You don’t need to clip your nails constantly. If you cut your nails too short, you could risk hurting your nail bed. Ideally, your nails should be cut straight, with a slight curve around the corners. This will help prevent ingrown nails.

If your nails require a lot of daily maintenance, consider keeping a nail file in your purse, as well as at home.

Take care of hangnails as soon as you notice them to stop them from getting worse.

If you don’t have any cuticle oil on hand, you can always make your own by mixing essential oils or a combination of vitamin E, coconut, almond, and olive oil. Nourished cuticles will make your nails grow healthier and stronger. [5] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.

If your cuticles become infected, your nails will look inflamed.

Harsh chemicals can wear down your nails after long-term use, making them visually unappealing.

Don’t wash your hands too vigorously. If you scrub a lot beneath your nails, you can still do damage to your nail beds.

You can also take a biotin supplement. [11] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. Always talk to your doctor when adding a new supplement to your diet, and read the label to make sure you’re taking the proper dosage. As a bonus, biotin also helps strengthen your hair.

Protein is essential in any diet, even if your nails are already in great condition! If you have the option, choose foods and drinks that have the lowest level of fat. For instance, skim or 2% milk has a lot less fat than whole milk.

Processed foods don’t specifically hurt your nails; however, your nails (and the rest of your body) are a lot better off when you make healthier choices in your diet.

If you eat a lot of zinc-rich foods on a regular basis, you don’t need to worry about taking supplements. Always talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

Check the instructions on the bottle to see how long the polish takes to dry. For a more long-lasting manicure, apply a base coat on your nails before adding any colored polish. Additionally, consider applying a top coat over the colorful lacquer to add an extra layer of protection.

The reverse French manicure is also a great option for making your nails look beautiful. Instead of painting an outline on the nail tip, the outline goes along the base of your nail.

Looking for a new salon? Always go to a licensed professional to keep your nails healthy. Keep in mind that applying fake nails can damage your natural nails over time. Experts typically recommend saving fake nails for a special occasion, like a wedding or a school dance.

Dip powder nails are a lot easier to remove than regular nails.