticle remover. I think it was weakening my nails! You can see the weird weak points/spots and the last time I used it in the bare nails pic 🤯

I used 2 coats Sally Hansen Nail Rehab Strengthener (mostly to hide spots), 3 coats ORLY Bare Rose Jelly, 1 coat Essie Speed Setter top coat

I’ve been a nailbiter my whole life and stopped biting on 17feb this year. However, my nails are growing in like a flare shape? Is there a way to make them grow straight without damaging the nails? I’m a male and usually only have topcoat on my nails and don’t want any color or stuff like that. Tips is much appreciated!

No product on my nails on pictures.
Just cerave handcreame.

Usually do clear topcoat ”Essie all in one”.

I’ve done a little reading around and bought a hand cream and cuticle oil. Any tips or good resources for at home manicures? What’s everyone’s holy grail products?

I have worn dip powder on my nails for decades, with intermittent breaks. Every time I pay almost $200 for a mani/pedi with tip I swear I am going to stop and work on my nail’s myself but I always go back to the pull of the quick and easy route. My natural nails are always trashed underneath and I regret it. I have grown out the damage and now focusing on learning to shape them properly and keep them strong and flexible, and keeping the cuticles and sides nice. I am trying to get in the habit of oiling with jojoba a few times a day because I live in an arid climate. Here I am wearing:

Zoya Naked Base
Zoya Naked Manicure Lavender Perfector two coats
Zoya Naked Manicure Glossy Seal

Hopefully you can tell in the pictures, but my thumb and pointer finger grow rounded, my pinky and ring finger grow square, and my middle finger is somewhat in between. It’s like this in both hands. I don’t know which looks best on my hand, but as they grow out I’m feeling like I have to choose before they look super wonky. What do y’all think?

*Edit for auto moderator. I do have a clear coat polish on, but a friend let me borrow hers and i’m not sure of the name :/

Hello Everyone! I am making a new and improved repost of my previous post as I did not explain everything clearly or include an adequate amount of background information. I also wanted to acknowledge that I did take advice from the previous commenters, so thank you to those who responded kindly and offered advice.

I am still very new to getting my nails done as I’ve only had them done a total of 3 times in the past 3ish years with the last two being in December 2025 and March 2026 with two separate techs. Prior to this, I was a chronic/anxious nail biter so it took me years to finally kick the habit. I’ve tried regular polish in the past but despise doing it as I am too impatient and a perfectionist so I end up removing it or smudging it.

I noticed that my previous nail tech did not properly soak off my gel polish during removal, she even mentioned it during the soak off that they were not reacting correctly/couldn’t remember what base she used. There was still leftover gel remaining on parts of my nails, and I also think the e-file/dremel may have been overused during the removal process.

For context I am including…
- Pictures of nails immediately after the nail appointment with Nail+Aid Sapphire Strength applied on-top and untrimmed.
- Pictures of nails trimmed, oiled with bliss kiss nail oil, and treated with daily CND RescueRxx

At this point I’m mainly looking for advice on…
- How to safely care for my nails while they recover.
- What to watch out for with future nail techs, so that I have the best experience I can get.

I also want to politely ask for kindness in responses. I know there are things I should’ve known or asked about sooner, but I genuinely am inexperienced with nail services and I’m trying to learn. Thank you in advance to anyone willing to help educate me.

I'm a lifelong nail biter. I then did BIAB for 5+ years and my nails grew really long but it was just costing a lot. Finally I moved onto press ons which just absolutely destroyed my nails and then I decided enough is enough. I took off my last press on set on 26 Feb (as pictured) and have been militant about nail care since. No product on my nails but I used Dr Dana's Nail Renewal System which includes a buffer and also jojoba oil multiple times a day. This is an end of day pic. Slightly disappointed as I broke the nail on my right index but we move.

Really proud of myself to even get this far!

Hello! I have trapezoid nails and very stubby hands. Really wanting a more feminine and delicate look. Would really love some advice. I’ve been trying to grow out my side walls but idk if I’m doing it right?

I absolutely love using polish & 90% of the time I want colour. However the other 10% of the time I wish I could slap on a clear polish and let my natural nails shine.

Unfortunately they are quite stained which kind of ruins the look. I have tried a number of different base coats to no avail.

Is there any way of removing the stain without using damaging products ?

I’m also open to critique on my nails shape. I love almond but my nails have a downward curve so tend to look less pointy than they actually are.

Product: cosmic polish, super strong base coat.

I just finished doing my manicure and I am very clearly better at one hand than the other. Is this is a common problem?

Please excuse the short nail on each hand, I had a breakage and I'm trying to grow them back.

I just removed my gel nails and a little le bit anxious about it. Want them to turn back natural back. I have always used my nails long. I bought a jojoba oil and Vaseline. I can use olive oil too, but does anyone have any tips about it. I said to nail remover woman that don’t cut I can’t use long but now I am looking at it. Maybe k should shorten a little. Photos; first one without jojoba oil (redness is lipstick don’t mind it), second jojoba oil applied.
Also is it normal have slightly tingly feeling on nails? I guess it’s from the removal but I want some advice overall. Thank you.