It’s all fun and games until someone breaks a nail! A tell-tale sign of bad luck and a headache in itself, a broken nail can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back if you’re already having a bad day. But the good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice your whole mani or cut your hard-earned nail growth just because a break has started. Thanks to the little-known teabag manicure, and the professional manicurist version, you can save your broken nail in a pinch and keep your mani in-tact.
What on Earth Is a Teabag Manicure?
Currently a trending search on Google, the teabag manicure has picked up steam online as a broken nail cure since the mega-rise of the manicure this year. But what exactly is it?
“The method involves cutting a small piece of the tea bag material and using nail glue to adhere it to the broken part of the nail,” explains expert manicurist, Japanese hard gel specialist and owner of Yukie Natori New York Salon and Spa, Yukie Natori. “Afterward, you can apply a layer of glue or clear nail polish over the entire nail, smooth it with a fine nail file and apply polish as usual.”
The secret is the mesh paper teabags use. The material is strong enough to act as a support for the break and usually plays better than other quick options like paper towels or tissues.
Does it Work?
@nail_o_philiac Using an old tea bag and builder gel to band-aid the broken nail🥹❤️#nailcare #brokennail #nails #gelnail #buildergel #manicure ♬ original sound – tastejuno
“Yes, using a tea bag can temporarily fix a broken nail,” confirms Natori.
After removing any polish and cleansing to remove excess oil, apply nail glue to the break and adhere the section of cut teabag. You should make sure there’s no excess air trapped beneath your patch by pressing down. Then you can apply a coat of clear polish. Once dry, just buff your nail to smooth. Once you’re done, you can apply your polish of choice and voilà, your manicure is saved! At least, in the short term.
“However, this is a temporary solution,” Natori warns. “The tea bag material may weaken if exposed to nail polish remover, and it might eventually lift or peel off.”Luckily, a teabag manicure isn’t the only option available.
Go Beyond a Teabag Manicure
“For a more durable fix, nail salons often use silk or fiberglass wraps,” Natori explains. Silk wraps provide greater textile strength and won’t weaken when exposed to remover. This makes it the better option if you’re dealing with a more severe break or if you regularly change your manicure. If you’re committed to DIY-ing your broken nail, silk and fiberglass wraps can be adhered using nail glue, just like the teabag manicure method.
But if you’re looking for a lasting, durable solution for a broken nail, a manicurist is your best bet. “If you want a permanent fix, visiting a salon is the best option,” Natori says. “We reinforce the wrap with gel or acrylic, to provide a stronger and longer-lasting repair.”