Your Fall Nail Reset: 6 Products Every At-Home Mani Needs for Healthier Nails
Main image – Sonjalekovic/Stocksy
New season = new (and healthier) nails! We say, bring it on! But who said you could only achieve healthy nails with expensive salon appointments? Not us, because you can actually do it from the comfort of your own home. And we’ve got expert proof.
We asked celebrity nail guru Leighton Denny for his list of nail non-negotiables as well as some bonus home-manicure upkeep tips too.
Just because it’s getting colder outside, doesn’t mean your mani can’t still look hot.
1. Cuticle Oil
It may seem like a luxury, but a cuticle oil is top of Denny’s favourites list, despite him saying they can often be overlooked. “Cuticle oils are essential for maintaining hydration and preventing hangnails,” he says.
Image – Leighton Denny
“The cuticle is the protective seal at the base of your nail. If it’s dry, cracked, or compromised, it leaves the matrix – where the new nail is forming – vulnerable,” he explains. So how does a cuticle oil work? “Daily use of a quality oil, like my Renovate Cuticle Oil (£14), keeps that seal supple and strong, directly supporting the growth of a healthier, more flexible nail over time.”
We’ve been using this one for the past three weeks and not only does soften and moisturise our cuticles but it smells gorgeous – turning your weekly at home mani session into less of a chore.
2. Nail strengthener
This little bottle does exactly what it says on the tin. “A nourishing nail strengthener or fortifying base coat helps prevent breakage and splitting,’ Denny says.
We love Sally Hansen Hards As Nails Strengthener Nail Treatment (£7/$3.28) which fills in and reduces the look of ridges as well as protecting and strengthening weak nails.
3. Nail buffer
A nail buffer is like a very gentle exfoliant for the nails. “It’s key to physical nail maintenance,” Denny says. “It’s the only way to effectively exfoliate the surface (removing those fine vertical ridges – the ‘wrinkles’ of the nail) and then, crucially, to seal the free edge after you’ve applied your nourishing cream.”
Image – Brushworks
Nail buffers tend to have different textures on each side; “By gently polishing the nail with the shine side, you temporarily bind the delicate layers together, which is the best defence against flaking and splitting,” he adds.
The Brushworks 6 Way Shape and Shine Nail Buffer (£2.99) has six different textures for different uses, and a step by step guide written on it to help you use it properly. It’s also a bargain for the use you’ll get out of it.
4. Hand cream
Who doesn’t love a gorgeously scented, hydrating hand cream? It’s always worth keeping one in your handbag, car or even coat pocket so that you can hydrate on-the-go during the colder months. Regular hand moisturising is great for your nails too.
Denny says to choose, “a gentle hand cream that includes nail and cuticle-friendly ingredients. Healthy nails start with healthy skin around them.”
Nivea’s Smooth Hands & Nail Care Hand Cream (£2.66/$9.65) is super cheap and does a fantastic job of keeping hands super smooth and nourished.
5. Nail serum
You probably wouldn’t skip your skin serum, so apply the same TLC to your nails. “A hydrating nail serum can work wonders for softer, weaker nails that need extra support,” says Denny. Manucurist Paris Complete Serum (£15/$15) aims to give dry, brittle nails a healthy boost and promises to show noticeable results after just one week.
6. Crystal nail file
Denny says that upgrading your regular file is crucial for the health of your nails as other types can actually do more harm than good. “Forget emery boards, they are too coarse, and the sawing action creates microscopic tears that cause splitting and peeling,” he warns.
Image – Leighton Denny
Crystal nail files enable you to file the edge of your nails in any direction gently and without damage. Try Leighton Denny’s Crystal Nail File (£13) which, “leaves a smooth, finished edge that immediately reduces the chance of snags and breakage,” Denny says.
The do’s and don’ts for consistently healthy nails, according to Leighton Denny
- Do eat a balanced diet: “Healthy nails are supported not just externally, but internally too – so a balanced diet, hydration, and avoiding harsh chemicals all play a role,” he says.
- Don’t overdo the polish: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that more layers of polish mean a longer-lasting manicure,” Denny warns. “Over-layering can actually make nails brittle, lead to peeling, and compromise the overall health of the nail.”
- Do maintain a strong foundation: In other words, at least stick the basics. “Keep nails hydrated with cuticle oil, use a strengthening base coat, and buff gently to smooth the surface without thinning the nail,” he recommends.
- Don’t forget to be consistent: “Consistency is key – regular care, protection, and attention to technique are what make nails strong, resilient, and naturally beautiful,” Denny says. “In short, healthy nails are the result of hydration, protection, and gentle maintenance, consistently applied. Make these steps part of your routine and your nails will stay strong, resilient, and naturally beautiful – the perfect canvas for any manicure.”
The takeaway
So you see, all it takes to maintain healthy, gorgeous nails without leaving the house are these six expert-approved products. And none of them should break the bank either – bonus.
Stay consistent with your nail care, just as you do with your skincare regime, and your nails will be in tip top condition all the way through until spring.
Meet the expert
Leighton Denny MBE is a leading nail and beauty expert and an internationally recognised figure in the beauty world with his multi-award-winning nail and fragrance products.
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