How To Fix a Broken Nail in 4 Easy Steps

Sporting a fresh new manicure or color change can boost your mood, but on the flip side, figuring out how to fix a broken nail can make your good mood turn sour very quickly. You can certainly book an appointment with your nail tech for a fingernail repair, but sometimes you can’t make it to the salon and need your nails to look fresh, stat.

While learning how to repair a broken fingernail yourself may seem complicated, it’s actually pretty simple. You only need the correct techniques and a few essential tools—which you probably already have in your nail repair kit—to complete the job. Whether your nails are cracked, split, or broken, there’s a solution you can DIY (even if it means removing those faux nails altogether).

A broken nail won’t instantly heal itself or magically fuse back together, but it will eventually grow back and be as good as new once again. However, waiting for your nail to grow back may be an uncomfortable, lengthy process, so it’s essential to know all the tricks of the trade for a quick fix. For instance, if you work with your hands or type a lot, a broken nail could make that more challenging. Keep reading to learn all the top broken fingernail fixes so you get back to flaunting your favorite nail trends ASAP.

How To Fix a Broken Fingernail

While a broken fingernail may seem like the disastrous end to your perfect mani, you can turn things around without starting from scratch. Keep reading to learn how to save a broken nail.

File your nails

When you crack or break a nail, chances are it will be sharp and jagged, so smoothing it with a nail file should be your first step. Split nails mainly occur at the tip of your nail, which means they’re pretty easy to fix. If it’s a small split, a quick nail filing sesh will make your nails look as good as new. If your nail has a more extended split, you may have to trim it. Clip your nail to just below where the split is, then follow up with a nail file to even out your nail shape and you’re all set. It is up to you to decide if you want just to file the nail you broke and leave the rest of your nails long or file them all to match.

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Fill in the crack with nail glue

If you would rather keep your length than cut down your nail, nail glue can save the day. Gluing a broken nail is a great way to preserve your nail until you can get an appointment with your nail tech for a more long-lasting fix. To get started, simply apply a small amount of nail glue to the area where your nail is broken. Press the broken nail piece into place with a nail file and hold for 10 seconds. Gently remove excess glue with a small cotton swab. Once the glue dries, lightly buff the surface of your nail to smooth out any bumps or ridges, then apply nail polish to seal in your work.

Patch it with a teabag

While this method may seem a little out there, it’s a surprisingly great way to fix a broken fingernail on the fly. Start by cutting the corner of a tea bag so you have a piece that's the right size to cover the broken part of the nail. (A silk wrap nail repair kit also works.) Next, place a thin layer of glue on the broken area and lay the tea bag flat over the glue with tweezers. Apply an additional layer of glue over the tea bag and let the nail dry. Once dry, buff the nail for a natural finish, then cover with your favorite nail polish.

Apply gel nail polish

There is a reason why gel manicures are a mainstay in the nail world. Not only do gel manicures give your nails a natural-looking finish, but the formula comes in handy to strengthen your nails and repair small breaks and cracks. If you have a UV nail lamp for curing gel polish, you can even give yourself a nail-repairing gel manicure at home.

After you’ve filed the broken part of your nail or repurposed your tea bag to fix the break, apply a layer of gel polish. Using gel top coat or builder gel (because it provides extra strength), paint a layer of polish over the broken nail and let it cure. Apply another coat, and your nail should be nice and strong once again.

If you don’t have gel nail polish at home, clear dip powder can also have the same effect, and it’s great for strengthening your nails. Plus, there’s no need for a UV nail light when you dip powder nails; the solution that bonds the powder to your nail quickly dries, and a regular top coat is layered on top.

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How To Conceal a Broken Nail

Sometimes, a quick cover-up job is all that’s needed to conceal a broken nail while you’re waiting to repair a broken fingernail. Concealing a broken nail can be done with a few clever techniques to protect it while keeping your manicure intact. Consider using a nail wrap for more significant breaks. These can both conceal the damage and provide extra protection to keep your nail from splitting further. Or, pop a press-on nail over the broken nail to help hide the damage until you’re able to get your fix underway.

If you don’t have a nail wrap or press-ons at your disposal, a bandaid can work in a pinch, too. In colder temps, you can even don a pair of gloves until you’re able to repair your broken nail.

How To Keep Nails from Breaking

Now that we’ve covered how to repair a nail crack, it’s time to explore ways to prevent your nails from breaking in the first place. Sure, accidents happen, but there are ways you can keep your manicure out of harm’s way. Here are six suggestions below.

1. Keep your nails short

While it may not be your style, shorter nails are less prone to breaks. Simply put, long nails can easily get caught on various objects, leading to cracking and splitting. To help keep your manicure intact, consider opting for shorter nails instead. They can be just as chic, and they’re far easier to maintain than ulta-long nails. Who knows—it may become your new favorite style.

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2. Use cuticle oil daily

We’re guessing you apply moisturizer to your face and body every day—your nails deserve the same level of care. Regularly moisturizing your nailbeds can help minimize dryness, which helps to limit the risk of a less-than-perfect manicure. So, while you may think that cuticle oil is only necessary when you’re getting your nails done, we suggest applying it daily (or nightly) to help keep your digits looking their best. If your cuticles are dehydrated, try nail slugging with petroleum jelly before hitting the sheets.

3. Avoid excessive exposure to water

Aside from necessary times during your skincare routine and showers, plus whenever you need to wash your hands, keeping your nails out of water can go a long way toward preventing broken nails. Water naturally softens your nails, and whether you’re working with a gel manicure or your natural nails, too much moisture can cause your nails to break, split, or crack. Use gloves while washing the dishes and handling other wet chores to keep your nails in good shape.

4. Add a nail hardener to the mix

You may need to switch things up and introduce a nail hardener to your nail polish routine. As the name suggests, nail hardener is a nail polish treatment that helps strengthen weak, brittle nails. Some formulas are designed to be used on their own; others can be layered under polish. Choose whichever option works best for your needs.

5. Give dip powder nails a try

We’ve mentioned dip powder nails a few times, and if you’re on the hunt for a long-lasting nail polish option, it’s definitely worth your consideration. The process is simpler than you might think: A special base coat is brushed on, dip powder is added on top of the nail, then it's filed down before adding a top coat. Because the dip is made of powder granules that fuse together when the top coat is applied, it creates a rigid shell on the nail that can help prevent broken nails. It’s also a sound way to mask a broken nail and give your nails time to grow back underneath.

6. Try press-on nails

Besides being a handy way to quickly cover up a broken nail, press-on nails win for their easy application, affordable price, and countless trendy nail art options. Available in many shapes and sizes, press-on nails are great for providing natural nails with a protective barrier that will help keep cracks and splits away. They also allow you to change up your mani as much as you please without the commitment of a gel or powder manicure.

Next Up: How To Make Your Nail Polish Last Longer

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris