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We’re all trying to be a little smarter about where our money goes — and sometimes, that means cutting back on the “nice-to-haves,” like weekly salon appointments.
But just because your budget’s tight doesn’t mean your nails have to look like it. Welcome to the era of “recession nails” — a buzzy trend with real payoff. Whether finding ways to stretch your current manicure or perfect your at-home polish game, it’s all about looking polished without blowing your budget.
To help you master the art of the money-saving mani, we asked pro nail techs to spill their best tips — from the tools they love to the tricks that keep polish chip-free.
SKIP AHEAD How to make your salon manicure last longer | How to DIY your manicure at home | The best at-home manicure tools and kits | Why trust NBC Select?
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How to make your salon manicure last longer
If you’re going to splurge on a professional manicure, make it worthwhile.
“The best way to extend a salon manicure is to apply a layer of top coat every day — it keeps chips at bay,” says Jessica Dickson, owner of Jessica’s Beauty Service.
Another pro tip? “Wear gloves when you’re cleaning or doing dishes,” says Chelse Collins, nail technician and owner of The One Beauty Lounge. “Excess water and harsh chemicals can cause your polish to lift or chip faster.”
How to DIY your manicure at home
Want to skip the salon altogether? You can still get a great-looking manicure at home — you just need to know a few key tips. Below, our experts share their best guidance:
- File gently: Use a fine-grit nail file to shape your nails. Avoid using a sawing, back-and-forth motion, which can weaken the nail. Instead, move the file in one direction, starting at the outer edge and moving inward.
- Focus on your cuticles: “Whether you’re using an orange wood stick, a metal pusher, or an electric file, giving proper attention to your cuticles is essential,” says Collins. “Make sure they’re gently pushed back and any excess is trimmed—this ensures your polish adheres properly and lays smooth.” Just avoid cutting the skin around your nails, which can cause hangnails, and only trim hard pieces of cuticle sticking out, says Dickson.
- Clean your nails: “Polish won’t stick to a nail bed that’s oily or dirty,” says Collins. “Spray your nails with at least 70% alcohol and wipe them down.” Dickson says to avoid using a cotton ball to wipe, and stick to a paper towel instead — cotton can leave behind fibers.
- Paint away: When it comes to polish, start with a base coat, which gives your color something to stick to. Then paint on two thin layers of colored polish, followed by a top coat to seal it all in. “With every layer, run the brush along the free edge (tip) of the nail,” says Collins. “This helps seal the product, prevents cupping, and extends the wear of your manicure.”
The best at-home manicure tools and kits
To help make your at-home manicure dreams come true, we rounded up nail products our experts love — and added a few more recommendations from NBC Select editors.
Diamancel Luxury Diamond Nail File
Dickson enjoys this fine-grit nail file, which won’t wear down as quickly as most files. The file is made from nickel-coated fiberglass and has industrial chips embedded into it, according to the brand. It is also reusable and washable.
Londontown Must-Haves Complete Set
This limited-edition kit is a nail lover’s dream: It includes four bestselling kur care treatments and four long-lasting, chip-resistant nail colors in flattering, everyday shades. Whether you’re going for a full mani or a quick refresh, this set has everything you need for salon-quality nails at home.
CND Solar Oil
Another recommendation from Dickson, this cuticle oil is made up of a blend of four natural oils — jojoba, vitamin E, rice bran and sweet almond. The oil helps to nourish cuticles and nails so they are stronger and moisturized, according to the brand.
Dazzle Dry Polish
“This polish is a total game-changer,” says Collins. “It dries completely in under five minutes and lasts for up to 14 days on natural nails.” The polish comes in more than 150 shades and is vegan and non-toxic, according to the brand.
Olive & June Mani System
Olive & June’s Mani System has everything you need for an at-home manicure — including clippers, a file, a buffer, cuticle serum and more. “During the pandemic, I bought Olive & June’s Mani System and watched all of the brand’s videos on social media to learn how to properly do my nails,” says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. “I still religiously use Olive & June’s products five years later because they’re high-quality. I also swear by the quick-dry drops. The first time I used them, I could not believe that it literally took less than 10 minutes for my polish to harden completely.”
Essie Expressie Nail Polish
“If I’m not using Olive & June polish, I use Essie Expressies,” says Malin. “It dries very, very quickly and I like that the brush head is on the narrower side, which helps me be more precise with my strokes.” The polish comes in many colors, and Malin says she keeps them in all her travel bags in case she needs to fix or do a manicure quickly.
Manicurist Discovery Kit
Manicurist’s Discovery Kit has five products — a nail degreaser, base coat, polish, top coat and drying drops. All of the formulas are plant-based and free from toxins. The polish also offers a gel-like effect without a UV lamp, according to the brand. “This is the only at-home manicure set that actually leaves my nails looking and feeling better than they started,” says Lauren Swanson, NBC Select editorial director. “The manicure also last for about three weeks without chipping — I usually get bored of the color before the polish chips.”
Glamnetic Press On Nails
I started using these press-on nails during the pandemic and haven’t stopped since. They come in a variety of shapes, lengths and colors. The kit comes with 30 nails in 15 sizes, so you’ll find sizes that work for you. You also get a cuticle stick, nail file, alcohol pad and glue. What I like most is how sturdy they are — they don’t bend or break — and last up to two weeks.
Chillhouse Chill Tips
“I’m a big fan of nail art, but complex designs come with a heavy price tag at the nail salon,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. “When I decided to save money by doing my nails at home, I didn’t want to give up getting fun designs, so I opted for Chillhouse’s Chill Tips. They offer many pretty, funky options and you can choose your preferred nail shape.” Rodriguez notes that they typically last for two weeks with the right prep.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Jessica Dickson is the owner of Jessica’s Beauty Service, which offers mobile manicures, pedicures and reflexology.
- Chelse Collins is a nail technician and owner of The One Beauty Lounge in Hollywood, Florida.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed experts on recession hair.
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