Uh Oh: Recession Nails Are Here
Kleigh Balugo
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Times are tough and money is tight—which can sometimes mean having to skip out on trips to the nail salon. As much as we love the feeling of a fresh set, frequent visits to the nail salon can become pricey fairly quickly, and we don’t always have extra money to spend. Because of this, DIY manicures—sometimes referred to as “recession nails,” have amassed millions of views on TikTok and Instagram.
The good news though? You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars (and hours of your time) at the salon to get high quality, on-trend nails. Thanks to TikTok, we’ve discovered a few foolproof ways to get the nails of your dreams at home—for way cheaper.
What Are Recession Nails?
It’s no secret that tough economic times are upon us. According to a 2025 University of Michigan survey that appeared in The Wall Street Journal, consumers’ negative view of the economy dropped to its lowest point since 2022—which economists believe is the reason Gen Z and millennials are cutting out extra expenses like nail appointments. Enter: Recession nails. To sum it up, recession nails (in its many forms) refers to the switch from seeing a nail tech in a salon to DIY manicures.
There are a few different methods when it comes to achieving at-home manicures. Although press-ons are a popular choice on TikTok—there’s tons of options like gel polish kits and nail sticker strips. It might take a little bit of trial and error to land on your favorite technique, but rest assured there’s something out there for everyone.
Press-On Nails
There’s a reason Google searches for “press on nails” are up 10% since February—aside from saving you the extra buck (which for most of us is reason enough), at-home nails look just as good as sets that would cost you well over $100 at a salon. Not to mention, with the right prep and products, your press-ons can last you just as long. No matter if you’re a gel polish veteran or have never attempted to do your own nails, recession nails are far more achievable than they seem.
If you love intricate nail designs and salon-quality shapes, press-ons will be your preferred method. Whether you opt for a more elegant glazed donut look or want a maximalist set straight off your FYP, there are tons of options at far more reasonable price points than the salon. Thankfully, you can pick up trendy Glamnetic press-ons for under $20, and cult-favorite Chillhouse nails come in tons of designs starting at $16. Plus, all you really need is acetone, a nail file, and glue to apply them. Unlike other methods, there’s no drying time or artistic ability needed.
Pro-Grade Nail Prep
As fun as it is to pick out your next set of press-ons, nail prep is just as (if not more) important to ensure your nails last as long as possible. There’s nothing more disappointing than your adorable nails popping off throughout the day, but it’s easily avoidable with the right prep.
Firstly, use acetone or a nail dehydrator to strip your nails of its natural oils—this makes it so the press-ons have something to adhere to. After that, use a nail file (which usually comes with a pack of press-ons) to buff the surface of your nails so the glue will stick better. Lastly, apply a generous amount of glue to your nail before applying the press-on to your natural nail and holding it for at least 30 seconds so the glue dries down. Make sure to be as thorough as possible—as rushing the prep process is often why press-ons fall off faster than they should.
Gel Nails
Gel nails are the ideal option for anyone that likes that classic polish look, minus the chipping. Similarly to regular polish, gel polish is applied with a brush to your natural nails. However, gel nails are known to last way longer than traditional polish because they’re cured under a UV light. Although TikTok nail enthusiasts can get a little crazy with different gel products and techniques, practically anyone can achieve a gel manicure at home with the right prep and polish. It’s recommended to prep your nails with a file and a base coat, but after that, the process is pretty identical to applying normal polish. (Aside from cutting the drying time in half with a UV lamp, of course.)
It can be overwhelming when you’re first attempting to do gel nails at home, but luckily there are tons of kits out there that have everything you need to get started. TikTok-viral brands like Olive & June offer starter kits for only $30—which if you think about it, is already less expensive than getting your nails done at the salon.
Nail Strips
If you prefer the natural nail look but don’t want to deal with painting, nail strips will be your best friend. Just like gel nails, nail strips are cured with a UV light and can last up to two weeks without chipping or breaking off. However, unlike liquid polish which requires tons of patience to achieve cute designs—nail strips allow you to sport salon-quality sets without the fuss. Because of this, they’re the perfect in-between—long-lasting like gel polish, yet cute and intricate like press-ons.
Like most recession nails, prep is an important part of the process for nail strips too. Most nail strips include an alcohol wipe to dehydrate your nails and a nail file to buff them down so the strips stick better. After prep, simply place the stickers on top of your natural nail, smoothing out the air bubbles to make sure they won’t budge. Then, once you clip the excess and file them down, cure with a UV lamp for the suggested time—and you’re all set.
