Wedding Blog
Every time someone asks to see my ring, I think the same thought- “Don’t look at my nails, Don’t look at my nails.” You see- I struggle from this disease called… subconscious nail biting. It’s a terrible disease that affects 1 out of every 100 brides and, it’s been known to hit both urban and rural populations. Please be on the lookout and keep your hands and nails inside the safety area at all times.
Ahem… ya, so maybe I went a little far with that, but I do have a very bad habit of biting my nails. I always have. I actually grew them out a couple of months after we got engaged. They were beautiful- I stared at my hands in awe, surprised at the wonderment of nail growth, but then, wouldn’t you know it- I got a snag. And well… let’s just say it all went downhill from there. Usually I bite them when sitting in front of the computer or when I’m concentrating on something. I do it subconsciously- which makes it even tougher to stop. But I’m making the decision to stop today- I want pretty hands and a healthier habit.
Here’s a look at what my nails look like today.
And a version that looks slightly like an upside down octopus
This is a habit I really want to kick before the wedding. It was bad enough my hands looked like munched up little kid hands for our engagement session. Now not only will I be held accountable to myself, but to you as well. So hive- any tips?
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I used to be that way, too!! My suggestion: get regular manicures! I started few years ago and aside from the occasional stress picking, I am proud to show my nails. 
Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails-it will strengthen your nails and at the same time will prohibit you from biting, since it tastes horrible!
There is this polish that you put on and when you put your fingers in your mouth, it taste bad. If you do it enough, you should be able to kick your habit all together. Sorry I dont know the name of the polish, but trying googling it or asking someone at a beauty store. I remember someone I went to middle school did this and it worked. However I’ve lost touch with her so I can’t help you with more info. Good luck.
Oh maybe the one SR suggested is the one my friend used! Sounds just like it, and you can get that at most drug stores. perfect!
Like everyone has said, GET REGULAR MANICURES. If you can’t afford them, or don’t have the time, STOP BITING, and clip and file the sides and tips of your nails on a regular basis. My sister in law told me this a long time ago and my nails eventually grew back and are actually very beautiful now.
Also, try putting acrylic (solar) nails on. They last a long time and you can’t bite them off. They also mask your underlying nails while they grow out.
I had the same problem for years and even that bad-tasting stuff BeMine mentions didn’t work for me. Ultimately I found that borderline-obsessive nail maintenance was the only way to quit — I didn’t have the $$ for frequent pro manicures, but I started obsessively filing and polishing my nails practically every other day to keep them nice and smooth, so I never ran into the temptation of a snag. Eventually it worked, and now I’ve gotten to the point where even if I do get a crack or a snag, I rarely bite them anymore.
I also was a big time nail biter. When I am in front of the computer, I either chew on the end of a pen or chew on gum (it helps me stay awake and helps me concentrate). If you don’t want artificial nails or tips, then I too suggest regular manicures. Even though I stopped biting my nails a long time ago, I still had a habit of attacking the skin AROUND the nail area, but since I started getting manicures, even that has almost completely halted (because I can’t stand the thought of wasting my money by undoing the nail lady’s work). Also, as someone else suggested, keeping them trimmed or filed helps too. It prevents me from either biting/peeling snags or breaks.
It’s not for everyone- but I LOVE my acrylic nails. They take a little time to get used to (I spent the first day of having mine running them over everything I came in contact with to get used to the feel) but I was a MASSIVE nail biter- like sometimes they would bleed =\. Acrylics you can’t do damage to- and if you get them in “pink and white” you never worry about your polish coming off because they’re using 2 different colors of acrylic powder.
These are all great tips so far. I’m so inspired! Keep em coming!!!
If you have a nail salon chain called Dashing Diva near you, check them out. They have “Virtual Nails,” full coverage clear nails that are made to be worn for two weeks at a time. The glue used to adhere them doesn’t harm the nail bed (like acrylics sometimes can), and instead of fills you just get a new set every couple of weeks. I wore them for a few months before a big event to let my nails grow, and my own nails were pretty and strong by the time said event rolled around. Godsend they were.
I have 2 girlfriends with similar nails. One did nothing and they looked the same on her wedding day. The other friend had regular manicures which eventually led to decent length nails. She was religious about it and it was worth it. I personally did acrylic nails over 10 years ago for 3 months and have to say it’s affected me since. Not terribly, but I notice my nails are not the same strength they used to be. Hope that helps.
Love the name of this post… quite possibly my favorite Weddingbee title ever
I’m not a compulsive nail biter… except for when I get a snag. I used just pick at the snag until it tore off along the top part of my nail, but this of course only left things ragged and uneven. The teeth would come out and the rest is history. Prior to getting married, I started carrying around emery (emory?) boards so that I could file the snags down and leave the teeth out of it. It’s a habit I still have today! I have a nail file everywhere! My desk at work, in my car, in my purse, by my bed. Saved my hands!
I have the same tendency. I find it helps to keep them painted. That way, when you look at your hands and see color, you’ll be reminded that you’re growing your nails. Also, nails are harder to bite (thicker) when they are painted, so the next time you unconsciously put your fingers up to your mouth and nibble, the different texture (and yucky, bitter taste) will “wake” you up and remind you to stop. Also, if you want to practice tough love on yourself, you can apply nail polish remover to your fingertips. Most of them are extremely bitter, which may also help to deter you. Good luck!
Also, worst case scenario (no time to grow them before wedding), I would recommend a silk wrap over acrylics. They are less harsh on your nails, and also thinner (making them look more natural).
I find it also helps to ALWAYS have a nail clipper handy. That way, when snags do happen, you can whip it out instead of biting away the snag.
I, too, had this horrible habit (and still sort of do, although it’s much better now), and they have left my nails permanently damaged. Many of them grow crookedly or “upwards” now 
. It sucks.
I used to bite my nails all the time too! I understand how embarassing it is for people to look at your hands when they’re all bitten and gross.
I just got so fed up with it that I quit. With the help of Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails clear polish, i was able to do it!
I fell off the wagon - so to speak- about a year after I broke the habit and used the nasty tasting polish stuff that is being recommended. It was hard to use, because it made everything I touch taste like sulfer (think any kind of finger foods (french fries,hamburgers, etc. ) But it definately helped me keep my hands totally away from my mouth! The bad taste doesnt just go away after a few minutes, it definately sticks with you for a LONG time! But, because my hands were totally away from my mouth, I never subconsciously bit them!
Good luck!!
I also suggest keeping them painted. Professionally is better (if I paint them myself, I subconsciously know it, so I’m willing to first pick off the nail polish and THEN bite), but I also find that if I keep them filed nice and smooth myself, it helps. Not only do I bite my nails, but I also bite the sides of my thumbs — like, the actual skin. Gross, gross, gross, I know. So at least you don’t that! 
First of all, I saw the pictures first and didn’t even notice the nails. I’m a nail biter, too, so maybe that’s why? Anyway, I grew my nails out beautifully before my wedding, and a week before I “accidentally” bit them all off. So sad!! I didn’t want to get fake nails because we were going to Hawaii on our honeymoon, and didn’t think dealing with sand and french tips would be that much fun For you, I recommend the Hard as Nails, then when they are long enough get french tips painted on. You don’t want to touch them if they’re that pretty!
Get a manicure! You won’t need to get manicures forever, but I went from being a No Nails McGee to having beauuuutiful nails in under two months by getting the best manicure I could afford, and then keeping it up as best I could at home. I filed and buffed and polished every Sunday night, and my nails went from being an embarassment to being totally respectable.
Now if only I could get them to thicken up and stop peeling!
i used to bite my nails until i got braces. that did it for me. but i don’t suggest you get braces.
now i only start messing with my nails [biting, etc] when they get too long so if you can regularly maintain them yourself that might work.
Ok- so I need to make a major run to the drugstore after these comments! And kid you not- I’m going tonight. I’m so excited. It’s like when you’re a kid going to get school supplies for the new year- but I’m getting nail supplies for the new hands! oooh ya! Wooh!
And once I grow them out past “they’re so low they hurt” length- I’m going to follow more advice and get me a manicure.
@tea: Thank- you for not suggesting I get braces- I’ve already had them once and it would be a lot of money to get them again- but for my nails
@linzmariedesigns: So sad!! That’s totally something I would do. Note to self: keep fingers away from face week before the wedding
@hwong14: You give me way too much credit- because I do do that. Doodoo?
@katherynn: Sulfur? Ya that will definitely keep my nails out of my mouth lol
@megs08: You’re inflating my head. I keep rereading your comment and smiling all big
I know exactly how it feels! I bite my nails too, even until now. Prior to our wedding day, I bought a “Stop Nail Bitting” cream from Akin’s. I put the cream as a nail lotion and it kinda works, but i still bite it anyway whenever i forgot to put the cream on.
Finally, our wedding was last week and because my nails were still short and bad looking, I had acrylic pink and white nails done a couple days before the D day. Of course, with the fake nails on you wont really be able to bite it!
The nice thing is, even though I had the fake acrylic nails, my original nails kept growing! So it really works for me that way and my nails are now doing much better.
I have to say that the consistent manicures was a big thing to help me stop…I even had really pretty nails for the wedding (I had stopped biting 8 minths prior and kept it up). Sadly, on the honeymoon, I regressed and have never gotten back on the wagon. I am so ashamed.
But we have pictures of me with pretty nails at my wedding, so it was totally worth it.
Oh these suggestions are sooo helpful! as I am one of those 1/100 brides that has this habit too.. my e-pics are on sunday and I’m dreading the hand shot! =/ Thanks Ms. Espresso!
I get pink and white acrylics put on for this reason. My nails were so embarassing before that people I worked with noticed my biting! Majorly embarassing - so now I just get them done and I love them and can’t bite them. I tried taking them off months ago and ended up getting them again because I missed them. Good luck!
i used to be horrible about biting my nails when i was younger!! the thing that finally worked for me was my mom let me pick out any nail polish color i wanted, but i could only paint my nails when they were long enough that she could see white edges. (yup, mine were so short they’d bleed every now and then. not good!) of course, i was seven, so this might not work for you but if you’re at all competitive with yourself, it might motivate you enough.
even now, if i get any kind of snag on my nail or the skin around it (yup, i pick at that too) it’s very hard for me to leave it alone… especially when i’m stressed. so once they’re long, carry an emory board/nail clippers everywhere!!
Thanks everybody! These tips have been so great! It’s definitely going to be a struggle, but with all the support and advice you’ve just given me- I can do it! Now I just have to keep saying that to myself over and over
@Ivana: haha at first I thought you said Atkins. And I was so perplexed- I was amazed they had covered this topic too… but then I opened my eyes and saw what you really said
@Mrs. Corn: Hey you have proof and that’s good enough
@Kismet: No problem. The reason I did this post was for the exact same reason- have fun at your e- session!
@Stacey: I’m definitely competitive with myself. That reminds me of Monica on FRIENDS when she’s in competition with herself for her Thanksgiving dinner
Take supplements for hair, skin and nails (like Perfectil) and paint them with strengthening nail varnish. You’ll notice they feel different when you subconsciously start biting and that will remind you to stop.
I managed to grow mine for the proposal (I knew it was coming!) but they’re a state again now… I’ll have to start painting them again a couple of months before the wedding!
I know you might not love the idea… but for your wedding day it is definitely worth it Miss Espresso… acrylic nails are basically impossible to chew on (you won’t want to… won’t feel the same…), and if you specify to the people doing them that you want them “really thin”, then they will look much more natural (if that is a concern of yours
By the time you have them removed, your habit will be gone! Your nails will be very weak, but I’ve found something that works WONDERS if used regularly: Nailtiques (sp?) formula 2. You use it daily. After I had mine removed I saw a significant difference very soon (very encouraging!)
There is my two cents honey… I think you might love the look of your beautiful nails/hands/ring in the pictures with some lovely acrylics!
Look into bitter nail polish; that seriously helped me to stop right after we got engaged, and I had been a serial nail biter since I was 2! That will help you notice when you start to bite your nails. Also, enlist Mr. Espresso! Have him stop you whenever he sees you doing it. Having someone else to back me up and keep me accountable helped a lot too. (I also rewarded myself with a manicure after I stopped and they were a nice length–it was a good thing to look forward to.) Good luck!
I so hear you! I was a compulsive nail biter all my life until I went to college. I used the change of pace to help me quit-living with a manicure obsessed roommate helped! I agree with all the above post…keep the edges smooth and you’ll be so much less tempted to nibble! TO this day if I get a snag the nail is gone to the teeth. I find it also helps to keep all my nails the same length, so if I loose one I trim them all down. Good luck!
I was a horrible nail biter up until my last year in college. One day I woke up and thought about how gross it was with all the germs I kept putting in my mouth- which is probably why I always had bad colds and strep throat every year. College and public transport- ew! So my advice is gross yourself out psychologically, it worked for me
I feel ya sister! I used to have the same problem for a loooong time. My dear FI had to hold my hands so I wouldn’t bite them-pathetic, I know. But my mom introduced me to Nail Magic (you can get it at Sally’s Beauty Supply). It’s a nail hardener that works like a charm and gives your nails a faint pinkish tint, lovely. Along with regular manicures, and thinking about all the gunk on my hands and under my nails…when I had a urge to “chew”…I eventually overcame the urge. Secondly, I felt really guilty spending all that $ on manis and chewing up my perdy nails. Good Luck!
Wow, I didn’t realize there were so many fellow nail biters out there! It’s been my embarrasing little secret (well not really since it’s so obvious) for almost ten years now. I have had acrylic nails on and off for most of that time. I wouldn’t recommend that route because for me it just delays the problem, as soon as the nails come off I go nuts biting, especially because they are so thin after. After getting engaged at Christmas I declared not to bite anymore (it’s been a rough 7 months but I am trying). One thing that has been helping me is to keep cuticle cream on at night (Sally Hansen is my reco), in the morning, and during the day if I think about it. With no snags around my nails it helps alot. And I also keep cuticle cream and a file in my purse for during the day snags. Sorry this is so long- one more thing I just bought this nail polish called “Emergency Strength” and am keeping my nails polished every other day (with a light color in the middle of 2 layers of this stuff). Hope this helps!
I am also afflicted by this condition. I have been biting my nails as long as I have had teeth that could do the biting. It’s one of those things where I have pretty much given up on any form of rehab since I have tried everything you can imagine to curb the habit. I’ve just sort of learned to live with it.
Then again I have the luxury of being a man, and I’m told “rugged” looking hands are manly anyways.
I’m also a nail biter, but what I do is set little deadlines for myself and decide not to bite my nails until a certain point (say, the end of finals, or my birthday, whatever..). I’m usually able to stay with it at least until then and usually by that point my nails look so good that I don’t want to bite them. (I always eventually do, though, but they grow pretty quickly so I guess I get the compulsion out and have nice nails for a while in between.)
[...] worry- it’s not all that dramatic- but is embarrassing.. I, like WeddingBee’r Mrs. Expresso have a nail biting issue. See Exhibit A: eww. gross. please ignore the Imac photo- my trust [...]
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Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big Bear
Age and Occupation: 23, Community Services Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance Technician
Engagement Date: December 21, 2007
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 25, 2008
Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear Lake
About Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
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