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The Best Nail Glue for a Salon-Level Mani at Home
You can achieve a salon-quality mani from the comfort of your couch, and these top-rated (and budget-friendly!) nail glues will make it look flawless.
While a trip to the nail salon might be a nice bit of self-care, finding time (and funds) for professional nail treatments isn't always a simple feat. Thankfully, you can achieve a gorgeous manicure at home, and with a little bit of practice and patience, every person you see will be complimenting you on your flawless tips.
But you can't score a stunning at-home mani without the proper tools, and that's where a good nail glue will come into play. Whether you're applying acrylics or press-ons, or customizing your look by way of fun designs, you'll want to have at least one pick on hand in your arsenal for your DIY manis.
Not sure where to begin? Here's what to look for, according to Anna Parvatova, brand manager at SNS Nails. "For at-home users, prioritizing ease of application and removal is crucial since they don't have the assistance of a professional," she says. "Look for nail glue with a fine-tip brush or applicator for precise application. A quick-drying formula is also ideal to prevent accidental damage. Choose a glue that offers an easy removal process, whether it's through gentle peeling or a simple acetone soak."
It's not a bad idea to patch test on one nail before doing a whole set, even if you're not particularly sensitive. "In general, nail glue does have an element of toxicity to it," she notes. "Even products marketed as 'non-toxic' will have things like cyanoacrylate in them, which can cause skin irritation. But most nail glue is safe to use as long as it’s applied by an adult and it’s not ingested. However, you can always reduce the toxicity of using nail glue by choosing products that don’t have toluene, camphor, parabens, and formaldehyde."
As you get used to working with nail glue, Parvatova recommends starting small. "The rule of thumb for nail glue is 'Less is more.' Using more product will not make the bond stronger. In fact, it can make the glue layer a bit clunky, and it increases the chance of skin contact. Just apply a small amount and let the product do its work."
Keep reading for our favorite picks. An added bonus: Most of these are under 10 bucks, which will save you hundreds in the long run by skipping the salon.
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