Artificial nails are having a major moment, with glue-ons and press-ons projected to overtake nail polish in sales for 2023. This shift comes after years of expanding artificial nail use, especially among Gen Z consumers.
The COVID-19 pandemic fueled DIY nail trends as salons closed. Home innovations like better design and fit intrigued consumers. Artificial nails became an affordable, fun way to quickly swap stylish looks.
Per NielsenIQ, artificial nails outpaced polish last quarter, $160 million to $154 million. While polish still led for 2022 overall, the gap is rapidly narrowing as artificial nail sales boom.
Major retailers like CVS and Walgreens continue expanding artificial nail selections based on rising demand. Market leader KISS says the convenience and variety of designs available make press-ons superior to polish.
Glitzy innovations like 3D gemstones and holographic chrome effects from KISS provide high-fashion looks hard to achieve with lacquer alone. The brand generated $456 million in sales last year.
Legacy brands like OPI and Sally Hansen have also added glue-ons to tap the trend. Direct-to-consumer brand Olive & June brought press-ons to mass retailers in 2021.
On social media, posts about artificial nails grew 19% in the past year. Their appeal at affordable drugstore prices or higher-end offerings proves universal.
Offering the on-trend looks consumers crave at home, the artificial nail category shows no signs of slowing down. As DIY nails gain ground, they now threaten polish’s dominance in the nail space.