Nail myths, set straight
White spots, breathing nails, faster growth after cutting: some beliefs about nails refuse to fade. Here is what is really going on.
Interactive tool
The Nail Quiz
Twelve questions drawn at random from every article in the magazine. Your best score stays in this browser.
How the quiz works
Each round draws twelve questions from the quizzes at the end of our articles, so every round is a little different. After each answer you see a short explanation and a link to the article where the answer is explained in full. Your best score is saved only in this browser.
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Stories for this tool
A short history of nail polish
From the nail colours described in ancient China to soak-off gel: how coloured nails moved from a mark of rank to an everyday form of self-expression.
The French manicure, classic, micro and reverse
Where the white tip came from, the variations worth knowing and three reliable ways to paint a smile line that looks clean and natural.