From “painter’s tape” to stickers that make taking off a gel manicure much less laborious, innovative new products in the nail care industry mean that DIY manicures and creative nail art are getting easier and more interesting than ever.
This push for new technology, tools and user-friendly products has been going full speed ahead for several years since nails have become an accessory akin to a statement bag or bracelet. And there’s no sign of any slowdown. In 2014, Americans spent $8.45 billion on nail services, up from $8.28 billion in 2013, according to Nails Magazine, a trade publication.
Here are several new products that address ease of application, high shine, strong nails and long-lasting color.
Butter London
Butter London Patent Shine 10X Lacquer The high-shine polish made with shock-resisting polymer technology comes in 14 shades and promises 10 different benefits to the nail, including up to 10 days of wear, a gel-like look, fade-resistant color and...
Formula X Sheer Strength A sheer polish that comes in 10 mostly neutral shades, the lacquer is packed with keratin and botanical extracts to strengthen and protect the nail. $12.50 at www.sephora
.com .
Ted Morrison
L’Oréal Paris Extraordinaire
Gel-Lacque Nail 1-2-3 A three-step gel manicure kit that works to “plump” up nails so they appear ridge-free and glossy. The 22 shades in the line can all be applied without the use of a UV light and claim a chip-free and...
Jenna Hipp Clean Sweep Nail
Polish Remover Pads A new addition to self-proclaimed green celebrity nail stylist Hipp’s selftitled line, these 100% oil-based polish remover pads are made of only five ingredients and are void of any parabens,...
Kiesque
Liquid Palisade by Kiesque This handy little tool is like painter’s tape for nails. Swipe some onto the cuticle before lacquering nails, and the product acts as a protective barrier between the skin and nail. After polish is applied, you peel it off...
SensatioNail
SensatioNail Nail
Shield This sticker acts as a barrier between the nail and gel polish, protecting the nail while also making the gel removal process much simpler. Before going for a gel manicure, place the shield on the nail bed and trim to fit. The...
Infinite Shine from OPI A threestep polish that delivers the high shine and vivid color of gel, but without the need for UV lights or the acetone soak to take it off. Known for its array of colors, OPI has created 30 new shades as well as a primer and...
Tweezerman
comes with replacements that slip in and eliminate the need to buy a new filing tool when one side gets worn down. $10 at www.tweezer
man.com .