One of the more minor decisions I made in 2025 was taking an extended break from the nail salon. As much as I loved my bi-weekly gel manicures, several rough removals left me with peeling, brittle nails, which were completely incapable of growing, and my nail beds, which were once moon-like spheres, were flattened.
So, I went cold turkey, and today, I'm one year salon-free and counting—with much healthier, stronger nails to show for it. While most manicurists are excellent at keeping your nails in good shape, I felt like I needed to do something drastic, but it wasn't an overnight fix. No, it took me months to find the right products and see any improvement in my nails. Eventually, through trial and error, and bending the ear of some of London's finest manicurists, I managed to curate a nail health kit (and a set of rules to live by) that has transformed my hands. Everything I've learned and my ride-or-die products, ahead.
