My Mani-Damaged Nails Are Screaming—15 Gems That Perfect Bare Nails in Seconds

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(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

Here's a not-so-fun fact about me. My natural nails suffer every time I get a gel or acrylic manicure. Case in point? I once had a set of acrylics that left my nails so thin and weak that they became bendy and peeled for weeks afterward. And I can't blame it on the manicures themselves. Most of the damage occurred upon removal (the sound and sensation of an aggressive nail file haunt me to this day). 

The sorry state of my nails wasn't subtle. They were basically screaming at me to stop with the nail polish, gel extensions, and acrylics. So I did. I decided to give some long-overdue TLC to my natural nails to return them to their former strength and shine. And now that they're happy again, I'm in no rush to revisit the salon. I've committed myself to showing my natural nails more often. Ahead, see all the products I have in my at-home manicure kit for perfecting my natural nails.

Stage 1: Nail Tools

Stage 2: Nail Strengtheners

Stage 3: Cuticle Oil

Stage 5: Hand Cream

The Best At-Home Natural Nail Care Kit

Next, These 29 AAPI- and Asian-Founded Beauty Brands Are on Their Way to Icon Status

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Kaitlyn McLintock
Associate Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.