How to fix a cracked natural nail. [Pro Nail Technician explains]

It can happen even if you really care for your nails. It's life. It's noone's fault. Nails break sometimes and this is the easiest way to fix it.
I used:
I prefer to buy a few in very small packages because they thicken up quickly or dry out. The glue for this purpose must be VERY thin.

disclaimer: some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

OUR FAVOURITE STUFF ON AMAZON:

If you would like to support our channel please consider making your purchases through our affiliate links:

💰10% off code: TSL10

💰Get 10% off regular prices with our coupon code: TSL10

💰Get 10% off bits, bit kits and files with our coupon code: THESALONLIFE
-------
----------

---discount codes---

[TheSalonLife]

It can happen even if you really care for your nails. It's life. It's noone's fault. Nails break sometimes and this is the easiest way to fix it.
I used:
I prefer to buy a few in very small packages because they thicken up quickly or dry out. The glue for this purpose must be VERY thin.

[AlienatedArtist]

I broke my nails like that several times and I just chopped off the nail right away, I had no idea about this

[mercedes]

That's exactly how my nails break, Anna! I usually cut it as low as possible and keep cutting / filing as it grows out.

[pipersmom]

To repair a broke nail I take a tea bag, rip it open, dump out the tea, then tear a tiny piece of the bag off, making sure the edges were jagged. Then I use a clear nail polish to put a layer on the nail and then place the piece of tea bag on it, pushing it down over the break and into the nail polish. After it dries I put a 2nd coat of clear polish on the nail. lightly buff any rough areas and polish nails with a color polish and good as new until the polish needs to be redone.

[jillkltr]

Hi - I've glued many times over the past 10+years and here's what I've found: 1) try to never get the glue on your skin and especially not between the skin and nail on the sides and 2) that brush-on nail glue provides a much more precise application opportunity. Hope that helps and thank you for all the nail advice that truly helps. Love your channel.

[dawsie]

I have this happen all the time every winter. My nails have always been thin I can run my hands through my hair and my hair has sliced my nails. I was given all different types of nail treatment that suppose to give nails strength as they grow, never worked. In my 20’s I watched a woman painting nails with acrylic while getting my hair done. That changed my whole life that day.
I learnt how to do this myself and since then every winter I get my kit out and do my nails until spring comes, then I let the acrylic grow out until the following winter.
When Mom broke her nail like that she went to the salon and they did botched job of fixing it. Mom’s nails were thick and really, really hard. I had to get some fibreglass sheets and I cleaned off the UV gel that had been used. Glued on the fibreglass as a patch and then used the acrylic to coat the area and smoothed it out. Mom was able then carry on with how she always keep her nails at a set length, she has never cut her nails only ever used a diamond nail file on them every night she would only file each nail with 3 strokes every evening. She was able to grow that nail until the brake was free of the nail bed and it never needed retouching at all. I used the clear acrylic I prefer the clear over the pink or white as it looks more natural.
She taught me how NOT to file my nails but working with the grain of the nail in one direction only. That’s why her nails always looked great. I miss her still.

[carrawayissaca]

For broken nails, I use Swiss Silk Self Adhesive Wrap tabs and base gel. Since the tabs come in shape of a nail, I cut strips for the crack. I put a layer of base coat gel on the nail, add the strip and cure for the recommended time. I then add a second layer, cure and file off the excess tab and buff if necessary. The nail is secured until my next gel manicure, typically 3-4 weeks. I have natural nails and have been doing manicures at home for almost 20 years, and this method is by far the best I have found.

[NinaRibenaMixedMedia]

Hi Anna, I had an accident with my left middle finger nail about 3 weeks ago, I was chopping a cucumber wrapped up in cellophane and the knife slipped and wedged straight into my finger nail and split it half way across and half way down, right through to the nail bed. I have been trying desperately ever since to keep the nail intact and from tearing off. I’ve had great success using a small amount of unused teabag. I clean the nail with acetone, then cut a tiny amount of teabag, enough to cover the tear, then apply a tiny amount of nail glue and pop the teabag on top and hold it down with an orange stick until the glue has set. I then paint another layer of nail glue on top with a fine paint brush. I’ve been using Nails Inc Glowing My Way on top. You can still slightly see the teabag, but it turns almost translucent and is barely visible, but is holding my nail together. I think it will be another 3 or 4 weeks before my injury will grow out completely. A lesson learned, be careful with sharp knives and cucumbers!

[staceyd.herron]

This is exactly what I do. But my nails crack like this regularly, so I started wearing rubber-based gel to prevent cracks and maintain flexibility. But eventually I want to not have to wear the gel. I'm starting a nail tech apprenticeship next week at a natural nail salon. I'm so glad I came a cross your channel. I have a lot to learn.

[karincooks]

😢 I hate breaking my nails. Great fix, Anna

[vslewis]

Both of my thumbnails break like this often, especially in the winter. The break is usually further down the nail bed. I tried polygel manicures for almost a year and that ended up ruining all of my fingernails 🤷🏾‍♀️This is a helpful video for these kind of nailbreaks. It might save me from the pain of having to rip the nail off.

[valenciataylor]

This happens to my thumb nails at least 4 times a year. I had no idea I could do this. My nails are better after watching your videos. Oil has improved them a lot!

[cjs]

I recommend not using the tube on the nail--you have demonstrated why. Always use a toothpick or pin to take the glue drop to the nail--much more control. For strength one can add fabric to the spot with the glue and or dip powder after in a strip along the nail side--maybe even both. Dip powder actually works best and has the benefit of being easily soaked off. It is brittle, as is the glue, but a couple layers of gel on top of the patched area help with that while still soaking off easily when the time comes.

[dolcevita]

I just used a little piece of a clear color band-aid, then clear coat, let it dry and another coat. It worked great!

[sandradankowski]

I have repaired my nails for over 60 years using tissue paper or toilet paper and clear nail oolish or now days some acrylic or nylon based nail polish instead of glue. Brush on polish add paper. Brush on another coat & repair is done. Let dry thoroughly and file & polish.

[bethlapenna.creativearts]

I take dryer sheets and cut a tiny strip and then glue it on top with nail glue. The woven mesh of the dryer sheets really helps the break stay together.

[flowergirl]

Perfect timing! I have the same crack on my thumbnail.

[debbierobinson]

I use a dip powder nail repair for the crack area because it lasts a bit longer than nail glue. I made sure to not get the dip all over my nail, just the crack area.

[cathym]

I have been using “crazy glue” for over 30 years. I have found it’s better than nail glue. Always have a tube in my fridge.

[elisaastorino]

I have hard brittle nails and I've been getting these horizontal cracks forever, usually on my thumbs. Thanks to your videos, I'm taking much better care of my nails but while that's helped a lot, I still get the cracks occasionally. You're right - the glue only holds for a couple of days.