There’s nothing better than that ‘fresh out of the nail salon’ feel. Until it’s time to take it off and your nails are left looking (and feeling) about as hardy as a sheet of paper, and you’re left questioning why you bothered treating yourself to a manicure in the first place (we’re looking at you, Shellac). The solution? Nail strengtheners.
An often underestimated hero of nail care, nail strengtheners are essential to maintaining swoon-worthy nails between manis. Rather than hiding the problem by applying another coat of polish, regularly applying nail hardener or strengthener will transform even the most brittle and breakable of nails.
Ready to get the naturally healthy nails of your dreams? We’ve got six beautyheaven-approved options for you to try.
The best nail strengtheners in Australia
essie Treat Love & Color Nail Polish
Treat your nails to a strengthener and colour all in one. This strengthening nail polish is powered by collagen and camellia extract to nourish, brighten and transform brittle nails.
Read more essie Treat Love & Color Nail Polish reviews.
$17.95 at Adore Beauty
Orly Nail Defense Strengthening Treatment
Strengthen your nails from cuticle to tip with the Orly Nail Defense Treatment. The brand is no stranger to healthy, ‘gram-worthy nails, having pioneered the classic French mani in the ’70s. And their cult-favourite nail strengthener has just launched in Australia so you can say goodbye to breakages, peeling nails, and pesky splits for good.
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Vitamin Strength Serum
This vitamin A, C and E-powered serum will help to strengthen and fortify your nails in just one week. The fast-absorbing formula helps protect against damage and breaking, and will leave your skin and cuticles moisturised and hydrated.
Read more Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Vitamin Strength Serum reviews.
$12.49 at Priceline
Nails. Inc NailKale Superfood Base Coat
It’s all in the name with this keratin-supercharged nail strengthener. The NailKale Base Coat is formulated with — yep, you guessed it — kale, alongside fruit and vitamin extracts for a polish that nourishes, smooths, and brightens nails. Your nails will feel stronger and look brighter, with a high-gloss finish for that post-salon aesthetic.
$10 at Target
Sienna Nail Strengthener
This all-natural, vegan nail strengthener will elevate your nail game without the nasties. It is the perfect treatment for in-between mani appointments, with a glossy finish that enhances your natural nails. Wear it alone or as a base coat under your go-to polish to keep your nails protected, hydrated and unbreakable.
$32 at Sienna
Revitanail Total Strength 8-in-1 Nail Treatment
This multipurpose nail treatment is a must-have for anyone looking to take their nail care to the next level. Whether you’re looking to add strength, grow, hydrate or fill ridges, Revitanail truly does it all — it also makes for the ultimate base and top coat to keep colour polish in place. There’s a reason this tried-and-true strengthening polish has a 4.5 star rating from our Trial Team…
Read more Revitanail Total Strength 8-tn-1 Nail Treatment reviews.
$19.49 at Chemist Warehouse
NaturesPlus Ultra Nails Nail Strengthener
This vegan, cruelty-free, nutrient-activated polish is specifically formulated with natural ingredients to give you the best nail results possible. Harnessing the power of mucopolysaccharides (a fancy name for a fancy ingredient) which is naturally derived within our bodies to give your nails that much-needed keratin boost, it’ll help them hugely on their strengthening journey.
$12.79 at iHerb
Do you suffer from weak and brittle nails? What’s your favourite nail strengthener?
Not something I use or need
Neither me. I prefer to keep my nails au naturel
Mine are’nt too bad but I don’t grow them really long I like the oil that Revitanail make.
I’ve used a Revitanail product before but what kills my nails is me mistreating them and using them to open things!
lol, can relate treat our nails like jewels not tools
Yes and I garden a lot and have started making sure I wear gloves too
My nails are soft and prone to breaking and I prefer not to apply treatments. I like to take care of my hands with good quality hand creams
I used to think tat but my nails were always super soft so I used revitanail for a while and now my nails have improved so much
Yeh I think good nail creams can make such a big difference – nail and hand creams are ‘handy’!
Prefer to keep mine trim
I do too – I love the clean and fresh look of it!
Mine are great. No need for these.
I’ve used the orly and revitanail products, both are good. I also value a good cuticle oil to help my nails.
My nails are in need of some attention. I like the look of Revitanail.
I always keep my nails with gel colour on, so hard to use the nail strengtheners.
I have uses Revitanail and it is really good
I bet they all work really well – currently having ‘good nail days’ probably due to the Antipodes Hair Food I’m consuming!
Good to know Clearcrystalwater. I bet they all work really well too.
I really like the Revitanail Total Strength 8-in-1 Nail Treatment.
I have used nail strengtheners in the past but I think healthy diet helps way more.
I need this in the winter time.
My nail are constantly breaking. I will need to try some of these products to see if they help.
I have the same problem Jessica. It is so annoying.
I am inconsistent with nail polish
I’ve only tried the revitanil one
*Revitanail
I don’t like to use products like this. I find them unnecessary.
I haven’t used any of the ones listed. Sally Hansen had THE BEST nail treatment but it’s been discontinued unfortunately.
Was it Hard as Nails with Iron? I LOVED that but they discontinued it. 🙁
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Vitamin Strength Serum is something that I really need. My nails are splitting and catch on everything. Most annoying.
I think the biggest improvement in strength and growth I have seen is taking iron supplements.
Thanks so very much BH for your informative Article on The Best Nail Strengtheners To Treat Weak And Brittle Nails, my Nails are a mess in my Rewards Room Haul I got a some Revitanail Keratin Protein Serum Nail Treatment, ProSina Keratin Peptide. Have started using this religiously at the moment hoping that the Nail Serum will repair my Nails.
I’ve never used anything like this because I’ve always had quite strong nails.
I have one of the Essoe treat love ones, its gorgeous
I found wearing cotton gloves inside rubber gloves when cleaning and I good nail cream cured my splitting nails.
I have used Revitalift in the past, not needed now
My nails could do with some help, gardening has not been kind to them!
Any brand of Hair, Skin & Nails supplement makes my nails stronger. Viviscal tablets, in particular, made my nails grow ridiculously long & strong!
I’ve tried sally hansen & Revitanail nothing worked for me. My nails are just too brittle
I haven’t try any of treatments before.
I haven’t tried any of these, but I really should.
Great article thanks for the info
Won’t be trying this one, heard not-great things about strenghtheners
Not something I need at the moment
I haven’t used any of these products.
I use (and really like) Revitanail Intensive Strength (not listed here).
Revitanail works!