My Nail Care Routine for Soft, Damaged Nails
Even though I wear my nails bare more than I coat them with colour, I had recently been wearing gel manicures back-to-back for several months, so I decided to take a break and go bare for a few weeks. I loved how glossy they looked and how long they lasted, and the fact that my nails were lengthy and I could experiment with different colours when I had to redo them made it all fun.
It wasn't until I finally removed them and left my nails bare that I realised something wasn't quite right. For a few days, it hurt whenever they were underwater. My nails felt soft, brittle, and split down the middle, and never seemed to grow beyond a length I was happy with.
I knew I had to do something about it. I wanted healthier nails–something pretty without the UV curing that was also nourishing. So when I spotted Manucurist on Cult Beauty, it got me curious, and I visited their website. What caught my attention was their Active Range. It promised to combine nail care with colour (and the shades are indeed pretty). Instead of simply covering weak nails, it claimed to strengthen them at the same time. That was exactly what I had been looking for, so I decided to order the Active Super Manicure Kit.
The Active Super Kit
The kit is customisable and includes five Active polishes, two emery boards and the Complete Serum. I also got the Keratin Booster from Cult Beauty later.
Active Blur
This is a light-coverage powder-pink shade that gives that "your nails but better" look. It doesn’t look like a regular polish; instead, it has a soft matte blurring finish that evens out imperfections while helping to strengthen the nail plate. This is the one I reach for on most days. I usually apply one coat or layer it with the Active Glow.
Active Plump
This has become one of my favourites because it gives my nails that healthy, pearly pink look without looking overly polished. It's the one I reach for when I want my nails to look neat but still natural, and I have noticed it looks especially good on camera. Sometimes I layer it with Active Bright or Glow, but I find that one coat is good enough for me.
Active Bright
If you like the “clean or mermaid nail” effect, then this might be for you. It has a milky, pearly finish, and I love how bright and luminous it makes my nails look. I reach for it when I want a soft white, opaline look or glass nails.
Active Glow
The active glow is more of a nail enhancer. It deeply nourishes the nails while leaving behind a mirror-like shine. Unlike the Active Blur and Bright, which are stand-alone shades, Glow comes in four tinted hues: Raspberry, Cranberry, Blueberry and Grape. I picked the Raspberry shade, which is a peachy pink with translucent coverage. I like how glossy it looks, especially when paired with Active Blur. If you're after a glass nail effect, I'd recommend pairing Active Plump with Grape.
Active Smooth 02
Like Active Glow, Active Smooth comes in four shades–Smooth, Smooth 01 through 03. And I chose Smooth 02, a smoothing polish with a sheer golden finish. It’s colour-correcting, smooths and fills ridges, and blurs imperfections. I usually wear two coats on my toenails, or I pair them with the Active Glow.
Complete Serum
The complete serum is ultra-hydrating, strengthening, and regenerating for dry, brittle, or damaged nails as well as the surrounding skin. Although it’s recommended for daily use, I use it a few times a week, especially when I'm redoing my manicure. My nails feel more moisturised and strengthened.
Emery Board
The last pieces in the set are the Nail Buffer Sponge and the Nail File. I use the buffer sponge to prep my nails and the nail file to shape my nails
Keratin Booster
The Keratin Booster is a fast-absorbing nail treatment designed to repair and strengthen damaged, soft nails. Being a serum, it's lightweight and glides on easily. I notice a cool sensation when I apply it, and it dries quite quickly. Since using it, my nails feel noticeably firmer, and they don't bend or chip as easily as they used to.
I didn't notice a dramatic difference overnight, but after around three to four weeks of consistently using the Active polishes alongside the Complete Serum and Keratin Booster, my nails felt noticeably firmer. They no longer bent as easily, peeling became less frequent, and they were finally able to grow past the length where they would usually break.
My Nailcare Routine
Since the Active polishes don’t require a base coat, top coat or UV lamp, my routine is refreshingly quite straightforward, and I do this once a week.
Shape & Prep
I begin by shaping my nails in one direction with the nail file, then buff the surface of my nails with the buffer sponge
Apply Active Polish
Next, I use the active of my choice either by combining two actives, applying two coats of the same active if I want more colour or just one, depending on the look I’m going for, and let it air dry for about ten to fifteen minutes.
Hydrate & Nourish
Then I massage the Serum Complet to my nails and cuticles to keep them hydrated. And every few days I reapply.
If you’ve read my beauty posts before, you'll know I naturally gravitate towards understated colours. My manicure is usually some variation of nude, soft pink or sheer beige, so it wasn't surprising that most of the Active shades I chose fit comfortably into that palette. They're polished without drawing too much attention, which makes them perfect for everyday wear.
Over the past few weeks, I've noticed a real improvement in the condition of my nails. While I do have to reapply the Active polishes every few days, I'm happy with the results. It doesn't mean I've given up on gel manicures altogether; it simply means that, for now, I'm giving my nails the breathing room they need while still enjoying a polished, put-together look.
