Hi all – I (37F) have been a nail bitter and cuticle picker my entire life. I’ve managed to get over this awful habit over the last year or so… with lots of ups and downs. Very proud of where I am at now!!
Picture is just my natural nails with regular polish. (Manicures have really helped me a lot in kicking the nail bitting habit.)
Now that my hands and nails are in a better place: what next?? I want advice from the pros in here. What shape shall I try to go for? What type of nail care routine should I be following? I moisturize hands after washing and sometimes use cuticle oil.
I see so many gorgeous things in this sub and I want to take my nails to the next level!
by allpossiblepaths
4 Comments
Try biab!! As long as you don’t pick or rip them off, they’re known to strengthen nails!! Just stopped biting them in the beginning of November which is the picture below. And I’ll inset a picture of them now!!
https://preview.redd.it/8dou5llwa97g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=29ddc7fcfc0234c7617627e8638e85550cde5d35
Keeping them moisturized is key, I swear. I was a severe nail biter for over a decade- stopped in 2023 and managed to grow my nails out to the length of XL tips by 2024. I applied cuticle oil at least twice a day, if not after every time my hands were in water for more than a quick wash.
Go and get BIAB done. Especially a very good nail tech, the price difference between OK job and excellent is often negligible, at least in my area – Scotland. I recommend someone who specializes in Russian style manicure – a detailed focus on the cuticle work.
This stopped me from biting the * out of my nail skin. Now I just want to keep beautiful nails and I take care not to do physical damage to them.
My current manicure pictured. I have zero desire to damage this beautiful job, or eat around it!
https://preview.redd.it/c69ioysgf97g1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e34a4560f605e6a2e8b0d491d318cfe59fedbfc4
this isn’t what you asked, but that color is gorgeous and suits you so well. congrats on no longer nail biting!!