Going to the nail salon should be more chill than it is. Advocating for what you want, sorting through hundreds of colors, and making sure this all fits into the nail budget while simultaneously trying to relax is...just not relaxing. Like most, I would be much more inclined to do my nails at home and save a dollar here and there if I had the proper tools to do so. That's where new Gel Mani System comes in: The at-home kit, plus the launch of 28 new gel shades, offers a long-lasting gel manicure, sans the salon.
Olive & June is that girl in the nail world, and the new launch further solidifies that status. Everyone from professional manicurists to nail content creators and casual nail lovers can attest to how the brand's polishes, tools, and press-ons are a constant in their rotation. Once a hot spot Los Angeles salon, the affordably-priced range of products from the brand has something for everyone—even the nail polish adverse—affirming their mission of delivering beautiful nails for everyone.
Already approved by Selena Gomez, the brand's first-ever all-in-one gel manicure kit includes everything you'd need (emphasis on everything—the kit comes with 14 tools, including polishes and nail care essentials) to get your perfect gel mani at home.
Ahead, everything you need to know about the new system and gel polishes, plus our honest review.
The Inspiration
Sometimes the best inspiration is the most obvious. Nail art has become more popular than ever, but so is saving money anywhere we can. Plus there's something to be said about being able to give yourself a salon-quality mani in a pinch, no appointment required. Add in the busy holiday season ahead, and the new launch feels especially fitting.
Anyone who is familiar with the brand knows Olive & June offers much more than just polish. The brand's expansion into tools and nail care, such as the Poppy Manicure Tool or Polish Remover Pot, has led the way for an all-in-one at-home gel kit, which includes everything you need for the gel of your dreams. And don't worry, the brand created gel versions of 28 of its existing colors, so you can use your current favorites.
What's more: The kit is already Selena Gomez-approved. The manicure muse and her go-to nail artist Tom Bachik crafted her Academy Museum Gala nails using the new kit before it launched. Bachik used Cosmic Silver from the new gel collection to create her "cosmic silver gloss" manicure. (Mandy Moore is also a fan already).
The Product
The Gel Mani System is just what it sounds like—an all-in-one kit that includes a 5-finger LED Gel Lamp (so you can cure a whole hand at once, just like the salon) along with some of the brand's must-have tools to create the perfect gel manicure at home. The $85 kit includes the Gel Polish Base, Gel Top Coat, Peel Off Base Coat, The Poppy, a Mani Pusher, a nail file, a clean-up brush, Cuticle Serum, Cuticle Remover, and an Acetone Remover Pot. With any new tool, there's bound to be a learning curve, which is why the system's box doubles as a work surface for protecting your space from spills.
Alongside the new Gel Mani System are 28 gel versions of the brand's bestselling shades for $10 each. The Gel Polish applies like regular polish, lasts for up to 21 days of wear, and doesn't damage the nails. You can also opt for the Peel Off Base Coat, which offers the same glossy shine, but cuts the removal process down to a simple (and satisfying) peel with no damage. Plus, there's also a new removal product, the Salon-Speed Soak-Off System, which includes caps, sponges, acetone, and foil wraps for a seamless removal process.
The Review
"Olive & June has been my favorite nail polish brand for the past five years. As someone who almost always does my own nails, I love how the brush has a slight curve to it, making at-home manis foolproof. That being said, my DIY skills never extended into gel formulas before. But if any brand would get me to try it for the first time, it would be Olive and June. I opted to use the mulberry shade and the regular base coat (as opposed to the peel option) to test its full staying power.
"Nail artist Julie K shared that the key to an even and effective application is applying thin layers of polish. I know I have been guilty of being heavy-handed with polish to 'speed' up the process, so it was helpful to learn that I needed to be more mindful with gel. I loved that all of the color options were existing Olive & June shades, so you could easily wear your favorite colors. The whole process was much easier than I had anticipated DIY gel to be—especially because I could fit my whole hand in the lamp instead of one finger at a time like other consumer gel products. It also had the same shine and 'plump' finish of salon gel.
"My finished manicure lasted a whole two weeks before I found a chip and then started the inevitable polish peel—with minimal damage. Overall, I think anyone who is a fan of the brand will enjoy this gel option for a more durable manicure." —Adelaide Giesey, editor
You can shop the Gel Mani System and Gel Polish on oliveandjune.com starting October 24.