The Easy Trick For Fixing A Broken Nail

If you've ever tried to grow your nails out naturally, you'll know that there's nothing worse than breaking one. Unfortunately, it's often unavoidable, with Evelyn Lim, a chief educator at Paintbox nail salon, explaining to Well+Good that this is simply because we use our hands for almost everything. However, the key to keeping nails strong and avoiding a broken nail is prevention. "If nails are dry and brittle, they're more prone to break, so using a cuticle oil can keep your nail bed hydrated and healthy." 

Ama Quashie, session manicurist and founder of Ama salon, agreed, telling ELLE, that "cuticle oil works by hydrating the cuticle and nail bed, which is why it's such an important step in nail care, whether you're growing your nails or simply want them to look their best." But if you missed the memo about cuticle oil and are currently dealing with a broken nail, you'll be pleased to know that there is a way to fix it. And it involves a tea bag (yes, really).

When it comes to fixing a broken nail at home, Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of Townhouse Nail Salon in London, swears by tea bags. It's not only easy and efficient, it's much cheaper than heading to a salon. "All you will need is a tea bag, nail glue, tweezers and a nail file or buffer," she told Glamour.  

Celebrity nail artist Pattie Yankee, agrees and explained to Well+Good: Starting with clean hands, simply "cut out a small piece of a tea bag and use a thin brush-on glue to secure it to the nail and repair the crack or break for a few days." While you'll need to secure each time you feel it getting loose, it will help protect your nail from further damage and splitting. "You could also apply nail color over this repair to improve the durability," she added. Then, invest in some cuticle oil and do what you can to keep your nails in full health.