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A salon-worthy manicure from the comfort of my couch? Yes, pls.

We are basically living in a DIY era, thanks to our creativity and, ahem, a year of being stuck inside. There’s not much you can’t do from the comfort of your couch, whether it’s cutting your own hair or braving an at-home waxing kit. And as someone who has tried basically every form of DIY beauty, I can say the next thing you need to try is an acrylic nail kit. Because even though we can now safely go to nail salons and get IG-worthy manicures without having to lift a finger (ty, science), nothing beats getting the same results without leaving the house.

And trust me, you’ll barely miss the salon. These kits come with everything from the ingredients you need to make the actual acrylic nail, to UV lamps, nail tips, and dip powder colors galore. Lucky for you, I found 15 of the best acrylic nail kits, including really easy French tips and ones with just a ton of glitter. There’s an option for every budget and skill level, so you’re basically guaranteed to find a kit that you’ll master using on your own.

Let me introduce you to two magic ingredients: liquid monomer and powder polymer, which, when used together correctly, form a paste and create the hard acrylic “nail” material that can withstand basically anything. When they’re layered on top of nail forms or tips, you can get any length or nail shape you want. And that’s exactly why they’re popular. Because if you’re like me and are blessed with short, stubby lil nails that break the second they grow past the edge of your fingertip, acrylics are basically the answer to getting a Kylie Jenner–worthy manicure.

When applied and removed correctly (with no biting, peeling, or ripping your acrylics off), acrylics shouldn’t damage your nails. But they can be hard on your nails over time, and all that buffing and filing that’s necessary for the acrylic materials to adhere can leave them on the brittler side, especially after getting them touched up to fill in the growth gaps.

“Your natural nails grow out regardless of how long your acrylics last,” Rita de Alencar Pinto, founder of Vanity Projects nail salon in NYC, has told Cosmo. “And you’ll start to see growth at your cuticle beds after two weeks.” So it’s a good idea to give your nails a break after one or two applications, and treat them to a nail strengthener and cuticle oil on the reg.

Look, we all want the most expensive-looking manicure for the least amount of ~expense~. This budget-friendly acrylic nail kit is under $10—and includes a nail glue, acrylic powder, monomer, and both neutral and French tips. 

Monomer and polymer do sound like hella complex science-lab ingredients, but I promise this acrylic nail kit will walk you through the whole thing. Plus, it comes with nail forms, so you can get whatever nail shape and length you want.  

Complete with nail stickers, sequins, and glitter, the nail artist in you will have everything you need to create your most ~arsty~ mani yet. And the only thing better than a good kit is if it comes with a cute case to carry all of your goodies in, which this one does. 

If this is your first venture into DIY acrylics, take it slow and choose a kit like this one that’s geared toward beginners. This paired-down acrylic set comes with just six dip powders, a monomer (the chemical that creates the acrylic nail), three nail art brushes you can use for shaping and putting on nail art stickers, and a nail file. 

The trickiest part about DIY-ing your acrylics is making the paste. To make it easier, mix the liquid monomer and acrylic powder into a separate dish, then coat your nails with the brushes. Once it dries, file and shape the nail, and seal it with a top coat.  

If you love a bright color, this acrylic nail kit is basically a neon wonderland. It’s nine-free (meaning it’s made without nine of the majorly common toxins commonly found in nail products), so you can feel good about keeping your nails as healthy as possible while flaunting your acrylics. Once you safely remove your acrylic nails after a few weeks, use a nail strengthener to nourish your nail beds.

Whether you’re a pro nail artist or a beginner, this expansive 42-in-1 acrylic nail kit has you covered. This system includes 6 gel colors, two top coats, tips, glue, a gel base coat, nail glitter, tools, and even a mini nail art kit for all your design needs. 

If you’re loving doing your own acrylic nails at home, make sure that you have nail tips in your arsenal. This acrylic nail set comes with over 50 tips of all shapes and sizes, so you can become an expert in almond nails or stiletto nails in no time. Pro tip: When you’re shaping your nails, start by clipping the nails roughly into the shape you want with nail clippers to cut down on filing time. 

If acrylics feel like too much work, a dip powder nail kit is a little easier and will give you an equally long lasting manicure. And if you still want length, you can still glue on some nail tips before you start the dip process. The best part? No UV lamp required, which is better for your nails, and one less thing to store, TBH. PSA: Be sure to use a legit gel removal kit to remove your polish, and pls do not peel, pick, or bite them off. 

This dip powder nail kit includes dip powder, finishing powder, a bond, base, activator, sealer, buffer, nail file, and cuticle tool. NGL, dip powders are a bit of a process, but after all of that work, you’ll be left with smooth, shiny polish that won’t chip the minute you leave your house, and takes way less time to remove than acrylics (just soak your nails in acetone for 15 minutes and gently rub the polish off). 

As someone who almost always goes for a neutral manicure at the salon, this acrylic nail kit is perfect to stash at home for any last-minute needs. Plus, you won’t need a UV lamp to cure your set. It might look daunting, but you’ll get the hang of it with time and practice, promise. 

The best part about having long nails is having so much more room to play with color. This acrylic kit comes with a whopping 20 colors of gel polish, plus a nail file, clippers, rhinestones, and even a silicone finger for you to practice on. 

While the materials that make acrylic nails are long-lasting and damn near indestructible, dip powders are a low-key option that will last just as long, if you don’t care about getting a specific length or shape. This kit is equipped with red, gold, clear and neutral dip powders, a base and sealer, as well as cuticle oil to help those nails healthy.

A nail drill will save you hours of your life filing your acrylics into your desired nail shape. This drill kit includes six tips that buff and file your nails in a fraction of the time that it takes a manual filer. Fair warning: This bb gets hot after a while, so let the machine rest after about 20 minutes of use. 

It’s good to let your nails take a breather after you wear acrylic nails, so if you’re in that in-between phase but still want long nails, try press-ons. They’re less harsh, super easy to apply, and already designed for you. This kit comes with 24 nails, nail glue, and a cuticle stick so you get the best adhesion. 

In between acrylics, if you still want long-lasting polish, grab a gel polish kit and a UV lamp. The price tag on this kit is heftier, but you get all 69 shades of Triple O Polish’s gel polish, plus a top and a base coat. So if you’re looking to overhaul your nail collection and make sure you get a few weeks out of every mani, meet your new gel polish kit.