Do you have weak brittle nails that just don’t grow? Then read on as I’m about to introduce you to a product that will put all of that into the past. Drum roll… Mava-Strong! After extensive research and testing Mavala, a Swiss brand famous for their innovative and highly effective nail care products, have launched this new nail strengthener earlier this year. So we expect nothing less than revolutionary from Mava-Strong.
Maria and I have both decided to give Mavala Mava-Strong a try. We both have nails that are prone to breaking so it is easy to test drive a nail strengthener. If it works, our nails grow nice and strong, if not… well, hello shorties. Mava-Strong sounded too good not to give it a chance, and we did!
Read our detailed Mavala Mava-Strong review below to find out how effective this nail strengthener really is…
Claim:
Mavala says Mava-Strong “allows splitting, soft, thus breaking nails to regain their normal, healthy and strong aspect. It combines two actions working in synergy: fortifying and protecting. …active ingredients combining technicality and efficiency will quickly improve the appearance of nails and make them more resistant and thicker.”
Use:
Very easy to use. Apply 1-2 coats daily for a week. At the end of week, remove. Repeat for at least 3 weeks. Otherwise, simply use it as a base (2 coats) before applying nail colour for a month or longer if you wish.
Formula:
The unique formula is full of natural and nutritious ingredients for nails. With strengthening elements like keratin and arginine coupled with nourishing tea tree oil and Vitamin E makes for a good combination to thicken your nails and keep them healthy.
Emily’s Verdict:
- Yes, I can confirm this nail strengthener begins working immediately. My nails were not nearly as flexible or flimsy once I put this nail strengthener on.
- Mava-Strong continued to work more and more over time and my nails got longer than they’ve ever been able to be before. I didn’t break a single nail while using this product for 2 weeks, which is unreal considering how long my nails were and how often they usually break.
- It is good to note though, once I stopped using Mava-Strong, my nails weakened within a day or so and began to break.
- I know I will absolutely be purchasing this product again. As someone with naturally weak nails, this product lets me have the long and healthy nails I’ve always wanted!
Maria’s Verdict:
I can confirm what Emily says in her review above. This product makes your nails feel stronger immediately after the first application and it continues working over time. Listed below are a few more positive qualities that I’ve found:
- Colorless base. What I like the most about Mava-Strong is that it’s colorless, which makes it a perfect base coat for any kind of nail art. I’ve been a loyal user of Orly Nailtrition for about 4 years now, but it has a pink pearlescent which is not always ideal.
- 5-Free formula. Mava-Strong does not contain Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor. The latter is particularly important as a nail strengthener is a product that be would be applied on your ‘naked’ nails daily for weeks, months or even years. I would not recommend using a product that contains any of the Big 3 or 5 chemicals – here’s why.
- Accessible. It’s great to discover another great nail strengthener which is as effective as Orly Nailtrition is and much better as a base for nail designs. In Australia it’s hard to find Orly Nailtrition, while Mavala is very accessible – anyone can buy it online here and have it delivered to their doorsteps within a couple of days.
- Strengthening Effect. Even though Mava-Strong works immediately I’d strongly recommend to use it for at least 1 month to feel and see the real difference. Underneath a nail colour or just as a ‘naked nails’ look, make sure Mava-Strong is always on your nails during that period.
- On a negative side, Mava-Strong is a bit more expensive that most of nail strengtheners. But considering how effective it is and given it provides with a perfect, toxin-free base for your manicure, I think Mava-Strong is really worth it.
Extra Notes: Mavala Mava-Strong is super fast drying! There is no excuse not to use this product when it can be applied and dried within three (3) minutes.
Availability: in Australia – $26.95 AUD here, internationally – $19.50 USD here or via your local Mavala counter.
So guys, what are your thoughts about Mavala Mava-Strong? Have you tried it before? Or, are you keen to invest in this one?
– Emily
Photos & some text: Maria Vlezko.
P.S. This is not a sponsored post, neither our opinions were influenced by a brand in any way. Read our disclosure policy here.
More tips for stronger nails:
- 10 best nail strengtheners according to you!
- Mavala Nailactan: the most effective nail strengthening cream
- Brittle nails: how to make them stronger
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alexx says
Are you ladies licensed nail technicians or manicurists? I’m asking as, this product (and most mavala products) contain formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Most nail brands have eliminated formaldehyde from their products because of this, proven fact. (easily googled) Please don’t put your readers at risk for cancer and other illnesses by recommending products that contain kmown, toxic ingredients. thnx
Maria @SoNailicious says
Dear Alex, I suggest you get your facts right. Mavala products do not contain formaldehyde. All their products are produced in Switzerland, where formaldehyde along with other big-5 toxins has been banned for years. (easily googled).
Also, FIY refer to our disclosure policy that clearly states our point of view on beauty products, incl. nail care, that contain toxic chemicals: https://sonailicious.com/about-nail-art-blog/product-reviews-disclosure/
Finally, please don’t try to make another brand’s product look bad by making false claims, this only makes you and your brand look bad, not the product you’re trying to bring down. I know where you’re coming from ;)
Mandy Harker says
Is this good for peeling nails? Not only do my nails break but they peel so any polish or treatment I use literally peels off with my nails. This is despite capping my tips and using cuticle oil several times a day.
Maria @SoNailicious says
I think Orly Nailtrition would be the best for peeling nails. See full review here: https://sonailicious.com/orly-nailtrition-review/ But I’d also suggest add some good food supplements (vitamins) and maybe change your polish remover. Some polish removers are so harsh they may cause severe nail and skin dryness. Also, be careful about what polishes you’re using. Some may contain chemicals and solvents that may also affect your nails not in a good way. More about it here: https://sonailicious.com/why-you-should-buy-3-free-nail-polish/
Hope this helps! x
Mandy Harker says
Thank you for the suggestion. I’ve already tried Orly Nailtrition and it didn’t really help. I do take vitamins. I just use a Priceline non-acetone nail polish remover and my polish is all 3 or 5 free.
I suppose it’s possible that the peeling is a side effect of my medication.
Maria @SoNailicious says
It’s quite possible! Also it could be diet. I know (from my own experience) that certain foods can improve or worsen nail condition. For instance, my nails become noticeably more fragile and breaking when I don’t eat well for extended period of time (even if I take vitamins) or stressing out too much. Here’s a great guide on super foods for nails: https://sonailicious.com/10-best-foods-for-strong-nails/ – of course, it’s unrealistic to try and eat only these healthy foods, but I try to include as many as I can in my meals daily and during the week. Hope this helps!
Mandy Harker says
Thank you :)
Marte Nedrebø says
I tried Mava-strong, and I was very disappointed. My nailes got really soft and started to peel off big pieces. I had such high hopes for this, so that was a big let down ?
Maria @SoNailicious says
Oh wow!!! How terrible! Could it be something else that you’ve been using in conjunction with Mava-strong? Was it a genuine Mavala product? I’ve been using it myself for over 8 months now and am loving it. I will pass your comment onto Mavala team, see what they say… Thanks for sharing Marte!
Marte Nedrebø says
It was quite a bummer, yes :/ I don’t think so. I didn’t use any other new products at the same time. That was the only change. And when I stopped using it it stopped peeling off big flakes of nail. So, I think it was the mava-strong. Yes, it was a genuine Mavala product. Not to complain or anything, everyone has different reactions to products etc and different chemistry. But I thought I should share my experience!
Maria @SoNailicious says
I really appreciate you taking time to share your experience. I’ve had some bad reactions to beauty products (mainly on my face haha) but I’ve never experienced anything like this before with any nail care product. I’d get weaker nails, the growth would slow down or my nails would get too dry all of a sudden and break. But nothing like peeling off in big pieces! I’ll definitely pass your concern onto Mavala and hopefully, they will have some explanation! Thanks Marte! x
Alissa says
Just came across this article and wanted to comment as I have been using Mava-strong on my thin, bendy nails for the past 6 months or so and have had great results. I simply put it on, once a week and have found that my nail polish also lasts much longer now too as it doesn’t chip/peel as quickly as it used to with such bad nails! Also, it definitely doesn’t contain formaldehyde or I wouldn’t be usiung it!
Thanks for your great article, love your site! ?
Maria @SoNailicious says
Thanks Alissa! It’s so great to hear that Mava-Strong helped you to grow stronger nails. I know myself it can be quite a struggle, so far, out of dozens of different nail strengtheners I’ve tried, I found only two that really work (at least for my nails). One of them is Mava-Strong!