I’ve Always Had Weak, Bendy, Brittle Nails—This Nail Polish Has Saved Them

September 21, 2025 / Swedan Margen /

Since quitting gel nails a couple of years ago after developing an allergy (sob), I’ve made it my side quest in my job as a beauty editor to find the best gel nail alternatives, the very best nail polishes that don’t smudge or chip two minutes later, and nail-boosting products to ensure I can still enjoy well-manicured hands.

Since bidding farewell to gels, however, I’ve noticed that my nails are more prone to breakage and chipping. Without a plush protective layer of gel or BIAB on my nails, they’re not as robust as they once were. So, I’ve been looking for a good nail strengthener that can harden my nails and help them grow longer. And since I spotted Dior’s Base Vernis (£30) on just about every celebrity manicurist’s social feed of late, I decided to try it for myself. Since then, I’ve never looked back. Scroll on to discover why it’s deserving of a place in your manicure collection, too.

Dior Base Vernis Review

The Formula

Working as both a base coat and a nail strengthener, this is a great polish to wear alone or underneath your nail polish. Among the strengthening ingredients are apricot kernel oil and sweet almond oil, which help to hydrate the nails, while polymers help to harden weak nails.

The formula itself is sheer, so it’s less like a nail perfector with a tint, and more a sheer base coat with a tiny amount of peach. It’s a very viscous consistency, so it applies smoothly and evenly to the nails, and thanks to the large brush, you can cover a lot of surface area in one or two swipes. Plus, it also dries really quickly, which is great if, like me, you’re impatient and prone to smudging your nails. It has a noticeably glassy finish to it, too.

For the most part, I’ve been wearing Base Vernis on its own over the past couple of months, and not only do my nails feel stronger, but they look healthier too. The whites of my nails are brighter, and I’ve experienced far less breakage than I normally would. I also tested it as a base coat, but personally, I found it didn’t provide enough grip on the polish on top—it almost makes my nails too smooth. That being said, polish glides on so easily and has a mirror-like shine when I do use it.

Before

Here are my nails from a couple of months ago. While they might not look too bad here (thank you, Chanel Ballerina nail polish and Essie Gel Couture Top Coat for disguising them!), I was struggling to grow them. Underneath the polish I’m wearing, they were weak, bendy and prone to breakage and splitting. I just couldn’t get them to grow longer.

After

After using the Dior Base Vernis for a couple of months now, I can see such a difference in my nail health. Firstly, I’ve been able to grow my nails a lot longer, and they’re a lot more resilient. While I subscribe to the notion that “nails are jewels, not tools”, I’m someone who will occasionally rip open parcels with my bare hands. But thankfully, my nails are remaining long and strong. I’m wearing OPI Funny Bunny and Baby, Take A Vow nail polishes in the above picture, but as you can see, the whites of my nails look much brighter than they did previously.

My Verdict

Eleanor's nails and the Dior Base Vernis nail polish bottle on a marble background

Having now tested the Dior Base Vernis for a couple of months, I can honestly say my nails are going from strength to strength. They’re in the best condition they’ve been in for years, and I’ve been able to grow them much longer and can now file them into a soft oval or almond shape. In the above picture, I’m just wearing two coats of Base Vernis, and although it doesn’t offer the nail coverage so to speak, I’m really impressed with how healthy my nails look—I can’t believe that these are basically my bare nails now. Yes, £30 is a lot to spend on a nail strengthener, but if you want something that really works, it’s worth the investment in my eyes.