Nails
Best Nail Polish
UN/DN LAQR Nail Polish
Essie Hard to Resist Nail Strengthener
Best Nail Treatment
Machine Gun Kelly did the most with this UN/DN LAQR Nail Polish ($18). Not only is the formula fully opaque with just one swipe, has a short and wide brush that gives so much control, and comes in a wide range of shades from mustard yellow to green and
some of the most exciting glitters we've
seen, but the brand is also all about
self-expression and creativity for all.
OPI Nature Strong Top Coat
Best Topcoat
Not all topcoats are created equal,
and you'll understand why after trying the OPI Nature Strong Top Coat ($12). One coat of this super-shiny, gel-like topcoat gave our DIY paint job a few more chip-free days than normal. Plus,
it dried quickly, which is a must for us.
Think of the Essie Hard to Resist
Nail Strengthener ($10) like a luminous blush for your nails. One coat of the sheer pink treatment not only made our naked nails look brighter and healthier, but they also felt noticeably stronger and less pliable once the recommended two coats were fully dry (which happened pretty quickly, FYI). Our testers even noticed less overall breakage after
about a week of wearing this.
Olive & June Press-On System
Best Press-On Nails
Just like french manicures, the
Rachel haircut, and low-rise jeans,
press-on nails have made a full-on resurgence. Our favorite set: the Olive & June Press-On System ($54). Luckily, these press-ons have evolved with the times. This system comes in 21 sizes
and 42 nails, so you can find your more seamless fit; they're made with 94 percent postconsumer recycled material; and they're reusable. Oh, and did we mention the designs are absolute fire?
We love minimalist nail art as much
as the next person, but who has the time (let alone the talent) to re-create the intricate looks we have saved all over our Pinterest boards? The JinSoon Zodiac Series Nail Art Appliqué ($12) makes it super easy and so chic (no cheesy designs here!). Pop a few over bare nails for an accent or over your polish for a more traditional nail-art look.
JinSoon Zodiac Series Nail Appliqué
Best Nail Stickers
There's nothing as satisfying and
fresh as a first-day manicure, but it always feels a little dull after just 24 hours, which is where the Zoya Naked Manicure Defend and Shine Kit ($29) comes in. This at-home gel topcoat kit helps lock in that first-day shine so you can get that fresh-mani look all week long. You can even use it over your regular polish (just give your mani at least a day to fully cure first).
Zoya Naked Manicure
Defend and Shine Kit
Best Nail Kit
Some people keep screwdrivers, hammers, and a drill in their toolkits. Our toolkits look a bit different. Mainly, they're made up of the Glosslab Nail Tool Kit ($25), which has five stainless-steel nail tools (a clipper, file, cuticle pusher, scissors, and tweezer) to help us level up our nail-care game. Any nail
pro will tell you that the best manicures
start long before the polish bottle is unscrewed and it's all about the prep work. This set helps us get there.
Glosslab Nail Tool Kit
Best Nail-Grooming Kit