Well now you've done it. You broke a nail. You don't want to cut it off because then you'll have one stumpy nail . Let me show you a quick way to fix a broken nail.
Here's the scenario: You're about to embark on a weekend filled with glamorous activities including going to the theatre, attending an art gallery opening, followed by drinks with a one eyed Count, and shopping for solid gold polo ponies.
Then you break a nail.
Now what?? Your manicurist is having her elbows liposuctioned and her assistant is doing a week long "cleanse" that's left her incapacitated and confined to one specific room in her house.
Well lady, you're gonna have to repair your own nail.
If you want this trick to last even longer use it in combination with an LED light & gel nail polish.
Table of Contents
How to Fix a Broken Nail
Fixing a broken natural nail (this isn't for acrylic nails) can be done in a few minutes if you have the supplies on hand. The technique is a like a silk wrap, but done with the woven fabric of a tea bag which is remarkably strong.
The fix will last about 2 weeks, giving the broken part strength and allowing your nail time to grow out.
Materials Needed
- Scissors
- super glue (brush on super glue is the easiest to use)
- a teabag
- tweezers
- nail file
- nail buffer
Instructions
(if you're bendy enough you can use this same technique to fix a cracked toenail.I recommend using super glue for a broken nail instead of "nail glue" because there's no need to buy something special.
Super glue works perfectly well and contains the same main ingredient as nail glue.
STEP 1
Gather your supplies: scissors, superglue, a teabag, tweezers and a nail file. (also a buffer if you have one)
STEP 2
Cut your tea bag to the size of the nail bed that's broken. In my case it's the teeny, tiny pinkie nail.
STEP 3
Apply a small drop of Super Glue to your nail. You probably only have regular squeeze out super glue at home. Order a bottle of brush on super glue for future breaks. It's easier and more precise to apply.
Like so.
STEP 4
Swish it around your nail so it covers the whole thing.
STEP 5
Using your tweezers, place the tea bag on your nail bed.
It's a bit messy but that's O.K. It's all getting covered up. Also, if your break is a bit further up on the nail than mine, you can cut your tea bag slightly larger so you can wrap the tea bag onto the underside of the nail as well, creating a stronger mend. My break was right down to the quick so this technique couldn't be used.
STEP 6
Grab your Super Glue again and put another drop of glue on. Spread it around.
Now your broken nail is technically mended. Kind of like fibreglassing a boat.
STEP 7
Using a buffing stone if you have one, buff the nail smooth once your glue is dry. Do this gently, you don't want to tear through the tea bag.
STEP 8
Follow up with the polishing side to make your nail bed as smooth as you can get it.
STEP 9
Apply a coat of clear nail polish to only the mended nail. While you're at it, do your best to avert your eyes from the horror of your cuticles.
STEP 10
Once it's dry, apply another coat to the mended nail, plus the rest of your nails. You'll therefore end up with 2 coats of base on the mended nail. This will help make it smoother for your nail polish application.
STEP 11
Apply whatever nail polish you think will be The Count's favourite. If he is the much sought after one-eyed Count, you can probably get away with only putting nail polish on one hand. Resume your super glamorous activities as planned. Phew. Disaster and embarrassment averted.
Will a nail just heal itself?
As much as we'd like them to, a broken nail can't magically heal itself like skin can.
Nails take a month to grow 3-4 mm. If you took 2 sticks of dry spaghetti and stacked them they would be around 4mm wide.
If your nail has fallen off completely it'll take 6 months for it to fully grow back.
How to fix a broken nail without glue.
If you don't happen to have crazy glue or nail glue around there are 2 other ways you can fix the nail.
- Instead of sticking the tea bag with glue, use regular clear nailpolish. It won't be as strong as the glue, but it will do a good job of making the tea bag stick.
- If you're just looking to make your nail last a few days you can also stick a fake nail on top of it.
Condition your nails and cuticles with oil to keep them hydrated. Wearing nail polish also protects from breaks and cracks.
They're not exactly, but basically the same thing so don't worry if you only have super glue. Nail glue is better for acrylic nails but not necessary for natural nails.
TIP: This above technique with nail polish will work even better if you use gel polish and cure it under a UV light.
How to Fix a Broken Nail.
Fix a broken nail with a teabag and glue. This fix will last 1-2 weeks while your nail grows out.
Materials
- Scissors
- superglue
- a teabag
- tweezers
- nail file
- nail buffer
Instructions
- Gather this stuff. Scissors, superglue, a teabag, tweezers and a nail file. (also a buffer if you have one)
- Cut your tea bag to the size of the nail bed that’s broken. In my case it’s the teeny, tiny pinkie nail.
- Apply a small drop of Super Glue to your nail.
- Swish it around your nail so it covers the whole thing.
- Using your tweezers, place the tea bag on your nail bed.
- Grab your Super Glue again and put another drop of glue on. Spread it around.
- Using a buffing stone if you have one, buff the nail smooth once your glue is dry. Do this gently, you don’t want to tear through the tea bag.
- Follow up with the polishing side to make your nail bed as smooth as you can get it.
- Apply 2 coats of clear nail polish to the mended nail.
- Apply colour polish.
Notes
It’s a bit messy but that’s O.K. It’s all getting covered up. Also, if your break is a bit further up on the nail than mine, you can cut your tea bag slightly larger so you can wrap the tea bag onto the underside of the nail as well, creating a stronger mend. My break was right down to the quick so this technique couldn’t be used.
If, in addition to chicken coop cleaning, you also partake in gardening, building, mixed martial arts, dish washing, and general real life stuff, your nails will probably look a little more like this after the weekend.
(if this look offends you you really should look into a home kit UV lamp and gel polish.)
Notice however, how the mended pinkie nail is still in (relatively) perfect condition. In my opinion, by and large, these hands are still perfectly acceptable for a night out with royalty. Provided the royals are drunk.
And blind.
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Arnaz K
Just came across this as i notice in yoga class that my big toe nail is cut halfway across the middle! eek...too painful to cut right now and want it to grow out some more. this will be great but i need to make sure to clean it and let it dry out so i dont get any fungus or other weird things...thanks again.
Shamontiel
Thank you very much! I accidentally cut my nail while shaving straight across the middle. Too short to clip it off. I tried Sally Hansen polish to harden it. Didn't work. I'll try this tonight but I'm a little weary of ripping up my nails with the glue but maybe not.
Karen
Hi Shamontiel - Don't worry ... your nail will be fine! Even when the repair eventually rips or comes off, the glue usually just scrapes right off. O.K. I chew it off with my teeth ... but whatever. It does come off. :) It's not like nail gels that weaken the nail. ~ karen!
Shamontiel
I just wanted to thank you once again for writing this. Not only does it work, but it can resist any kind of weather. In Chicago, the high was 10, low was 2 and the tea bag material never cracked or anything. Looks like it did yesterday. Showered. Cooked. Still the same. I so appreciate you right now because I just knew I was in for an incredibly painful hangnail once that cut in my nail snagged on something. Now I can put on my gloves and freeze without worrying about my nails, too. I hope the new year for you turns out to be as happy as you made me with this entry!
Karen
Well! I hope so too. Why don't you browse around the site a while ... maybe you can have an even BETTER day and I can have an even BETTER year. Thanks for letting me know it worked. Love it when people let me know where they're from and how I was able to help. ~ karen!
Rebekah
Tea bags!!! I commend you for a genius discovery. Hopefully those eyes I've been making at Lord Crumplebottom won't go to waste.
Jenny G
I wish I had known about this last week as I had a terrible rip on my thumbnail and tried to save it by applying so many coats with a hardening polish. I do a lot of cleaning in and outside of the house along with caring for my 3 mo old daughter and eventually I had to cut it very short. I had beautiful long nails and if one nail got a tear I'd cut the rest just to be at same length. I'm now sporting a "legal" length of nails Lol I have a lot of tea bags in my pantry I'm going to cut me up some pieces and stash them along with my nail emergency kit!
Karen
Jenny G - I *just* fixed a nail of mine last night. Actually I didn't even get the job finished. I just managed to get the tea bag cut and glued on. I'll fiddle with making it pretty when I have time later today. ~ karen
ivana
NICE! I just discovered this and love it! :) Once you use the tea bag and after a week or 2 when you remove the nail polish does the nail stay put together or will you still have to cut it afterwards?
Also, can you use normal super glue or do you need glue for your nails?
Karen
Hi Ivana - Thanks! Glad you like the tutorial. I'm not quite sure what you mean by whether the nail stays put together. The nail stays put as long as the tea bag is glued on there (which lasts about 2 weeks) It usually starts to come unglued by then. At that point the nail is usually long enough to cut and blend in with the rest of your nails. Or ... if you're very careful you can scrape off the old tea bag and glue and do it again. You don't need nail glue. Regular super glue is what I use. ~ karen!
ivana
Hey Karen, yes I wanted to know how long this tea bag trick lasts for and thats good that you mentioned that by the time the tea bag comes unglued your nails should be long enough to cut and blend! :) Thank you so much for your response. This happens ALOT to my nails so I definitely will be using this trick! :P
ivana
BTW you look great! :) I just had a baby and I definitely need to tighten it up! haha
Daniel
I'm a guy. My nail has been broken for at least two months, because it keeps breaking more before it grows out enough to cut off the broken part. So, I obviously don't care about my nails as much as you ladies do, but I'm gonna give this a try because I am sick and tired of the broken nail.
Darla Castleberry
I came across this not a moment too soon. I have a date in Las Vegas with Prince Harry this weekend and have a broken nail that is deep onto the nail bed. Great tutorial~!
Maria
Thank you n.n you saves me!!
Karen
You'reeeee welcome Maria! ~ karen
nicole d
kAREN!
i tried this method this weekend, as i broke my thumb nail half way down, and it kept creeping towards the middle of my fingernail, and it HURT...
BUT i couldnt find any super glue, so i used contact cement... and... well, we're on day two, and it's holding up... but it doesnt look quite as seamless as yours... but it's doing the trick!
so thanks for the tip... i would have had to cut half my thumb (nail) off if i hadn't of read this... so, THANK YOU!
although i must say, ladies who wear nail polish on a regular basis must have personal chefs, housekeepers, and perhaps some other sort of miracle... b/c the moment i got off my ass to get shit done, i scuffed, smeared and chipped my polish...
Karen
Nicole d - I'm glad it worked! It should last you long enough for the nail to grow out quite a bit. Until it won't be weird looking if you cut it anyway. :) ~ karen
Mai
Awesome! Just what I needed... visitors are in town and I was looking for a quick fix for one nail that just broke.
Karen
Mai - I've been gardening all week. Mine are officially a lost cause. :) ~ karen
Eve
On the last post it said you could use white tissue paper. I wonder if you use colored tissue paper and little bits of it on your nails, same process, would it kind of look like stained glass??
kelliblue
i've been doing this for years and it works great!
you can also use white tissue paper or TP too. Both work just as well as tea bags.
Darci
Just found this on Pinterest. Do this repair all the time, but as recommended I tear the tea bag to created a less blunt edge. Additionally, I have found the bomb of a basecoat - Orly Bonder. The best stuff ever. I am very hard on my nails as a teacher and swimmer; manicures lasted 2 days, tops. I am currently sporting a 9 day manicure without a chip. I tried the gels, too drying and damaging. Try Bonder - you will be amazed.
Karen
Darci - Thanks! I'll give it a shot! Do they have a topcoat too? ~ karen!
Sandy
LOL! Great hands and minds think alike. Your hands (and nails) look just like mine AND I figured this out on my own several months back. Same hands...same thought processes?
Jackie B
You are funny. Have you heard of OPI No Chip? I have fake nails (that I get done to look like I do not have fake nails), but my friends who can grow them swear by the No Chip. It lasts at least ten days before the first chip. I get my nails done because I do not have any. To make matters worse, I then chew off the fakes if I go too long without a fill in. Last time, they painted my nails and then put gel OVER the polish. Polish remover will not work on these. I am at almost week three with not a chip in site. And I use my nails for scraping paint, driving screws, among other things.
Karen
Jackie B - Thanks! Hmm. My niece is an aesthetician, I'll ask her about it! (she uses OPI) I'm pretty sure there isn't a nail polish on the planet that'll stop my nails from breaking though. I'm a not terribly *dainty* with them. :) ~ karen
Katy
OH ME OH MY! FINALLY! I'm so glad you shared this! Thank you Karen. I just broke a nail this morning and I've been attempting to fix it since -- now it's fixed! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Sebrah
My nail broke this morning and I'm sooo glad I read this article a few weeks back. Fixed all up with a tea bag and this baby is going no where! Thanks Karen!!
Karen
Sebrah - Thanks for taking the time to come back and comment on it! Glad it worked out for ya! ~ karen
Chau
Karen, you're hilarious. Giggle, giggle. Thank you
Karen
Chau - You're welcome! Nail's still goin' strong by the way. ~ karen
AC Vargis
If I'm in the mood to do my nails I do the whole shebang hours apart: base coat, coat of colour 2 hrs later, another coat next day, top coat when I get home, edge colour before blobbing out on the couch.
But it's pretty much clear polish all the way!! Perfect for those that do everything half-assed :)
Karen, I wear matte white polish also - looks amazeballs on toes. A milky white would look better on fingers I think? Less twink-like :)
Have you tried OPI's Pirates of the Carribean Skull & Glossbones? Awesome shade of grey.
Liz
So does this work with peeling, splitting nails? Every year at certain times either due to weather or constant handwashing at work my nails go through a period of peeling or splitting way down the side where it's too close to cut. As long as it would work without the nail polish because I really can't be bothered with that!
Karen
Liz - My worry with doing this with a peeling nail is that once you finally scrape the teabag/glue off, the peeling portion of your nail would come with it! Also, it doesn't look great w/out nail polish. You can see the tea bag. You can use silk which is more invisible, but you have to be quite an expert to apply it so that it's invisible. Ironically ... if you were to wear nailpolish all the time (even just clear) your nails wouldn't split and peel as much! Maybe give that preventative measure a shot! ~ karen
BettyD
for weak, splintering nails I've had incredible success with Nailtiques Formula 2. Goes on like nail polish. I've used it for a couple of years and never have my nails been so strong or healthy. I get it at Walgreens or CVS. The last time I had a manicure, she told me my nails were almost too hard. HA. Never thought I'd hear that.
Karen
Thanks for the tip BettyD! ~ karen