Nails are just like hair: they are a reflection of our overall health and our daily lifestyle habits, good or bad. Their condition changes over time, and so do their needs. Caring for natural nails is about far more than just aesthetics: it is an essential part of your well-being. Thanks to this ultimate guide to nail care, discover the exact routine you need and why.
Key takeaways:
- Your nails have their own unique nature, and their needs evolve over time.
- Identifying your nail type (healthy, ridged, soft, brittle, peeling, damaged) is the 1st step to choosing the right care.
- Our customizable Basic, Starter, or Ultimate routines adapt to every need.
- Daily hydration, gentle manicures, and healthy habits remain the secrets to thriving nails.
Why knowing your nail type is essential
Identifying and understanding any fragility in your nails helps you pick targeted, effective care products that strengthen them and restore their natural glow. So, which nail team are you on?
Healthy nails: an asset to preserve
Strong natural nails, with no visible dryness or signs of distress, that grow steadily and evenly. If this sounds like you, you’re very lucky! All the more reason to preserve this precious asset with a hydrating and nourishing routine to shield your nails from external aggressors.
Ridged nails: smooth and regenerate
Nails with a surface marked by more or less visible vertical or horizontal lines. Often caused by aging, these ridges are nicknamed the "wrinkles of the nail". They can also result from a health issue, emotional stress, or nutrient deficiencies. Don't panic: this isn't a nail pathology, just a cosmetic concern. Various solutions exist to blur or conceal ridges, from applying ridge-filling base coats to nail wrapping.
👉 We tell you everything about ridged nails in our dedicated article here.
Soft nails: restore strength and density
Nails that bend or fold easily. This lack of firmness can stem from multiple causes, from excess moisture and nutritional deficiencies to pollution or wearing gel polish and acrylics too frequently. The result: the keratin layers are weakened, and the nail matrix is disrupted. It's time to take action!
👉 If you want to learn more about soft nails, check out our dedicated article here.
Knowing your nail type is key to understanding its fragilities and adopting the right daily care.
Brittle nails: hydrate and strengthen
Nails that tend to snap at the edges and have lost their natural flexibility. A weakness linked to various factors: genetics, aging, but also harsh chemicals and winter heating... everything that dries out nails and robs them of their suppleness. A hydrating cure is a must!
Peeling nails: restructure the nail plate
Nails whose stacked keratin layers separate, much like a mille-feuille that lost its pastry cream. This frequently happens after overexposure to water or harsh chemicals, or following aggressive manicures. It is urgent to reactivate intercellular lipid production to bond the layers back together.
Nails damaged by aggressive manicures: deeply repair
We get it: sporting a fresh, beautiful manicure around the clock is hard to resist. But when gel polishes or artificial nails are applied too often without breaks to regenerate, or removed with aggressive removal techniques (drilling, excessive filing, or soaking in pure acetone), your hands pay the price with thin, brittle nails. That’s when nails become damaged and need deep nourishment and repair.
👉 To learn more about damaged nails, check out our dedicated article here.
If you're still unsure about your nail type, our online nail diagnostic is here to help.
To sum up:
- Healthy: an asset to preserve with a hydrating routine.
- Ridged: smooth and regenerate both on the surface and deep down.
- Soft: redensify to restore strength and firmness.
- Brittle: hydrate to restore natural flexibility.
- Peeling: restructure to seal keratin layers back together.
- Damaged by manicures: deeply nourish and repair.
The Manucurist routine you need
Good news: no need to visit a beauty salon to maintain beautiful nails or repair damaged ones. At-home nail care solutions have never been easier.
Basic, Starter, or Ultimate Routine: how to choose?
Manucurist offers a tailored answer for every nail type with a customizable care kit across 3 levels of care:
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Basic: an approach focused on the essentials with one or two hero products to target superficial, temporary nail imperfections.
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Starter: the ideal solution to effectively target early signs of nail weakness.
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Ultimate: a comprehensive care routine to tackle chronic nail concerns with an intensive 2-week total cure, repeatable as needed.
Healthy Nails Routine
Maintain the overall health of your nails and help them withstand everyday wear and tear with the following Healthy Nails routines:
Basic
The Base 5.5 will be your ultimate ally. This complex of 5 vitamins and 5 plant extracts (aloe vera, lemon, ginseng, pomegranate, and grape) strengthens keratin and helps prevent chipping and splitting. Apply this strengthening care every 2 days on clean nails for 2 weeks, without removing between applications.
Starter
Opt for a winning care trio with the Complete Serum, a regenerating serum with an ultra-fresh gel texture that hydrates and softens the nail plate and surrounding cuticles. It revitalizes and promotes healthy nail growth. Apply one drop daily, massaging it into your nails and cuticles. Pair with Base 5.5 every 2 days as outlined above.
After one week, remove your polish and apply an Active™ Glow treatment polish. It deeply nourishes nails and adds a delicately tinted sheer glow that instantly gives your natural nails a healthy radiance. Raspberry, Cranberry, Blueberry, or Grape: which fruity shade will you choose?
Ultimate
Complete the previous routine with a few nail prep essentials. By focusing on cuticle care, you better protect the nail matrix and ensure the production of higher-quality keratin. In addition to the Complete Serum, gently massage your nails daily with a drop of Green Oil, a highly nourishing oil for nails and cuticles. Apply the Base 5.5 every 2 days as indicated above.
After one week, using a little Cuticle Softener and a wooden stick, push back your cuticles before applying Active™ Glow treatment polish.
💡 Tip: The best habit for keeping natural nails healthy? Hydration! Take a Perfecting Concentrate strengthening treatment pen everywhere with you for on-the-go hydration!
Preserve your nails' natural strength with the Healthy Nails Routine.
Ridged Nails Routine
Smoothing ridges with a base coat is great, but getting rid of them for good by treating the nail from within is even better. Here are our different Ridged Nails routines:
Basic
Apply a drop of Green Oil twice a day, massaging the nail and its contour. Complete with an application of Active™ Smooth treatment polish on bare nails 3 times a week without removing previous coats. This CC Polish-effect care treatment fills ridges and fortifies the nail thanks to a formula enriched with castor oil fibers, hexanal, AHAs, and vitamin E. It comes in 4 shades (00 pink, 01 beige, 02 gold, 03 bronze) to flatter every skin tone.
Starter
For a more targeted and continuous effect, add mechanical smoothing and an overnight treatment to this routine. Apply Green Oil as described above. Gently buff the surface of your nails with the Prep file and apply Active™ Smooth on bare nails 3 times a week without removing previous coats.
3 evenings a week, remove your layers of Active™ Smooth with an acetone-free nail polish remover and apply a thick coat of the S.O.S. Mask, letting it air-dry. Peel it off or wash it off with soapy water the next morning. This overnight mask intensely hydrates and stimulates cellular repair while you sleep.
Ultimate
To bid farewell to ridged nails, opt for an intensive cure that treats the nail both on the surface and deep down. To do this, add one drop of Complete Serum twice a day to the previous steps, massaging it into the nail and cuticle area.
Simple steps, visible results: the Ridged Nails Routine brings comfort and radiance.
Soft Nails Routine
To revive tired nails, we’ve created an unbeatable strengthening routine, available in 3 versions:
Basic
For one week, apply the Keratin Booster 3 times a day on bare nails, letting it dry until fully absorbed. This strengthening treatment, concentrated in plant-based keratin, silicon, and biotin, boosts keratin production and restores density to the nail plate. Pair it with a drop of Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day. Repeat this routine for one more week.
Starter
Boost the benefits of the Keratin Booster & Green Oil duo with the Strengthening Base, a treatment base enriched with AHAs and silicon, for lasting results. A 2-step process as follows:
Week 1: follow the Basic routine as outlined above.
Week 2: apply the Strengthening Base on bare nails every 2 days up to 3 times a week, without removing previous coats. At the same time, continue applying Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day, massaging it into the nail and cuticle area.
Ultimate
Switch to intensive mode with the following protocol:
Week 1: apply the Keratin Booster 3 times a day, letting it dry until fully absorbed. Massage the Complete Serum 1 to 2 times a day and Green Oil once a day into your nails and cuticles. Finally, take the Perfecting Concentrate wherever you go to apply anytime and keep nails nourished all day long.
Week 2: apply the Strengthening Base twice during the week, layering coats. Continue applying the Complete Serum and Green Oil at the same pace as the previous week. Always keep your Perfecting Concentrate on hand to nourish your nails throughout the day.
💡Tip: to go one step further, take a cure of Nail Boost dietary supplements alongside your routine—one capsule a day for 2 months. Concentrated with vitamins and natural active ingredients, they support nail hardening and healthy growth.
Soft Nails Routine: care, hydration, nutrition, and strengthening.
Damaged, Brittle, or Peeling Nails Routine
Basic
To effectively repair your brittle and damaged nails, rely on the benefits of the S.O.S. Base. This ideal treatment base acts like a bandage for fragile nails: it gently exfoliates, stimulates cell renewal, and strengthens keratin fibers. Apply the S.O.S. Base on bare nails every 2 days, up to 3 times a week, layering without removing previous coats.
In addition, apply a drop of Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day, massaging the nail and its contour until completely absorbed. No need to rinse or wipe it off.
Starter
If the Basic routine isn't enough, we recommend reaching for the Duo Day & Night care kit, combining the Keratin Booster and S.O.S. Mask. Apply the Keratin Booster 3 times a day on bare nails, letting it dry completely until fully absorbed. Massage nails and cuticles with a drop of Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day. Apply a thick layer of the S.O.S. Mask 2 to 3 nights a week, let it air-dry, and peel it off or rinse with soapy water the next morning.
Keratin Booster by day, S.O.S. Mask by night to gently and deeply repair your nails.
Ultimate
Switch to intensive care mode with a 24/7 complete nail care routine. Here is what to do:
Week 1: apply the Keratin Booster 1 to 3 times a day on bare nails, letting it dry completely until fully absorbed. Massage nails and cuticles with a drop of Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day. Keep your Perfecting Concentrate handy to apply anytime. Apply a thick layer of the S.O.S. Mask 2 to 3 nights a week, let it air-dry, and peel it off or rinse with soapy water in the morning.
Week 2: apply the S.O.S. Base on bare nails every 2 days (up to 3 times a week), layering coats without removing previous ones. Apply a drop of Green Oil 1 to 2 times a day. Keep applying the Perfecting Concentrate whenever needed. At the end of the week, remove the S.O.S. Base with a gentle polish remover, then apply the S.O.S. Mask for one final night of care.
Damaged Nails Routine: a complete 24/7 cure to repair, strengthen, and regenerate fragile nails.
Best practices for healthy, radiant nails
💦Daily hand and cuticle hydration
We cannot say it enough: hydration is key to maintaining the balance and health of your nails all year round. This goes for your nails, your cuticles, and your entire hands. Well-hydrated skin protects and regulates the nail matrix. This involves daily nail and cuticle massages with a nourishing oil and regular application of a hydrating hand cream. Comfort, suppleness, and softness: you have everything to gain!
💅Long-lasting manicure
Switch to a more sustainable, gentle manicure routine. Choose vegan, plant-based nail polish formulas that apply easily and remove cleanly without damaging the nail. Alternate polish applications with treatment cures so your nails can regain their natural balance.
Discover mindful, long-lasting nail care with our Green™ and Green Flash™ Starter Kits.
🥰 Healthy habits
It’s all about adopting the right daily habits to protect your nails day in, day out. For instance:
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wear protective gloves during household chores that involve water or harsh chemicals,
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avoid biting your nails,
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avoid using your nails as tools to open, scrape, or lift things…
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eat a balanced diet to ensure an essential intake of vitamins and minerals.
Whatever your nail type, you now have all the tips and care essentials to pamper them, hydrate them, help them grow… in short, give them the TLC they deserve from matrix to tip. In Basic, Starter, or Ultimate mode: Nail care forever 👌💖✨
To sum up:
- Whatever your nail type, there is a tailored routine to pamper them and restore their strength and shine.
- We designed a full range to meet every single need:
- Strengthening Base, S.O.S. Base, Keratin Booster, S.O.S. Mask, Complete Serum, and our best-seller Green Oil.
- When it comes to manicures, our vegan, plant-based Green™ and Green Flash™ polishes combine pleasure with gentle nail care.
