The Secret To Strengthening Your Nails
Pre-pandemic, one of my absolute favorite guilty pleasures, was getting gel manis. Like clockwork, I would go every few weeks and found such delight in choosing eclectic colors while indulging in the relaxing hour to recharge. I also adored having a professional keep my nails looking healthy, clean, and fabulous.
WELL, once March 2020 circled around, that obviously was no longer an option. You may remember IG stories of my loving hubby, who sat with me for hours, trying to get this wildly thick coat of gel polish off of my nails. The outcome was not glorious - not only did my nails hurt, but they broke off instantly. When I would try to file them, they would break even more! Perhaps this was the long term effect of having gels on for so many years.
YIKES.
This was right after I took off my gels. Damaged and painful!
I was on the hunt. I knew if there was a time to whip my nails back into shape it was now. After a deep dive into nail strengthening research, plus product reviews, I landed on two holy grail items:
+ Ella + Mila Nail Care - First Aid Kiss
For the first month, I used two coats of the Ella + Mila Nail Care and would file my nails weekly. This nail file is insane. If you file the top of your nails, it gives them the prettiest and shiniest finish! Check Amazon reviews; people are going cray cray for both of these items.
After a month, I was hooked. My nails had finally started growing and I was able to use actual nail polish colors! As the months continued to pass, I was super impressed with the length and overall strength of my nails. I immediately sent some to my mom and she fell in love! I’ve since sent her two more bottles, lol.
Hot Tip: Sometimes I will wear the clear on its own, but to this day, I always put at least one coat on underneath my nail polish color.
Cut to the day before New Year’s Eve 2020, I visited the Four Seasons Orlando to get a gel manicure before my wedding the following day. It was my first time back in a salon, receiving a manicure, - and it was heaven! The first thing the nail tech said to me was, “Wow! Your nails are so strong and long. What have you been doing?”
Moral of the story? Sometimes it just takes a little TLC, patience, and the right products to get your nails back into shape!