A nail hardener or strengthener is an air-dry coat for natural nails, clear or tinted, worn on its own or under polish to help weak, soft or peeling nails cope with daily wear. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks strengtheners and nail care systems from Duri, Nail Tek and OPI, plus nail care from Gehwol and a ProNail hardener from Chemco.
Types of nail strengthener
| Type | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Duri Rejuvacote | Rejuvacote 1, the original formula, or the gentler Rejuvacote 2 for thin or peeling nails. | Rejuvacote 1, Rejuvacote 2, Rejuvacote 1 refill 4oz, Rejuvacote 2 refill 4oz, Rejuvacote 1 pack of 12, Rejuvacote 2 pack of 12 |
| Nail Tek by nail type | 1 normal, 2 soft and peeling, 3 hard and brittle, 4 weak and damaged nails. | Maintenance Plus (1), Intensive Therapy (2), Protection Plus (3), Xtra (4), Recovery System, Nutrition System |
| OPI strengtheners | Clear and tinted Nail Envy, plus T60 and T70. | Nail Envy Original, Nail Envy Bubble Bath, Nail Envy Pink To Envy, Nail Envy Double Nude-y, T60 Natural Nail Strengthener, T70 Start to Finish 3-in-1 |
| Care pens and serums | Daily nail and nail-fold care between services. | OPI Nail Serum Repair Mode, Gehwol Med Nail Protection Pen |
How to choose a nail strengthener
- Match the nail, not the strength. Nail Tek numbers stand for nail types, not strength levels.
- Clear or tinted. Tinted strengtheners such as Nail Envy Bubble Bath add a tint, so clients can wear them alone.
- Retail sizes. Rejuvacote also comes in packs of 12 and 4 oz refills for salons that use or sell it every day.
Related: Lacquer base coat, Cuticle oil, Nail repair, Lacquer top coat, All nail treatment
Guides
- Duri Rejuvacote 1 vs Rejuvacote 2: which nail strengthener should you use?
- Nail Tek 1, 2, 3 or 4: which strengthener for which nail type?
Nail strengthener FAQ
How often should I apply a nail strengthener?
Duri and Nail Tek both describe a 7-day cycle: you build up coats over the week, then remove everything and start again. The steps for each day are on the box, so follow the one for the product you use.
Which Nail Tek number should I choose?
Pick by how the nails behave today: 1 for normal, healthy nails, 2 for soft, peeling nails, 3 for hard, brittle nails and 4 for weak, damaged nails. Nail Tek calls this Treat by Type; when the nails change, switch to another number.
Can I wear a nail strengthener under regular polish?
Yes. Duri says Rejuvacote works as a base coat, a top coat or on its own. Apply the strengthener to the clean, bare nail, let it dry, then apply polish and a top coat as usual.
Order online for in-store pickup at our Markham, Ontario store, usually ready in 2 to 4 hours, or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada.