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1. Dashing Diva semi-cured gel nail strips bring some fun nail art into your life without applying a decal or making a salon visit. These stick on like thicker decals and then are cured with a (separately sold) quickie LED lamp for a hard-as-press-ons design that travels well. Not to state the obvious, but the strips (and the light) together cost way less than a mani with nail art.
Out of all the nail art products I've tried (and I've tried LOTS), these reign supreme. They do require a little more work than simply gluing on some press-ons. But if you feel comfortable shaping your own nails, you can use these pretty easily. You can easily size them to a nail, peel them off a plastic backing, press firmly, then trim with clippers or nail scissors (nail scissors are a bit easier) to fit the strip flush with the shape of your nail, pop your finger under the LED lamp (which you can also get with a kit) for 45 seconds, and then run a nail file over the edge of the nail to seal on the look. I like to also put on a top coat, though that's not required or recommended by the company. When you're done with the look, you can easily pop them off like press-on nails. I always wear these for vacation now and easily pack backup strips and the UV light (about the size of an Apple mouse) in my carry-on for touchups.
Get them from Target for $12.99 (available in many more designs).
2. A clog-proof nail glue under $6 that one TikToker said helped her press-ons stay on for 25 days! Yes, you read that right!
Promising review: "Got tired of spending $$$ at the nails salon, so I decided to try glue! My nails have lasted for 15 days and are still going strong! They are not budging yet!" —Lor
Get it from Sally Beauty Supply for $5.99.
3. LONDONTOWN Illuminating Nail Concealer gives you a no-mani mani that you can quickly brush on before an event.
Promising review: "As much as I would love to have nice, manicured nails, i don’t spend money on manicures. Gels are damaging and regular manicures last a couple of days before peeling. I get regular pedicures bc they last but my hands have looked pretty unkempt for much of my adult life. Until now.
I was definitely skeptical that this polish could be any different from one of the countless neutral Essie shades out there that I’ve tried since the '90s — Ballet Slippers, Light as Linen, etc., — but I decided to give the milky shade a try and I’m so glad I did!!! My nails look incredible. I’m not even sure how to describe why but they look very natural and clean. It’s been a week of wearing two coats and there isn’t one bubble or lift forming on the edges. One coat actually looks great also. I am sold on this stuff. Hopefully it will never be discontinued. So so happy." —Jann
Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in four colors).
4. A nail-strengthening cream renews your nails after lots of biting sessions or wearing acryclics. Cracking or peeling nails? This formula's calcium, vitamin, and hydrogenated jojoba oil formula hydrate for strength.
Promising review: "I was looking for something that could help my brittles nails which rose on layers. I was some skeptical with this cream, because it seems so simple to work. But, guess what? It works great. I've been using this cream on my finger nails only at night for about two months or so, and you can tell the difference. No more weak or brittle nails. It takes some time and patience, but it worth it. Very happy with this purchase." —Celi Goodin
Get it from Amazon for $7.94.
5. If you're a Sally Hansen gel devotee (it's really good stuff, btw), the new Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Color Grip Primer will make your color last even longer.
Promising review: "This product has made my colors last longer and they remove just as easy. Definitely reccomend if you use this brand's gel colors.
It drys in seconds so you can use your colors. It was worth every cent. Three days in and I haven't chipped the paint like I did before." —Tabatha J Pitts
Get it from Amazon for $8.24.
6. A set of 10 quick-dry nail polishes if you've been shelling out for pro manis because you can't seem to successfully let your at-home manis dry before smudging them. These are designed to last for several days and you can easily peel off the color once you're ready to swap to something else.
Promising review: "The set comes in various colors and they are all beautiful. The polish has a big brush that covers the nail easily. The polish is opaque but I did two coats. It didn't stain my nails or has a strong smell. The polish dried up quickly. I cook and clean, so it started to wear off on the fourth day. But I can repaint because of the easy application and fast drying." —perksofbeautyblog
Get 10 bottles from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five color combinations).
7. Or if you're beholden to a certain color, a bottle of instant-drying nail polish (that also happens to be super cheap) you'll be glad you have on hand for those times when you really wanna paint your nails but are pressed for time.
This stuff is consistently good. I've been using it for years! It really does dry quick and flat so you can move on with the rest of your life.
Get it from Amazon for $3.93+ (available in 17 colors).
Not ready to give up your holy grail polish? Get a fast-drying top coat instead.
8. A nail polish holder with some good bottle grip for at-home (or on-the-go) manis with a steady hand. After all, you wouldn't be caught dead with chipped polish once you arrive at your road trip destination (painting while you're the passenger, of course).
I'm actually quite agile at painting my nails, but my Tweexy holder lets me be downright careless with that open bottle of polish. It holds several shapes of nail polish bottles securely! Lots of reviewers say they even use it in the car, but as a passenger. Safety before manis, folks!
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 21 colors).
9. A universal mani tool that'll fit on top of a variety of nail polish lids to help you *steadily* brush on that at-home color thanks to the larger surface area for holding. Even with your non-dominant hand!
This tool will fit on top of any nail polish bottle (not just the brand's)!
Get it from Target for $16.
10. A cuticle pusher and spoon easily transforms some nail beds with some help of cuticle oil.
Promising review: "I have been searching for the past months for an under the nail cleaner and cuticle pusher that went MIA in my home. Finally decided to give in and purchase a new nail tool and I received them promptly and love both the smaller one that I can carry in my purse and a longer one for both finger and toenail cleaning and cuticle pushbacks. It's such a pleasure to purchase something online and find that it's just what you were looking for." —Mary Dougherty
Get it from Amazon for $5.29.
11. A nail rehab treatment helps your damaged nails bounce back.
My colleague Marquaysa Battle swears by this stuff. Here's what she has to say:
"I wore acrylic sets faithfully before the quarantine hit. When I finally fixed my heart to soak off what would be my last full set for a lonnnng time, I had this in my bathroom and began using it regularly along with tea tree oil for my cuticles. Within a month, my nails started to look healthy although they had broken off during my soak-off session. After three months, my nails look even healthier and I'm 100% sure they're stronger now since I broke my pinky nail and it grew back WITHIN A WEEK like it hadn't even happened. YES, I now have supernails, LOL! I also love the very subtle pink shade of this treatment because it gives my nails a natural nude look that I can wear alone but when I wear it underneath other nail polish colors, it doesn't interfere with the other shade."
Promising review: "This stuff works like no one's business. I am a housekeeper who was constantly tearing and breaking my nails. I don't know what's in this stuff, but it works! This stuff is so good I sent a bottle to my sister in Florida." —Rhonda L. Brockman
Get it from Amazon for $8.04.
12. A nail design pedestal lets you corral all your at-home mani essentials in one spot. It's time to get creative!
13. LONDONTOWN Kur Instant Smudge Fix, something I wish I knew about eons ago because I'm forever smudging my at-home AND salon manis when I decide to actually put in a lil' bit of effort.
14. A stain-preventing base coat blocks any bold nail colors from seeping into and staining your nail. Also, how easy is spray-on vs. paint-on?!
Promising review: "This for sure makes nail polish stay on longer. I used it for the toes which usually peel up. After one week the polish hasn’t budged at all. The spray makes it so easy to use on toes but you can use it on fingers too. I’m assuming it’s just a dehydrator and not an actual polish because it disappears off the surrounding skin by the time it’s dry." —Amara
Get it from Amazon for $5.91.
15. Or a necessary bottle of drying drops helps you get on with your post-painting life much faster thanks to a single drop for each freshly polished nail.
Promising review: "These 'drip dry' finishing drops are a total game-changer. A couple of years ago I broke the lifelong habit of biting my nails, and I did it by painting them a new color every time I got that nervous impulse. The only drawback to painting them so often is that it can be a serious time suck, and involve a lot of do-overs — especially if you're anything like me, and usually multitasking, and/or still getting the hang of DIY manicures. Enter these drops. They really do work immediately — and it really only takes a single drop on each nail. In under a minute, they're totally dry to the touch and impervious to dings or smudges. Gone are the days of flapping your hands and blowing on your fingers for 10–20 minutes at a time. Thanks, science!" —Katie B.
Get it from Amazon for $13.50+ (available in two sizes).
16. A cuticle oil does your personal beauty counter, cuticles, and skin good. The skin *around* your nails deserves the royal treatment too!
I own this stuff and with the combination of taking a hair/skin/nails vitamin and daily use of this before bed, my nails grew SO long and SO fast! Also it smells lovely.
Promising review: "This Cuccio milk and honey cuticle moisturizer is truly a cuticle saver. Applying one drop to each cuticle and massaging it in completely will leave your cuticles and hands feeling soft, looking great and the smell is divine. I use it on both my hands and feet and I’m comfortable showing my fingernails and toenails this summer because this product has made it so easy to feel confident knowing I won’t have crusty cuticles." —Rina C
Get it from Amazon for $6.15+ (available in two sizes and four scents).
17. Or a nail and cuticle oil that reviewers rave about but comes in a much smaller bottle for easy transport!
Promising review: "This product is amazing. I've always had acrylic or dipped nails because my real nails have always been brittle and always break and peel. I decided to give my nails a break and wanted to try and grow them out. I can't even believe the outcome! They are stronger than ever and growing! I really wish I had taken a before pic to show the difference!" —JOE D.
Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in two sizes).
18. A Vaseline balm stick works all over BUT as one derm on IG points out, is great for slugging your cuticles.
Get it from Walmart for $6.87.
19. A LEGIT top coat reviewers say extends their at-home manis by about a week. (Yup, this reviewer's mani is eight days old at this point in the pic.)
Promising review: "My nail polish usually chips and needs to be redone by day two. When I use Seche Vite, I can go a week or longer without seeing any chips in the paint. Also there is no smearing of the paint underneath when applying this top coat. I wash my hands about 300 times a day and do the dishes daily. I highly recommend this nail polish." —VS
Get it from Amazon for $7.71.
20. Kiss Impress press-on nails give you a gel-like mani in about five minutes. I can vouch because these are my hands and I've used dozens of sets of them over the years! (They're the brand I keep going back to.)
I'm quite adept at painting my own nails (the only time I get a professional manicure is when I want gel before going on vacation), but these press-on nails have me feeling super lazy about painting my nails because they're so easy to use! And that's OK! Each set costs you less than 10 bucks and rather than fool with a bottle of nail glue that ends up anywhere but the nails, each nail has a peel-off plastic that reveals a super sticky surface you press onto your real nail. I find that all the nails stay on about three days when I do stuff like hand-wash my dishes, pet glorious dogs, and scratch many layers of dry shampoo on my scalp. You'll get 30 nails with each set, which helps you find the right sizes BUT I've also found comes in handy when a pointer or middle finger nail pops off (those are the first to go in my experience) so I end up getting about a week's use of wear out of each nail set. Multiple friends have seen me with the nails on and all have believed they're the real deal!
Get them from Target: marble/glitter set for $8.59 or similar red set for $8.59 (available in lots more styles)
21. A psychedelic set of fake nails pair nicely with those flares you've been rocking lately.
Promising review: "Looks just like the picture, a little long for me but they were still super cute." —Sabrina Merrill
Get them from Amazon for $6.48+ (available in 12 styles).
22. And if you're ready to REALLY go for some bold length, a set of ~wild~ printed coffin press-on nails even if your definition of a wild night is sitting on the couch and watching House of Villains.
Scandal Beauty is a trans/womxn-owned brand, inspired by the founders' Cait and Jai's passion for their love of beauty, nail art, and an early-'00s aesthetic to start the brand.
Get them from Scandal Beauty for $15.
23. Plus a set of press-on toenails that'll look like you got a pedi...except for less than $15. I've tried these and they're SO convincing!
Promising review: "No need for a nail shop anymore. I love how lightweight these are and they literally melt into your actual toenails, they look just like I got gel on my toes and look so natural. Also I’ve had them on almost two weeks haven’t lost one!" —Bunz
Get them from Amazon for $12.25 (available in a variety of colors and designs).
24. A set of files and buffers help you get to your desired shape and level of smoothness when starting from scratch.
Set includes six nail files and six nail buffers.
Promising review: "I was scared to buy this because I thought it was going to be cheap af!! But these are actually amazing, sturdy, and I think they will last a long time. I buffed my thumb slightly with the orange sponge (all of the sponges have the same grit-like smoothness) and it feels like a professional buffer. As for the nail file, you can tell the difference in grit on both sides. These are perfect for my personal use." —Kathy Ly
Get them from Amazon for $6.99.
25. A glass nail file seals the ends of your nails to help prevent peeling like emery board files can cause.
Promising review: "The first time I got a glass nail file, I didn't know the difference between the painted grit and actual etching. HUGE DIFFERENCE! My first cheapy file lasted a month. These ones (I bought three) have lasted MONTHS and are still like new. That's how you can tell these are made of genuine etched glass. They are omnidirectional and leave your nail tips feeling smooth. I keep one in both bathrooms as well as one in my purse, because if I have a nail file near me then I won't bite my nails!! :)" —NaySAO
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in eight colors).
26. A concentrated O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream so your paws look and feel as lovely as your nails.
The best time to apply for maximum results is after hand-washing, bathing, or at bedtime.
Promising review: "Every winter, my fingers and knuckles crack and bleed. I've tried everything on the market to heal my hands. I received this hand cream yesterday and when I put it on, I could tell right away that this was better than anything I'd tried. This stuff started working immediately. I filled all the cuts and cracks on my hands with this cream, and today they are almost healed. I believe that this is the best hand cream ever made on earth." —Steve
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
27. A set of holographic nail powders deliver some real flash.
Set includes eight different colors: laser silver, silver, champagne gold, red, hot pink, rose gold, purple, and deep blue.
Promising review: "Oh my gosh I love this stuff! I normally change my gel polish every three weeks or more but there are so many beautiful colors that I just had to change it within a week. I am amazed at how easily it goes on. It doesn’t last as long as gel polish through and through, but that’s OK I’m ready to try another one!" —Nyx
Get them from Amazon for $13.96.
28. A professional nail care kit so all your essentials are all in one very pretty spot. No more wasting time looking for a file when you have Real Housewives queued up and you're ready to get cracking on that mani.
Set includes toenail clippers, nail clippers, diagonal nail clippers, multi-purpose scissors, cuticle trimmer, ear pick, single-edged double-sided push stick, eyebrow tweezer, peeling knife, nail file, blackhead needle and loop remover, and V-shaped push stick.
Promising review: "Seriously, the size of this thing surprised me. You read measurements, but until you're holding it in your hand, you don't realize how hefty it is. Which I guess is good, because it is a solid set of tools. The case is sturdy and a pretty shade of rose gold. There are so many more tools than in your standard travel nail kit and these are definitely more well made than my previous kit. If you need something to toss in your go-bag, you should definitely get this set. It has everything you could need in your home away from home." —Avid Amazoner
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two carrying case colors).
29. A gel UV lamp you'll wanna invest in if you're serious about your at-home manis (LBH, if you're reading this you likely are!). This'll help prevent all sorts of unsightly smudges.
30. A set of reusable nail clips make removing your gel and acrylic nails at home so much easier than your before attempts. You simply soap cotton swabs in nail polish remover, put it on your nails, and then clip these over those nails to help the nail polish remover do its work.
Promising review: "I had dipping powder on my nails and because of the stay-at-home mandate for the virus, I was unable to go to a nail salon. I tried removing the polish by using tin foil wrapped around my nails, but it didn't do the job. I tried this product, thinking, 'What do I have to lose?' It worked like a charm! After doing my left hand, my husband had to help me put the right one on. These clips stayed in place, and I was able to get all that hardened dipping powder off my nails. It's difficult to do both hands if you don't have someone to help with the other hand, so I suggest doing one hand at a time." —Mary
Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $3.99+ (available in four colors).
31. An instant cuticle remover made to rid the area around your nails of dead skin but also sooth skin with aloe and chamomile.
Promising review: "I had never tried this before and I am so glad I did. It works great! Within seconds of applying it to my nails, the cuticle becomes soft and I can remove it right away. I used to never remove my cuticles when doing my nails, I guess because I didn't really know how to, but since I started using this product my nails look so good. I'm happy with the product and the results." —ABernal
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
32. A 20-piece polish set that'll help revamp your horde of polishes that are looking pretty gloopy nowadays. With this, you'll have ~options~.
Promising review: "This is the best DIY gel polish I have ever used. One coat foundation, two coats desired color, one coat no wipe top coat and it lasts. I have had the same polish on for 10 days as of now, used Scotch-Brite scrub pads to complete housecleaning several times, and not a single nail has polish lifting or separating. I HIGHLY recommend this brand and have already made more purchases of different colors since. The polish has a thicker consistency and only requires two color coats, even for the lighter shades. The glitter polishes only require one coat over solid colors or two coats when used alone. I have found my favorite brand that is well worth the price. The best part, there's no sticky residue left on the topcoat!" —Sarah
Get them from Amazon for $27.99 (available in six color sets).
33. A top and base coat set that just might be the thing that'll convince your nosiest of friends that you went to the salon for that mani.
Promising review: "First time using gel, and I absolutely love this base and topcoat. I bought some cheap $2 gels a while ago bc they were on clearance, then after I noticed how horrible the reviews were (peeling easily), well with this base and topcoat I had absolutely no peeling, not even one chip on any of my nails! They stayed on perfectly and shiny till two weeks when I soaked them off. Love this stuff. Very impressed." —Lisette
Get them from Amazon for $7.99.
34. A nail recovery kit that includes cuticle oil, strengthener, and ridge filler to help pamper your nails in between manis or after long periods of acrylics.
Promising review: "This product works!!! I use the ridge filler first and then add one to two coats of the strengthener. I then usually add color and topcoat. This has helped my nails grow and become stronger after getting dip nails for a few months. I’d definitely recommend." —carolyn harrison
Get it from Amazon for $13.95.
35. A brush set helps you achieve your DIY nail art dreams. They're also great for cleaning up extra polish around your nail!
Set includes nail extension gel brush, builder gel brush, nail carved pen, nail art liner brush, and nail dotting pen.
Promising review: "These neat little brushes are amazing. Before the set, I was always struggling to do nail art. The set contains quite a few varieties of brushes for different uses, offering great precise strokes, what I absolutely love about the brushes is the firmness, it is soft enough to do curvy strokes and firm enough to create nice straight lines using a bit of pressure! Absolutely love it!! Highly recommended and totally would buy a second set if there is a need for it." —Sunshine.H.D.
Get them from Amazon for $9.99.
36. A Swiftie nail sticker pack because IYKYK.
Magic Gloss is a woman-owned small biz that creates whimsical nail designs.
Get them from Magic Gloss for $15.
37. Mineral-infused nail polish remover made to help you start with a fresh slate — without drying out your nails.
This polish remover's nondrying formula is made without acetone. It's also cruelty-free and vegan. Plus, it was made in the US.
Promising review: "This nail polish remover was worth the extra couple of dollars over what you can find in a store like Walmart or Target. One cotton ball with this stuff can remove nail polish from an entire hand, which is great considering that I used to have to use two to three cotton balls when trying to remove polish, regardless of color. The smell is not super but the ease is there so I would recommend it." —Brianne Ross
Get it from Amazon for $7.19 (and don't forget the cotton balls you'll need).
38. A press-on nail storage box because if you love press-ons (like me) then it can start to get a little too much to keep up with all of 'em in their individual packaging.
Bambo NailsArt is an Etsy shop specializing in press-on nails and products.
Promising review: "This storage container for my nails is awesome. I’m a nail fanatic, and this is just what I needed. I can keep each nail,item from different vendors separate so when I want to reorder I know exactly which vendor it’s as. So organized!" —Nancy Stwora
Get it from Bambo NailsArt on Etsy for $10.99+a (available in two sizes).
39. And some loooong French press-on nails because you're mesmerized with Carmela Soprano's mani during your annual re-watch.
Me wanting to chat because you're still iffy on trying press-ons:
