If you think nail biting is a bad habit restricted to kids, think again. In fact, according to recent studies, between 20 to 30 percent of adults still consider themselves to be nail-biters. Obviously, nail-biting is conducive to maintaining healthy, well-groomed nails, but aside from aesthetics, it’s also fairly dangerous due to the potential of ingesting trapped bacteria and debris hiding under them — and this is especially worrisome during these unprecedented times — yikes. So whether you’re a chronic, lifelong nail nibbler or just take to the dirty habit during times of stress (nail-biting and anxiety tend to go hand in hand for many people, BTW), we’ve got the lowdown on how to stop biting your nails for good, once and for all.

A tried and true trick is, of course, getting regular manicures (especially if you’re the type of person who tends to opt for gel, dip, or acrylic manis), but with many nail salons still shut down due to the pandemic, this method is a bit more tricky to try as of late, so we’ve rounded up a few additional, at-home-friendly ways to help you quit the habit without the help of a salon tech. See below for a few tips and tricks to help you ~finally~ quit your nail-biting addiction cold turkey (or gradually, if you’d prefer).

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

1. Cut Your Nails Extra Short

Courtesy of QOOQI.

QOOQI Nail Clippers Set

This may seem painfully obvious, but if your nails are already cut super-short, the temptation (and well, opportunity in general) will be less appealing when you’re fighting the urge to chomp on down. In addition to trimming them often, you’ll also want to make sure to keep them clean — just in case you can’t fight the urge. This two-pack set comes with a larger size metal clipper for toenails and tougher fingernails, as well as a smaller one with a metal file attached.

Buy: QOOQI Nail Clippers Set $7.99

2. Bitter-Tasting Nail Polish

Courtesy of Dermelect.

Dermelect RESIST Nail Bite Inhibitor + Restorative Treatment

If you’ve ever attempted to break the habit before, you’re likely already familiar with anti-nail-biting polishes formulated to have an extra unpleasant, bitter flavor to deter you from chomping down on your nails. But trust me, Dermelect’s multi-purpose RESIST Nail Biting Inhibitor is an absolute game-changer that will not only help you stop biting your nails, but also repair and restore the health of them in the process.

It’s infused with Bittrex (a bitter, nail-biting deterrent), but also damage-repairing peptides, nourishing vitamin E, and sunflowers to help restore balanced hydration levels. Unlike other nail-biting polishes on the market, RESIST’s is formated with a  ‘just right’ amount of its primary active ingredient and helps bring your stubby nails back to life with its additional bonus ingredients. Even if you ~don’t~ bite your nails, this formula is also great for repairing damage from acrylics or helping to strengthen naturally weak nails.

3. Yoga & Meditation for Stress Management

Courtesy of Adobe.

Online Courses

If you find you resort to biting your nails when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try addressing the underlying issue and indulge in a mind-full anxiety-reducing practice like yoga or meditation before resorting to old habits. There are plenty of free and reasonably-priced online yoga classes as well as guided meditation videos and apps to help you safely practice from the comfort of your home.

4. Find a Tangible Distraction

Courtesy of Paradix.

Paradix Hand Grip Stress-Relieving Ball

Stress balls and hand grips can be an actually helpful way to relieve stress and pent-up tension, but they also serve as a great quick-fix distraction to occupy your hands and re-center your mind when you’re feeling the urge to bite your nails. This pack comes with three balls, so we suggest keeping one in your car, your bedside table, and wherever else you find yourself tempted to bite your nails periodically.

Buy: Paradix Hand Grip $9.99

5. DIY Manicures & Artificial Nails

Courtesy of Kiss.

KISS Salon Acrylic Natural Nails

If you’re wearing fake nails — whether they’re press-on on glue-on, bringing the salon home will naturally help prevent you from biting your nails. Opt for a salon-inspired glue-on set to get the look of a professional acrylic set, or purchase a DIY Powder Dip Kit from luxury brands like Revel Powder Dip or Nail Boo Dip Kit. It’s the best physical shield you’ll find, TBH.

Buy: KISS Glue-On Nails $8.99

If you think nail biting is a bad habit restricted to kids, think again. In fact, according to recent studies, between 20 to 30 percent of adults still consider themselves to be nail-biters. Obviously, nail-biting is conducive to maintaining healthy, well-groomed nails, but aside from aesthetics, it’s also fairly dangerous due to the potential of ingesting trapped bacteria and debris hiding under them — and this is especially worrisome during these unprecedented times — yikes. So whether you’re a chronic, lifelong nail nibbler or just take to the dirty habit during times of stress (nail-biting and anxiety tend to go hand in hand for many people, BTW), we’ve got the lowdown on how to stop biting your nails for good, once and for all.

A tried and true trick is, of course, getting regular manicures (especially if you’re the type of person who tends to opt for gel, dip, or acrylic manis), but with many nail salons still shut down due to the pandemic, this method is a bit more tricky to try as of late, so we’ve rounded up a few additional, at-home-friendly ways to help you quit the habit without the help of a salon tech. See below for a few tips and tricks to help you ~finally~ quit your nail-biting addiction cold turkey (or gradually, if you’d prefer).

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

1. Cut Your Nails Extra Short

Courtesy of QOOQI.

QOOQI Nail Clippers Set

This may seem painfully obvious, but if your nails are already cut super-short, the temptation (and well, opportunity in general) will be less appealing when you’re fighting the urge to chomp on down. In addition to trimming them often, you’ll also want to make sure to keep them clean — just in case you can’t fight the urge. This two-pack set comes with a larger size metal clipper for toenails and tougher fingernails, as well as a smaller one with a metal file attached.

Buy: QOOQI Nail Clippers Set $7.99

2. Bitter-Tasting Nail Polish

Courtesy of Dermelect.

Dermelect RESIST Nail Bite Inhibitor + Restorative Treatment

If you’ve ever attempted to break the habit before, you’re likely already familiar with anti-nail-biting polishes formulated to have an extra unpleasant, bitter flavor to deter you from chomping down on your nails. But trust me, Dermelect’s multi-purpose RESIST Nail Biting Inhibitor is an absolute game-changer that will not only help you stop biting your nails, but also repair and restore the health of them in the process.

It’s infused with Bittrex (a bitter, nail-biting deterrent), but also damage-repairing peptides, nourishing vitamin E, and sunflowers to help restore balanced hydration levels. Unlike other nail-biting polishes on the market, RESIST’s is formated with a  ‘just right’ amount of its primary active ingredient and helps bring your stubby nails back to life with its additional bonus ingredients. Even if you ~don’t~ bite your nails, this formula is also great for repairing damage from acrylics or helping to strengthen naturally weak nails.

3. Yoga & Meditation for Stress Management

Courtesy of Adobe.

Online Courses

If you find you resort to biting your nails when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try addressing the underlying issue and indulge in a mind-full anxiety-reducing practice like yoga or meditation before resorting to old habits. There are plenty of free and reasonably-priced online yoga classes as well as guided meditation videos and apps to help you safely practice from the comfort of your home.

4. Find a Tangible Distraction

Courtesy of Paradix.

Paradix Hand Grip Stress-Relieving Ball

Stress balls and hand grips can be an actually helpful way to relieve stress and pent-up tension, but they also serve as a great quick-fix distraction to occupy your hands and re-center your mind when you’re feeling the urge to bite your nails. This pack comes with three balls, so we suggest keeping one in your car, your bedside table, and wherever else you find yourself tempted to bite your nails periodically.

Buy: Paradix Hand Grip $9.99

5. DIY Manicures & Artificial Nails

Courtesy of Kiss.

KISS Salon Acrylic Natural Nails

If you’re wearing fake nails — whether they’re press-on on glue-on, bringing the salon home will naturally help prevent you from biting your nails. Opt for a salon-inspired glue-on set to get the look of a professional acrylic set, or purchase a DIY Powder Dip Kit from luxury brands like Revel Powder Dip or Nail Boo Dip Kit. It’s the best physical shield you’ll find, TBH.

Buy: KISS Glue-On Nails $8.99

There are a lot of habits we’ve needed to change this year. We’ve been washing our hands way more often (and for longer!) and doing our best not to touch our faces. The latter was a tough one for me as I’m quick to rub my eyes and rest my chin in my hands while working. Alleyoop’s new cleansing stick comes at the perfect time. The stick formula allows me just to swipe and rinse (if needed). It’s almost like hands-free skincare.

The brand has become popular for its best-selling travel razor and compactible, easy-to-apply makeup. It’s rolling out skincare at a time when we’re all at home taking care of our minds and bodies. Then, when we’re actually traveling again, the new cleanser will fit right into your makeup bag for legit skincare on the go. Just say on to makeup wipes!

Whether you’re staying over at a date’s place or on a road trip, it’s pretty impossible to pack skincare that will remove makeup, cleanse away dirt and oil and hydrate skin. This newbie does just that. And hint: more is coming.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Clean Slate All-in-one cleansing stick

The waterless cleanser lasts forever because you’re getting the highest concentration of product in just one swipe. It removes even waterproof makeup, as well as dirt and excess oils. The addition of spinach leaf extract even has anti-aging benefits. Plus, parsley extract helps de-puff and even decreases oil production and inflammation. That makes it great for all skin types.

Some women believe there are no good men online. I strongly disagree. Every day, I see my clients attracting good men into their lives even safely during Covid. Part of the reason is they have the tools for quickly being able to discern whether a man might be a jerk or a good guy.

In this blog, I’m going to share two clues that will help you spot a man who might NOT be the right one for you.

Clue #1: The ‘Must Have’ Quality

Have you ever heard of a “perceived high value quality”? This is a quality you believe a man must have for you to even consider dating him. Examples of Perceived High Value Qualities can be looks, fitness level, religion, occupation, or financial status.

Usually, when you go online looking for a good guy, you find one who has your Perceived High Value Quality and you think he might be the one for you. This is where it gets tricky. How? Let me explain.

He’s Perfect – or Is He?

A client of mine met a guy who lived a very lavish lifestyle. This was exactly what she had wanted in a guy. He reached out to her and they started dating. He took her on two dates where he wined and dined her at the most expensive restaurants in town. In her mind, she was thinking, “Yes, he’s perfect.” But was he?

When we started talking more about the man beyond his financial status, she said after two dates he began pushing for sex. She felt she wanted to get to know him better before she got involved with him in an intimate relationship. He told her he couldn’t believe she didn’t trust him. The second date ended with him storming off.

He called and apologized and asked if he could make it up to her by taking her to one of her favorite restaurants. She was once again swept off her feet by money as she accepted his invitation. This expensive dinner turned out to be a battle once again over sex she wasn’t ready for.

Examine Your Feelings

When we talked, I asked her to check in with how she was feeling about this man when she was with him. She said she loved the expensive meals, but she was feeling like her back was always against the wall as she constantly defended herself and her feelings about when to get intimate with him.

Being with that man had stopped feeling good. She wanted someone who cherished her and honored how she was feeling. She realized because he was wealthy, she had thought he was the whole package.

Always pay attention to what your body is telling you on a date. If you feel uncomfortable, this is a big warning sign, he might not be a good guy for you.

Clue #2: He’s Too Good to Be True

How many times have you gone online only to see men who remind you of your uncle or your grandfather? Right? Because we’re used to seeing ourselves every day, we aren’t always aware of our own aging process unless we go back and compare ourselves to older pictures.

Yet we have a feeling of youthfulness so seeing older faces online is a huge disconnect between how we feel inside and who is out there to date. By the way, this is a problem both sexes face when they see the opposite sex online.

A Field for Scammers

Scammers play right into this when they post pictures that show happy, healthy, handsome, well-dressed men. These ‘men’ pose for selfies in the bathroom, shirtless on motorcycles, or holding up pictures of the fish they caught. And they look really appealing.

So when they write to you, well it’s just like high school all over again where the handsome, fit captain of the football team picked you over everyone else.

And that’s how they hook you. They have scripts and they know by talking to you for hours that they can get you to reveal your biggest challenges in life. They’ll identify with them saying it happened to them too. You feel so understood – and that’s when they come in for the scam by asking you for money.

You might think you’d have to be stupid to give money to someone you never met. But it happens all the time to very intelligent, successful women who are lonely and fall in love with the voice of a man who for the first time in a long time is devoted to listening to them.

‘Hot’ Is Not the Best Deal

So how do you avoid falling in this trap? Don’t look for the hot guy. You want a man who lives near you. Someone you do a video date with or safely meet within two weeks of his initial contact. If he claims he’s out of the country and doesn’t have a wireless connection that allows him to Zoom, tell him to contact you when he’s back in your local area.

In the meantime, get back online and look for a man who seems to be a decent guy. He’s the one who shows you pictures of his life, not pictures of products he’s holding. (Another clue you’re dealing with a scammer.)

What is the ‘must have’ quality you look for in a man? How can you tell if an online profile reflects this quality? Have you encountered a scammer in your online dating pursuits? How did you spot them as a fake? Please share with the community!