May 10, 2021

This Is the Disgusting Habit That Became Worst For Me During the Pandemic

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Beauty confession! I’m a nail biter and a picker….! The most disgusting habit in the world I have is I bite my nails. It’s gross! But even worst than nail biting is nail picking. I get the worst hangnails and I have absolutely no issues just ripping them off. My masochist side totally had no issues with just ripping a hangnail until I’m bleeding. It’s a nasty habit.

I know last year when COVID hit it totally cured me of nail biting. I mean instantly, I became so much more aware of touching my face, biting my nails, etc…! A year later and I’m beyond disciplined about touching my face, rubbing my eyes, and most importantly biting my nails. I simply don’t do it anymore.

Hangnails are a different story.

That’s a habit that got a lot worst with the pandemic.

My boyfriend gets mental when he sees me picking a hangnail. Last year I was just sitting there all anxious picking my nails whenever I watched the news….! I think the best tip I ever got was someone telling me to buy a baby nail clipper and keep it around to clip hangnails as they pop up. I wish I can remember the reader that told me that so I can thank them personally because it helps SO much.

I typically keep one in my makeup bag and one in my desk drawer. I started to keep one in case near the TV! Seriously! It helped! It’s better than having a horror show happen every time I tore off a hangnail. Just clip it and done! No blood, no bandages, no pain! I was considering buying stock in hello kitty bandages at one point because I was constantly uses them to cover up my battle wounds.

Hangnails are the worst but they don’t have to be. Get a really small clipper and keep it around to snip off any drier skin developing around the sides of your nail beds. I chronically apply hand cream but it’s honestly never helped me with hangnails but sometimes it can soften the skin around your nails so you’re less tempted to pick. I can’t say that’s something that helped me but some people swear by just making sure to keep your hands hydrated to avoid hangnails.

Personally, I’m a huge advocated of the mini or baby nail clipper. Keep a few around and just clip those bad boys as they pop up!

I hope this helps the nail bed pickers out there!

Good Luck!

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About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Michelle

    Yeah, I’m a nail-biter and cuticle hawk too. Although I cut rather than tear, which can be painful. But still.

    • Isabella Muse

      thank god I’m not alone! I stopped nail biting because I got all paranoid with COVID but the cuticles, oh lawd…I pick!

  • kjh

    I’m choosing to go with the grossest thing I saw during pandemic. Retail, and no one believed what they saw. A guy LICKED HIS CARD before inserting it. Omg, not acceptable before Covid, but… No one had EVER done that before, in ~10 years of night job. Saliva issues are far worse than nail biting, esp as Covid is a respiratory issue.

    • Isabella Muse

      licked? why…???? ew! You know my pet peeve during the pandemic? People that sneeze in their mask. It grosses me out on so many levels.

  • Mary

    Raising my hand, I too am a cuticle picker. I like to keep a cuticle nipper to get the hangnails taken care of before I rip away at them. It’s easier to take off just the problem parts and not extra skin. I also like to use a cuticle balm at night.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’ve been doing my best to snip them and not pick! It’s a gross habit of mine I’m really trying to break. I use one Dior’s Creme Apricot but I swear it does not help. I still get hangnails and I’m still happily ripping away! I crave pain and blood LOL!

  • Kimmwc03

    Yep, my bad habit is the cuticle thing too. I cannot stand the extra skin hanging around my nails so I’m always applying hand creams and using cuticle clippers. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that habit.

  • LS

    Also a cuticle abuser here. I mostly can keep them out of my mouth by now but I do fiddle with them especially during high stress. My first “real job” boss was a very professional, old school businesswoman, think Dolly Parton toned down, and she was the WORST about her cuticles, they would just openly bleed, I don’t recall seeing her bite them she must have just picked. It clashed so much with how all the rest of her aurora was 100% put together. Obviously that impacted me, maybe scared me straight so to speak.

    • Isabella Muse

      oh my gosh that’s my worst nightmare! perfect appearance, gross cuticles 🙁

  • Glenda

    I have always been a cuticle picker and all the recent hand sanitizing/washing has made it worse because my hands are drier. It’s a subconcious thing, I actually catch myself mindlessly going over my fingertips looking for a hard piece of skin to pick.
    The only time I can remember not picking is when I had fake nails and also when I’ve had a shellac/ gel manicure. Something about the thickness of the fake nails and gel polish made the surrounding skin harder to pick.
    The best at home remedy I have tried is CND’s cuticle eraser because the AHAs really soften the skin and make dead skin easier to remove. Also I use an emery board and smooth the hard skin on the side of my nails which keeps that area smooth and makes it less enticing to pick.

    • Isabella Muse

      It’s the worst isn’t it? I’m the same! I unconsciously look for dry areas to pick! I’ll have to try that CND cuticle treatment maybe it’ll help!

  • Eileen

    Try some Bliss Kiss oil and keep your nails and cuticles hydrated – A LOT! It really helps. I like First Aid Beauty unscented cream or Glysomed. And keep polish on your nails even if it’s clear. It helps protect your nails. And always wear gloves when doing dishes. I swear by the oil and they now have new easy to fill pens! Love them. The oil helps keep nails and cuticles soft. If your nails are hard and brittle they are more likely to break. If they are more flexible, not so much.

    • Isabella Muse

      I swear I apply nail oil, creams, lotions, potions and still I have issues with hangnails 🙁 I’ll try the bliss kiss oil trick though! that sounds interesting!

  • Dee

    I’m not a biter but I am a picker. I’m looking at my cuticles right now and wanting to go at it. Good suggestion on the clippers for hangnails as that’s an issue for me too!