New on ValentinaChirico.com Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails
Nail Care & Manicure,  Tested by me (reviews & swatches)

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthener – review

 

I haven’t experienced a ‘bad nail day’ but weeks and months of horrific nails. Constantly splitting, and breaking, even the smallest impact was fatal. I prayed Saint Sally Hansen. I found her Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthener and hoped for the better…

 

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails  fortifying treatment, review

 

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails is a strengthening nail treatment available in two versions but does it work?

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthener: product & packaging

Available in clear and natural tint, the one you see in this post, Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails nail strengthener treatment comes in a 13.3 ml bottle with a regular brush applicator which is compact and quite functional.

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails  fortifying treatment swatched on nails

 

Formula & shade

The formula of this Sally nail care product contains nylon, retinol, Omega 3 and soy extract to protect and strengthen your nails (nylon and retinol), and improve and fill (Omega 3 and soya) your nail ridges for stronger and smoother nails. It’s a rather liquid, easy-to-apply treatment which dries like a regular nail polish.

Its greatest point is its shade: this Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails version comes in a very delicate skin-pink nuance, which is very evident in the bottle but looks natural and very shiny once applied. It gives your nails a healthy look.

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails  strengthener detail and review

 

How to use Sally Hansen Advance Nail Strengthener:

Said that it’s like a nail lacquer, then you should know how to use this treatment! The recommended amount is 2 or 3 coats on clean nails; each coat should be completely dry before the next one.

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails  strengthener nail care review

PROS:

  • It has a reasonable price tag (from a regular price of $2.99 in the US up to £7 at Superdrug, UK);
  • it’s easy to apply;
  • has a reasonably fast drying time;
  • a shiny finish;
  • creates a smooth and natural look.

CONS:

  • it has no long-lasting effect;
  • gives constant breakage;
  • isn’t suitable as a base coat.

My final ‘pros&cons’ section speaks for itself. I was quite disappointed and tried different dosages for this nail treatment, but nothing good happened. I picked this strengthening treatment for three reasons: the brand, that lovely pink tint and its price, which was further reduced at that time (less than £4). What happened exactly?

I used 1 coat, then 2 and 3 coats, I tried for weeks, but I experienced no visible or lasting improvements as my nails kept breaking with incredible ease and I needed a quick fix or a solution. I wasn’t able to let them grow as I was used to. In particular, my left nails were damaged continuously, and I stopped to wear nail polishes at all. From these pictures, it’s clear how my nails look neat but are extremely damaged on my left hand.

 

 

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails  strengthener, packaging, review

 

I tried to use the Advanced Hard as Nails as a strengthening base for my nail colour, but nothing changed. The situation was paradoxically awkward: if my nails looked on point and shiny with the fresh product on, they started to feel softer and softer, leading to the inevitable breakage, the next day. I cannot explain this. This Sally Hansen treatment is still a mystery to me. I gave it to my mom hoping she can shed some light on that… (no news after years)

 

Valentina Chirico aka Valens

Valentina Chirico: a past as archaeologist, a present as editor between London and Bedfordshire. An expat born in Southern Italy from an expat family. She holds an MA in Egyptology from the University of Birmingham and contributed as a co-author and postgraduate ambassador to the UoB PG Recruitment Blog before fully embarking on online editing. She covers the role of Senior Writer and Language Specialist for a global marketing company. Besides archaeology and arts, this alumna loves travelling and shares an uncommon sense of humour. Online since 2009 with ValentinaChirico.com and later with ItalianMemories, Valentina is a storyteller and wants to inspire you a good laugh or to aim higher, to the stars.

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Italian Memories, Italian culture and lifestyle, semi-serious travel guide, Valentina Chirico