The Best Nail Strengthener Polish To Protect Weak and Peeling Nails
Breaking, splitting and peeling fingernails is a very common issue amongst women and regular salon visits can be costly. Using a nail strengthener is said to make your nails harder and stronger. So, in order to make your life easier and a little less expensive — I’ve tested two highly raved about nail strengthener polishes from the OPI Nail Envy product line up. I wanted to verify if in fact this OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener would give my nails the maximum strength it claims.
My Natural Nail Status
BEFORE Using The Nail Strengthener
My natural nails are weak, brittle and prone to breaking. I have never been capable of growing my nails to an attractive long length. Inevitably, they would bend at the base and start to peel regardless of how careful I was or the vitamins I was taking.
Needless to say, I was optimistic and excited to find a product which claimed to help achieve the long natural nails I so desired!
I recently went on a vacation to Mexico. Before I left I headed into the nail salon and had a full set of acrylics applied.
An acrylic full set can be a killer to natural nail strength. Usually because I peel mine off instead of soaking them in acetone like I am supposed to. (haha) Hello damaged nails… But also because the top layer of the nail is filed away to create a rough surface for the acrylic to adhere. Recognizing my full set needs to be removed is a sad time for me because right after removal is when my natural nails are always the longest!
Knowing it’s back to my reality of brittle nails and that they are going to break off the next day due to their weak structure is a hard pill to swallow!
With this acrylic set removal — I knew it be the perfect time to really test out a nail strengthener and put it to the test!
Does the OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener Work?
I purchased two different polishes from the OPI Nail Envy line. An original formula in the color Bubble Bath and a Matte Formula. One stood out significantly to me right away! The OPI Nail Envy – Matte Formula is now a product I will never be without – a true game changer!
I can not rave about this product enough. If you struggle with frail and weak nails – YOU NEED THIS NOW!
I have been using this product for six weeks and my nails are the strongest they’ve ever been! This product added enough protection to my nails that the nail growth from under my acrylic set did was not lost!
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I have NEVER been ale to achieve this length on my nails before!
OPI Nail Strengthener Products Tested
OPI Nail Envy offers a large range of options in their full product line up. I decided to purchase two different polishes to test out:
- Nail Envy – Matte
- Nail Envy – Bubble Bath
Both of these did a decent job in creating extra strength in my nails but personally for me the matte formula by far was the winner in added nail strength!
(Ring finger is painted in the Bubble Bath shade)
OPI Nail Envy – Bubble Bath
This colored polish did not offer my nails as much strength and hardness as the matte formula did. Bubble bath is a pretty light nude pink but I found it a bit tricky to get an even coat. In order to eliminate streaks; the layers must be applied very thin. Once the nail is covered in polish do not go back in and touch any areas up or a smooth finish is hard to achieve. The dry time is also significantly longer than the matte formula. As a busy mom to toddlers I found this to be a pretty significant draw back.
If you are in the market for a nail straightener I would highly suggest the matte formula!
This polish can be used for the perfect base coat to a colored nail polish, top coat to another polish for a harden nail strength or applied as a stand alone transparent color.
Not only did it add a tremendous amount of strength to my nails instantly. It also helped to smooth out the surface of my nails and worked great as a ridge filler!
On the first application I took notice to how fast the polish dried. In no time at all I was able to go about my regular routine without “spirit finger” wet nail polish hands. I was curious as to how long it actually took in order for a layer to fully cure: so I timed it….. Less than 2 minutes!
As a busy mom of three I am able to swipe this onto my nails and continue on with my day. The ease of application and fast dry time took my love for this polish into the obsession category.
The nail strength offered from a double coat application is instantly noticeable. On the regular my nails are so weak they can easily be bent over. Once this polish is applied my nails become strong and rigid!
Due to its clear color sometimes it can be tricky to see where specifically you’ve applied it. If your nails are like mine and begin tearing at the nail base, you’ll want to be sure to cover your full nail. Pay close attention and apply all the way to the edge.
DON’T DO THIS
I did try to use this polish as a basecoat underneath an OPI gel polish. I would not recommend it. My gel nails started peeling up within a couple of days. It takes at least 40 minutes to apply gel polish on my nails and I didn’t feel using this as a strengthener basecoat was worth the hassle of going through the whole gel nail UV light process.
Price – $17.95 USD
Size – .05 fluid oz – 15 mL
Description – A nail strengthener or hardener intended for nails in need of repair offering maximum strengthening. Made from hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium.
Formula – A milky medium consistency which spread out easily.
Opacity – Transparent
Color – Clear, I know the formula claims matte but a slight shine does come through giving the natural nail a healthy glow.
Dry Time – 2 minutes max! This polish dries very fast!
Application –
1. If wearing OPI Nail Envy Matte alone without nail color on top — apply two coats to clean, dry nails with cuticles pushed back, followed by one coat every other day.
2. After one week, use any nail polish remover to remove all Nail Envy products and start process from Step 1.
Durability – For my initial application I apply two coats and it can last about 5 days before noticeable chipping with higher than average use of hands. (i.e. washing dishes, bathing kids)
Tips For Application
The removal of my acrylic full set created a few areas of extremely thin and weak nails. This was caused from several layers of my natural nail being removed. They appeared almost as little low divots in the nail bed. In areas like this I applied a thicker application of the polish and allowed extra time to dry to ensure it was fully cured. This step added a noticeable amount of increased strength to that specific area of my nail and stopped it from breaking.
I was able to tell when the polish was wearing off because my nails would begin to bend easier. When I noticed this, I would completely remove the polish with remover and apply a new double coat of the nail strengthener.
The Best Nail Strengthener
Look No Further……. This OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener – Matte Formula is absolutely the best nail strengthener on the market and trust me when I say I’ve tried tons! This polish has changed the nail game for me. I finally have healthy nails! It’s saved me a ton of money and I have received so many compliments on my nails since I’ve started using it.
100% recommend this product to anyone regardless as to whether you naturally have strong nails or not. You won’t be disappointed and your nails will be strong, healthy and gorgeous!
Pick up a bottle of this polish HERE and check out the hundreds of rav reviews!