This Teen-Approved Nail Kit Costs Less Than a Manicure

Shortly before school started, my 16-year-old came home and flounced her arms dramatically on our kitchen island. “Mom, I need to get my nails done. All my friends get them done, and they’re so cute!” she announced. As touching as her teenaged plea was, with five children in our house, the budget for acrylic nails—or regular nail care of any kind—was just not there. 

However, I want to teach my daughter that there are creative ways to save money on what you want in life, so I offered her a compromise: if she could find the supplies and learn how to do her nails, I’d pay for the kit. My daughter took the task seriously and landed on this $23 acrylic nail kit set at Amazon.

Curkey Acrylic Nail Kit with UV Light

The kit is great for beginners who want to learn to do their nails at home, like my daughter, who raved about how much it included. “It’s only 20 bucks, and it comes with so much stuff!” she gushed. The kit has it all, with 24 acrylic powders in various colors, a UV nail light, an acrylic nail drill, and manicure tools. I recommend setting up the nail station in a well-ventilated room, as some of the supplies’ smells are strong. 

Using the kit’s instructions (and some YouTube videos), my daughter put on a full set of bright yellow acrylic nails with swirled tips all by herself. The first attempt wasn’t perfect, but she was thrilled with the results. “It’s a little hard to do, but as long as you don’t mind your nails looking not so good at first, it will save you so much money,” my daughter explains. And she’s right: The kit’s $23 price tag is far less than one gel manicure would set me back at the salon.

Curkey Acrylic Nail Kit with UV Light

Despite the learning curve, my daughter has consistently applied nails to herself, her younger sister, and her friends. She’s already gone through at least 10 sets of nails and still has plenty of supplies left. While I wish some of the tools were of higher quality, the kit is worth the investment for how much my daughter has used it. And I’m proud of her for learning a new skill and getting creative about affording something you care about. 

If you’re looking to inspire your own household nail tech—or just want some easy press-on acrylics that don’t require a drill—here are other great nail kit options at Amazon, starting at just $6. 

More Nail Kits at Amazon 

Born Pretty Acrylic Nail Kit with Drill

DouborQ Acrylic Nail Art Kit 

Jodsone Gel Nail Set with UV Light

Kiss Impress Press-On Nails

Saviland Acrylic Nail Kit with Drill

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