As our mood boards fill up with intricate nail designs and maximalist extra long sets, it’s more evident than ever that our natural nails are paying the price. Underneath gel extensions and layers of acrylic, our nails are growing increasingly brittle and damaged, rendering future trips to the salon physically impossible.
Because nails are such an integral part of our beauty routines, we often feel the need to constantly switch up our nail looks and stay on top of every trend that graces our feeds. Subsequently, our nails are given no time to breathe in between sets. Suzanne Shade, founder of nail care brand Bare Hands, finds that the damage many beauty fans are dealing with is the result of repeated nail trauma. “Between aggressive removal, over-e-filing and constant acetone soaking, nails don’t get a chance to recover. We’ve normalized treating nails like they’re indestructible,” she tells Hypebae.
@calma_floral Testing out the Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure kit reccomended to me by @Mariella Tzakis ♬ My Elixir (From the “Priscilla”Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Sons of Raphael
Furthermore, Shade finds that damaged nails usually stem from the fact that many of us are not practicing any nail care beyond visiting the salon. “We’ve been taught to think nail care only happens in a salon, so many people don’t have the basic skills anymore,” she says. “I think of it like food: restaurants are a treat, but learning how to cook at home is what changes your health long-term.”
As a result, many experts suggest implementing a nail care routine to prevent further compromising your nails. Although Shade finds that you don’t necessarily need a 10-step routine, she acknowledges that basic steps like shaping and cuticle care are the foundation of nail health. “Healthy results are as much about what you don’t do to your nails as what you do,” she adds.
@heireeofficialIf you care about your nails, you have to care about your cuticles – here’s why:♬ original sound – HEIRÉE
Emily Willett, founder of nail brand HEIRÉE, says that since our beauty habits have evolved, it only makes sense that our preservation efforts become just as rigorous. “As we step away from enhancements and layered products, we’re starting to see the true condition of our natural nails, and for many, they’re not as strong or as healthy as we’d like,” she tells Hypebae. “That realization is driving more women to seek solutions that focus on nail health, not just nail appearance.”
Although it can be easy to look past signs of damage when you’re craving a new set, experts caution that the health of your nails should always be the main priority. Whether you voluntarily decide to give your nails a break or your nails grow so damaged they forcefully stop your plans, it’s becoming especially clear that our nails deserve just as much attention as our faces do.
While you’re here, read about Sandy Liang’s FW26 sleepy girl glam with Rare Beauty.
