Product Reviews Rated 4.26 out of 5 stars
74 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review This is helping my nails I had fake nails for over 13 years. I have a very hard time with peeling and soft nails. It is very difficult for polish to stay on my nails. This product seems to be working better than anything else I have tried.
Most Helpful Critical Review Did not work for me When it comes to soft. weak, peeling nails that split and break easily, I have had a lifetime sentence. I have probably tried thousands of dollars' worth of polishes, treatments and supplements hoping something would work for me. Sorry to say that the Orly Nail Defense did not work for me. Since I love Orly polishes, I stuck with their line and am now trying Nailtrition. After only a few days, I can feel a difference in the strength of my nails -- fingers crossed.
Reviewed by 74 customers Healed my messed-up nails! 5
Rachel from Buffalo, NY
I had issues with my nails being thin and breaking off, even using other strengtheners, and a couple nails that were constantly splitting or peeling. After less than a week this has made a huge difference; my nails don't even bend and the peeling is all covered up and smoothed out so the nails can grow back. I'm so excited I found this.
nail protector! 5
isa from Illinois
I bought this because I work in the medical field/with kids and I HATE having long nails but also want my nails to look nice. I was doing regular polish for a while but I wash my hands so often that it would just chip! I cut my nails super short then add a few coats (dries quick) and it makes my nails look so smooth and healthy! always looks like I just got a manicure after a nice hand massage with lotion, will repurchase over and over when I need it!
The best!! 5
MichKei from Los Angeles
I've had acrylics for YEARS and finally took them off. My nails were so brittle, weak, and thin. I had ridges on my nails, they were so un even! I've been taking vitamins for my nails. This was just the cherry on top. I've been using this for 2-3 weeks and I notice a difference. It acts as a clear coat but strengthens the nails. Your nails will always have a shine basically.
Finally, strong nails! 5
Lizard from Wisconsin
I use this as my base coat and top coat, making sure to cap the free edge as well as bringing The polish on the backside of the nail. My nails used to split and were SUPER flimsy. On top of their natural state I used artificial nails and when I took them off they were painfully thin. Fast forward 3 months of consistent use: my nails have grown out the damage and are now the strongest AND longest they've ever been. This nail polish changed the game for me. I actually have cute nails (people ask if they're my real nails!)
Recommend! 5
Helen from Brooklyn
I was trying to find a product that was a step up from my Sally Hansen Hard as Nails but I also didn't want to spend a ton. This is a great in between. I've been using it for a week and I can already tell the difference.
Definitely worth it !!! 5
Linda from Pendleton, IN
I've gotten acrylic nails since they were first a "thing" in the mid 80's. Just a few months ago, I thought I'd try no acrylics, gel or anything like that again. This product has worked wonders on my dilapidated nails. They've grown and are getting stronger. I always recommend it
Making Nails Worse 2
Brittany from Charlotte, NC
After getting gel and SNS nails for quite a while, my nails became brittle and would peel when the polish came off. When I first bought this product, I thought it was helping and I loved the shine it left on my nails. I applied this polish just how the instructions say to. I've been using it for a few weeks now and it seems to be making my nails get worse. The ends of my nails are breaking off randomly. No idea why this is happening as I am sure I am not hitting them on anything. Save your money!!
So far it's doing great. I can do dishes and it doesn't peel 5
Mary from Prairieville La.
On my fingernails.
I finally have nails! 5
Eliza from Milwaukee
My nail journey has been a long time coming.
My nails are notoriously thin, peel, and are bendy.
I've tried everything from nail oils to biotin to opi nail envy.
After a week with this my nails have substance, are thicker, look healthier and don't bend. This stuff helped to make my nails grow!!!
The key isn't just this though, it's a healthy nail care ROUTINE. I use cuticle oils, glass files and this as my base and top coat (also apply underneath the nail).
This product is going to protect your natural nail and nourish it like no other!
Very great results 5
Marisa from Tampa
I use this product every other day after having a really bad acrylic job done on my fingernails after 1 week my nails have completely been refined
Love This--Nails Are Growing Again 5
Denver 50672 from Denver CO
I bought this to help grow my nails, including a nail that has a ridge in it due to an accident. This really works. I reapply it every other day and once/week remove it and start from scratch again (so product doesn't continue to build up). I was amazed by how quickly my nails grew and I am impressed that they feel strong even in the Winter season where my skin and nails get dry.
Nails stopped peeling 5
spady101 from Florida
I have purchased a great deal of nail "strengtheners" and "nail nutrition" products. Some are very expensive and some very cheap, but never really did the promise and my nails were peeling. I tried this thinking it was on sale and I needed a base coat.
After about 3 applications as a base coat (about 6-7 days) I started noticing that I was not having to buff out the peel before painting my nails. When I stopped using it...my nails started peeling again.
I will say that it wasn't the best base coat. I find that using a thin layer of Nail Defense then a thin layer of basic base coat (any that I knew worked for me to keep on polish) then the color and top coat worked great to heal the nails and keep on color. (Thin layers of each step with a few minutes in between each layer to let dry/semi dry).
The ONLY thing that has worked for me 5
KMS from Atlanta, GA
I have been a nail biter since I was a small child, and I'm approaching 30 now. Needless to say, this habit has wreaked havoc on my nails. They peel, they chip, they crack, they break, they split, you name it. I've tried many different nail strengtheners and nothing seemed to work. I started using this a few weeks ago, and after consistent use I haven't even had to use it daily. I only had one nail break after a long soak in hot water, which for me is incredible.
Works very well, my nails are stronger! 5
Salz from Ohio
Works!
Amazing sheen 5
Chaienne from New York
I love to use this product when I just want clean nails that have no other polish. This looks amazing and has a lasting shine all the while being beneficial to the health of my nails. I also use it as a base coat when painting my own nails at home and it helps the polish go on flawlessly. I would recommend to anyone who has previously used gel or acrylics mainly because it has strengthened my nails after years of using those, and it just looks great!
Seems to be making my nails worse 2
EJPint from Iowa
After the first few coats, I felt like this was really helping my nails. I reapplied every other day as instructed. After a few coats, the polish started chipping, and where it chipped, it seemed to make my nails peel. I removed it and started with a fresh coat - my bare nails looked pretty awful after a couple of weeks with this on. With the fresh coat, and subsequent reapplications, my nails break frequently - not like a tear, but like the ends just snap off. There's no flexibility to the nail anymore. I'm continuing to try it, just in case this is a case of getting worse before it gets better, but so far I'm not impressed with how brittle my nails seem.
Nails actually grow now 4
Anika from Wisconsin
Bought this for my extremely weak nails that constantly would bend backwards on everything. This product has strengthened my nails and have allowed them to grow without the constant fear of having them bend backwards. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because when the polish begins to chip off, the nails feel weak and brittle. Though even with that they still look MUCH better than they dis before. The polish looks shiny and pretty on the nails. Drys quickly.
Just OK 3
AHuman from Wisconsin
I have put it on my nails twice. I was hoping it would keep my nails from peeling, chipping and breaking but unfortunately, I have had a nail break off. My nails are short, they are not long and in the way. They have been peeling, chipping and breaking more so than usual. I think because I have been painting them more often-? I probably wont buy it again unless it starts to improve. For the price, I expected immediate results.
Great so far 4
Redital47 from NJ
Trying to stop my brittle nails from peeling to the nail bed. After only one week of use, it seems to be okay.
Just trying it out 4
babygirl41 from Magna, Ut
I am trying to get stronger nails and have just started using this product.
I will not buy this particular product again 1
Sam from Holiday, Florida
I was so excited to buy this product and it worked great when I first applied it. My nails seemed so much stronger & they were growing out too. About 2 weeks into using this my nails started breaking and chipping. I used it for a few more days and my nails were destroyed in the end. It's taken a full three months without using this product for them to finally be back to normal & growing again.
It's so weird how this one product affected my nails in such a detrimental way because I swear by Orly Breathable polishes and have never had any issues at all using them.
This review is not to say don't buy this product, I'm just sharing MY experience with it. I've read the many positive reviews on it and based on those is why I decided to try it out. We are all different though and this product didn't do well for me.
I gave it a star just for being Orly and I love their breathable polishes. But I hate to say I do not love this nail defense one.
I Repurchase this Over and Over Again 5
Jenna War from Phoenix, Arizona
I'm on my second bottle of this and have already recommended it to a friend. I use this every time I paint my nails even if I go in with just this and no color. It makes my nails stronger faster, and is especially noticeable after any treatment that is damaging to the nails (acrylics/powder/gel). Love Orly bottles because you get so much product.
I will continue buying Orly's nail defense! 5
koch89 from Missouri
I absolutely love this stuff! I've been trying to get my nails to stop breaking, but they just kept chipping even when taking vitamins for hair, skin, and nails. Paired with this they are strong and finally getting longer!
Great Stuff 5
CanCan from Tampa FL
If your nails peel with regular nail polish, try this Orly! I've had many issues with nail products the last few years. So far this one is the BEST!
Helps Nails Grow 7 days! 5
Kat from Salt lake city
I apply everyday i took a pic of how my nails looked before using this product, I applied everyday for 7 days, after 7 days my nails looked longer. Without this stuff, my nails dont grow this fast.
