Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo

Let me state for the record: Nail biting is gross. A hand full of gnawed nails, jagged tips, and chipped polish isn’t pretty. Even worse, nail biting can damage your cuticles and nail beds, cause painful hang nails, and even facilitate the spread of bacteria from your fingers to your mouth. Maybe you bite your nails when you’re stressed or bored; maybe it’s an unconscious habit. Either way, it’s time to stop!

Robbie Schaeffer, celebrity manicurist and founder of ROB|B Salon, explains, “It takes six weeks to break most habits and breaking the nail biting habit is no exception. It’s important to be diligent and committed to this process.” Schaeffer outlined a few tips to kick the habit for good:

1. Paint your nails once a week for six weeks. Once your nails are painted, you’re not going to want to risk messing up mani by biting! The act of painting your nails helps retrain yourself by replacing the bad habit of biting with the good habit of nurturing your nails. (Looking for a new go-to nail color? Check out OPI’s new Texas-inspired collection, with tons of shades that scream summer!)

2. Carry a bottle of nail polish in your bag for quick touch-ups to fix chips and scratches. The longer you wait to fix your mani, the more tempted you’ll be to pick or bite at your nails.

3. Keep your hands in healthy, tip-top shape by using a nail strengthener (Schaeffer recommends OPI Nail Envy) and moisturizing your hands and cuticles. The prettier your hands look, the more likely you are to keep them looking great!

4. As we’ve learned from Gretchen Weiners, “You wouldn’t buy a skirt without asking your friends first if it looks good on you, right?” By the same stroke, you’ll be a lot more successful if you tell your friends that you want to quit biting your nails. “Tell your friends and chart your progress! This will empower you to keep on going,” Schaeffer says. Your friends can help keep you accountable for your progress.

Ready to quit biting your nails? Skip to Schaeffer’s fourth step and start off by letting us know you want to quit!

(Photo Source)

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Hannah Orenstein
Originally from Boston, Hannah is now a sophomore at New York University and loves life in the big city. Her favorite things include poking fun at celebrities on Twitter, yoga, leopard print shoes, Frank Sinatra, and her little sister Julia. Hannah was Her Campus's first editorial intern in Summer 2010 and has since continued her involvement with HC as the High School Editor and head of the High School Ambassador program. She is a former Seventeen and Huffington Post intern, where she researched and wrote about celebrities and once made lunch for Kylie Jenner. Read her short-form ramblings at @hannahorens.