Nail set means three different things. A salon set is an appointment. A press-on set is a box of tips. A tool set is a manicure kit. The word carries almost no information on its own.
A salon set
- Acrylic for length and cheap upkeep, roughly $45 to $90.
- Gel-X for a fast appointment and clean removal, $50 to $95.
- Dip for three to four weeks with no lamp, $40 to $70.
- Gel polish for colour only, $35 to $70.
A press-on set
Short squoval nude
The most natural-looking box you can buy.
Milky white almond
Semi-sheer over a soft taper.
French coffin
The best-selling combination in the category.
Chrome mirror
Instant, where a salon takes ninety minutes.
Glazed pearl
Iridescent for a tenth of the salon price.
Cherry red short square
Red hides a rushed application.
Tortoiseshell
Hides an imperfect fit.
Custom-fit set
Made to a mould of your own nails.
Toe set
Sized differently. Buy separately.
A tool set
180 grit files
For natural nails. Nothing coarser.
Glass file
Seals the free edge as it cuts.
Buffer block
Use sparingly.
Cuticle pusher
Metal or wood.
Cuticle nippers
For hangnails only, never the cuticle itself.
Orange sticks
For removal and cleanup.
Cuticle oil
The highest-impact item in any kit.
Clippers
For toes. File fingernails rather than clipping.
The metal file. It is in nearly every manicure set sold and it is far too coarse for natural nails. Throw it out and buy a 180 grit board file.
Questions people actually ask
What is included in a nail set?
It depends entirely on the seller. A salon set is an appointment, a press-on set is a box of tips, a tool set is a manicure kit.
How much does a full set of nails cost?
Roughly $35 to $95 in a salon depending on the system and the length. Press-ons run $8 to $30.
What tools do I actually need?
A 180 grit file, a buffer, a cuticle pusher and cuticle oil. Everything else is optional.
