This best-in-class nail strengthener has a rich ingredient list packed with vitamins A, C, and E, along with biotin and calcium to stimulate growth and prevent chipping and breaking. The brand is also stocked in nearly every nail salon and drugstore. The experts we interviewed love that it’s vegan and easy to use. Simply paint it on like nail polish.
When first applied, users say the treatment feels like a gel. It goes on thick, but feels very lightweight and thin once dried. For best results, apply two coats initially. Then, add a new coat once per day for six days. If you prefer, you can layer it with nail polish and lacquer. In this case, the strengthener will function as your base coat.
When applied over your nail polish after the initial treatment, the OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener acts as a shiny top coat. In a sense, it works behind-the-scenes while giving your nails an immediate visual glow-up. Based on our previous testing with similar formulas containing biotin, you can expect to see stronger nails in as little as a week, meaning you should experience less peeling, breakage, or hangnails.
The product serves as reinforcement for your nails, ultimately preventing your manicure from cracking. That being said, the actual nail strengthener is prone to chipping after a few days. An easy fix is to simply apply another coat, though. Extra layers go on smoothly without looking cakey.
