Why You Should Try A Nail Mask Before Your Next Manicure

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Nothing complements a skincare routine like a good face mask. Nourishing the skin with concentrated ingredients that can help with everything from soothing dryness to targeting breakouts, these masks are often well worth the (minimal) time and cost. Naturally, the same logic applies to our nails. Though not as commonplace as the facial version, nail masks can offer a string of benefits to get your nails to their healthiest — and even looking their best.

"I see nail masks as two different things," explains celebrity and editorial manicurist Sonya Meesh. "One: a temporary mask that washes off like a conventional face mask (except it's for your nails), and two: a treatment that functions as a protective and nourishing layer of your nails, used either alone or as a base coat." Temporary masks can also come in the way of physical wraps, like the SpaLife Japanese Camellia Oil & Vitamin E Nail Cuticle Wrap. But in most cases, the mask will be marketed as a treatment or serum. 

"There are some treatments formulated (I've really only seen this done by Biosculpture Gel eg: their Ethos Seaweed Calcium Base, Lavender Base, etc) to be applied and kept on underneath a gel overlay," Meesh adds in an exclusive chat with Glam. "Most (but not all!) treatments are formulated to be great base coats for lacquer. I think it's advantageous to replace your base coat with one, especially if you're suffering from breakage and damage." Top coat can't necessarily do double duty as your base coat, but invest in the right nail mask and you'll be hitting two birds with one stone.

A quick look at the market for nail masks shows that there are more products designed to be worn for the long term, as you'd wear a base coat, than there are temporary face mask-like versions that need to be removed. "Dermelect has many great options depending on nail concern," Sonya Meesh advises Glam in an exclusive chat. If you're looking for something more temporary, however, there are still plenty of options. "If you're not one to wear polish, then I would suggest Manucurist's SOS Nail Mask," Meesh recommends. "That's a mask in a traditional sense that should be applied at night and peeled off in the morning. If you don't want to add another step to your morning shed, if you're desk-locked and work at a computer all day, you can do the treatment during your work day and wash/peel it off after you clock out."

Choosing between the temporary wash-off nail mask or the version that doubles as a base coat doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. "I suggest using/finding a treatment that is conducive to your lifestyle," Meesh notes. "My philosophy is you only get the benefits of a product if you actually use it! If a product is easy to use then you're more likely to use it, therefore more likely to reap the benefits of said product." Whichever way you choose to go, incorporating a nail mask into your routine can be a great way to maintain your nail shape in between manicures since there's less likely to be any splits or breakage. There are lots of everyday things you didn't realize are damaging your nails, so regularly using a mask preventatively can also be an important step in achieving the nails of your dreams.