Do you feel frustrated seeing your nails crack? Are you looking for ways to mend your cracked nails? This article will reveal to you how to fix a cracked nail.
Are you the type that likes to look their best on every occasion? Looking your best at parties, ceremonies and even on a date includes your nails. I’m sure you don’t want to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed when your crush holds your hands on a date because of your cracked nails.
That’s why a broken nail is the last thing you want to hit while prepping for your date or any other occasion. If you have ever had a cracked nail, you already know how frustrating it can be. Don’t fret! I’m here to help you with tips on fixing that cracked nail, so you won’t have to trim off the whole length.
How to Fix a Cracked Nail
There are diverse ways to mend a cracked nail, especially if it is not yet completely broken off. It’s quite easy. Not to mention, you don’t have to go to a salon, thereby saving you a few bucks.
Either your nails are cracked or completely broken, there are various solutions you can try. Below, I have summed up a few of the ways to mend cracked nails with and without nail glue. To fix a cracked nail, all you need is the right method and a few necessary tools. Now, Let’s get down to business.
1. Use a Tea Bag With Glue
You can use as little as a teabag to repair a cracked nail. Your nails have to be bare for you to use this technique. This is a good way of fixing your nail crack before going in for another manicure.
For this method, you will need a teabag, a tweezer, a buffer, a base coat, and any nail polish of your choice.
Here’s how to do it:
- Start by cleaning your nails and ensure that it is polish-free.
- Cut the tea bag using the measurement of the length and width of your nail(s) to cover the crack.
- Use a little bit of nail glue to cover the crack.
- Using your tweezers, carefully place the tea bag over the crack on your nail.
- Let it dry up completely.
- Use a buffer to gently smoothen out the surface of the nail.
- Apply a base coat on it and then, if you wish, you could apply polish color or nail art.
2. Silk Wraps
This technique is similar to the teabag method; it strengthens your nail with the crack so that you can polish and have your manicure normally.
How to do it:
- Start this method too by polish-free nails
- Use an alcohol pad to clean the affected nail.
- Lay the silk stripe on your nail starting at the nail bed.
- Gently brush nail glue over the top of the silk stripe. Cover the nail completely with nail glue.
- Plunge your nail into nail powder.
- Brush surplus nail powder away gently.
- Repeat steps 4 to 6.
- Cutaway any spare silk wrap that attaches off of the end of your nail.
- File your nail until you get your desired shape.
- Use your buffer to gently buff away any lumps from the surface of your nail.
- Use a base coat and apply any nail polish on the nail.
- This should stay strong through numerous polish alterations.
3. Use Clear Nail Polish to Fix Cracked Nails
Sometimes you don’t need more than a fresh coat of clear polish to fix a cracked nail. Clear nail polish not only mends a broken nail but also helps to hide scuff marks.
How to do it:
- Bring out your strongest topcoat.
- You can make use of a clear nail hardener to do this method.
- Apply the top coat over the whole nail evenly, while paying extra attention to the crack on the nail.
- After application, allow it to dry.
- Apply again several more times to strengthen the nail.
SEE: Tips To Help Make Your Nails Stronger
4. Lightless Gel to Fix Cracked Nails
Lightless gel contends to create the same impact of a gel manicure without you journeying to the salon. This lightless gel adds strength to the nail and can fix up a crack, or even reattach a piece that has completely broken off.
How to do it:
- Start with a clean, unpolished nail.
- Apply the gel evenly, covering your entire nail surface.
- Spray an activating cure spray all over the nail evenly. You can spray underneath your nail as well.
- Allow it to dry.
- Then apply another layer of the gel and cure spray. You can also reapply a third time.
- Buff off lumps with your buffer and shape your nails.
- You can now polish your nails and manicure.
SEE: Get Your Ultimate Professional Finish With the Best Nail Lamp
5. Press-on Nails
Press-on nails are another trend that can cover up a cracked nail. This nail is an excellent alternative for those who are likely to experience cracked or broken nails. It is accessible and comes in numerous shapes and sizes.
Press-on nails are vast for providing a protective impediment for your natural nails; that will help to prevent further cracks and splits. Sometimes the simplest way to fix cracked and broken nails are to just apply acrylic nails over the break or crack.
How to do it:
- Start with clean unpolished nails.
- Lightly apply nail glue over the full surface of your nail.
- Pick the size of the nail you want to fix and press it over your nail, covering the entire surface.
- Allow it to dry.
- Polish your nails and you are good to go.
6. The Tea Bag Method Without Glue
This is quite similar to the teabag method, just that you will do this without glue. This works well if your nail has broken off completely.
How to do it:
- Attach the broken nail back to the fingertip closely.
- Use a glass or crystal file to gently file hitches.
- Avoid filing the split itself.
- Trim a teabag to the size of a small patch to cover the broken nail.
- Paint with a decent layer of clear polish.
- While the clear polish is uncouth, use your tweezers to gently place the trimmed tea bag over the broken part of the nail
- After it has dried, cover the nail with one or two more layers of clear polish.
- Allow it to dry then you can apply any colored polish of your choice.
7. The Gel Silk Method
This method of fixing crack nails is similar to the silk wrap method.
How to do it:
- Grab a silk wrap.
- Let it bind to the nail like a band-aid.
- Apply a coat of gel nail polish on it to reassert the bandage and provide extra preservation.
It’s that simple.
8. Use a Nail Glue
Nail glue also can save the day when you do not want to cut off cracks.
How to do it:
- Start by simply applying a little amount of nail glue to the cracked or broken area of your nail.
- Press the cracked nail into place and hold for a few seconds.
- Use a small cotton swab to gently remove surplus glue
- Use your buffer to buff nails and then file your nails.
- Once you have done that, apply nail polish to finish the work.
9. Use a Nail Repair Kit
If your manicure supplies include a nail repair kit, you can use it to mend cracked nails. A complete nail repair kit with nail powder and glue is one of the valid ways to fix a crack or a break. Follow the instructions in the kit to guide you through the process. The process often generally involves:
- Applying a coating of glue on the nail.
- Brushing a nail powder on top of it
- Let the powder dry
- File your nail until it is smooth.
SEE: Best Summer Nails Colors Ideas to Brighten Your Dark Skin
How to Prevent Having Cracked Nails
Now that how to fix cracked and split nails has been sorted, it’s time to analyze ways you can prevent cracked nails outrightly. There are several ways you can protect your nails from cracking. Below are a few suggestions.
- Avoid exposing your nails to hot water for too long, like when cleaning dishes.
- Apply moisturizers such as cuticle oil to the hands and fingernails after washing them.
- Keep your nails short by trimming them, as this will make them less likely to damage.
- File your nails properly in a direction.
- Use acetone-free nail polish remover to remove polish from your nails.
- Avoid biting your nails and cuticles.
- Keep your hands away from a prolonged stay in the water. Wear gloves to perform activities that require your hands in water for long periods.
- Ensure that your diet includes a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron and B vitamins. Examples of foods beefed up with these minerals are cereals, bread, or orange juice.
- Use a nail hardener to strengthen weak nails.
SEE: How to Remove Acrylic Nails- 9 Simple Hacks You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cracked nail fix itself?
No, it cannot. Once a nail cracks, it will not reattach on its own but eventually break off.
However, a cracked nail can be fixed using any of the several methods mentioned in this article.
How to fix cracked nails at home?
The best way to fix cracked nails at home is by using a nail repair kit.
There are several other ways to fix cracked nails at home such as using either one of the tea bag methods, silk wrap, nail glues, and so on.
Do I have to go to a manicurist to fix cracked nails?
No, you don’t. You can fix your nails at home by using either one of the methods mentioned in this article.
Conclusion
Cracked and weak nails can make completing daily activities quite hard, especially if you work with your hands.
Luckily, preventive tips and techniques that help to fix crack nails will resolve most troubles related to cracked nails.
However, if you notice that both your fingernails and toenails are cracked, seek the help of a doctor. This might be a little more complex than a quick fix. Cracked or broken toenails and fingernails could be a symptom of a systemic condition or nutritional deficiencies.
Thanks for reading.
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