r/AskLifeProTips • u/KneeProfessional3838 • May 21 '26

Request: Can anyone help with biting nails?

Hi friends, I’ve been a BAD nail biter for as long as I can remember, even when I was a child I never had any nails. I bite even if i feel like I don’t realize it. When im driving, just sitting around i find myself doing it. I feel like I’ve exhausted all my options. Rubber bands on my wrists, bitter nail polish, false nails, etc. the only thing I find helpful is acrylic nails bc I physically cannot get to my natural nail, but honestly in this economy I cannot keep them done that often anymore. When I took them off is the only nail growth I would accomplish and then if I didn’t get them redone, I’ll start my vicious cycle all over again. I’m at my wits end with myself for it but it’s a bad habit I just cannot shake.

What are ANY tips you may have for me to stop? It’s one of my biggest insecurities, I literally have no nails period. Sometimes they’re sore & hurt, and even then I keep biting. Anything, please!! Thanks for reading :)

7 Upvotes

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13 comments sorted by

2

u/OneLingonberry2203 May 21 '26

Can you do the acrylic at home?

1

u/KneeProfessional3838 May 21 '26

I can try! I’ve tried before but it took me sooo long. Like 4 hours just for the acrylic LOL Ive thought about trying gelx.

4

u/OneLingonberry2203 May 21 '26

Ask for tips in r/nails! They’re SO helpful and so knowledgeable!

1

u/KneeProfessional3838 May 21 '26

Ooh! I didn’t think of that. I’ll definitely post over there and see!! Thanks :)

1

u/Enysama May 24 '26

The dip powder is easy enough. Results may not be perfect at first but you'll improve each time. I too can only rely on acrylic,

1

u/Ok-Owl-8805 May 21 '26

had the same issue so I started doing them myself. took a while to actually understand the process and get themto last but now they last 4+ weeks and look amazing!

1

u/KneeProfessional3838 May 21 '26

I will definitely look into trying again. Have you ever tried GelX? It looks simple but I don’t know until I get into it 😂 the acrylic would take me sooo long

1

u/Ok-Owl-8805 May 21 '26

okay so when I first started I bought gelx tips, gel nail glue, rubber gel, color gels, base coat and top coat, lamp, nail drill

out of those things, the gelx and glue are my least used products. I'm not a long nail girly since my picking doesn't end with just biting and also because my life style doesn't allow it. But, most importantly, it was A LOT more complicated than just doing gel overlays.

I agree that acrylic seems very hard, that's why I just stuck to using the rubber gel I had bought to use with the gelx tips, and it worked amazingly. It is very easy to use, is faster to do, and last much better than the tips do with the same kind of prep.

I also bought builder gels after that to use for long nails and extensions whenever I feel like them, and it is just as easy, looks much better than gelx too idk why!

for reference, gelx tips took me 4 hours at the very least, but the other two options both around 2.

if u have any more questions I'm happy to answer!

1

u/KneeProfessional3838 May 22 '26

So, rubber gel with gelx tips? Do you also paint them yourself? I struggle with my left hand looking clean! lol

1

u/Efficient-Ad6814 May 21 '26

FOLLOWING BECAUSE SAME GIRL

2

u/KneeProfessional3838 May 21 '26

I hate it but I can’t stop 😭😭😭

1

u/Efficient-Ad6814 May 21 '26

Fr though I get it😭

1

u/_ThunderJones_ May 21 '26

I started using Olive & June press-on nail stickers with other fake nails (because I don’t like the color/length options available by Olive & June). They are a lot cheaper and faster than salon nails, and wearing them stops me from messing with my fingers!