Manucurist Brand Review
DETAILS
When — 2025
Brand — Manucurist
Rating — Meet
My breakup with nail polish.
The two coolest people I know don’t bother with nail polish. As I’ve gotten older, my beauty routine has gotten more complicated, so finding something to eliminate was important. My stylist said grey hair doesn’t look good on me, so I said goodbye to nail polish. I needed something to get my nails back into shape, so I turned to Manucurist.
What I Expected (the promise)
Manucurist positions Active Glow as an all-in-one “make-up & care” product—something that gives a natural peachy-pink glow while you transition away from nail polish. The brand promises multiple nail-enhancing effects, buildable coverage with 1+ coats, and 7-day staying power with no base or top coat. The care story is also part of the pitch: raspberry-derived antioxidant support, deep nourishment from sweet almond oil, strengthening via AHAs, and Lactobacillus ferment for a “balanced nail microbiome.” I also loved that I could buy a kit designed for truly bare nails, including a buffer and the Complete Serum.
My Experience (real life)
I tested this for over 6 months, and it did exactly what I needed it to: made my nails look instantly better without pulling me back into full polish habits.
Active Glow: one coat looks clean and healthy; two coats gives a more noticeable “your nails but better” finish that still feels natural.
Bare Nails Kit: the Manucurist Nail Buffer gives a beautiful shine on completely bare nails. It’s become my favorite “no product” option. I like using it with the Complete Serum as part of a simple at-home routine.
Quick note on the Complete Serum ingredients: it’s a water-based formula built around humectants (like glycerin) and conditioning ingredients (like panthenol), plus mild acids (citric + lactic). It does include fragrance and colorants.
One exception: if you’re in the very first stage of quitting polish and dealing with obvious yellowing, I’d start with Butter London Mellow the Yellow for initial color correction—then move to Manucurist once your nails recover.
Implied Expectations (what I was led to believe)
The skincare-style language can make you think you’re getting dramatic repair—antioxidants, microbiome support, “strengthening” acids. What I can say confidently is that the most immediate, reliable result is cosmetic: glow, shine, and a healthier-looking nail with minimal steps. The “care” benefits may be happening, but they’re harder to measure than the visible payoff.
Bottom Line (who will love this)
If you’re trying to phase out nail polish but still want your hands to look put-together, Manucurist is a great middle ground. It’s for anyone who wants:
a natural peachy-pink glow (without a full manicure routine)
a simple system (no base/top coat)
an option to go fully natural and still look polished (the buffer is key)
I went from getting manicures/pedicures every 3–4 weeks to just a few times a year. It’s a meaningful cost savings (at least $600/year for me).
