Hard To Resist Advanced Nail Strengthener
A clinically tested, strengthening nail treatment for weak, damaged nails.
Hard to Resist Advanced Strengthener FAQs
Visibly healthier nails
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1 to 8 of 132 reviews .
1 – 8 of 132 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
A++++ for older, brittle & splitting nails.
13 days ago
I believe this is the best treatment polish I have ever used! My nails have improved immensely. For those who experience lack of adhesion and product turning soft, start with CLEAN nails. I have experienced sunscreen creating softness but any product breaks down when in contact with others. I expect that. Start over! It only takes 10 tops to dry. No problem! PHENOMENAL RESULTS! Thanks, Essie!
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
Love hate relationship
2 months ago
I’m on the fence about this product. I have used it several times and I believe it has improved my nails. However, it comes off as soon as I do any kind of work with my hands. It gets very sticky and dull within a day. Am I supposed to put a top coat on? I’ve made sure my nails are clean and dry but it still happens.
favorite essie color family?sheers
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
2 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there! We are so glad to hear that you are already seeing improvements in your nail strength! To answer your question: No, you should not put a top coat on top of this product. Our Hard To Resist Advanced Nail Strengthener is formulated as a standalone treatment. It is designed to bond directly to your natural nail proteins to strengthen them, and adding a base or top coat can interfere with how the formula works.
If it is getting sticky and dull within a day, here are a few tips to ensure it sets properly:
Prep with Alcohol: After washing your hands, wipe your bare nails with a little rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. This removes any invisible natural oils or soap residue that might prevent the product from bonding and cause it to peel or feel sticky.
Apply Two Thin Coats: Apply two very thin coats, letting the first coat dry completely (about 2 minutes) before applying the second.
Give it Time to Cure: Avoid exposing your hands to hot water (like washing dishes or taking a hot shower) for the first hour after application to let the bond fully cure.
The 3-Day Cycle: Wear the two coats for 3 days, remove with regular polish remover on Day 4, and reapply if you'd like to continue the treatment. We hope this helps you get the long-lasting, glossy strength your nails deserve!
3 out of 5 stars.
Hit and miss
3 months ago
I followed the instructions although l redid the process 5 days later...not sure if l should have reapplied every 3 days....after l removed nail polish my nails were still soft weak and split.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
response from essie:
2 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there 0077, thank you for taking the time to share your honest review. We are so sorry to hear that your nails are still feeling soft and split after your first round of use—we know how discouraging that can be when you're hoping for a quick fix! Depending on how damaged your nails were to begin with, it can sometimes take a little extra time for the strengthening to build up. Applying a fresh coat every 3 days is a wonderful habit, as it constantly shields your nails from water and daily wear while they recover. We truly appreciate you giving our product a try, and we hope that with a little more time and TLC, your nails get back to their happiest, healthiest state.
5 out of 5 stars.
Love it
5 months ago
So far so good. I have noticed a change in my nails quite quickly. So here goes. I've read the reviews on this site and they seem to be all over the place at times. I read the directions... I believe that it show be in bold letters START WITH CLEAN BARE NAILS. AND REPEAT EVERY THREE DAYS WITH BARE NAILS. That's the only thing I seemed to miss.
I own a janitorial company and deal with chemicals and use gloves. I actually put lotion on my hands while wearing gloves.
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish usernovice/new user
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Game changer
9 months ago
I have seriously brittle nails. They break by just looking at them. I have tried over 10 plus nail hardeners, some cost as much as $20+. I saw this at Target and it was not one I had tried yet, I figured, well let's give another a try. Others either flake off after a shower or after a few days. So I tried and this is a game changer. Sure my thumbs and index fingers still break because they are use alot but they are still longer but all my other nails are amazing. So much longer. 2 coats. 3 if I know I am going to use my hands more. But finally my hands look nicer with a bit longer nail.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Extremely Disappointed!!!
a year ago
Extremely unhappy with this product. I put it on yesterday for the first time and my nails are all smudged and look horrible! I cannot reccomended this product. I got it from Ulta and am going to show them how horrible my nails look. Honestly, I'm super surprised about the 4 and 5 star rating. I'm thinking it's phony! Wish I can submit a photo to show what my nails look like. 1 star is too high for this product! ☹
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there, We understand how disappointing it can be when a product does not provide you with the result you are looking for, but we’re confused. This treatment is worn alone on the nails for 3 days. After 3 days, remove the original application and reapply or just begin using your favorite nail color instead. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
5 out of 5 stars.
New Favorite
a year ago
Really Happy I Took The Chance And Made A Purchase On Something New ...
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Rose Gold
type of nail polish usernovice/new user
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
This product will get you thru an "over dremell "
a year ago
my nails were over-dremeled after removing a dip mani. This product was like a liquid bandage on my nails a day afterward. Thanks Essie.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
1 – 8 of 132 reviews
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9 to 38 of 132 reviews .
9 – 38 of 132 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
AMAZING X10000
a year ago
Perimenopause has done a number on the strength of my nails! I can't say enough on how this treatment changed my nails. It has taken them from nubs to strong, medium-length nails. I have been using this for about 2 weeks now, and I will NEVER stop. Try it! You won't be sorry!
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish usernovice/new user
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Love it
a year ago
I love it!! Works really well. I’m happy with it….
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Love it
a year ago
Very good love it the best buy it my nails were never better
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Making Matters Worse
a year ago
I had been using this product for about 6 months and my nails only got worse. It made my nails look nice, but I found this stuff doesn't chip off, instead it flakes off taking the top portion of the surrounding nail with it, leaving me with what looks like the top of an oyster shell. They never did that before. It seems like this stuff actually made my nails more brittle, because I hadn’t made any other changes to my routine. I stopped applying this or anything else to my nails for the last 6 or 9 months and the problem has definitely improved. It seems like this stuff soaks halfway into the nail, and when you do break a nail, it rips of a portion of the top half of the surrounding nail with it.
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello DavidG, thank you for sharing your experience with the Hard To Resist Advanced Nail Strengthener. We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. This clear tint nail strengthener strengthens soft, damaged nails and should leave the nails healthier. We want to speak with you directly about it. Please give us a call at @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET for assistance and provide reference #37229849
1 out of 5 stars.
Disappointing
a year ago
Did nothing to help strengthen my nails. I’ll stick to rejuvacoat it’s a better product.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello Dnail12. Thank you for giving the Hard To Resist Advanced Nail Strengthener a try. We wish you were seeing the results you were hoping for. Formulated with MSM technology, this clear tint nail strengthener strengthens soft, damaged nails while making nails visibly healthier after 3 days. Wear alone for 3 days. After that, remove and reapply or start using your favorite essie nail color. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
4 out of 5 stars.
Poor Durability
2 years ago
My nails are :((
This helps but it doesn’t have a good staying power.
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Impressed with Dramatic Improvement
2 years ago
My nail were both splitting and breaking. I have been topping Hard to Resist with Essie nail polish and the Essie Gel Setter. Occasionally I will just put on two coats of Essie Hard to Resist alone. I have seen a dramatic improvement in my nails. They have grow out and they have stopped splitting. I'm am very impressed. I should have taken photos.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
literally the best!
2 years ago
the only thing that helps my thin, bendy nails! the only nail product I’ve bought more than once
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Great nail strengthener!
2 years ago
I started using it 2 months ago and I already feel that my nails are so much stronger! It is very easy to apply too.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Rate this a ten out of ten!
2 years ago
Never have I used a product expecting nothing…but getting everything. Never in my life could I grow nails really long. With Essie Advanced it works better than I have ever seen! My nails are really long AND strong. Even to file them it is hard to do. I have to cut them. I am not exaggerating either! Just put a coat on before my polish and it stays strong until I take off and switch colors.
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Made my nails worse
2 years ago
Purchased this to replace my previous Essie nail strengthener that has been discontinued. This strengthener actually made my nails very dry, peel and break worse than before. The nail polish actually peels of in big chunks very quickly after application. Very disappointing and a waste of money.
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello leslief1968. Thank you for sharing your experience with the 'hard to resist advanced nail strengthener' nail treatment. We can see this wouldn’t be the result you were hoping for…. This treatment creates a protective barrier against daily wear and provides instant nail strength and resistance. With nail bonding technology it bonds the weakened nail surface to improve fragile, brittle nails. After a few days the nails are less brittle and appear healthy, smooth with natural shine. Its worn alone for 3 days. After 3 days, re apply or start using your favorite nail color. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
5 out of 5 stars.
It does exactly what it says it does.
2 years ago
Kinda magical. This somehow turned my sns ravaged brittle nails into respectable firm nails with one use. The polish doesn’t easily peel off either which is a bonus.
type of nail polish usernovice/new user
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
It's great! Needs to last longer...
2 years ago
It definitely works but it really struggles to last. I find it peels up and eventually off after a couple hours of wear. I find I end up using more product than necessary because of the need to reapply.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: any! Use as a base coat.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Essie
2 years ago
I love Essie nail polish products. I used this nail polish stregthener and I did see improvement after a week!
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Nails Feels Stronger!
2 years ago
Writing it after using it for about a month. I have experienced noticeable difference in the thickness of my nail. There is less breakage and my nail continue to grow longer. I love it!
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
1 out of 5 stars.
Displeased with the short length of time stayed on
2 years ago
I purchased this product to help repair my nails that have become weak and have been splitting after using another color strip product. I applied the two coats as advised. My nails looked great-shiny and healthy looking. When I woke up the next morning, I noticed the clear coat was peeling off in whole pieces and after washing my dishes, most of my nails were no longer protected. I’m not sure why it doesn’t stay on my nails, but I spent quite a bit of money on this product as I bought 2 bottles. I’m very disappointed that it isn’t staying applied.
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello there RNMomma customer! Thank you for sharing your experience with the 'hard to resist glow & shine nail strengthener'. We're so sorry to hear the results were not what you had hoped for. This nail strengthener bonds weakened nail surface to improve fragile, brittle nails. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
1 out of 5 stars.
disappointing
2 years ago
So very disappointed. Essie makes great products but this one was a dud.
My nails were so hard they would chip & break and started peeling. I've been trying to get them back in shape for a few weeks.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hey there Turtle lady, we can see this wouldn’t be the result you were hoping for…We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. The hard to resist advanced nail strengthener is a strengthening treatment to care for and protect weak, damaged nails. formulated with MSM technology, this clear tint formula strengthens soft, damaged nails while making nails visibly healthier after 3 days. Be sure to apply to clean, dry nails and wear it alone for 3 days before removing. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
5 out of 5 stars.
Great
2 years ago
This Essie hard advance nail strengthener it awesome ! My nails feel a lot harder and healthier. No more breakage.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Great Strength
2 years ago
Used this nail strengthener after giving birth, in fear of my long nails becoming weak and breaking. It did the job! My nails remained strong and now I need to refill. The thing with nail strengtheners is the need to be consistent. I would recommend if you can keep up the maintenance
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Noticed a difference
2 years ago
I've always had the classic peeling nails and never knew what to do about it. Started using this with each weekly polish change, and noticed a big difference by the third week. I now use this every week and will continue to repurchase.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Nails recovering from months of powder dip
2 years ago
Nails are currently like wet paper towels after months of powder dip. Wanted to take a break -from time at salon and to save money, lol! Hoped to find something to help reinforce to prevent hands looking less battle scarred. Keeping them short, reapplying the Essie and frequent hand cream. So far, so good!
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Easy peasy
2 years ago
I recently tried Essie's "Hard To Resist Advanced Nail Strengthener," and it left me impressed. This clear, advanced nail strengthening treatment is an excellent addition to any nail care routine.
What immediately caught my attention was its clear formula. It's perfect for those who prefer a natural look or want to strengthen their nails without adding color. The package clearly states that it's not suitable for acrylic nails, so it's best used on natural nails.
The application was simple and straightforward. I applied two coats to clean, bare nails as recommended, and I was pleased to see how quickly it dried. This allowed me to continue with my day without any significant downtime. After wearing it for three days as instructed, I genuinely noticed a difference in my nails. They felt stronger and more resilient.
One of the highlights of this product is its formulation. It's formulated without DBP, formaldehyde, and toluene, which is fantastic for those who are conscious of the ingredients in their nail products. The clear tint formula also makes it suitable for weak, damaged nails, and it doesn't interfere with your preferred nail polish colors when you decide to add some.
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 4.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 4.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
In love
2 years ago
My natural nails not only were strong and sturdy but I noticed growth. It could just be because they broke less either way I love it and highly recommend.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Perfect!
2 years ago
If you are looking for a tough nail strengthen to help you strengthen your nails this is what you should buy as soon as possible. This nail strengthener helped my nails become stronger just after 3 days I swear by it. If your still on the fence hopefully this review helps go ahead and buy it!
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Excellent Product
2 years ago
This is the absolute best nail Strengthener I have ever used. My nails are stronger than they have ever been. No strong odor easy to apply. I highly recommend this superb product
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Nail strengthener
2 years ago
I got the Essie - hard to resist advanced nail strengthener and does an amazing job. I does a wonderful job keeping my nails strong and helps them grow. It is easy to use and apply. This is probably one of the best nail strengtheners ever used.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
Great Nail Strengther
2 years ago
This nail strengthener has become a staple in my nail routine from using press ons or just painting them. It has made my nails so much stronger and does not leave a residue at all.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
The best
2 years ago
I have been needing something to help my nails. They are brittle from doing the gel all the time. this has helped get my nails strong and I absolutely love it. I would recommend this to anyone.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars.
amazing
3 years ago
I suffer from brittle nails, and i've been looking for something to utilize at home instead of going to the salon. this works great, and has really made a difference
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 5.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
4 out of 5 stars.
Pretty but needs time to set
3 years ago
This looks very pretty on nails, leaves a very pretty shiny finish that looks very healthy and polished. I did however find that it tends to peel off in one layer if it's not completely set and gets lifted at all. I wish it set faster and was harder to remove on accident.
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
Quality of Product, 4.0 out of 5
Value of Product, 5.0 out of 5
9 – 38 of 132 reviews