The same way your hair has a major impact on how your face looks, your nails have a major impact on how your hands look. It seems like some poeple are naturally blessed with beautiful fingers and fingernails, while the rest of us struggle with brittle, peeling, cracking nails that break easily.

So what sets some people apart from others when it comes to long sleek nails versus short breaking ones? According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, some common causes are over-using nail products (nail polish, polish removers, hardeners, or other nail products and applications), low zinc or iron levels, or even thyroid problems.

And sadly, sometimes brittle nails are just a normal side-effect of the aging process.

Oh yay.