Sometimes, trying to grow your nimble nails into gorgeous claws can be depressing. You provide them with proper hydration and you swear by the vitamins, but no matter what you do, your nails keep breaking (similar to all of your standards last weekend at Applebees with a guy named Trevor).

 I digress..

What you don’t know is that you could be completely destroying your nail growth and health process without even knowing it. Fortunately, we’re here to let you know how you’re failing so you can course correct.

Here are 5 ways you’re sabotaging your nails.

1. Picking your nail polish

2. Washing dishes without gloves- What a lot of people don’t know is that submerging your nails in water for too long causes your nails to swell and when they swell they are prone to chip easily.

4. Too much coffee or cocktails- First of all, I am offended and feel utterly attacked. Second of all, the fundamental principle of this rule is to stay away from junk. At the very least, make sure you’re throwing some green stuff in your diet. Junk in, junky nails… ( something like that.) 

via GIPHY

5. Biting your nails- Did you really need to read this to know that that’s destroying your nail growth? Maybe.