How to Care for Long Natural Nails to Keep Them Strong & Healthy

Tools and materials:

• Nail polish remover
• Cotton swabs
• Nail file
• Soap and water
• Nail base coat
• Nail polish
• Nail top coat

1. Remove old nail polish

Try to find a nail polish remover with added vitamins and other nourishing elements to benefit your nails. If you are taking good care of your nails, your polish should last you a good five to seven days.

Use a cotton pad to remove your old nail polish so your nails are ready for the new polish!

2. Clean your hands

Wash your hands and scrub your nails with soap and water to remove any leftover nail polish remover.

If left on your nails, the nail polish remover, which is full of chemicals, is extremely drying. That dryness can cause future nail breakage.

3. File your nails

Always file your nails before you do any moisturizing, because filing dry, rather than oily, nails will give a much better result.

Tip: A glass (also called a crystal) nail file is the best tool for filing. The grit on a glass nail file is so fine, it allows you to file with a back-and-forth motion. With other types of nail files, you need to stick to filing in one direction only.

4. Moisturize

Now you are ready to put some moisture back into your nails. You can moisturize with your favorite hand cream or oil, or even just plain Vaseline.

If you opt for oil, try argan oil, coconut oil, or jojoba. Moisturizing your nails will build strength. Put a drop or two of moisturizer over your nail bed and massage it in gently.

Note: yes, my nails do look yellow because they're stained by nail polish. I love nail polish and wear it every day of the year!

5. Ready to polish!

Always start with a base coat to protect your nails and make your polish last longer. Remember to get the base coat onto the edges of your nails as well.

Apply a thin first coat of nail polish. A thin first coat will help the second coat go on more smoothly and dry faster.

Let the first coat dry completely before adding the second coat.

Tip: Consider applying your first coat in the evening and your second coat the next morning to allow for maximum drying time. 

Make sure to get the nail polish along the edges of your nails as well.

6. Do you always need a top coat?

When your nails are healthy and well cared for, you don’t necessarily need a top coat every time you polish them. You will need a top coat though if you’ve added some nail art or created a design on your nails.

How to care for long natural nails tutorial

That’s all there is to this weekly nail care routine. It’s so simple and effective if you stick to the routine every single week.

Tell me about your long, strong healthy nails in the comments, and share your favorite nail colors too!