2025's Top Nail Care: Polishes, Press-Ons & Tools Revealed
Elevating Your At-Home Manicure: 2025's Top Nail Care Picks Whether you're a seasoned at-home manicure artist or just dipping your toes into the world of DIY na...
Elevating Your At-Home Manicure: 2025's Top Nail Care Picks
Whether you're a seasoned at-home manicure artist or just dipping your toes into the world of DIY nail care, discovering the right products can completely transform your routine. The beauty landscape has evolved significantly, now embracing not only dazzling aesthetics but also a holistic approach to nail health and convenient, salon-quality solutions right from the comfort of your home. For 2025, a prestigious selection of nail care essentials has been rigorously tested and celebrated for their exceptional performance, promising to elevate your nail game.
This year's curated list spotlights everything from quick-drying lacquers and robust long-wear polishes to revolutionary at-home gel systems. We've also pinpointed the crucial base and topcoats that extend your manicure's lifespan, alongside gentle yet effective removers. For those prioritizing nail integrity, a top-tier strengthener and essential cuticle care tools and oils are included to keep your nails in prime condition. An emerging trend highlights the increasing sophistication of temporary press-ons, offering stunning, durable results that rival professional salon finishes, making advanced nail care more accessible and budget-friendly for everyone.
Best Nail Polish
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish
Why It Won: This polish is a true multi-tasker. Its three-in-one formula eliminates the need for a separate base coat and topcoat, drying completely in a remarkable 60 seconds – perfect for busy mornings or last-minute touch-ups before a night out. The flat brush ensures a neat, streak-free application, even for the most impatient users. With an impressive 109-shade range, including vibrant hues like Augmented Red-ality, you're spoiled for choice. Its consistent wins over the years speak volumes about its enduring quality.
“Sally Hansen Insta-Dri dries in a snap, and one coat of even the richest red in the lineup, Augmented Red-ality, is all you really need for saturated color. It’s my one-and-done when I need my nails to pop on short notice."
Gel By Essie Nail Polish
Why It Won: Among dozens of contenders, Gel By Essie stood out for its unparalleled durability. This high-gloss formula repeatedly impressed testers, effortlessly withstanding countless hand washes, intense strength-training sessions, and even the challenge of opening numerous seltzer cans. Its well-shaped brush facilitates a smooth, single-stroke application, and with over 60 colors available, finding your perfect shade is a breeze.
“I have tried a lot of different ‘long-lasting’ nail polishes, and this is still the only one that stays on for a minimum of five days (though I've gotten up to eight before it started showing some wear at the tips). That might partially be because it takes only two coats to get totally opaque color."
Aprés Gel Couleur
Why It Won: A secret weapon for celebrity manicurists preparing clients for the red carpet – with 12 sets of hands at this year’s Met Gala alone wearing it – Aprés Gel Couleur delivers professional-grade results. When put to the test in everyday scenarios, its formula was equally astonishing. Once cured with an LED light and a topcoat, this gel manicure boasts incredible longevity, lasting until your natural nails grow out. Beyond the dizzying array of shades, the brush truly captivated DIY enthusiasts, offering the precision and control typically found in a certified professional's toolkit.
“This gel formula has become a non-negotiable in my DIY nail routine. The brand's wide range of colors and finishes is one thing, and its smooth, opaque formulas are another, but it's the brush that makes this polish such a standout. It’s slimmer and more compact than your average applicator, making it easier to paint in ultra-thin coats and get total control of where, exactly, your polish goes so you’re not flooding the cuticles. It's like a specialty nail-art brush, but better because you don't have to buy it separately.”
Best Base Coat
OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
Why It Won: The OPI Natural Nail Base Coat creates a glossy, protective barrier that effectively prevents discoloration and significantly extends the life of your manicure, regardless of the polish brand you apply over it. Some testers even observed their natural nails growing noticeably stronger throughout the testing period, a testament to its fortifying properties.
“What I like most about this base coat is that it gives you a really even coat—I just need two swipes on each nail and I’m good to go. It also dries down fast, which means quicker, less messy manicures overall.”
Best Topcoat
Zoya Ultra Glossy Seal Top Coat
Why It Won: The Zoya Ultra Glossy Seal Top Coat masterfully replicates the high-shine, chip-resistant finish of a professional gel manicure, all without the need for a UV lamp. Its denser-than-average consistency not only provides superior polish protection but also creates a reflective effect, ensuring up to seven days without a single chip for our testers.
“This Zoya topcoat is like a two-for-one because it both protects your mani and enhances the color you choose, even if it’s a basic nude. And if you're chronically late, like…some people (not me, HR), you'll love that it dries quickly.”
Best Nail Strengthener
Margaret Dabbs London Nail Strengthening Treatment
Why It Won: Unlike many products that merely offer superficial protection, the Margaret Dabbs London Nail Strengthening Treatment actively reinforces flimsy fingernails after just a single application. Its potent formula is enriched with celery seed, known for its strengthening fatty acids, alongside a blend of vitamins (B5, E, and F). The sheer pink hue also doubles as a delicate blush polish with two coats, adding a touch of elegance.
“I’ve been trying to rebuild my nails after giving up gels for good, and it’s been a journey. I’ve tried loads of strengtheners, and this is the first one that made an immediate, noticeable difference. After one coat, I’m able to unbox dozens of beauty products without having to fret over my nails breaking, splitting, or folding.”
Best Cuticle-Care Product
Le Mini Macaron Lunegloss Revitalizing Serum Pen
Why It Won: Testers universally loved the Le Mini Macaron Lunegloss Revitalizing Serum Pen, starting with its mess-free applicator that dispenses the precise amount of oil exactly where needed. However, the intensely conditioning formula truly won hearts, transforming dry, ragged cuticles with a powerful blend of black algae, açai berry, and black caviar extract. (Note: the oil initially presents a sheer, grayish tone upon application.)
“I took this handy pen with me on a ski trip to Colorado, and not only is it easy to apply (and pack), but it kept my nails and cuticles super conditioned—even in the snow.”
Beauty Power Nail Care Set
Why It Won: Achieving neat, tidy cuticles is paramount for a polished at-home manicure, and the Beauty Power Nail Care Set helped testers attain near salon-worthy results. This comprehensive trio includes a precision nipper with stainless-steel blades, a dual-ended pusher (one rounded, one slanted), and a mini glass file that also buffs nail plates. These tools provide everything necessary for pristine results, with just the right sharpness to be effective without pricking the skin.
"I take my nail game seriously, and having a dedicated tool kit makes all the difference for nail and overall hygiene. This set has everything I need—including a glass nail file, high-quality cuticle cutters, and even tweezers!—to maintain my nails between sets, keeping them trimmed, filed, and my cuticles in top shape anytime, anywhere."
Best Press-On Nails
Glamnetic Press-On Nails
Why It Won: For those who find long nails impractical for daily tasks like typing or tying shoes, Glamnetic Press-On Nails offer a brilliant solution. These durable tips come in demure lengths that look so natural, you'd swear they were salon-applied. Each box contains 30 nails, allowing you to choose your preferred shape (square, oval, almond, or squoval) and design—from timeless French manicures and classic cream shades to on-trend art like sheer lace print and 3D seashells, plus adorable brand collaborations such as the Hello Kitty and Friends press-ons.
“These are the perfect solution for an instant manicure at a fraction of the price. Forgot you had a baby shower this weekend? Glamnetics to match the outfit. Going on vacation and trying to stay below budget? They look great, last about two weeks, and are extremely easy to apply. I get compliments on my nails all the time, and people are shocked when I reply, ‘Thanks, they’re press-ons!’”
Best Nail Polish Remover
Morgan Taylor Strip Ease Nail Lacquer Remover Pot
Why It Won: Many remover pots can be more trouble than they're worth, requiring extensive twisting to remove even light polishes. The Morgan Taylor Strip Ease Nail Lacquer Remover Jar simplifies the process dramatically. Its acetone-soaked sponge wipes away polish on the very first dip, accompanied by a subtle, pleasant melon-y scent. The gentle, panthenol-infused formula keeps both noses and nail plates happy.
“This remover takes off polish scarily fast and doesn’t totally dehydrate my nails in the process."
Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover
Why It Won: Despite launching over a decade ago, the Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover consistently impresses testers year after year. Its gentle, softening formula, featuring glycerin among its five ingredients, effortlessly cuts through multiple coats of polish and even tackles stubborn glitter, all without stripping your nails of essential moisture. The salon-style, spill-proof pump further cements its status as a timeless product.
“This remover is effective—it doesn't take a lot of swipes or rubbing to get even the richest colors off. But the pump dispenser is the real reason it's the GOAT of removers. DIY manis can get messy, but that mechanism ensures you're not spilling or overusing acetone.”
Dermelect Extracts 3-in-1 Soy Nail Polish Remover
Why It Won: Tested against the brightest reds (Le Mini Macaron in Cherry Red) and the darkest shades (OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark), the Dermelect Extracts 3-in-1 Soy Nail Polish Remover wipes effortlessly removed both saturated colors. This achievement is particularly impressive given its acetone- and alcohol-free formula. Instead, it replenishes nails with beneficial ingredients like peptides, jojoba oil, and vitamin E.
“These wipes are a conditioning treatment for your nails and cuticles that also happen to deftly remove polish—one swipe for lighter colors; three swipes to remove a deep red—all without the remover stink.”
Choosing Your Perfect Nail Care Products
When selecting nail products, consider several key factors to ensure you achieve the best results. Efficacy, durability, and user experience are paramount. Top-performing products are rigorously evaluated for their ingredients, how well they perform in real-world conditions—like typing, dishwashing, and workouts—and the ease of application and removal. Look for formulas that resist chips, peeling, and fading, offering long-lasting wear.
Many award-winning products are also beginner-friendly, featuring precision brushes, fast-drying formulas, and intuitive kits that simplify the at-home manicure process. This year's selections encompass everything from traditional lacquers and long-wearing gel-like options to true at-home gel systems requiring an LED lamp. Crucially, traditional polishes highlighted in this list are free from formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBT), with many options also being vegan and cruelty-free, reflecting a growing consumer demand for cleaner beauty choices.