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←
Yvonne
I will SO try this, i botched a ingrown nail home remedy - it worked initially on my big toe nail and i was all happy, but then the nail started to split right in the middle, and i caught it on my carpet today and one half is now split almost all the way back - have it fixed with a bandaid right now, but will try your approach tonight, after work..it will take a while to grow out, so i guess i'll reapply it . i have a lot of "open toe" events going on in the next couple of weeks, this will be my life safer!
Yvonne
*saver*
Jessie
Try the Lady Soma Skin and Nail Cream - it has really helped my cracked nails and flaky cuticles. After 1 week I noticed a big difference - My daughter uses the creme on the cuticles of her feet and is amazed how well its worked on her cuticles.
Essence
OMG! you are truly a life saver! Thank you so much for this... I wouldn't have came up with it.
Erin Austin
This is one of the best posts I've read in a while. Love your humor! That is exactly how my nails would look after the weekend, but great tip for a broken nail none the less!
Karen
Thanks Erin! ~ karen
beckinstein
Oh one question- sorry if you've already covered it, the comments are plentiful. Should I trim my nail down before I do this, or is it OK to leave it long? Thanks again!
beckinstein
Great directions, helpful photos and very amusing! What more can you ask for? Thanks for this, I just tore my pinkie nail a good bit down into the nail bed. Hurts and also damn! My longest nail! Hopefully this will help from the tear spreading across the whole nail bed and causing serious problems. :)
Karen
You're right Beckinstein. You couldn't ask for much more. Except maybe french fries. Good luck with the nail! ~ karen
Nancy
A used dryer sheet works too.
Chrissy
I am going on a Cruise in 10 days and I have been working hard on growing my nail. Two days ago I cracked one of them. I put a band aid on it to keep from ripping it off but I knew that was not going to work. So I googled how to mend a broken nail and this page come up. I just did it and it seems to be working great. Thank you so much. Of course I had to share it on FB for all my friends.
Karen
Excellent! Glad it worked for you. And thanks for sharing! ~ karen
Cleopatress
this post is so well written! t'was an absolute delight to read. oh, and of the course the info is super helpful, so that um...helps too :p thank you!
xoxo
twee & honey
Chris
Hmmmmm, there's a whole lotta red green (ie duct tape forever) attached to this solution which is fantastic!
Alisha
I do a weekly mani on my blog (in addition to other randomness...LOL) and I swear my pinky nail splits like once a month. I searched google and so glad it lead me to you! I was cracking up toward the end and was pleasantly surprised at how well the polish even held up on the pinky! I need to get some nail glue because the gorilla super glue oozes out to quick and then that just becomes an even bigger mess. But I digress and looking forward to reading more of you blog!
Karen
Welcome to my site Alisha! I'll take a look at your weekly manicures. I'll probably just be an observer since a manicure on me tends to last for approximately 0.08 seconds. ~ karen!
Alisha
Ha! Well I also do a weekly wine post so def check that out...LOL!
Fred
Why is that Alisha link not looking like I expected ! No wine blog for one!
Melissa
I came here from Pinterest for the awesome how-to, and laughed my head off at your wit and humor at the same time. Thanks, on both accounts!
Karen
You're welcome Melissa! If you come back every day I can promise you the same. O.K., that's a lie, but you'll laugh your head mostly off most of the time. ~ karen!
roxie
Karen ~ thank you so much for this tutorial. there are so many products out there to repair torn nails, it's nice to see an approach we can all do quickly at home in a pinch. Thanks again.
Karen
You're welcome roxie! ~ karen~
Gertie
Don't ever use "super glue" on your natural nail plate, use glue that is specifically made for nails.
Karen
Hi Gertie - They are the exact same thing using the exact same chemicals. ~ karen
Cait
Hi Karen,
Thank you *so* much for posting this!!! I just suffered a MAJOR boo-boo much thanks to an upward facing knife in my dishwasher going between finger and nail causing a MASSIVE break in my nail. You just saved me from having to clip and cry my way through the next few weeks.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Cait
Cait
note: I used liquid bandage instead of super glue :)
Karen
Ooo. Let me know how the liquid bandage goes. I think it's pretty much the same thing. ~ karen!
Valerie
These are called nail wraps, they are also commonly known as lightless gels. Great temporary Solution. They sell the kits at Walmart, Target & even sally's beauty supply.
Lynn
Thanks for that Karen.
maykayla
how do you take it off
Karen
Maykayla - It just tends to dry out and get brittle and come off on its own. Then you can just scrape it off easily. It doesn't wreck your nail at all. ~ karen!
maykayla
thanx :D
Lynn
Hi Karen try Orle nail rescue I read how to repair a dent in the middle of a nail with this, it looks like an easy repair. they have it on Ebay in the UK so I think you could get it ok. you couldn't see it after the polish was applied, I might get some on standby lol.
Lynn
Lynn
Hi Karen, I have had a problem with my nails ever since I had gel nails for 2yrs in the 90s, They are so thin and peel all the time,the smallest bit of growth on them is so delicate I even break them just getting dressed.
I started having CND Shellac applied for a few months last year but at £20.00 a visit its quite expensive, sooo I invested in my own UV nail lamp and do my own, I have got a few colours now and if I need a repair I use silk repair and nail glue.
I have just found another nail repair called
Jessica Fibre repair kit, found it on line, Hoping it might be a genler adhesive than the nail glue I 've been using having to leave my nails in acitone as long as I do with the repain and then topped with the Shellac I don't thinks it helps, but if I don't apply some kind of protection I'll be down to the skin.
Thanks for putting so much time into this blog, it helps a lot of people.
Lynn
Karen
You are very dedicated to your nails Lynn! Mine currently has a slice across the middle into the nail bed from chopping Kale. Not so pretty. ~ karen
roxie
with nail problems lasting as long as yours, you might consider consulting a nail care professional. if that doesn't do it, see a dermatologist. Best wishes. ^..^