15 hours ago
6
A few years back, I made a vow to quit getting my nails done professionally in a bid to save money. While I still pop into my local salon for special occasions like weddings or birthdays, I’ve mostly taken matters into my own hands (literally). And for someone who’s obsessed with clean, crisp, pretty nails, that’s been no small feat.
At first, my DIY attempts looked like a third grader’s art project—but over time, my hand steadied, my technique improved, and people started asking, “Omg, where do you get your nails done?” To which I happily reply, “I do them myself.” While time definitely helped me harness my craft, the game-changer came when I started opting for higher-end nail polish.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good drugstore find, but for quick-drying, long-lasting color, I’m hooked on Manucurist’s Active Smooth Polish. A product that can take the place of my bi-weekly nail appointments? Count me in!
More About Manucurist’s Active Smooth Polish
Image: AnthropologiePrice: $19 at Anthropologie
While Manucurist has tons of different nail polishes, the Active Smooth Polish is my all-time favorite. This line in particular is a clever fusion of nail care and color—think of it as skincare for your nails with a smoothing, makeup-like finish.
Each polish is packed with powerful actives like AHAs, raspberry extract, and castor oil to target common nail concerns like breakage, all the while delivering a “your nails, but prettier” look. Designed to be worn solo—no base or top coat needed—these polishes nourish deeply while adding a healthy, polished glow. The shades are buildable and blendable too, letting you mix and match for a customized color and added benefits.
All the Reasons Why I Love Manucurist’s Active Smooth Polish
It Lasts a Full Seven Days
Image: To say I’m hard on my nails would be the understatement of the century. From my weekly meal prep (including dish clean up) to my weekly weightlifting sessions, my nails go through a lot. So, to find a polish that is strong enough to last a full week without the damage of harsh files and thick top coats is a blessing. Plus, there’s no need for a top coat or a base coat, so the polish really does all the work.
It’s Nourishing for Your Nails
Any woman who spends hours of her life at the nail salon knows how damaging getting them done can be. From the electric files that are known to take off the top layer, leaving your nails thin and brittle, to the harsh acetone used to take off gel, there are so many things that can ruin your nails. Luckily for you, Manucurist’s Active Smooth Polish is made to help (not hurt). Ingredients like Hexanal and Alpha Hydroxy Acids help to repair damage and turn your brittle nails into something of a masterpiece. Other ingredients, such as castor oil, vitamin E, and Raspberry Leaf Extract, reduce notable ridges, leaving your nails smooth as silk.
They’re Buildable
One of my biggest complaints with most nail polishes is that they aren’t buildable. Adding one coat is fine, but throw in a base or top coat and a second layer of polish, and you’re left with a squishy mess that’s almost guaranteed to smudge within a few minutes of finishing. The Active Smooth Polish is buildable, fast drying, and leaves your nails feeling smooth and firm (and that’s after just two coats).
Great Colorways
Image: BluemercuryWhile Manucurist doesn’t have hundreds of colors like more mainstream brands, they have just enough to rotate depending on your mood. While I stick to mostly neutral pinks and natural hues, they also have various shades of reds as well as shiny and sparkly hues as well.
The post I’m a Nail Salon Regular, but this $16 Nail Product Made Me Skip My Bi-Weekly Appointment appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
