To the rescue!

How to repair a cracked nail

There is nothing worse than having a broke, split or cracked nail. Especially after you've spent time and energy to grow long nails, following our Nail tips and tricks to the word. But, as Murphy would put it, doors, handles and cans are just waiting for an opportunity to break a nice long nail, so what to do?

First thing first, if you break a nail completely off, the only thing to do is to cut all the others to the same length, or to install an artificial tip. For the artificial tip you have to visit a salon, because I haven't yet found a do at home kit that is foolproof.

But, if your nail cracked at the tip, or somewhere else, but did not break all the way through, you can make wonders. How? Everything you need is nail glue (get the one with the brush, rather than the one in squeeze out tube), one layer of tissue (you can use thin silk, but I warn you that it's much trickier) and a buffer.

Cut the tissue layer in a piece big enough to cover the crack and place it on your nail. Apply glue to it; making sure the tissue does not slip away. Wait for it to dry and then apply another thin layer of glue. Let the glue dry.

Now, the repaired area should be thicker than the rest of your nail, so it's time o use the buffer. Get the one with fine grid, so you don't damage the rest of your nail. Buff the repaired area until you're pleased with the looks of it.

You can now coat your nails in base coat and follow with colour polish. Finish with top coat and no one will ever know you had a chipped nail!
Just be aware that some kinds of glue are soluble in polish remover, so be careful when removing polish and be prepared to do the repairing again if needed.

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