buuk.top / Reese Herrington
Historically, whenever anyone wanted to change up acrylic nails or attempt nail art, a salon visit was necessary. But today, its much easier to achieve a salon-quality manicure from the comfort of your own home.
To do so, you need the right manicure kit, which should include nail glue, particularly if youre applying fake tips or press-ons. "You can also use it to fix broken nails," says Molly Romah, lead nail technician at Chillhouse. And whether you opt for brush-on or squeeze-tube application, celebrity nail stylist Gina Edwards says a glue that offers a long-lasting hold is crucial.
Now that youre looking to add nail glue to your vanity, makeup bag, or nail toolbox, we want to make sure youre spending on the right products. So,we conducted hours of research on the best nail glues, evaluating each based on user-friendliness, dry time, hold, and removal—extra points forformulas infused with ingredients that strengthen, nourish, or otherwise benefit nail health. The results: this list of the very best of the best.
Nailene Ultra Quick Nail Glue at Amazon
Beauty Secrets Drip & Clog Proof Nail Glue at Sallybeauty.com
KISS Vita Bond Nail Glue at Amazon
NYK1 Super Strong Nail Glue at Amazon
KISS PowerFlex Ultra-Hold Precision Nail Glue at Amazon
Makartt Quick Nail Glue at Amazon
IBD 5 Second Brush-On Nail Glue at Amazon
Big Bondini Plus All Purpose Nail Glue at Amazon
Young Nails Brush On Glue at Amazon
INFILILA Professional Nail Glue at Amazon
Expand
Best Overall
Nailene Ultra Quick Nail Glue
Amazon
View On Walmart
View On Ecosmetics.com
Dries quickly
Long-lasting
Doesn’t come with a lot of product
With its durability and ease of use, this nail glue ranks high in our books. Itdries quickly—in five seconds or less—and keeps fake tips or press-ons in place forat least two weeks. Reviewers rave that this nail glue lasts through it all, including daily activities like washing dishes and making the bed. One buyer described the hold as"scary strong."
But bear in mind a high-strength formulaalso means itll be a little harder to remove your acrylics when youre ready to replace them. You might need to use nail polish remover to dissolve some of the adhesive or gently pry them off with a cuticle pusher. Also worth mentioning: The squeeze tube is pretty small and doesnt contain as much glue as others on this list—but you dont need much, and you can get two for under $10.
Who Its For
This high-strength, quick-drying nail glue is perfect for DIY manicurists who need areliable, long-lasting adhesivefor press-ons, fake tips, or repairs.
Price at time of publish: $6
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.10 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Value
Beauty Secrets Drip & Clog Proof Nail Glue
Amazon
Bonds quickly
Clever applicator
Vegan formula
Not as long-lasting as others
This nail glue containsat least twice as much productas most others we found, so youll definitely get a good bang for your buck. But thats not the only reason to buy it. As the name suggests, the fine-tipped nozzleprevents drips when applying the adhesive, while a special cap ensures it never clogs. We also like that the formulaquickly bonds to the nail and lasts up to two weeks.
Who Its For
If you want more product for less money, knowing the tube wont become useless due to a clog, this ones for you.
Price at time of publish: $4
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.37 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
No
Best Infused
KISS Vita Bond Nail Glue
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Walmart
Low odor
Great hold
Infused with vitamin A and E
Formula can be a little tacky
Doesn’t come with a lot of product
KISS Vita Bond is a favorite of Edwards (who, full disclosure, is an ambassador of the brand). "The brush-on glue is infused with vitamins A and E and has agreat hold and low odor," she tells buuk.top. Beyond instantly bonding to your nails and offeringa strong hold for up to a week,the antioxidant infusion promises tonourish your nail beds and make them all-around healthier.
Who Its For
The nourishing antioxidant-infused formula is an excellent choice for those with thin or brittle nails that could use some TLC.
Price at time of publish: $5
Active Ingredients: 2-cyanoacrylate | Size:0.17 fluid ounces |Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Press-Ons
NYK1 Super Strong Nail Glue
Amazon
View On Nyk1.com
Clever applicator
Long-lasting
Dries quickly
Tricky to remove
This UK brand is a celeb favorite for on-the-go manicures. We love itsprecision brushapplicator, which is ideal for press-on and French tip application. The user-friendly, long-lasting,water-resistantformuladries quickly and holds up through it all—including frequent hand-washing and strenuous tasks. It can be tricky to remove, but this is really just a testament to how well it works.
Who Its For
Whether youre a beginner or more experienced withpress-on nails, this strong-hold brush-on glue is a solid choice.
Price at time of publish: $13
Active Ingredients: Cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.27 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Split Nails
KISS PowerFlex Ultra-Hold Precision Nail Glue
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Walmart
Repairs broken or cracked nails
Multi-purpose formula
Long-lasting
Difficult to find in stores
Messy to work with
Split, cracked, or broken nail? It happens to the best of us. That said, youll be glad to have this nail glue on hand next time you need a fix. A tiny bit does the trick, and thenarrow nozzle helps with precise application. "Repair your broken nail with a patch combination of nail glue and a tea bag or a thin paper towel," says Romah. Of course, you can also use this product to apply acrylics.
Who Its For
If you break or crack your nails often, youll want to keep a tube of this glue in your arsenal.
Price at time of publish: $5
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.10 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Acrylics
Makartt Quick Nail Glue
Amazon
Clever applicator
Dries quickly
Doesn’t set too quickly
Doesn’t come with a lot of product
A bit intense for some
Accomplishing acrylic nails at home is no easy feat, which is where this Makartt nail glue comes into play. Its brush offerseasy, even applicationwith no lumps, bumps, or clumps. Like the best nail polish brushes, all you need is one swipe to evenly coat each nail. And even though itdries quickly, it gives you just the right amount of time to set everything into place. Whats more, it can be used to apply press-ons or gems and fix broken nails, too.
Who Its For
We highly recommend this brush-on, single-swipe glue for DIYacrylic nails or nail extensions.
Price at time of publish: $9
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.23 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Fast Drying
IBD 5 Second Brush-On Nail Glue
Amazon
View On Sallybeauty.com
Great for reapplication
Dries quickly
Great for fixing broken nails
Doesn’t come with a lot of product
At-home manicures are all about saving time. Still, it can be hard to be patient while everything dries, which is why we love this nail glue from IBD. As the name suggests, the on-the-go formuladries in just five seconds. In addition to applying a fresh set of nails or tips, its great forreapplication and fixing broken nailsin a pinch. Plus, it has the seal of approval from Edwards. "I use this in conjunction with ridge filler powder for a quick fix—its very consumer-friendly," she says.
Who Its For
Whether you need to quickly apply a new set, reapply a nail that popped off, or fix a crack, this rapid-drying nail glue is up for the task.
Price at time of publish: $4
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.17 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Wraps
Big Bondini Plus All Purpose Nail Glue
Amazon
Great for wraps
Dries quickly
Applicator makes it tricky to apply
Ingredient list is not listed
Nail wraps are an alternative to gels, dips, acrylics, and regular nail polish. Theyre essentially thin adhesive strips you wrap around each nail bed, then file down to achieve the proper fit and shape. Big Bondini Plus is amultipurpose formulayou can use not only for fake nails and tips but also for wraps. While nail wraps usually come with a sticky backing, swiping on a thin coat of this glue before applying them canensure they stay putand help themlast longer.
Who Its For
This multipurpose nail glue can be swiped on before applying nail wrapsto help them stay in place and last longer.
Price at time of publish: $5
Active Ingredients: Not listed | Size:0.14 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Not listed
Best for Beginners
Young Nails Brush On Glue
Amazon
Dries quickly
Allows you to retain control
Mistake-proof
Doesn’t come with a lot of product
Tricky to open over time
Are you a nail glue newbie? This beginner-friendly option from Young Nails iseasy to apply with the attached brush. Not too thick nor too runny, the medium viscosityformula is quick-drying but not so quick that youll feel flustered trying to position each nail. The overall designhelps minimize mistakes, and if you do mess up, no sweat! Just use a bit of soap and warm water to remove the glue. Youll become a nail pro in no time.
Who Its For
If youre a DIY acrylic nail novice, thisuser-friendly glue can help you work on your skillswithout worrying about mistakes.
Price at time of publish: $13
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces Cruelty-Free:
Not listed
Best Long-Lasting
INFILILA Professional Nail Glue
Amazon
Long-lasting
Multi-purpose formula
Dries quickly
Has a learning curve
This pro-level, salon-quality nail glue isnt messing around. Thequick-bonding, remarkably reliable adhesive promises to lastup to 30 days—theres a good chance your natural nails will grow out before your fakes pop off. Just a heads up, its meant to be applied to the fake nail rather than your nail bed. Besides acrylics and extensions, you can use it to embellish your nails with rhinestones or fix cracks and splits.
Who Its For
Though beginners might want something more intuitive and easier to remove, its a stellar choice forskilled at-home manicurists who want their fake nails to stay put.
Price at time of publish: $7
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.23 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Not listed
Best for Gems
Dashing Diva Fast Bond Glue
Amazon
View On Sallybeauty.com
Great for applying gems and crystals
Formula won’t bubble
Long-lasting
Reviewers note it sometimes comes off quickly
Better for touch-ups than full application
Want to add a little sparkle to your nails? This fast-drying,quick-bondnail glue is technically meant to provide long-lasting staying power for full-cover acrylics and press-ons. However, thethick gel formula, squeeze-on application, and precision tipmake it a stellar choice for nail gems. It can also be used to fill gaps and seal cracks.
Who Its For
This thick, gel-like adhesive is ideal for applying gems and otherthree-dimensional nail art.
Price at time of publish: $15
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.75 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Pen
KDS Nail Tip Glue
Amazon
View On Nailcompany.com
Pen formulation
Dries quickly
Helpful for quick fixes
Not as effective as other nail glues
Worried about a nail popping off mid-day? Keep this nail glue pen in your bag just in case it happens when youre out and about. With anarrow nozzle and a fine tip, it offers convenient and precise application. The best part? It wont open up or spill, thanks to thesecure cap. This nail adhesive also dries super fast, so youll be on your way quickly after fixing your nail.
Who Its For
If youre worried about a nail popping off while youre out, bring this fine-tipped, fast-drying glue pen foron-the-go fixes.
Price at time of publish: $1
Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.16 ounces Cruelty-Free: Not listed
Best for Rhinestones
Makartt Nail Rhinestone Glue With Brush & Pen Tip
Amazon
Dual-headed with brush and pen tip
Easy precision application
Strong, long-lasting adhesive
Requires UV lamp
This dual-headed nail glue has a precision brush on one side and a fine pen tipon the other, making it easy todeposit tiny dotswhere you want to apply rhinestones, crystals, gems, or charms. You can count on your nail embellishments to stay put for a couple of weeks. However, since this is a resin adhesive, it has to be cured with a UV lamp. The brand makes a pretty affordable mini nail-drying lamp designed for one finger at a time.
Who Its For
If youre willing to go the extra stepwith a UV lamp, this precision-tipped glue is your best bet for addingthree-dimensional embellishments.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Resin | Size: 0.27 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best for Tips
Infeling 28 Days Long Lasting Solid Gel Glue
Amazon
Unique solid gel formula
Keeps tips in place after positioning
Requires UV lamp
For those applying fake tips or nail extensions at home, this nail glue is the way to go. Boasting ahigh-viscosity formula, the unique "solid gel" creates asuper sticky basewhere you can press on the tips. You wont have to worry about the extensions sliding around or slipping off after you position them, but as a resin glue, it needs a UV lamp to cure. If youre up for the extra step, you can get a drying light for pretty cheap on Amazon.
Who Its For
This nail glue is a great choice for applying acrylic tips or nail extensions, as long as you dont mind curing it with a UV lamp.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Resin | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Our best overall pick is the Nailene Ultra Quick Nail Glue. It’ll stay put for two weeks or more, dry quickly, and last through tedious activities. For repairing nails, we recommend KISS PowerFlex Precision Nail Gluesince it effortlessly repairs and mends nails when accidents happen.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributorsspent hours researching the best nail glues on the market. We evaluated dozens of optionsbased on a wide variety of key features. Withexpert insight and customer reviews in mind,we narrowed it down to reliable products for various DIY nail techniques.
We evaluated each nail glue based on:
IngredientsIntended purposeApplication method and ease of useViscosity, dry time, and staying power
What to Look for in a Nail Glue
Purpose: Nail glues are essential for applying press-ons or acrylics, repairing broken nails, and sealing gems or crystals in place. Before picking a nail glue, think about what youll use it for most, as not all are created equal. "Its best to use a thin glue for a crack or split, which easily fills nails, whereas a thicker glue is better for tips," says Edwards. For instance, KISS PowerFlex Ultra-Hold Precision Nail Glue is a thinner formula with a precision brush, making it a good option for fixes and fills. Makartt Nail Glue is more suitable for applying tips and extensions.Viscosity: According to Edwards, nail glues with a higher viscosity are best, meaning the consistency is thick and gel-like rather than runny. "This will give it a better hold," she says. But as with Young Nails Brush On Glue, a slightly thinner formula is sometimes better for beginners, as it gives you more time to position each nail and will be easier to remove in the event of mistakes. Low-viscosity adhesives tend to also be better for nail wraps.Application: Most nail glues are either brushed on using a built-in brush (not unlike nail polish) or squeezed out from a narrow tip. Romah is partial to the brush-on variety. "Its much easier to apply, and it does not get on your fingers," she says. "You also have a lot more control." That said, squeeze tubes can be useful for dotting on glue for gems and crystals. Then there are pens, like KDS Nail Glue, which are great for on-the-go use.Dry time:
"It typically takes around 10 to 20 seconds for nail glue to dry, but it really depends on the brand and the amount you use," says Romah. Some dry quicker than others, like IBD 5 Second Brush-On Nail Glue, which promises to be fully bonded in five seconds. Youll also find resin formulas that need a UV lamp to cure.
When applying nail glue, it’s always better to start with less, says Edwards. “You never want to flood the nail with glue and spill it onto your skin, which can be tricky to remove without your fingers sticking together.” She further advises you to place your finger at a downward angle so if you do happen to spill, it’ll go down onto the paper towel instead of your skin.
Nail glue is best removed with an acetone-based remover, says Edwards. “Apply on a lint-free towel and wipe excess glue or soak for one to two minutes for removal.”
Yes, nail glue expires and loses its adhesion, explains Edwards. “A good marker is if you see the glue has hardened or changed in color.”
Why Trust buuk.top
buuk.top contributor Rachel Dube has written for some of the biggest publications out there. During her career, she has tested hundreds of beauty products, treatments, and at-home hacks. Freelance commerce writer Theresa Holland updated this story with additional products, expert recommendations, and buying tips.
Gina Edwards is a celebrity nail stylist and expert.
Molly Romah is the lead nail technician at Chillhouse.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any nail glues from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@buuk.top.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
Jill DiDonato
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