Nails
Jul 30, 2023

This Polish Trend Is Like Skincare for Your Nails, and It's About to Take Over

by Katie Berohn

I can't remember the last time I sported bare nails. Ever since I was young, I've worn nail polish. I feel more put together when my nails are done. While I did my nails at home for most of my life, I've been getting gel nails at a salon for the past few years.

My favorite type of gel to get on my nails is undoubtedly hard gel, also known as builder gel. It lasts longer than soft gel, is chip resistant, and strengthens nails so they won't bend or break (perfect for people like me, who have a penchant for long nails). In my eyes, hard gel is the ticket to near-perfect nails. However, there's one caveat to hard gel, and that's how annoying it is to remove.

To remove hard gel properly, you must file or drill off most of it, then soak the remaining gel in acetone. A couple of months ago, I went to a nail salon that was ill-equipped to remove hard gel, and I ended up with the most damaged nails I've ever had—they were brittle, thin, and covered in unsightly scrapes.

My nails needed some serious TLC. And I knew I needed to lay off the hard gel for a while to let my nails breathe. In the meantime, I needed to find a way to strengthen them.

But if I had to experience nail damage, I'm glad it happened now. There have never been so many hybrid nail polish treatments on the market. These treatments do major damage control on beat-up nails. Many also help mask imperfections and make nails look their best. Keep reading for some of my favorite polish treatments on the market.

Photo:

@ktberohn

My nails before and after using Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Makeover Ridge Filler.

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals

Makeover Ridge Filler

$18

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The subtle pink of this nail treatment helps neutralize your nail color by canceling out any yellow hues. It also fills in ridges and scrapes, making your nails look brand new. Infused with peptides and vitamins, it helps strengthen nails. It's been my go-to for resuscitating my nails.

OPI

Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum

$25

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OPI's new nail serum is made with Ulti-Plex technology to penetrate the nail surface and help rebuild bonds in the nail. For the best results, you can apply this two times a day for six days.

Essie

Hard to Resist Nail Strengthener Treatment

$11

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Essie's nail strengthener comes in sheer pink to add a glow to your nails or sheer violet to brighten and neutralize unwanted tones. This polish has nail bonding technology to strengthen nails.

Orly

Nailtrition

$15

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Orly's aptly named Nailtrition is a growth treatment that's packed with good-for-you ingredients like green tea extract, algae extract, cannabis satik seed oil, calcium, and bamboo extract. It also offers sheer pink color to help masks imperfections while strengthening nails.

Olive & June

Nail Strengthener

$14

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The key ingredient in Olive & June's Nail Strengthener is celery seed extract, which helps stop nails from peeling and getting ridges. Swipe this on before you paint your nails, and let it do its thing under your polish.

Nails Inc.

Nailkale Superfood Base Coat

$15

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Kale for your nails? Sign me up. This base coat is infused with keratin to help fortify your nails.

Manucurist

Active Glow

$16

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Touted as a color and treatment hybrid, this polish gives your nails a blush-toned glow while working to strengthen them with sweet almond oil and raspberry extract. It also contains AHA to help renew nails.