Manicures are expensive. Like, "why-did-I-just-spend-eighty-dollars-plus-tip" expensive. For years, the only way to avoid that salon bill was to brave the drugstore nail aisle, which, honestly, used to be a graveyard of clumpy polishes and flimsy stickers that popped off before you even finished your morning coffee. But then Olive and June hit the scene. Originally, you could only get their stuff through their website or maybe a high-end boutique if you were lucky. Then came Target. But the real game-changer happened when Olive and June Walmart aisles became a reality. It changed how we think about "budget" beauty.
Suddenly, you didn't have to wait for a shipping box to arrive. You could just grab a bottle of "OJSM" while picking up a gallon of milk and some laundry detergent. But here’s the thing: is the Walmart selection actually the same as the stuff you see on Instagram? Or is it some watered-down version?
The Truth About the Walmart Selection
When Sarah Gibson Tuttle founded Olive and June in 2013, it was a Beverly Hills salon. It was exclusive. It was cool. Transitioning that "cool factor" to the massive shelves of Walmart was a risky move for the brand's prestige, but it was a win for accessibility. If you walk into a typical Supercenter today, you aren’t just seeing a couple of stray bottles.
The Olive and June Walmart collection is surprisingly robust. You’ll find the signature long-wear polish, which is a "7-free" formula. If you aren't a nail nerd, that basically means it lacks the seven most toxic chemicals commonly found in old-school polishes. They brought over the Quick Dry line too. This is the stuff for people—like me—who have zero patience and usually smudge their pinky nail approximately three seconds after painting it.
The prices are slightly different, though. While the website often bundles things into "systems," Walmart lets you cherry-pick. You can grab the "Poppy"—that patented round handle that fits over the bottle cap—without buying a whole $80 kit. It makes the pro-level tools feel a lot more approachable for the average person who just wants their left hand to look as good as their right.
Why the Press-Ons Are the Real MVP
Let's talk about the press-ons for a second. Press-ons used to be synonymous with "tacky." They were thick, they looked like plastic, and they never fit right. Olive and June changed that narrative by offering 42 different sizes in a single box.
Most brands give you maybe 24 or 30 sizes. That extra variety matters because everyone has that one weirdly shaped thumbnail or a tiny pinky. At Walmart, these boxes are usually priced around $10. Compare that to a $60 gel fill at a salon. The math just makes sense. The adhesive they use is also shockingly strong. If you prep your nails correctly—which means dehydrating the nail plate with their little blue prep pad—these things will stay on for two weeks. I’ve gone hiking, washed dishes, and typed 5,000 words a day with them, and they didn't budge.
Does Walmart Carry the Full System?
This is where it gets a little tricky. If you're looking for the "everything" kit—the one that comes in the big, beautiful box with the built-in phone stand—you might be disappointed. Walmart tends to stock the essentials. Think individual polishes, the Super Glossy Top Coat, and the Cuticle Serum.
That Cuticle Serum is arguably the best product the brand makes. It’s a cactus-flower-based oil that comes in a pen with a foam tip. No mess. No greasy fingers. It’s usually tucked away on the bottom shelf at Walmart, but it's the secret to making a home mani look like you actually paid someone to do it.
The "Manicure System" in its entirety is often a website exclusive or limited to specific seasonal drops. However, the Olive and June Walmart shelves usually have the "Instant Mani" kits. These are focused specifically on the press-ons.
Breaking Down the Cost
Is it cheaper at Walmart? Sometimes.
Usually, the prices are neck-and-neck with other major retailers, but Walmart’s "Rollback" culture means you can occasionally snag a $9 polish for $7.50. It’s not a massive saving, but if you’re buying five colors, it adds up.
- Individual Polish: ~$9.00
- Press-on Sets: ~$10.00
- The Poppy: ~$16.00
- Cuticle Serum: ~$15.00
Compare that to the high-end salon brands like OPI or Essie. Olive and June sits right in the middle. It’s more expensive than the $2 "wild and crazy" colors but cheaper than the professional gel lines.
The Quality Control Question
There’s always a rumor that brands "cheapen" their formulas for big-box retailers. People say the same thing about shampoo and makeup. But with Olive and June Walmart products, the ingredient list is identical to what you’d get from their California headquarters.
The long-wear polish is still thick. It still requires two to three coats for full opacity. And it still requires the specific top coat to "lock it in." If you try to use a different brand's top coat with Olive and June polish, it'll probably peel. They designed the chemistry to work as a system. It’s a bit of a bummer if you’re a mix-and-match person, but it’s the only way to get that 7-to-10-day wear time.
One thing to watch out for at Walmart? People opening the boxes. Because Walmart isn't a specialized beauty boutique like Sephora, you occasionally find boxes that have been tampered with. Always check the seal on your press-on kit before you head to the checkout. There's nothing worse than getting home and realizing someone swiped the glue or the size 4 nail you desperately need.
Addressing the Learning Curve
Look, painting your own nails is hard. Most of us grew up doing a messy job and just washing the excess polish off our skin in the shower the next morning. Olive and June's whole vibe is teaching you not to do that.
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When you buy into the Olive and June Walmart ecosystem, you’re basically buying a technique. The Poppy tool is meant to steady your hand. The brush inside the bottle is wide and flat, not thin and stringy. This covers the nail in about two strokes. If you’re used to the old-school thin brushes, this takes a minute to get used to. You have to use less polish than you think.
If you go too heavy, the polish won't dry. It'll stay "squishy" for hours. That’s the number one complaint people have. They treat it like regular polish and glob it on. Don't do that. Thin layers are the secret.
Is It Worth the Hype?
I’ve tried a lot of "salon-alternative" brands. Some are great; some are just rebranded house paint. Olive and June falls into the "actually worth it" category for a few specific reasons.
- The Color Range: They don’t just do "pink" and "red." They do "canyon sunset" and "dusty lilac" and "denim blue." The colors look modern. They don't look like something your grandma would wear (no offense to grandmas, but we want different things).
- The Longevity: If you follow the "no water" rule—meaning you don't let your nails touch water for two hours before or after painting—the polish actually stays. Water makes the nail plate swell and then shrink, which is what causes the polish to crack.
- The Community: This sounds cheesy, but they have "Mani Bootcamps" and a ton of tutorial content. Even if you're just buying a single bottle at Walmart, you can access all that education online.
The downside? The removal process. Because the polish is designed to stay on for a week plus, it's stubborn. You really need a high-quality acetone remover. The "gentle" non-acetone stuff won't touch it. You'll just end up scrubbing your nails until they're raw.
The Environmental Angle
It's also worth noting that Olive and June is vegan and cruelty-free. In the world of massive retailers like Walmart, finding brands that prioritize these standards at an affordable price point is getting easier, but it's still not the default.
How to Build Your Own Starter Kit at Walmart
If you’re standing in the aisle right now and feeling overwhelmed, don't buy everything. You don't need it. Start small.
Grab one bottle of the "Long-Wear Polish" in a shade you love. "GH" (a soft white) or "SC" (a classic bordeaux) are usually safe bets. Then, grab the "Super Glossy Top Coat." This is non-negotiable. Without it, the polish is just okay. With it, it looks like a gel mani.
If you have shaky hands, the Poppy is a solid investment. It’s a one-time purchase that makes every future manicure easier. Skip the stickers and the fancy tools until you’ve mastered the basic paint job.
Final Thoughts on the Walmart Partnership
The collaboration between Olive and June Walmart is a win for the consumer. It brings high-end, clean beauty formulas to the masses. It's not just for people who live in big cities with fancy salons anymore.
It represents a shift in the beauty industry. High quality doesn't have to mean high barrier to entry. You can be a DIY expert in your own living room while watching Netflix on a Tuesday night.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Mani
- Clean your nails first: Use a bit of nail polish remover even if you aren't wearing polish. It gets rid of the natural oils that prevent the polish from sticking.
- Buff, don't saw: When you shape your nails, move the file in one direction. Sawing back and forth creates tiny tears that lead to peeling.
- Wait between coats: Give it at least 2-5 minutes between the first and second coat. If the first layer is still wet, the second layer will just drag it around and create bubbles.
- Cap the tip: Run the brush along the very edge (the "free edge") of your nail. This seals the polish and prevents those annoying chips that start at the top.
- Check the inventory: Use the Walmart app to check if your local store has the specific colors you want before driving there. Some stores have huge displays; others only have a small endcap.
The move into Walmart has made Olive and June a household name. It’s no longer an "if you know, you know" brand. It’s for everyone. And honestly? That's exactly how beauty should be.
If you’re tired of the salon cycle or just want a hobby that results in pretty hands, head to the beauty section. Look for the bright white caps and the clean typography. Your nails—and your bank account—will probably thank you.
What to Avoid
Don't use the press-ons if your nails are currently damaged or peeling. The adhesive is strong, and removing them from a weak nail can cause more harm. Let your nails heal with some of that cuticle serum for a week first. Also, avoid getting the polish on your cuticles. If you do, use a tiny brush dipped in remover to clean it up immediately. Once it dries on the skin, it’ll pull the rest of the polish off when the skin moves. Simple physics, really.
Take your time. A good home mani takes about 30 minutes. Don't rush it. Turn on a podcast, sit at a flat table, and enjoy the process. It’s supposed to be self-care, not a chore.