Where To Buy Nail Supplies: The Complete Guide

If you love doing your own nails at home, having a good stock of nail supplies is essential. But where exactly can you find quality nail polishes, tools, acrylics, gels, and more? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: beauty supply stores like Sally Beauty and Ulta Beauty, online retailers like Amazon and eBay, drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, and warehouse stores like Costco all offer nail supplies.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over all the best places to shop for professional-grade nail products so you can keep your at-home manicures looking fabulous.

Beauty Supply Stores

Sally Beauty

Sally Beauty is one of the largest beauty supply store chains in the United States. Founded in 1964, they now have over 5,000 stores worldwide both online and in physical locations. Sally Beauty offers a wide range of professional-grade products for hair, nails, skin and more at reasonable prices.

When it comes to nails, Sally Beauty has everything you need from nail polish, nail art supplies, nail files, nail buffers, cuticle care, nail brushes, nail tips, acrylics, gels, and more. Some top brands they carry include OPI, China Glaze, Seche, Orly, Essie, Gelish, Cuccio, and Finger Paints.

Here are some of the great nail products you can find at Sally Beauty:

• OPI Nail Lacquer – Iconic long-lasting nail polish in hundreds of trendy shades.
• Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish – Durable gel manicure polish that cures under LED or UV lamps.
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat – Quick drying top coat that helps prevent chipping and smudging.
• Mia Secret Acrylic System – Everything needed for professional acrylic nail application and design.

The prices at Sally Beauty are very reasonable compared to going to a salon. For example, the average price of an OPI nail polish is $10 whereas salons often charge $15-20. Overall, Sally Beauty aims to make quality nail products accessible for everyday consumers and nail technicians alike.

Ulta Beauty

Founded in 1990, Ulta Beauty is a leading prestige beauty retailer in the United States. They have over 1,300 retail stores across the country as well as a user-friendly ecommerce site. At Ulta you can find makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrances, bath and body products as well as salon services.

In terms of nails, Ulta carries over 500 brands of nail polish and supplies. Some popular brands are OPI, Essie, China Glaze, Orly, Zoya, Gelish, Seche, CND, Kiara Sky, ASP, LeChat, Bio Seaweed, and more.

The wide selection ensures there is something for everyone whether you’re looking for regular nail polish, gel, dip powder, nail art tools, or general manicure supplies.

Additionally, Ulta often runs great sales and deals on nail products. Here are some examples of current offers:

• Buy 2, Get 1 Free – Select Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish
• 40% Off – Seche Clear Gel & Gel Top Coat Collection
• BOGO 50% Off – China Glaze Nail Polish

With over 20,000 nail products to choose from, competitive sales, and a user-friendly online/in-store shopping experience it’s no wonder Ulta has become a go-to when buying nail polish and supplies for beauty enthusiasts.

Online Retailers

The internet has opened up a vast world of possibilities for buying nail supplies. Some of the most popular online retailers that sell nail products include global marketplaces like Amazon and eBay as well as the handmade-focused site Etsy.

Amazon

As the largest online retailer, Amazon offers an unbeatable selection of professional nail supplies at reasonable prices. Shoppers can find everything from nail polish, tools, and accessories to gel kits, dip powders, and artificial nails.

With thousands of options, Amazon makes it easy to stock up on salon-quality nail essentials. An added perk is fast shipping if you have Amazon Prime.

eBay

eBay connects buyers to sellers around the world, providing unique finds you may not see elsewhere. It’s a top source for discounts and hard-to-find vintage nail supplies. Daily deals mean prices are always changing too.

While shipping times can vary, the site’s purchase protection helps ensure you get what you paid for.

Etsy

Treasures abound on Etsy’s handmade marketplace. This site lets you discover one-of-a-kind nail products from independent artisans. Options range from all-natural polish to custom tools and swag. Although shipping times are longer and items cost more than mass-produced versions, the quality and care put into each piece makes it worthwhile for many buyers.

While buying nail supplies locally can be convenient, shopping online gives access to far more selection and significant savings. Just be sure to research seller ratings and policies before purchasing. With some smart shopping, scoring professional-grade nail products is just a few clicks away.

Drugstores

CVS

CVS is one of the largest drugstore chains in the United States, with over 9,900 retail locations. It offers a wide selection of nail care products at affordable prices. Some things that make CVS a great place to shop for nail supplies include:

• Large selection of nail polishes from brands like Essie, OPI, Sally Hansen, Revlon, and more. Prices typically range from $5-10 per bottle.
• Variety of nail tools like files, buffers, clippers, and cuticle care products from brands like Tweezerman and Sally Hansen.
• Frequent sales and ExtraCare rewards program that allows you to earn 2% back on purchases to save money on future nail supply hauls.

You can shop the nail polish aisle or check the beauty section for tools and accessories. The CVS website and app also make it easy to see what’s in stock and take advantage of digital coupons and deals.

Walgreens

Much like CVS, Walgreens is a convenient drugstore for picking up nail essentials with over 9,200 locations nationwide. Here’s what you can expect when shopping its nail care selection:

• Standard polish collections from Sinful Colors, Sally Hansen, and L’Oreal that offer lots of color choices.
• Salon brand polishes like OPI and Essie that let you recreate popular nail looks.
• Nail care accessories from tried and true brands like Tweezerman and Revlon at wallet-friendly prices.
• Regular promotions that take dollars off nail polish collections or nail tools.

Walgreens allows you to earn points towards money saving perks when you join its free loyalty program. You can also conveniently shop online at Walgreens.com for at home delivery or in store pick up.

Rite Aid

As the third corner of the major drugstore trifecta, Rite Aid sells its fair share of nail products with about 2,350 locations across the country. Reasons why you may want to add this store to your nail supply shopping rotation include:

• Salon brand nail polish from OPI, Essie, and Orly that offers premium quality and tons of on-trend colors.
• Rite Aid’s Thrifty brand that includes nail treatments, tools, acrylics, and gels at super affordable prices.
• Ongoing weekly deals that discount nail polish collections and nail accessories to save you money.
• Well+ membership program that provides 20% off entire beauty purchases for only $25 per year.

So if you want drugstore prices on some higher end nail goodies, Rite Aid is a good spot to check out. You can get first dibs on arrivals and deals when shopping online at RiteAid.com.

Warehouse Stores

Warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club are fantastic places for nail techs to buy supplies in bulk for huge savings. Here’s a comparison of these major warehouse chains for purchasing salon-quality nail products at low prices:

Costco

With over 500 locations in the US, Costco is one of the largest warehouse chains. They offer a wide range of professional nail supplies at members-only low prices. Some great finds for nail techs at Costco include:

• OPI and Essie nail polish collections – These pro brands are often 20-30% less than drugstores.
• Nail files and buffers – Available in bulk packs of 50-100 at a fraction of the normal cost.
• Nail clippers – Packs of quality clippers for pennies compared to beauty supply stores.
• Foot spa massagers – High-end models like HoMedics and Belava at competitive prices.
• Manicure tables – Sturdy, adjustable tables for far less than specialty beauty retailers.

The only catch is you need an annual membership starting at $60 to shop there. But frequent nail tech shoppers can easily make up for it with the low prices on professional products.

Sam’s Club

Owned by Walmart, Sam’s Club is another membership warehouse store with nearly 600 locations. Their nail supply selection includes:

• Gel polish kits – Often have deals like a SensatioNail starter kit for $199 vs $299 elsewhere.
• Nail polish racks – Hold 100+ bottles and have wheels for mobility.
• Pedicure chairs – Models from top brands like Pibbs for hundreds off typical prices.
• Paraffin wax – Affordable 6-8 lb bags for far less than small retail tubs.
• Nail art supplies – Rhinestones, striping tape, decals available in bulk.

Membership fees are around $45-100 annually. So frequent buyers can save substantially on the professional products at their low member rates.

BJ’s Wholesale Club

On the smaller side, BJ’s has over 200 warehouse stores primarily on the East Coast. Their more limited nail tech inventory includes:

• Nail polish collections – Typically have exclusive sets of polish from brands like OPI and Essie.
• Manicure tables – Feature hydraulic chairs and drawer storage.
• Pedicure tubs – Acrylic tubs sold individually rather than full chairs.
• Nail kits – starter packs for acrylics, gels, or general manicure.

Membership is $55 yearly. So you’d have to stock up on nail supplies regularly to justify the fees. But the savings on their professional nail products can be substantial versus small beauty supply stores.

Specialty Beauty Stores

Sephora

Sephora is one of the most popular beauty retailers that carries a wide selection of nail polishes and nail care products. They offer polishes from top brands like OPI, Essie, butter LONDON, Dior, Chanel, and their own Sephora Collection.

Sephora nail polishes are affordably priced between $9-15 and they frequently have sales and special beauty offers.

Some of the top nail care items you can find at Sephora include:

• Base and top coats
• Nail strengtheners
• Cuticle oils and creams
• Nail files and buffers
• Nail clippers and scissors
• Cuticle pushers and removers

Sephora also carries nail art supplies like striping tape, rhinestones, glitter and more from brands like Nailaholic. Their wide selection makes them a one-stop shop for nails. Shoppers can even get a free nail polish color-matching service in stores to find the perfect shades.

Bluemercury

Bluemercury is a high-end beauty store that offers luxury nail polishes and treatments. Some popular nail brands sold at Bluemercury include Chanel, Dior, YSL, Deborah Lippmann, and Smith & Cult. The nail lacquers are priced between $18-28 per bottle.

In addition to polish, Bluemercury carries professional-quality nail supplies like:

• Nail files and buffers from Tweezerman and Revlon
• Foot and nail creams by brands like L’Occitane and Molton Brown
• Cuticle oils from Nuxe, Kure Bazaar, and CND
• Base and top coats from industry leaders like CND and Essie

The M-61 nail care line is a Bluemercury exclusive brand that offers treatments designed to strengthen weak nails and stimulate growth. Their PowerGrip nail strengthener has an impressive 4.5/5 star rating from customers.

Skinstore

Skinstore is an authorized retailer for premium skin, hair, and nail brands. They stock professional quality nail supplies at affordable prices. Some bestselling nail brands at Skinstore include OPI, CND, Essie, Dior, Deborah Lippmann, and Tom Ford.

Skinstore is especially known for their impressive collection of treatments that promote nail health:

• Hard as Hoof strengtheners
• Onyx Professional Calcium Gel
• Barielle Nail Strengtheners
• Le Couvent Des Minimes Nail & Cuticle Creme
• CND RescueRXx

Shoppers can save up to 15% off their first order for joining the free Skinstore rewards program. This specialty retailer frequently offers discounts on nail items with coupon codes as well.

Conclusion

No matter what type of nail supplies you need, there are plenty of great options to choose from both in stores and online. Beauty supply shops offer professional quality at affordable prices, while online retailers provide unbeatable selection and convenience.

And don’t forget about your local drugstore or warehouse club for savings on fundamentals.

By shopping smart across these options, you can keep your nail kit fully stocked without breaking the bank. Happy pampering!