These Acrylic Nail Sets Will Turn Your Home Into a Salon

We are basically living in a DIY era, thanks to our creativity and, ahem, a year of being stuck inside. There’s not much you can’t do from the comfort of your couch, whether it’s cutting your own hair or braving an at-home waxing kit. And as someone who has tried basically every form of DIY beauty, I can say the next thing you need to try is an acrylic nail kit. Because even though we can now safely go to nail salons and get IG-worthy manicures without having to lift a finger (ty, science), nothing beats getting the same results without leaving the house.

And trust me, you’ll barely miss the salon. These kits come with everything from the ingredients you need to make the actual acrylic nail, to UV lamps, nail tips, and dip powder colors galore. Lucky for you, I found 15 of the best acrylic nail kits, including really easy French tips and ones with just a ton of glitter. There’s an option for every budget and skill level, so you’re basically guaranteed to find a kit that you’ll master using on your own.

What are acrylic nails?

Let me introduce you to two magic ingredients: liquid monomer and powder polymer, which, when used together correctly, form a paste and create the hard acrylic “nail” material that can withstand basically anything. When they’re layered on top of nail forms or tips, you can get any length or nail shape you want. And that’s exactly why they’re popular. Because if you’re like me and are blessed with short, stubby lil nails that break the second they grow past the edge of your fingertip, acrylics are basically the answer to getting a Kylie Jenner–worthy manicure.

How bad is acrylic for your nails?

When applied and removed correctly (with no biting, peeling, or ripping your acrylics off), acrylics shouldn’t damage your nails. But they can be hard on your nails over time, and all that buffing and filing that’s necessary for the acrylic materials to adhere can leave them on the brittler side, especially after getting them touched up to fill in the growth gaps.

“Your natural nails grow out regardless of how long your acrylics last,” Rita de Alencar Pinto, founder of Vanity Projects nail salon in NYC, has told Cosmo. “And you’ll start to see growth at your cuticle beds after two weeks.” So it’s a good idea to give your nails a break after one or two applications, and treat them to a nail strengthener and cuticle oil on the reg.