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   ![6 Nail Myths Busted By Manicurist Harriet Westmoreland](https://media.sheerluxe.com/5we7-Ojfpzan6eTctVn0fjV3Nb8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-site-assets-290925-thumb-hero-harriet-westmoreland-on-nail-health.jpg?itok=AsnUtSdn)

  

 

 



 

  Image: @HarrietWestmoreland 

 

 

 

[Hair &amp; Nails](/beauty/hair-nails)

 /  29 September 2025  

#  6 Nail Myths Busted By Manicurist Harriet Westmoreland  


Harriet Westmoreland knows everything there is to know about nails – which explains why she’s amassed more than 400K followers on social media and a client list that includes some of Hollywood’s biggest A-listers. To help us sort fact from fiction, we asked her to give us her view on six common nail myths…  


ByJenn George

  /  

[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/48558)

 

  Image: @HarrietWestmoreland 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/hDdwNjmKw_LVSRTSGL0DIieghdA=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-290925-harriet-westmoreland-interview-1.jpg?itok=T8BO5f6K)

 

 ](https://www.instagram.com/harrietwestmoreland/?hl=en) 

 @HarrietWestmoreland 

 



 

 

 

 

 

## MYTH: 

### Gel Manicures Are Bad For Your Nails

“Done correctly, with the right products and removed properly too, gel manicures are no worse for your nails than regular polish. The latter can actually be quite drying, while a gel manicure can support and protect your nail in a way that regular polish can’t. It also really helps if you’re wanting to grow your nails. So long as they’re removed correctly and safely, you’re good.”

 

## MYTH: 

### A Manicure Will Never Last Longer Than A Week

“As long as you’re seeing a manicurist who pays attention to detail and uses premium products, there’s no reason your manicure shouldn’t last up to three weeks. There is some aftercare required– and that includes not using your nails as tools – but if you’re doing the right things, there’s no reason it shouldn’t last that long.”

 

## MYTH: 

### Cuticle Oils Don’t Work

“Cuticle oils will keep your nails and especially the skin around them nourished but you should really be scrubbing your nails with a brush and soap twice a day first. This is going to maintain hygiene, and result in healthy, shiny nails. Once you’ve done that, you can apply your cuticle oil for a final hit of hydration. Without the cleanse, it’s unlikely to be that effective.”

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/XZsPyZ0_66Gd2tGzwtpDl3AasZM=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-290925-harriet-westmoreland-interview-2.jpg?itok=0Hw9m_mb)

 

 ](https://www.instagram.com/harrietwestmoreland/?hl=en) 

 @HarrietWestmoreland 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

## MYTH: 

### Bitten Nails Can’t Recover

“Like anything, bitten nails are a bad habit and it’s perfectly possible to break it and get things back on track. Start by taking five minutes a day to care for your hands and nails – once you start to put the work in and see results, you’ll be less likely to bite them. They’ll look nicer, they’ll feel nice and you won’t want to undo all your hard work. I’d also recommend getting gel manicures, as it’s tricky to bite nails when there’s a coating on them.”

 

## MYTH: 

### Your Hands Won’t Benefit From A Skincare Routine

“We pay such attention to the skin on our faces and bodies, but the hands often go neglected. Again, with the right products, things will really improve. I love to apply a thick cream like La Roche-Posay’s [Cicaplast Baume](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-cicaplast-baume-b5-soothing-repairing-balm-100ml-10149155) or Weleda [Skin Food](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.boots.com/weleda-skin-food-75ml-10256597) liberally all over my hands overnight. Trust me, you’ll wake up with the softest skin – just remember consistency is key”

 

## MYTH: 

### All Nail Colours Are Created Equal

“I disagree but then I’m biased. The new formulas from Westmoreland Cosmetics [Glass Gel](https://www.westmorelandcosmetics.com/collections/glass-gel) are lightweight but hard-wearing – not rubbery, bulky or heavy on the nail. The shine and gloss is like nothing else I’ve tried before, plus the shades don’t contain any white pigment so they can be applied across all skin tones, all nail bed shades, and they won’t throw off an ashy or dull undertone.”

 

*Visit* [WESTMORELANDCOSMETICS.COM](https://www.westmorelandcosmetics.com/password) *&amp; follow* [@HARRIETWESTMORELAND](https://www.instagram.com/harrietwestmoreland/?hl=en) | [@WESTMORELANDCOSMETICS](https://www.instagram.com/westmorelandcosmetics/?hl=en)

 

 

 

---

 

## SHOP THE EDIT 



 

 ![Pure Argan Oil from Moroccanoil](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PqW9NMuZ0h0UZDBA4mNBVJUjQbI=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fmoroccan-oil-pure-argan-oil.png?itok=buFb-bNG)

 

 

 

[#### Pure Argan Oil](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.lookfantastic.com/p/moroccanoil-pure-argan-oil/11220663/)

##### Moroccanoil, 



£48.50

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/48558 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Cicaplast Baume B5+ Ultra Repairing Soothing Balm from La Roche-Posay](https://media.sheerluxe.com/RSRBV7est9YfW18q4iHn6AWaOqY=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fla-roche-posay-cicaplast-baume-b5.png?itok=tDVWiyb-)

 

 

 

[#### Cicaplast Baume B5+ Ultra Repairing Soothing Balm](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-cicaplast-baume-b5-soothing-repairing-balm-100ml-10149155)

##### La Roche-Posay, 



£19.50

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/48558 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Skin Food Moisturiser from Weleda](https://media.sheerluxe.com/fvgO0BAfZs7zrlRTTyxbt-5UOKI=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fweleda-skin-food.png?itok=ull5gQEf)

 

 

 

[#### Skin Food Moisturiser](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.boots.com/weleda-skin-food-75ml-10256597)

##### Weleda, 



£11.96 *(was £15.95)*

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/48558 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Glass Gel Top Coat from Westmoreland Cosmetics](https://media.sheerluxe.com/C0xTNwqMceSuU6sC7Sb9g_6w1xg=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fwestmoreland-cosmetics-glass-gel.png?itok=UsUjWi7D)

 

 

 

[#### Glass Gel Top Coat](https://www.westmorelandcosmetics.com/products/glass-gel-top-coat)

##### Westmoreland Cosmetics, 



£20

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/48558 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

  

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