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DIY Salon Secrets: Holy Grail Essentials for the Perfect Manicure at Home
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items As much as I love going out for a good manicure, doing it regularly just isn’t in the budget for me. But having my nails done at all times is a non-negotiable. These are the holy grail essentials I’ve fallen in love with, allowing me to achieve salon...
Sections
4
Prep & Cuticle Care
The Perfect Polish Library
The Finishing Touch (Top Coats)
Everything Else
Prep & Cuticle Care
The secret to a long-lasting, salon-quality manicure is all in the prep. I’ve found that taking the time to prep the nail and clear the cuticle area makes the biggest difference in preventing chips. These are my must-have nail prep essentials to crea...
This stuff is magic and a non-negotiable for my routine. I use it to prep for every single manicure—it dissolves cuticles in about 30 seconds, making it so easy to get that clean, salon-quality look without any painful tugging or cutting
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover Nail Treatment
Don't bother with the wooden sticks; a high-quality metal pusher is a lifetime investment for your kit. It’s the only way to clean up the cuticle area and prep the nail surface so your polish doesn't lift. It’s the small step that makes the biggest d...
Utopia Care Stainless Steel Cuticle Pusher & Nail Cleaner
The final step for perfect cuticles. I use these after the remover and pusher to carefully clean up any tiny hangnails or stubborn bits still lingering. They are sharp and precise, which is exactly what you need to get that clean, high-end salon fini...
Professional Stainless Steel Cuticle Trimmer
I typically only reach for a base coat when using darker colors, and this one is a lifesaver. It’s super affordable—even my darkest navy or red polishes don’t leave a stain behind. It creates a perfect barrier so my natural nails stay clean and healt...
Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat
Not all nail files are created equal, and these are proof of that. These are dual-sided with the perfect grit to shape your nails without causing peeling or jagged edges. I love that they are durable enough to last through multiple manicures while re...
Olive & June 3 Dual-Sided Nail Files Pack
This set includes clippers for manicures and pedicures. They are incredibly sharp, meaning they actually cut the nail instead of crushing it, which helps prevent breakage. The flat edge design is intentional—it helps you achieve a more modern, 'salon...
Olive & June Flat-Edge Nail Clipper Set
The Perfect Polish Library
This curated collection of my favorite high-pigment nail polishes, ranging from timeless staple neutrals to my favorite quick-dry formulas. Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated mauve for fall or a vibrant pop of color that sets in seconds, thes...
White polish is notoriously hard to get right, but this is the only one I’ve found that looks like a true gel mani without needing a UV light. It’s impressively smooth and doesn’t leave those annoying streaks. Just a heads up: you definitely need at ...
Olive & June Long Lasting Nail Polish - HD White
This is my absolute favorite for those days when you want a subtle, clean, and pulled-together look. It gives nails a healthy, 'active' glow that looks beautiful on its own, but it’s also stunning as a top coat over soft pinks to add extra dimension ...
Manucurist Active Shine Nude Gel Polish 2-in-1
The perfect clean, natural pink. I’m VERY picky about the undertones in my light polishes, and this one is flawless—no blue hues, just a beautiful, classic finish that looks great on everyone.
essie Salon-Quality Nail Polish, Fiji Pink
This is another one I’ve repeatedly repurchased because it’s the ultimate ‘clean’ shade. It’s subtle and sophisticated, leaning more toward a nude-pink than a straight pink. It’s my go-to when I want a manicure that looks polished and professional wi...
essie Nail Polish Soft Beige Pink Nude 0.46oz
This is my go-to for a quick manicure. It’s a soft, creamy blush pink that's incredibly flattering and goes with absolutely everything. Because it dries so quickly, it’s the easiest way to get a clean, professional-looking manicure even when you're s...
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish 239
This is a staple for fall, but it’s honestly a perfect year-round neutral. It’s a gorgeous, dusty mauve that feels more elevated than a basic nude but is still understated enough for everyday wear. It has that classic 'cool-weather' vibe and looks st...
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish Mauve
"One of my absolute favorite shades for the spring and summer months! I always get so many compliments when I wear this. It’s a beautiful, bright yellow that feels fresh and fun, but it’s still sophisticated — perfect for a beach trip!
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish, Daisy Dukes
This is such a unique, 'chilly' shade. It’s a beautiful cool-toned mint blue that looks fresh and modern. Because it’s an Insta-Dri formula, you get that creamy, opaque finish almost instantly. It’s my go-to when I want a color that feels a bit more ...
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish 510 Gain Mo-Mint-Um
This is a long-time favorite for a reason! It’s the perfect, crisp mint that somehow works for every single season. It feels like a cool 'ice' blue in the winter and a bright, refreshing pop in the summer. I always get compliments whenever I wear thi...
essie Mint Green Nail Polish, Vegan, 0.46 fl oz
This deep, forest green is exactly what I reach for when I want a moody, sophisticated look. It’s a beautiful dark shade that's rich and polished, but since it's an Insta-Dri formula, it sets much faster than other dark polishes I've used.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri C-hill Out Green Polish
The Finishing Touch (Top Coats)
A great top coat is the ultimate insurance policy for your nails. This section features the best high-shine sealants I use to lock in color and add that 'just-left-the-salon' gloss. These formulas are designed to prevent chipping and significantly cu...
A quick-dry top coat is a non-negotiable for me, and this is the only one I’ve used for years. It delivers a high-gloss, glass-like finish and dries my manicure incredibly fast. If you’re impatient like I am but still want that 'just-left-the-salon' ...
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Quick Dry Top Coat
My go-to for a long-lasting, high-shine finish. This top coat consistently lasts a full week and has a beautiful, glass-like gloss. It’s an amazing budget-friendly option that performs just as well as the expensive brands.
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish Invisible
Everything Else
These are the unsung heroes of my DIY nail kit. From mess-free polish removers that save you from 'oops' moments to the organizers that keep everything tidy, these tools make the transition from salon to home effortless. These have been total game-ch...
I’ve had this for about 4 years and I love how many polishes it holds and the additional storage pouches in the top for files and clippers.
CURMIO Nail Polish Case Holds 40 Bottles, Travel Bag
This is a newer addition to my routine, and it has been an absolute game changer. It’s the ultimate tool for those 'oops' moments—it allows you to clean up and redo a single nail without ruining the rest of your manicure. Instead of fumbling with cot...
Olive & June Nourishing Non-Acetone Remover
If you’re moving your manicures from the salon to your home, you need a dedicated space for your growing collection. I love this tiered organizer because it keeps every shade visible so you aren't digging through a dark drawer to find that one specif...
4-Tier Clear Acrylic Nail Polish Storage Rack