11 best nail strengtheners: from OPI's Nail Envy to treatments under £5, tested by a qualified nail tech
Although it seems scary at first, as an avid acrylic wearer myself, I often consider taking a break and going bare nail just to see how my natural nails are holding up.
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If you're looking to start the natural journey or are looking to just enhance nail condition, there's no better place to start than with a good nail strengthener.
Just like our skin, nails can become dehydrated, dry, and brittle, making getting your nails done that little bit less fun.
There are plenty of factors that can lead to this, from hormones and ageing to improper removal of gel or acrylic nails – but that doesn't mean you have to lay down and accept brittle nail defeat!
The easiest and quickest way to nurse your poorly nails back to health is with a nail-strengthening base coat that encourages repair and growth, leading to strong and healthy nails that you won't want to hide away.
So, read on to find out which strengthener came out top (coat).
How I tested
I enlisted the help of my mum, who is constantly using her hands whether it's washing up, gardening, hairdressing or coming into contact with harsh chemicals - basically, putting her nails through the mill.
I also tested them on my own nails in between acrylic sets to really put these strengtheners to the test.
OPI Nail Envy, £18
OPI Nail Envy, £21.90 £18
BUY HERE
Pros: Dries quickly, smooth finish, nails look healthy
Rating: 5/5
I mostly wear my nails natural or with just standard nail polish on, so it's important to me that I take good care of them.
I've tried a couple of nail strengtheners in the past, including Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, but I've always been interested in whether it would be worth investing in a more premium option.
I used the OPI Nail Envy straightener exactly as suggested, by applying two thin coats back to back, and then adding another layer daily for a week. The idea is that the strength gradually builds up over time.
Each coat dried down really quickly - which is great as I have a pet peeve with polish that takes anything longer than a minute to dry - and it left a clear, glossy finish that was completely streak-free. I'd be happy to wear this on it's own when I'm not opting for a colour, but it can also be used as a base coat.
By the end of the week, my nails did feel stronger, less bendy and less prone to breaking. Yes it's expensive, but if you're trying to steer clear of salon treatments, I'd highly recommend this for anyone trying to boost their natural nails.
Sally Hansen Miracle Cure, £11
BUY HERE
Pros: Only one coat needed
Rating: 8/10
With over 70 years of expertise, it's safe to say that the brand Sally Hansen is a master in nail care and with this in mind, I was intrigued to see how the Miracle Cure strengthener shaped up.
With a patented 'Micro Mineral' formula exclusive to the brand, Miracle Cure promises to fill in cracks and instantly reinforce nails, great news for anyone with nails that tend to peel easily alongside breaking.
Upon application, one single thin coat with this formula seems to be sufficient, which also means that it'll last longer.
Giving a nice, healthy sheen while also working as a protective base coat makes this a good all-rounder. My nails felt smooth and shielded while wearing this.
The generous 13.3ml bottle also makes this great value for money.
OPI Nail Envy, Bubble Bath, £18
Rating: 10/10
An iconic shade in the OPI world, having Bubble Bath as a two-in-one strengthener is definitely a bonus point.
Recently hailed by Molly Mae as her go-to shade, which she religiously wears, this subtly coloured nail strengthener is a definite favourite of mine.
If you're looking to go natural but are too scared to go fully nude, the Bubble Bath strengthener is the perfect option.
The product contains Tri-Flex Technology, which strengthens and protects against peeling or splitting, and I definitely noticed an improvement in nail strength within just one week of using it (and this was after a removal of acrylics, which always leaves my nails feeling a little worse for wear).
The only downside to the product is the price point; however, a little goes a long way with this product, and it is definitely an investment in achieving salon-quality nails at home as well as strong and healthy ones too.
Barry M Mani Hero, £4.49
BUY HERE
Pros: Inexpensive with a great selection of ingredients, great budget option that remain effective
Cons: Less intensive than others , feels thinner
Rating: 7/10
Inexpensive, great quality, and coming in an array of vivid shades, Barry M's nail paints are a staple product in any nail aficionado's stash.
The Mani Hero, containing PHA's and AHA's to restructure, is not just great for the price, but great in general, rivalling many pricier options on the market.
Easy to use on a regular basis, the violet-hued base goes on clear and dries semi-shiny, with a slight tack, allowing polish to glide on top evenly.
This didn't feel as intensive as some of the others but still includes a selection of beneficial ingredients; definitely a great one to go for, but if your nails are in a dire state, it may be better to opt for something stronger.
Margaret Dabbs London Nail Strengthening Treatment, £15.99
BUY HERE
Pros: Nails looked great, works as a standalone product as well as a strengthened
Cons: Pricey for the 9ml size
Rating: 8/10
My initial thoughts upon the first application were how gorgeous this looked alone and I was definitely swayed by the subtle pink sheen.
Podiatrist-turned-businesswoman Margaret Dabbs's eponymous line is one to keep on your radar for effective luxury.
Containing a key skin conditioning ingredient, neonyca, alongside argan oil, Pure Nails promises to harden nails and smooth ridges, and I can attest to this.
Upon two coats, my unsightly horizontal nail ridges were camouflaged and looked akin to a fresh manicure, although if you're not one for a soft delicate pink, this works fantastic as a base coat.
The formula also includes smart micro-bonding particles, which claim to seal the nail and prevent discolouration.
After a week of three applications, my nails felt rejuvenated and strong and looked a treat.
Jessica Bend Don't Break, £20.10
Jessica Bend Don't Break, £21.50 £20.10
BUY HERE
Pros: Quick drying, 7-free
Cons: Strong odor, pricey
Rating: 8/10
Formulated with polymers that work to increase flexibility, Bend Don't Break promises to turn weak nails into resilient ones, but does it hold up to these claims?
For starters, the quick-drying formula is a plus. With two coats put to the test three times a week, my nails felt pretty rock solid.
I can also report back that, impressively, they survived a brutal kitchen drawer incident in which only my nail polish chipped, but the nail itself stayed in one piece. Impressive.
Wearing this alone, my nails felt smooth, protected, and even brighter.
My only gripe would be the price, this isn't the most affordable option out there, however, with all being said - it's reliable and does the job well.
The formula is also vegan and 7 free (free of 7 of the toxic chemicals that can sometimes be found in nail products).
Leighton Denny Renovate Shield, £13.05
BUY HERE
Pros: 73% Plant-based, contains Panthenol and vitamin E
Cons: None
Rating: 8/10
Touted as a 'nourishing, smoothing, rejuvenating facial for nails' and with ingredients such as nourishing avocado oil, rice bran oil and vitamin E, Leighton Denny Renovate Shield might appear to be more of an oily treatment than a strengthening base coat.
However, this targeted treatment base works hard to rebuild and protect, whilst including a cocktail of nutritive ingredients to turn around the flakiest of nails.
I initially wore two coats under my nail colour and then another coat was applied each other day to provide an extra protective shield.
This resulted in no breakages and nails that looked and felt healthy.
Nailberry Strengthen & Breathe, £19
BUY HERE
Pros: Breathable, halal, gluten-free, 12 free
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 8/10
Multi-award-winning brand, Nailberry is committed to clean, toxin-free luxury nail products.
We also equally adore the attention to detail and chic box that the bottle comes packaged in, but in terms of nail strengthening, do they deliver?
Strengthen & Breathe is recommended to be used once or twice a week as a stand-alone reparative treatment, or to replace your usual base coat.
The milky white base dries clear, and instantly forms a smooth, protective layer on the nails, drying in a minute or so without any pesky streaks.
After one application, my nails even looked like they were in perfect condition immediately
After two weeks of wear, I did notice that, underneath the polish, my nails did indeed look brighter and felt smoother.
Impressively, this is also free of alcohol as well as being vegan, cruelty-free and halal-approved.
At £18.50, it may be on the slightly higher end of affordability, but for a luxury option, this is a nice pick.
Orly Nailtrition, £13
Orly Nailtrition, £15.95 £13
BUY HERE
Pros: Subtle pink shimmer, easy-to-grip cap on bottle ensures foolproof application
Cons: Slightly tacky when dry
Rating: 9/10
Designed to stimulate growth within two weeks, Orly's Nailtrition contains a number of hero ingredients, such as calcium, hydrolyzed keratin and wheat protein, all working together to speed up growth on nails that continuously split and peel.
The wide brush evenly distributed to the nail, and bonded nicely to it and I also loved the subtle pink shimmer that it gave.
Orly says that this helps disguise nail imperfections (which is great news, as I have many!)
Using two coats per application was sufficient, to begin with - although I did apply an extra sneaky coat on top of my polish throughout the week to top up on protection.
Usage over two weeks definitely resulted in my nails feeling thicker and stronger and overall, healthier. With this in mind, I'd say that Orly lives up to its promises.
Mii Cosmetics Strong + Stable, £19.50
Mii Cosmetics Strong + Stable, £19.50
Pros: Comes in two sizes, ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients. Good for ridges.
Cons: None
Rating: 9/10
Coming in a handy option of two sizes, Mii's Strong & Stable base coat is formulated to bring thin and peeling nails back to life.
With the addition of pistacia resin oil (which promotes keratin growth and also contains healing properties), this dual-purpose strengthening treatment dries down to a glossy finish and also helps to maintain maximum wear out of your polish.
The medium-sized brush was great, as it ensured an even distribution of product with no overloading. Two swipes of polish work best with this product.
Mii's directions recommend applying this every other day, whilst using this specifically as a treatment.
After 8/9 days of continuously using this, the nasty ridge on my index finger had considerably improved after using this product - pretty impressive.
OPI Repair Mode, £23.92
OPI Repair Mode, £23.92
BUY HERE
Pros: Easy to apply formulation, absorbs into nails instantly. Can be worn under a base coat. Invisible
Cons: Pricey
Rating: 9/10
The first of its kind, OPI's Repair Mode isn't a strengthening base coat like the others, but a bond-building nail serum, think of it as Olaplex treatment but for nails.
Using a specialist patented 'Ulti-Plex' technology, Repair Mode not only rebuilds keratin but also creates new bonds in nails and contains vitamins A & E.
This little black glass bottle claims to be the only nail-strengthening product you'll need.
Advertised as a serum, I expected this to have an oily consistency, but this was not the case at all, and it was absorbed immediately.
Although this isn't technically a base coat, my nails still felt as though there was a protective, albeit invisible layer on them.
Within a couple of days of usage, my nails felt less flaky at the tips, and ridges felt much smoother to the touch.
I'll be looking forward to incorporating this into my nail care routine and using it in tandem with a restorative base coat.
Best nail strengtheners FAQs
Where to buy nail strengtheners
The good news is nail strengtheners are available on most well-known beauty sites such as Boots and Superdrug as well as Amazon.
Some of our top picks, such as Sally Hansen, Barry M and OPI can be found at the majority of high street chemists.
What to eat to strengthen nails
Obviously, not everything can be solved externally, so it's important to aid the external appearance of nails with internal assistance, such as a calcium and iron-rich diet.
Alongside this, another key ingredient for nail growth is biotin, found in milk and eggs.
This is also commonly known for its positive effects on hair growth as well as our nails.
What is the best nail strengthener?
As with most treatment products, results can vary with individuals and what the nails have been through — your natural nail condition will play a big part in how effective each product will be.
However, it appears that the clear winner was OPI Nail Envy, despite the price point, it offers the quickest treatment and leaves long-lasting results.
How do nail strengtheners work?
Nail strengtheners create a protective barrier that works to reinforce the nail structure, reducing breaking and peeling.
They get to work fast, and most will allow you to see results within just one week.
There's no ingredient in a nail strengthener that can enhance growth per se, but by building the foundation, it makes them stronger for when they do grow naturally.
What is the difference between nail strengthener and nail hardener?
Nail strengtheners and nail hardeners both have distinct roles in nail care, but each has different purposes.
Strengtheners are designed to enhance the overall health and flexibility of the nail, helping to prevent future breakage.
On the other hand, hardeners are intended to make nails more rigid and resistant to bending and splitting by providing a protective coating.
Hardeners are generally recommended for short-term use, whereas strengtheners are more suitable for long-term maintenance.
How often should I use nail strengthener?
Nail strengthener can be used every time you have a manicure or even when you're giving your nails a break and want to give them a bit of TLC in the form of a treatment.
Ingredients to look out for in a nail strengthener
In terms of the ingredients to look out for in a good and nourishing strengthening product, Vitamin C and retinol are both key due to their ability to increase collagen, one of the main components in the nail bed.
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