Best Nail Subscription Boxes

ORLY Color Pass is the best overall nail subscription box.

By
Lindsay Colameo
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Lindsay Colameo
Lindsay Colameo combines her product obsession and deep understanding of the beauty industry throughout her coverage. She has written for Allure, Glamour, Fashionista, and more.
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Updated on 05/23/22
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Elizabeth Brownfield
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Fact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield
Elizabeth Brownfield is a writer, editor, and researcher.
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Photo composite of a woman holding a rubber ring, showing off their multi-colored manicure.

Byrdie / Design by Amelia Manley

Whether you’re a nail polish devotee, #manimonday loyalist, or beginning to dabble with the DIY manicure, nail subscription boxes are a surprise and delight that help you keep your at-home nail game on point. No matter where you fall on the nail addict spectrum, there’s no denying the distinct satisfaction that results from a fresh manicure—especially one that you mastered yourself in minutes from your dining room table. These nail subscription services deliver a regular bundle of manicure essentials to your doorstep to help you achieve exactly that with ease. 

The best nail polish subscription boxes master the perfect combination of on-trend colors and nail art essentials, with classic nail care tools and convenient membership options that help to create a pampering, polished, and professional salon-like experience at home. Here we've rounded them up.

Best Nail Subscription Boxes of 2022

Best Overall: ORLY Color Pass

ORLY

ORLY
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  • About $36 quarterly or $119 annual subscription available 
  • Includes ORLY’s six-color seasonal nail polish collection plus a bonus product
  • Over 50% savings and early access to seasonal collection 

Why We Chose It

This enticing nail subscription box offers ORLY’s seasonal nail color collection at a whopping 50% off retail. The quarterly nail subscription box gives members a first look at ORLY’s seasonal nail polish collection, which consistently includes a well-rounded, on-trend color palette of six polishes that are hard not to love. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 10-free (made without 10 of the most common chemicals found in nail polishes), clean polishes
  • Early access to ORLY’s seasonal collections 
  • Free shipping

Cons

  • No customization options

Overview

If you’re a sucker for a good deal, here’s one that’s hard to pass up. The quarterly nail polish subscription box gives members early access to each of ORLY’s exclusive seasonal nail polish collections at an ultra-friendly discount (over 50% off).

Each shipment includes six of ORLY’s full size perfect-for-the-season nail polishes that will get you excited for the season ahead, along with a thoughtfully curated bonus item, like a top coat, base coat, cuticle oil, or clever nail tool, which will be put to good use for your at-home DIY salon time. You’ll also have the added perk of getting to preview the seasonal color lineup before anyone else, as members get the exclusive preview before the palette is even released to the public.

Now let’s talk value. ORLY polishes are sold individually for about $10 per polish, or as a complete seasonal set of six nail colors for roughly $57—that is, if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one before they sell out. Add in the value of the bonus product, which typically averages about $10 or more, and the added benefit of free shipping, and your quarterly box is valued at upwards of around $75 per box. So scoring this seasonal delivery for just roughly $36 bucks (or as little as approximately $30, if you choose the annual plan) is a deal worth celebrating.

Most Salon-Like DIY: Olive & June - The Olive You Club

Olive & June

Olive & June
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  • $40 annual membership fee 
  • 10% off every purchase  
  • Free U.S. shipping 

Why We Chose It

This isn’t your traditional monthly nail subscription box and that’s precisely what we love about it. The special membership unlocks a world of exclusive benefits including discounts on the exact nail color and care products that you want, delivered exactly when you want them.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Discounts on exactly the products you want
  • Extensive collection of nail colors and nail care products 
  • Flexible terms

Cons

  • Not a traditional monthly subscription 
  • Membership fee is sunk cost

Overview

The nominal $40 annual membership fee grants you special access to a world of Olive and June nail magic. If you’re not already a fan of the brand, any one of its near 75 on-point colored polishes, dainty, decorative nail art stickers, or genius nail care tools—like the patented The Poppy universal bottle handle—will quickly convert you. With about 10% off every order, free shipping on all purchases, and special member-only surprise gifts, it’s easy to recoup the value of your initial buy-in. 

This exclusive annual membership is a refreshing take on a traditional monthly or quarterly subscription, which allows you the freedom to select the exact nail products you want to try and when you want to receive them. For die-hard nail addicts, being part of this trendsetting nail club comes with additional perks like early access to new launches, a private, members-only Facebook group, and the chance to connect with Olive and June founder, Sarah Gibson Tuttle.

While you can certainly shop a la carte browsing the most of-the-moment polishes and essential nail care tools, its thoughtfully bundled mani and pedi systems starting at about $55 for the mani system (value of around $69) and roughly $75 for the pedi system (value of approximately $102) are where you can score serious bang for your buck. The systems include nine or 10 of the brands most sought-after nail care tools, including favorites like the Poppy, the mani-perfecting clean-up brush, the perfect positioning footrest, and the game-changing cuticle pusher, which instantly elevate your at-home DIY nail experience. 

Best for Nail Stamping: Maniology

Maniology

Maniology
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  • Monthly nail stamping subscription box 
  • Two subscription options: Monthly Box (with two polishes) and Express Kit (without polishes)
  • Prices range from about $18 to $25 per month (with discounts at roughly $16 to $23 per month for 3-month pre-pay, or around $15 to $20 per month for 6-month pre-pay)

Why We Chose It

This clever nail stamping subscription box helps to simplify the intricate nail art designs you gush over on the internet into a few simple steps to help you achieve similar creations at home. The themed monthly stamps are both beautiful and timely, and the flexible membership options and subscription terms help to meet your mani needs.  

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Creative themed nail art designs  
  • Flexible subscription terms  
  • Fast and free shipping (1 to 2 days)

Cons

  • Timely application process
  • More challenging DIY manicure

Overview

If you’ve been graced with the steady hand necessary for creating the most Instagram-worthy nail art manicures, this monthly box of nail art magic is for you. But even if you struggle with a traditional lacquer manicure, this playful nail stamping box invites you to get creative and have fun with jazzed-up nail art designs. The Honolulu-based company is driven by the aloha spirit and that uplifting, creative vibe resonates throughout their entire brand and stamping designs. The boxes are thoughtfully curated around a specific theme—like pirate-inspired treasures or springtime stained glass creations—with playful nail stamp designs that help bring the whole idea to life. 

There are two types of memberships available: Mani x Me Monthly Box (about $25 per month) and the Mani x Me Express Kit (around $18 per month); the only difference is that the Express Kit does not include the two coordinated polishes. Every month you’ll receive a box of two exclusive members-only nail stamping plates, two coordinated polishes (exclusive to the monthly box subscribers), along with a surprise gift that can include anything from twinkling nail art accessories to nifty nail care tools like a dual-ended cuticle pusher, all of which will help you create your at-home mani masterpiece. You’ll also receive a helpful guided tutorial, along with access to an archive of online content, and your first order comes with a free stamper/scraper set to help you get started on your nail art journey.

Members also receive about 10% of all Maniology orders with exclusive access to past boxes and stamping plates. You can also earn additional bonus stamps through the Mani Circle Rewards Program, with flexible membership terms that allow you to skip or cancel anytime throughout your membership, or swap between the box and express kit as you wish.

Most Customizable: ManiMe

ManiMe

ManiMe
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  • Monthly subscription options ranging from $30 to $70 per month 
  • Custom-fit stick on gel manicures and pedicures 

Why We Chose It

This innovative brand creates a truly personalized at-home manicure experience. The custom-fit, stick on gels make at-home manicures and pedicures insanely fast and easy, and allow you to skip the dreaded drying time.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Custom fit to your nails and/or toes
  • Vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free gels
  • No drying time

Cons

  • Lengthy profile set up
  • More expensive monthly fee

Overview

This forward-thinking brand took an impressively fresh approach to at-home nail care. Its goal was to make changing your nails as easy as changing your shoes, and that is precisely what ManiMe delivers. The beauty tech company uses patent-pending 3D modeling, machine learning software, and laser cutting technologies to deliver custom-fit gel stickers that perfectly match your nails.

The 10-free, nail-gel stickers are non-damaging and can be safely applied and removed without UV lights or drying chemical formulations. The stickers are designed in collaboration with professional nail artists and feature gorgeous glossy and matte solids, as well as sophisticated nail art designs featuring dainty nail art designs, gold detailing, and elegant line work. 

The made-to-fit benefit does require a bit of patience when setting up your profile. While it's easy to follow, the profile setup does require five to 10 minutes of patience to get your nail measurements. It guides you through how to take pictures of each of your nails alongside a credit card (for measurement) in order to help the brand create custom stickers specifically designed to fit your nail beds. However, you’ll quickly make up for lost time when it comes to the insanely fast application process and zero dry-time other than the base.

Subscriptions are available in three tiers starting at $30 per month for 2 ManiMe Solids with the LikeMe occasional mani routine, $45 per month for the LoveMe super mani routine which includes 3 ManiMe Solids, or $70 per month for the AdoreMe ultimate mani routine that provides you with 4 ManiMe Solids.

Members will have the option to select stickers for manicures or pedicures and will have the chance to select the specific colors and patterns they want to try. Set up your account, then browse and shop the current lineup of custom stickers to test this peel and stick manicure magic for yourself.

Final Verdict

Nail polish subscription boxes come in many different varieties, geared to match the needs of all different mani skill levels, from basic at-home lacquers to advanced nail art creations. While each box on the list stands out in its own right, we are partial to ORLY’s Color Pass for its impressive value and exclusive first-look benefits. The quarterly subscription box includes six gorgeous polishes, striking the perfect balance of plentiful but not overwhelming and cluttering your vanity. The clean, 10-free formulas, professional high-shine finishes, and useful bonus items continue to be a welcome surprise to kick off each season.

How to Choose the Best Nail Subscription Box

When choosing the best nail subscription box, it's important to examine pricing, the quality of the formulas (bonus points for clean ones), the overall unboxing experience, how on-trend the colors and designs included are, and whether the sign-up process is intuitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Nail Subscription Boxes Worth It? 

If you regularly paint your nails at home in favor of going to a salon, nail subscription boxes are definitely worth it. These nail subscription boxes offer a ton of value, delivering high-quality, full-size products at a fraction of the retail costs. 

How Do Nail Subscription Boxes Work?

As a member, you will sign up and pay a monthly or quarterly fee, and in exchange, the brand will send you regular shipments of nail color and care essentials that help you enhance your at-home manicure experience.  

What Is Included in a Nail Subscription Box?

Most subscriptions include regular deliveries of full-size nail color and nail care tools and essentials. Many also offer exclusive discounts and special tutorials through a members-only community that adds value to the membership. 

Can I Customize My Nail Subscription Box Order?

Customization depends on the box. While most boxes grant you the flexibility to adjust the terms of the subscription making it easy to cancel or skip a shipment, most nail subscription boxes do not offer customizable options to change or adjust what’s included in the delivery. 

Methodology

First, we made a shortlist of nail subscription boxes that we have tried (and loved) or heard our fellow beauty experts gushing over—like Olive and June, ORLY, and ManiMe. Then we researched what fellow mani lovers were praising across the internet—like Maniology. Once we have a comprehensive list of 12 subscription options, we went to work comparing price, quality, and overall unboxing experience to whittle down our list to the best of the best.

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