This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Gone are the days of needing tons of products on your nails to create that beautiful look! Your natural nails – with tender loving care and time to breathe will look amazing in no time.
Want gorgeous natural nails? Pamper them with regular TLC, hydration, and a touch of your amazing homemade nail growth serum! It’s worth it!
The natural nails look is in!
There are not many of us who don’t crave the natural nail look! Gone are the days when fashion tips shaped like a coffin were on trend.
I used to love doing my nails, but now, frankly, it’s easier to leave them as they are. The problem for me is keeping them looking nice!
After working on my nails for several years, I am happy to share with you my tips for keeping your nails beautiful without nail polish or any other nail products!
These tips, which I’ll share below, really work. And they’re something everyone can do, so there’s no excuse!
#1 Take care of those cuticles!
The fact is, our cuticles are all too often overlooked when caring for our nails. However, the key to healthy nails is strong, healthy cuticles!
Using a homemade cuticle oil will help to soften the cuticles and protect your nails, improving their overall condition.
#2 Stay hydrated
Some experts believe that well-cared-for nails contain around 18% water. Much less than that, and the nails can become dry, flaky, and weak.
This shows the importance of drinking more water when it comes to strengthening your natural nails.
You’ll also find that if you’re better hydrated, you’ll improve the condition of your skin, have better digestion, and have more energy to tackle the day.
Win-win!
#3 Use hand lotion
If you’re anything like me, you use your hands for everything, from picking the kids up to washing the floor, the dishes, the gardening, and the laundry.
The to-do list for our hands is immense, so it’s super important to add moisture back when your hands have been working hard.
I love this homemade hand cream and try to moisturize my hands as often as I can, particularly after doing the dishes or washing my hands.
Saying that, if I miss moisturizing my hands once in a while, I don’t panic, as I know my hands will recover the next time I do moisturize.
#4 Weekly nail soaks
Having a go-to nail soak is a must, especially for working hands! Of course, I make my own nail soak, and though you may find the ingredients odd, it really does work wonders!
An article in Harvard Health suggests using nail soaks to target discolored toenails. While they specifically target toenails, the benefits also apply to fingernails. Soaking softens nails, allowing for better penetration of treatments that address discoloration.
#5 Limit nail polish remover.
Now, I certainly don’t want to be the nail polish police here!
But seriously, many nail polishes you buy in-store are full of synthetic ingredients, which dry out the nail bed, leading to flaky, brittle nails.
Add to this that you likely use an alcohol-based solvent to remove the nail polish when you fancy a change or it becomes chipped and unsightly.
So you’ve got a double hit of drying ingredients on your nails right there.
All in all, I say use nail polish for special occasions only or opt for homemade natural nail polish, which is somewhat less drying to the nails.
I love the nude nail look personally, and I always advise letting nails be as natural as possible.
And if you are looking for a natural nail polish remover alternative, try my DIY nail polish remover.
#6 Practice good hygiene
It’s perhaps one of the things we don’t associate with well-maintained nails – but it matters!
Our nails go through a lot! From opening stubborn jars to digging in the garden, practicing good nail hygiene is like giving your fingertips a chance to breathe and reset.
Regular hygiene removes dirt and debris that can dull their shine and prevent natural oils from reaching them.
The result? Stronger, smoother nails ready to embrace their natural beauty!
#7 Take your vitamins!
You can purchase all sorts of expensive vitamins that are claimed to help hair and nail growth. This article from Healthline covers the top 8 vitamins/nutrients needed for healthy nails.
You can get these in a simple multivitamin formula, or why not improve your diet to get the vitamin boost?
Studies show that the body absorbs vitamins from foods better than taking a tablet.
#8 Go naked
I mean – go without anything on your nails! Let your nails breathe by avoiding using nail polish for some time.
The same goes for using anything on the nails, in fact.
Avoid using tips, nail polish remover, or anything like acrylic or gel manicures, which, let’s face it, look great but end up damaging the nail underneath.
#9 Be patient
If you haven’t had bare nails for a while, then it’s good to check in and remind yourself that it takes time to develop beautiful, natural nails.
Be patient and let your nails recover from the overuse of nail polish or other nail products you’ve been using.
It’ll be worth it – a few days of sacrifice is all it takes until you start seeing excellent natural nail growth.
#10 Essential oils for nails
Using essential oils on your nails is one of the best ways to support your nails!
Essential oils such as lavender and myrrh can work wonders on your nails! By soothing the nail bed, they can encourage stronger growth and help prevent nails from becoming brittle.
If you want to learn more about using essential oils on your nails, I have a whole post dedicated on how to use essential oils on your nails.
#11 Protect your nails
It may seem obvious, but if you’re doing anything heavy, labor-wise, such as gardening, lifting bricks, or housework, please ensure you protect your hands.
Wear thick gloves, and always slather on the moisturizer once you’re done!
Protecting your nails is essential in maintaining nail health and preventing unwanted breakages.
Best natural nude nail polish
If you can’t go 100% natural with your nails, here are my best natural nude nail polishes (in no particular order!). These contain fewer chemicals than standard nail polish, and I personally love each one!
I hope you enjoyed reading this post and that you opt for natural-looking nails more often.
Feel free to comment below and ask any questions you may have.
