Nail Magic is a formaldehyde nail strengthener. I've tried several nail strengtheners, but Nail Magic is the only one that's worked to make my thin, weak nails stronger. It did make some of my nails burn a little when I put it on right after I removed my acrylics, so took it off and used a moisturizing base coat (Mavala Barrier Base). After my nails recovered (two weeks) I was able to use Nail Magic.

I first clean my nails with 2 parts isopropyl alcohol mixed with 1 part distilled water. I apply two coats of Nail Magic, two or three coats of OPI Samoan Sand nail polish, and one coat of Nail Magic as a top coat. I apply another coat of Nail Magic the next day, and again after three days.

Nail Magic dries quickly and as a top coat, it adds long-lasting shine and makes my nails feel harder.

I recently purchased a new bottle of Nail Magic and noticed that the ingredient list had changed. I hope the new formula is as effective as the old formula.

This product did what no other ever did - gave me long, strong natural nails!
I have never, ever had long and healthy nails. I spent my younger years with thin and weak nails. Then, a few decades with silk wrap tips. When I finally wanted to stop the tips and took them off, my nails were awful. It took a while for them to just look normal again.
I tried a few of the hardeners that were highly recommended and none made a difference...UNTIL I discovered NAIL MAGIC. It is aptly named - it's magical. All ten nails are long and look great. I get a $7 manicure each week to keep them well shaped. I use the Nail Magic as a base coat and top coat and in between I put one of the Sally Hansen polishes. That seems to be the magic combination! In fact, a problem I never thought I'd have...they are too long to text on my iPhone! HIGHLY RECOMMEND this great product.

I bought this and read the reviews. I was careful not to get it near my damaged cuticles because people said it could hurt. I did get it near one part and it did sting, but overall I was careful and only felt that once. As far as how it works, I'm extremely impressed. My nails ALL broke after polishing too much and they were a short, cracked mess. I've been using this for about a month and it's definitely helping them grow. I don't know that it makes them grow, but it helps stop them from cracking more so they *can* grow. It's a slow process, but they are growing and do feel stronger, even though the cracked tips are still visible. It's going to be a while before they are totally ok, but at least it's going in that direction.

Update: A few months later and my nails still break. I wonder if putting on a coat of anything has to do with that. My nails are super sensitive. Going to attempt going without this product except as a base coat and see if they actually grow back...

Update 2: I went without it for a while and they still were brittle, but I'm wondering if it's because the product weakened the whole nail. I'm going without for a longer period and changed my buy again to no. I think they Nail Magic therapy might be better for me.

Not only did this product not make my nails stronger, it was awful to take off. I could not get nail polish remover to work without a great deal of effort.

I have always had brittle nails that rip and peel. They could NEVER grow without looking like a hot ratty mess. So I did resort to acrylic nails for five solid years. Big mistake of course... My nails were ready to fall off my fingers and the upkeep was unbearably expensive.

AFTER I completed the Nailteques "After Acrylics" product over a year ago i still couldn't get my nails to grow. Enter Nail Magic. My nails have NEVER looked better. Even WITHOUT polish my nails are strong and beautiful and LONG, holy crap I never knew my nails could look nice. Especially not THIS nice. My mom asked if I was wearing acrylics again when she saw my nails via FaceTime!

Never had any burning or pain.... I LOVE this product. I'll keep it in my routine for as long as they will make it!

I've been a nail biter for over a decade. Finally decided to break the habit this past may and nix the nail biting. I longed for nice nails but since I had bitten them for so long, they would grow and break, peel and were yellow.

Enter nail magic! Bought it at Sally's and the associate recommended I apply it once a day for a week. On day 7 I remove the polish, let my nails breathe for a bit and then reapply. I have only had two broken nails in over six months (a HUGE deal) and my nails are a beautiful white. No problem with burning or stinging here.

Only con is this shit stinks. But that's not really a big deal. I apply it in the morning and it dries in about 30 seconds and go on with my day. It's not recommended for weak nails due to acrylics so read the directions!! This stuff's pretty great.

I have used nail magic for about a year and I always experienced some burning. I last used it a couple of months ago and two fingers on left hand and three on my right hand felt like burning hot pain. I am talking real pain and swelling. I removed the nail magic, but the pain was still there, and then white puss came out of my pinky finger and my other infected fingers had clear puss coming from underneath my fingers! I don't know why this happened but I will NEVER use nail magic again!! I am talking pain for weeks...not days! Swollen and my nail bed lifting on one finger. I am now searching for another product that will not burn like hot fire with razors!

So far so good! The lengths we go for beauty. I did read the reviews here on mua before purchasing Nail Magic and was a bit concerned by the amount of people that experienced pain and burning while using this product. Well, that didn't stop me from going out and buying it. I purchased Nail Magic at Sally Beauty Supply Store and it was relatively inexpensive ($7.99) for what you would pay for a salon brand nail tx. I did read the directions this time with this particular nail product because I was already aware of the potential side effects of it. It did say do not apply to nails that were recently exposed to acrylics and do not use near open skin or damaged cuticles. The product states that if you are using on bare nails, to apply 2 thin coats every 3 days and remove old coats prior to applying the new coats. Okay, I got it. So, I gently applied 1 thin coat to my pinky nail to test any reaction. Thankfully, I didn't experience any side effects of pain or burning with this. Within 2 days! 2 days, I noticed a difference! 9 nails are growed out so that there was a nice sliver of a clean white tip showing. I was pretty impressed that all 9 nails grew out evenly, that never happens with my nails! I say all 9 because I did experience 1 chipped nail and the product guidelines did mention that you will experience some chipping during the initial phase. I've only had this product on my nails for 4 days now and I really like what I'm seeing! I'm very happy that this product doesn't cause peeling like some other nail hardeners do.

This stuff seriously saved my nails. Period. They'd suddenly all decided to peel over this past summer and it was so bad I gave up coloured polish all together. I stuck to treatments only and tried anything and everything in the Barielle line(my usual go-to), Growing Nails (with the garlic), Duri Rejuvacote, Spa Ritual protein treatment... nothing was working until I gave Nail Magic a try. I've been using it for the past month or so and I'm so impressed with how good my nails are now! They're strong and hard and pretty much all of the peeling has grown out. Phew!! I do believe this contains some liquid form of formaldehyde (listed as methylene glycol), which might be why some people have burning as it can cause allergic reactions in some people. Their website even mentions this and recommends stopping use immediately and soaking your nails in ice water for several minutes. I'm glad I didn't get any reactions but I understand the hate for those that do. For me it worked and got my nails out of an ugly rut. I would definitely repurchase, as long as I remain 'reaction free'. *knock on wood*

I too have used this product for probably 10 years and it is THE best nail strengthener that I have ever used. I discovered them at a trade show that I was working and was blown away how well it worked. I have natural nails and have never experienced any burning. I have no idea what would make that happen except to say that we are all different and maybe it's just a sensitivity/allergy that most of don't have. Finally found them online and will be ordering my stash.