Olive & June Review: Why This Nail Care Brand Has Won Over My Heart (And Nails)
Hey there, fellow beauty lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in nail care. From trendy polish colors to innovative tools that make at-home manicures a breeze, I‘m all about finding the best products to keep my nails looking salon-fresh.
So when I discovered Olive & June, the buzzworthy nail brand that‘s been blowing up my Instagram feed, I knew I had to put it to the test. Olive & June has quickly become a go-to for nail enthusiasts since its founding in 2013, thanks to its chic polish shades, easy-to-use tools, and empowering nail education.
But with so many nail brands on the market, what sets Olive & June apart? Is it really worth the hype (and the price tag)? I‘m here to give you my honest, first-hand review of all things Olive & June – from the polish performance to the overall brand experience. Let‘s dive in!
Why Olive & June Is Nailing The Nail Industry
Before we get into the nitty-gritty product details, let‘s talk about why Olive & June has become such a beloved brand in the nail space.
Founded by Sarah Gibson Tuttle in 2013, Olive & June started as a single nail salon in Beverly Hills. But Sarah had a bigger vision for the brand – she wanted to create a line of products and resources that would empower people to achieve salon-quality manicures at home.
Fast forward to today, and Olive & June has become a major player in the $8.53 billion global nail care market. The brand has garnered a massive social media following, with over 484K fans on Instagram alone. Clearly, Olive & June is doing something right!
So what‘s the secret sauce to Olive & June‘s success? I think it comes down to a few key factors:
1. Innovative, inclusive products: From the patented Poppy polish bottle handle to the fool-proof press-on nails, Olive & June is constantly coming up with ways to make at-home manicures easier and more accessible for everyone.
2. Trendy, high-quality polish: Olive & June‘s polish collection features a range of on-trend hues that are long-lasting and chip-resistant. Plus, the polishes are vegan, cruelty-free, and 7-free (meaning they‘re formulated without 7 common harmful chemicals).
3. Emphasis on education: Olive & June is passionate about teaching people how to DIY their nails like a pro. The brand offers a wealth of online resources, including video tutorials, nail art guides, and virtual workshops.
4. Strong brand ethos: From the millennial-friendly packaging to the empowering messaging, Olive & June has built a strong brand identity around celebrating the joy of self-care and creativity through nails.
But enough about the brand story – let‘s talk about how Olive & June‘s products actually stack up IRL.
My Experience With Olive & June Polish
As a nail polish junkie, I was excited to try out Olive & June‘s polish collection for myself. The brand offers over 100 shades ranging from classic neutrals to bold brights, so there‘s truly something for everyone.
I opted for a few of Olive & June‘s bestselling shades:
- EC (a creamy white)
- CDJ (a vibrant cherry red)
- HD (a deep hunter green)
First impressions? The packaging is super cute and high-quality. The polish bottles have a unique, flat shape that feels nice to hold and looks chic lined up on my vanity.
Now for the real test – the application process. I have to give major props to Olive & June‘s brush design. The brush is flat and wide, which allows for quick, even coverage. No streaks or patchy spots here!
The polish formula itself is pigmented, smooth, and on the thicker side – but not in a goopy way. I was able to achieve opaque coverage in just 2 coats, which is a big plus in my book. Some polishes take 3-4 coats to look truly opaque, which can get time-consuming.
In terms of dry time, Olive & June is fairly average. I‘d say each coat takes about 5-7 minutes to fully dry. Not lightning speed, but also not annoyingly slow. With the help of Olive & June‘s Dry Drops top coat (more on that later), I was able to speed up the process.
So how does Olive & June polish hold up over time? On average, I get a solid 5-7 days of wear time before any chipping or peeling when I use the brand‘s base and top coat system. That‘s pretty dang impressive, considering my nails typically start chipping by day 3 with most polishes.
Overall, I‘m really happy with the quality and performance of Olive & June polishes. They‘re definitely pricier than drugstore brands at $8.50 per bottle, but I think the salon-like results make them worth the investment.
Upping My Nail Art Game With Olive & June
As much as I love a classic, single-color mani, I also enjoy switching things up with nail art from time to time. The only problem? I‘m not exactly a pro at wielding a detail brush. That‘s where Olive & June‘s nail art supplies come in clutch.
Olive & June offers several ways to experiment with nail art, even if you‘re a total beginner. First up are the brand‘s nail art sticker packs. These stickers come in a variety of trendy designs, from dainty florals to bold geometrics. All you have to do is peel, stick, and seal with a top coat – it‘s that easy!
I tried out the "Terrazzo" and "Wavy Baby" sticker packs and was impressed by how simple they were to use. The hardest part was choosing which design to go with (they‘re all so cute!). The stickers lasted on my nails for a full week before starting to peel at the edges – not bad for a no-tools-required mani.
If you‘re feeling a little more ambitious with your nail art, Olive & June also offers press-on nails in a range of fun designs. I love that these give you the look of intricate nail art without having to fuss with tiny brushes or stencils.
The press-ons are made with the same high-quality polish as the bottled kind, so they look super glossy and professional. They‘re also surprisingly durable – I wore a set for 5 days without any lifting or breakage. And at just $10 a pop, they‘re a great budget-friendly alternative to getting nail art at the salon.
Finally, if you really want to take your nail art to the next level, Olive & June has a selection of tools and polishes specifically designed for detailed designs. The brand‘s Nail Art Brush Duo includes both a fine liner brush and an angled detail brush to help you create any look you can dream up.
Paired with Olive & June‘s Nail Art Polishes (smaller bottles of polish made for detail work), the possibilities are endless. I‘m still working on perfecting my technique, but I‘ve been able to create some fun accent nails and color-blocked designs with a little practice.
The Extras That Elevate The Olive & June Experience
Of course, a great at-home manicure isn‘t just about the polish and artsy accents – it‘s also about the tools and treatments you use to prep and finish your nails. And Olive & June has plenty of extras to round out your routine.
First, let‘s talk about the Poppy. This $16 tool is basically a rubber top that fits over the handle of your polish bottle to give you more control and a better grip while painting. I was a little skeptical about how much difference it would really make, but trust me – the Poppy is a game-changer.
With the Poppy, I‘m able to keep my non-painting hand steadier and closer to my nails, which results in neater, more precise polish application. It‘s a small thing, but it really does make the process easier and less frustrating – especially if you struggle with painting your non-dominant hand.
In terms of nail care, Olive & June offers a cuticle serum pen that I‘ve become obsessed with. The serum comes in a convenient click-pen applicator, which makes it easy to swipe on your cuticles every day.
The formula is a blend of nourishing oils like cactus flower, grapeseed, apricot, and jojoba – AKA it‘s like a tall glass of water for your nails. I‘ve noticed a major difference in the health and appearance of my cuticles since I started using this serum regularly. Goodbye, hangnails and flaky skin!
Another standout is the Dry Drops top coat, which I briefly mentioned earlier. This quick-dry top coat has a slightly thicker formula that really seals in your polish for a high-shine finish. Like the name suggests, it also speeds up the drying process – I‘m talking dry to the touch in about 60 seconds.
Honestly, I don‘t think I can go back to a regular top coat after using Olive & June‘s Dry Drops. It‘s just so convenient and effective. No more sheet marks or smudges for this gal!
How Olive & June Compares To Other Nail Brands
So we‘ve established that Olive & June has some pretty stellar products – but how does the brand stack up against other popular nail lines? Let‘s take a look.
| Brand | Polish Quality | Shade Range | Nail Art | Dry Time | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olive & June | Long-lasting, pigmented | 100+ trendy shades | Press-ons, stickers, brushes | 5-7 mins | Poppy grip tool, cuticle serum |
| Essie | Chip-prone, sheer | 200+ classic shades | None | 10-15 mins | Wide brush, Gel Couture line |
| OPI | Long-lasting, pigmented | 200+ iconic shades | None | 5-7 mins | ProWide brush, Infinite Shine line |
| Sally Hansen | Hit or miss, depends on line | 100+ shades | Stickers, polish pens | 5 mins | Miracle Gel, Color Therapy lines |
As you can see, each nail brand has its own strengths and weaknesses. Essie and OPI are known for their classic shade ranges, but they don‘t offer much in the way of nail art supplies. Sally Hansen is more affordable and offers some nail art options, but the polish quality can be inconsistent.
I think Olive & June really stands out for its combination of polish performance, on-trend shade range, and user-friendly nail art options. It‘s also the only brand that offers educational resources and tools like the Poppy to really enhance the at-home experience.
Of course, Olive & June‘s polishes are on the pricier side compared to some other brands. But in my opinion, the added value of the brand‘s unique tools and emphasis on education makes it worth the splurge.
Is Olive & June Worth The Hype?
All in all, my experience with Olive & June has been overwhelmingly positive. From the polishes to the nail art supplies to the handy tools, this brand has thoughtfully designed an at-home manicure experience that feels salon-quality without being intimidating.
What really sets Olive & June apart for me is the brand‘s commitment to education and empowerment. With the wealth of online tutorials, guides, and virtual workshops, Olive & June gives you the tools and knowledge you need to become a true mani master – even if you‘re starting from square one.
Sure, Olive & June‘s products are a bit of an investment compared to your average drugstore nail brand. But I truly believe they‘re worth it for the level of quality, performance, and support you get. Plus, if you consider how much money you can save by skipping the salon and DIY-ing your nails, Olive & June basically pays for itself.
(It‘s worth noting that Olive & June has started offering more budget-friendly options, like mini polish kits and press-on nail sets, for those who want to try out the brand without breaking the bank.)
At the end of the day, I think Olive & June is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to up their nail game and enjoy the self-care ritual of doing their own nails. The brand has certainly won me over, and I can‘t wait to see what innovative products and pretty polish colors they come out with next.
If you‘re an Olive & June newbie, my biggest piece of advice is to start with a polish color that speaks to you and grow your collection from there. And don‘t sleep on the Poppy and cuticle serum – trust me, they‘ll make a world of difference in your mani routine.
Thanks for reading my honest Olive & June review – I hope it helps you nail your next at-home manicure.
Happy polishing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Olive & June‘s return policy?
Olive & June accepts returns on unused, unopened products within 30 days of delivery. For more info, check out the brand‘s full return policy here.
How long does shipping take?
Olive & June offers standard shipping (4-7 business days), expedited shipping (2-3 business days), and overnight shipping (1-2 business days). The cost of shipping depends on your order total and location – you can calculate shipping at checkout on oliveandjune.com.
Are Olive & June products vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes, all Olive & June products are vegan and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and PETA.
Where can I find Olive & June nail tutorials and guides?
Olive & June shares tons of nail education on its website, YouTube channel, and Instagram. Check out Olive University for an archive of video tutorials covering everything from nail shaping to DIY designs.
What is the Olive You Club?
The Olive You Club is Olive & June‘s loyalty program. It‘s free to join and gives you early access to new products, exclusive discounts, and points on every purchase that you can redeem for rewards.
Can I buy Olive & June in stores?
In addition to oliveandjune.com, you can find Olive & June products in-store and online at Target.
How can I contact Olive & June customer service?
For order issues or general questions, email [email protected]. Olive & June‘s customer service hours are weekdays 6 am to 5 pm PT and weekends 8 am to 1 pm PT. You can also slide into the brand‘s DMs on Instagram for quick assistance.
