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woman with perfect french manicure at home

French tip nails

review: the best french manicure at home kit

By Vivienne Holloway

Published: 29 Apr 2025

So, there I was, staring at my chipped, sad-looking manicure. It was the middle of a Monday, and I was already mentally exhausted. You know that feeling? Anyway, I knew I needed a pick-me-up, something to make me feel a little more put-together (and less like I'd wrestled a badger). A French manicure seemed like the perfect solution, but I'm not exactly a nail salon regular. Time, money, and the sheer dread of making small talk with a stranger while my cuticles are being attacked? Yeah, no thanks. I decided to find a good at-home kit. But with a million options online, how was I supposed to choose?

woman looking frustrated at her chipped nails | Image: Supplied

The Search Begins: Finding the Perfect French Manicure Kit

Let me tell you, the world of at-home mani kits is a WILD one. There are so many brands, so many different tools and polishes. I spent, like, an embarrassing amount of time reading reviews. Some kits promised salon-quality results, some looked super-cheap and probably unsafe, and some just had weird names that made me question everything. I needed something easy to use, something long-lasting, and most importantly, something affordable. I didn't want to spend a fortune on something I might only use once!

My Top Pick: Sally Hansen Salon Manicure French Tip Kit

After weeks of research and almost pulling my hair out (which, ironically, would have made the whole at-home mani situation even worse), I finally settled on the Sally Hansen Salon Manicure French Tip Kit. Why? Well, first of all, I've always been a fan of Sally Hansen products. Their quality is pretty good for the price. Secondly, this kit seemed to have everything I needed: the nail polish, the base coat, the top coat, even the little guide stickers for that perfect French tip. I was skeptical, but honestly, I was also desperate.

Sally Hansen Salon Manicure French Tip Kit | Image: Supplied

The Application: Easy Peasy (Mostly)

The application itself was surprisingly straightforward. I followed the instructions (which, bless their hearts, were actually pretty clear) and, thanks to the little guide stickers, I managed to get reasonably even French tips. There were a couple of small wobbles here and there – I mean, I'm not a professional, okay? – but they were easily fixed with a little bit of clean-up. The polishes went on smoothly, and they dried pretty quickly. No major complaints here, although I wish the sticker was slightly more flexible to fit my nail shape properly.

woman applying nail polish with guide stickers | Image: Supplied

The Results: Surprisingly Chic!

I have to admit, I was blown away. My at-home French manicure actually looked pretty darn good! I got compliments from my friends (the real test of any manicure, right?). The color stayed put for a respectable amount of time—about a week before I started to see any serious chipping, even after a lot of hand washing and typing. Considering the number of times my hands are submerged in water to wash dishes and my typing work, it was a pretty solid performance!

close-up of a perfectly done French manicure | Image: Supplied

Final Verdict: A Solid Yes!

Overall, I'd definitely recommend the Sally Hansen Salon Manicure French Tip Kit. It's affordable, easy to use, and delivers pretty impressive results. It's not a completely perfect product. There are certain things, such as the nail sticker, could be imporved, but these are minor setbacks and overall, it was a really good experience for an at-home mani-pedi. If you're looking for a convenient and budget-friendly way to achieve a salon-worthy French manicure at home, give this kit a try. You might just surprise yourself! (And maybe impress a badger or two along the way).