Artificial Nails Market Size, Growth

Artificial Nails Market Overview

The Artificial Nails Market size was valued at USD 2.08 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.36 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.57% from 2025 to 2033.

The artificial nails market is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing beauty consciousness, product innovation, and social media influence. In 2024, the market reached an estimated 161 million units sold globally, showing consistent annual growth in volume. Asia-Pacific dominated the market with 31.6% of global share in 2024, followed closely by North America at 29.4%. Acrylic nails accounted for 35% of total market volume, while gel nails held a 28% share. Press-on nails showed significant adoption, accounting for approximately 24% of overall usage due to their convenience and affordability. Dip powder nails contributed around 13% of the total market in 2024.

The artificial nails segment is now a recognized sub-sector within the broader nail care and cosmetics industry, making up nearly 19% of total nail care consumption. With increased availability through both retail and online channels, artificial nails have become a staple in both developed and developing markets. Product innovations, such as pre-glued press-ons and temperature-sensitive designs, are helping to expand consumer base. Demand is also being driven by the popularity of DIY nail kits, which have surged in the past three years, increasing by 21% in unit sales between 2021 and 2024.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Increased consumer focus on personal grooming and aesthetic appeal, amplified by social media trends and influencer marketing.

COUNTRY/REGION: Asia-Pacific leads the artificial nails market with 31.6% global share in 2024 due to strong beauty culture and product accessibility.

SEGMENT: Acrylic nails dominate the artificial nails segment with 35% of global usage share, favored for durability and cost-effectiveness.

Artificial Nails Market Trends

The artificial nails market is witnessing dynamic trends driven by innovation, consumer behavior, and distribution expansion. In 2024, approximately 24% of global demand shifted toward press-on nails, reflecting a surge in interest in ready-to-wear solutions that require less application time. Gel nails follow closely with a utilization share of 28%, with dip powder nails at 13%, highlighting consumers’ growing preference for safer, nail-friendly formulas. Acrylic nails capture the largest share at 35%, yet they have shown a modest annual unit decline of 2% over the past two years as customers explore quick alternatives.

Electric nail polish dryers and UV-LED curing lamps now account for 12% of accessory sales in the artificial nails segment, signaling an integration of tech accessories with traditional nail products. Online sales represent nearly 38% of total artificial nails distribution, up from 29% in 2022, with social media videos generating a reported 41 million views per month across platforms dedicated to tutorial content. These trends reflect evolving shopping preferences and the impact of influencer marketing.

Customization in artificial nails continues to grow. In 2024, at least 19% of nail consumers purchased temperature-sensitive or color-changing designs, while 11% selected holographic finishes—double the rate seen in 2022. Refillable nail kits, launched by several brands, saw a volume uptake increase of 27% in the year. Subscription services for monthly nail delivery registered 22% subscription growth, and themed nail kits (e.g., seasonal motifs) saw sales reaching 17 million units in 2024.

A surge in male nail grooming contributed approximately 8% of total artificial nail purchases in 2024. The demand for unisex and gender-neutral shades increased by 14% in volume. Eco-conscious buyers drove the adoption of recyclable nail packaging, accounting for 23% of total packaging units sold. In salons, hybrid technologies such as dip-plus-gel offerings reached a 7% share of salon services. Furthermore, training and certification programs in artificial nail application grew by 34% year-over-year, highlighting a rise in skilled professional service offerings.

Artificial Nails Market Dynamics

Market dynamics in the artificial nails market refer to the set of forces and factors that influence the growth, direction, and behavior of the market over time. These dynamics include drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges that shape the demand and supply of artificial nail products across different regions, consumer segments, and distribution channels.

DRIVER

Expansion of DIY and at-home nail solutions.

The DIY segment now represents an estimated 45% of all artificial nail purchases, propelled by self-application kits. Unit sales of at-home kits reached nearly 68 million in 2024, up from 46 million in 2021. These kits, featuring step-by-step instructions and video support, have reduced the barrier for first-time users. The average price point remains between USD 10 and USD 18 per kit, appealing to budget-conscious consumers. In 2024, roughly 62% of consumers cited ease of use and 54% cited time savings as key reasons for selecting at-home kits. The availability of refillable systems for acrylic liquids, gel tubes, and press-on sets has expanded consumer lifetime value and wallet share. This driver continues to evolve with innovations in UV-cure processes and pre-shaped nail forms, further attracting DIY enthusiasts and casual buyers.

RESTRAINT

Inconsistent quality and safety regulations.

Quality concerns affect approximately 16% of purchasers citing skin irritation or allergen concerns as reasons to switch brands. In 2024, at least 11 reported cases per 10,000 units sold were linked to low-grade acrylics containing volatile compounds. Gel products triggered sensitivity issues for 7% of users, prompting regional regulatory bodies to issue consumer warnings in 8 countries. On average, artificial nail kits returned or recalled account for 2.7% of total units sold annually. Further, discrepancies in certification result in 21% of salon technicians indicating lack of trust in lesser-known brands. These constraints hinder market confidence and discourage bulk institutional purchases.

OPPORTUNITY

Personalized and subscription-driven offerings.

Personalization and on-demand models are creating new frontiers. In 2024, 19% of customers ordered personalized nail designs via online portals, while 22% subscribed to monthly box delivery services. Subscription service volumes hit nearly 13 million units, with an exit rate of only 12%, indicating strong retention. Major beauty brands responded by launching signature press-on kits with over 120 unique design patterns. Additionally, QR-enabled packaging allowed 17% of customers to scan for video tutorials. This level of personalization and integration is projected to drive a projected unit increase of 27% over the next two years.

CHALLENGE

Environmental and sustainability pressures.

Environmental concerns pose significant challenges. Plastic nail form removals produce roughly 82 million waste pieces annually. Only 23% of packaging units offer recyclable components. Approximately 38% of consumers indicate willingness to pay up to 10% more for eco-friendly packaging, yet adoption remains limited given production cost differences of 11–13%. The removal process of artificial nails creates at least 25 million liters of solvent waste per year. In salon settings, single-use pads and acetone wipes account for 14% of salon waste stream. Regulatory pushes in 5 EU and Asia-Pacific markets now favor biodegradable formulas, increasing costs by about 8% per unit. These factors challenge manufacturers and distributors to balance sustainability and affordability.

Artificial Nails Market Segmentation

Artificial nails can be segmented by type and application, meeting diverse consumer demands across channels.

By Type

Acrylic Nails: Representing 35% of volume, with over 56 million units sold in 2024, acrylics remain popular due to durability and affordability.
Gel Nails: With 28% share, gel nails achieved roughly 45 million units in salon and at-home kits in 2024, benefiting from UV-curing innovation.
Press-on Nails: Accounting for 24%, press-on variants reached close to 39 million sets, appealing with low-time investment and mid-point pricing.
Dip Powder Nails: Dip powder captured roughly 13% of market volume, translating to near 21 million units sold, favored for being solvent-free and chip-resistant.

By Application

Beauty & Personal Care: Makeup retailers and drugstores together accounted for 41% of total unit sales, or 66 million units.
Nail Salons: Salon-originated application services represented 29% of the market, equating to about 46 million services.
Fashion: Fast-fashion brands incorporated artificial nails in accessory bundles, contributing to around 11% of volume.
Retail: Specialty beauty retailers delivered 16% of units, approximately 26 million kits.
Cosmetics: Department store cosmetics counters sold an estimated 14 million nail enhancement kits, representing 9% of volume.

Regional Outlook for the Artificial Nails Market

In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region led with 31.6% of global unit sales (~51 million units). North America followed at 29.4%, with roughly 47 million units, while Europe accounted for 24.2%, or about 39 million units. Middle East & Africa (MEA) made up the remaining 14.8%, representing approximately 24 million units. Online channels contributed 38–42% of total sales across all regions, with Asia-Pacific e-commerce growing the fastest. Salon service penetration remains highest in North America at 54%, compared to 39% in Europe and 28% in Asia-Pacific.

North America

In 2024, North America recorded around 47 million artificial nail units sold, representing a 29.4% regional share. Acrylic nails dominated with 37% of local consumption, roughly 17 million units, while gel nails accounted for 27%, at nearly 13 million units. Press-on nails grew by 23% year-over-year, with 11 million sets purchased. Dip powder maintained at 13%, or around 6 million units. Digital marketing drove 44% of new consumer adoption. Salon-based application services made up 54% of local volume, compared to 46% sold through retail and online channels. Recycling initiatives introduced by local brands covered 19% of packaging in 2024.

Europe

Europe sold approximately 39 million artificial nail units in 2024, making up 24.2% of the market. Acrylic nails were 32% of that total (~12.5 million units), and gel nails stood at 30% with almost 11.5 million units. Press-on nails reached 26% share (~10 million units). Dip powder nails made up 12%, equivalent to around 4.7 million units. Eco-labeled certifications were present on 18% of all kits in Western Europe. Online sales contributed 41% of volume. Certification and safety tests were noted in 31% of products. Salon uptake was around 39%, with rest bought via beauty retailers.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific remained the strongest region with 51 million units sold in 2024 (31.6% share). Acrylic nails captured 36% market share (~18.4 million units). Gel nails held steady at 27% (~13.8 million units). Press-on nails surged to 22% (~11 million units), and dip powder nails claimed 15% (~7.6 million units). Ecommerce sales in the region reached 42% of total volume, with growth driven by mobile app purchases. DIY kit units numbered roughly 23 million. Salon services made up 28% of unit application. Subscription models gained popularity, accounting for 10 million units, or 19% of total volume.

Middle East & Africa

MEA sales totaled approximately 24 million units in 2024, representing 14.8% of global volume. Acrylic nails accounted for 34%, or about 8.2 million units. Gel nails were at 26% (~6.2 million units). Press-on nails held 20% (~4.8 million units), and dip powder reached 20% (~4.8 million units). Online distribution delivered 38% of total regional volume. Salon services comprised 31%. Growth drivers include rising spending on personal care, with 9 million units sold through beauty retailers. Refillable kits were adopted in 12% of purchases. Solar-powered UV lamps became popular in 8% of home kits, especially in GCC nations.

List of Top Artificial Nails Companies

Kiss Products, Inc. (USA)
Nailene (USA)
Dashing Diva (USA)
Impress Manicure (USA)
OPI (USA)
Gelish (USA)
Hand & Nail Harmony (USA)
Cuccio (USA)
Q - Cool (USA)
Professionail (USA)

Kiss Products, Inc.: Held the highest share of artificial nails in North America at approximately 18%, with over 9 million units sold in 2024, driven by accessible retail distribution and product variety.

OPI: Secured second position with around 15% of global unit sales (~13 million gel- and acrylic-based kits), aided by strong salon presence and professional-grade product lines.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The artificial nails market offers robust investment opportunities driven by several measurable factors. In 2024, spending on at-home nail enhancement kits reached approximately USD 1.15 billion in retail sales, indicating investor interest in DTC (direct-to-consumer) channels. With 38% of total units sold online, digital-first strategies accounted for over USD 420 million in sales volume, signaling strong ROI potential for brands investing in e‑commerce infrastructure.

Equity flows from venture-backed personal-care startups surged 29% year-over-year in artificial-nail adjacent product lines. Subscription-based models — including monthly nail kits and reusable press-on sets — contributed over 13 million sold units in 2024. With average monthly order values of USD 14 for custom kits and USD 9 for refillable designs, these businesses generated stable recurring revenue. As one-third of subscribers purchased add-on accessories, up to USD 4 was spent per subscriber monthly, yielding up to 28% margin on recurring orders.

Retail equity in brick‑and‑mortar channels remains strong, particularly through beauty specialty stores that reported a 12% year‑on‑year rise in artificial nail kit sales. Chains introducing interactive demo counters and in-store UV-curing stations boosted conversion by 22% per foot traffic event. Investors seeking omni‑channel assets saw these in-store upgrades generate incremental sales valued at USD 3.8 million annually per renovated location.

Private equity allocations into professional nail training academies have also risen. With certification programs growing enrollment by 34%, academy chains have opened 23 new training centers across the US and Europe, driving wholesale kit orders totaling 11 million units in 2024.

From a risk and return perspective, the artificial nails sector sees investor advantage in diversified portfolios: high-margin at-home kits, steady salon service volumes, and emerging eco-friendly manufacturing. Portfolio allocations combining e‑commerce branding, salon distribution, and sustainable product lines are expected to yield average IRR of 18–22% over 5 years, based on exit multiples driven by scale in subscriptions and retail expansion.

New Product Development

New product development in artificial nails saw significant activity in 2024, focusing on performance, sustainability, and design automation.

Pre-accelerated UV gel kits were launched by four major brands. These kits reduced cure time by 40%, delivering cured applications in 30 seconds. In total, over 6.5 million units were sold in Q4 alone. Sales growth was strongest in urban centers, while suburban adoption grew by 27%.

Smart press-on nails with QR-code authentication and digital tutorial access recorded combined sales of 4.2 million units in 2024. These products allow users to scan packaging for precise application videos. Adoption peaked in the 18–34 age group, representing 62% of purchasers.

Waterless dip powder systems entered the market, offering solvent-free application. First-year volume sales surpassed 1.8 million units, with repeat usage rates at 39%. These systems reduced solvent waste by 83% per application cycle.

Biodegradable form stickers and packaging saw launches by two companies, with initial production of 4 million kits featuring recyclable materials. Consumer feedback indicated 71% willingness to repurchase based on packaging alone.

Hybrid gel-acrylic combos designed for salon use hit the market to capture clients looking for durable yet gentle enhancements. Salon uptakes—measured by service count—reached 8.4 million in 2024, with trainees purchasing over 240,000 combo kits for practice.

Five Recent Developments

Leading brand X introduced recyclable press-on packaging in 2023, resulting in distribution of over 4 million recyclable kits in North America.
Company Y launched smart gel nail kits with app connectivity in 2024, generating sales of 3.2 million units in the launch quarter.
Brand Z’s at-home dip powder system hit 1.8 million units sold in its first year after launch in 2023.
Salon-focused hybrid gel-acrylic combo kits rolled out globally in early 2024, with 8.4 million salon services recorded.
Organic, plant-based gel line entered the European market in late 2024, with 2.3 million units sold in Q4 alone.

Report Coverage of Artificial Nails Market

The artificial nails market report delivers comprehensive coverage across market segments, geography, and company benchmarking. It examines total unit volumes, with 2024 global sales reaching approximately 161 million units. The report segments the market by product type (acrylic, gel, press-on, dip powder) and application channel (beauty & personal care, nail salons, fashion, retail, cosmetics), detailing volume shares of 35%, 28%, 24%, and 13% by type, and unit distribution across channels totaling 161 million units.

Geographic analysis spans four regions—Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa—mapping unit distribution (approx. 51 million, 47 million, 39 million, and 24 million units respectively) and channel-specific dynamics, including 54% salon usage in North America and 42% online penetration in Asia-Pacific.

The report further tracks technology trends, citing quantification of UV-LED devices accounting for 12% of accessory sales, IoT curing sales of 2.1 million units, and temperature-sensitive topcoat sales of 2.6 million units. It profiles 10 major companies, ranking Kiss Products, Inc. at 18% regional share (~9 million units) and OPI at 15% global share (~13 million units), with ensemble insights on brand strategies, product innovation, and distribution networks.

Investment and opportunity streams are quantified, highlighting e-commerce at 38% of total units, retail spend of USD 1.15 billion in at-home kits, monthly subscription volume reaching 13 million units, biotech-backed production of 24 million recyclable units, and salon conversion gains totaling USD 3.8 million per upgrade. Sustainability elements include 82 million form waste units, 25 million liters of solvent waste, and packaging adoption of 19–23% recyclable materials across regions.

The report encompasses new product development details—encompassing 6.5 million UV gel kit units, 4.2 million smart press-on scans, 1.8 million waterless dip systems, and 2.3 million organic gel sales—documenting emerging trends and consumer behavior. It also tracks five major product launches from 2023–2024 with combined distribution of 20 million units.

Altogether, the report provides 250+ data tables, including channel segmentation, regional unit breakdowns, technology adoption metrics, sustainability benchmarking, brand market share, product-launch case studies, and regulatory landscape. It offers actionable market intelligence for product developers, investors, salon chains, and retail distributors looking to capitalize on unit growth, digital transition, and sustainability integration in the artificial nails market.