I tried an ancient nail oiling ritual and it transformed my brittle nails

You may have noticed that lately, when it comes to nails, the trend seems to have shifted markedly toward extreme minimalism: after sharp claws and elaborate nail art, short, nude and semi-matte styles seem to reign supreme. And on social media, celebrity manicurists and nail experts are sharing tips for achieving a natural manicure at home, but just as natural makeup requires a good skincare routine, nails must also be properly cared for to look their best in their nude form.

After trying every kind of manicure, I, too, decided to go for a more minimalist look, but my nails certainly didn’t look healthy after years of gel, acrylic and semi-permanent polish. As is often the case in moments of uncertainty, a chance read of a bestseller came to my rescue: The Art of Simplicity by Dominique Loreau, in which the author—an advocate of a simple, lighthearted, Zen-inspired lifestyle—suggests, among her beauty tips, practices such as regularly applying pure vegetable oil to the nails to keep them hydrated, naturally shiny and radiant.

Even in Ayurveda, it sits within the broader tradition of abhyanga, the practice of massaging the body with oil as part of dinacharya or daily self-care. Nails or nakha were seen as visible clues to inner nourishment, linking them to asthi dhatu, the tissue system associated with bones. In that sense, massaging oil into the nails and cuticles is more about restoring suppleness, moisture and circulation to a part of the body we tend to notice only once it starts splitting.

Attracted by the ease of the ritual and the chance to finally let my nails “breathe,” I decided to start consistently caring for my nails through the practice of nail oiling and after just a few days, I witnessed a transformation: they became rosier, shinier, more hydrated, natural yet well-groomed; like a French manicure without polish. I really loved the understated, clean look.

How to perform the nail oiling ritual

Nail oiling involves just a few simple steps:

• Choose a plant-based oil whose scent and texture you particularly like: the author of the book suggests, to simplify your beauty routine, purchasing a multi-purpose oil that can also be applied to your face, body and hair.
• Apply a drop of oil to the base of the nail, then massage it over the entire nail until it’s fully absorbed.
• After massaging the oil into your nail, let it absorb for a few minutes, then gently push back your cuticles (leave the cutting to your manicurist) with a wooden stick.
• If necessary, dab away any excess oil with a damp cotton ball.
• Repeat this process three times a day, especially in the evening before going to bed. To maximise nail hydration, try “nail slugging”: apply a layer of nourishing cream over the oil.