I paid $160 for a Japanese gel manicure, and they really are way better than American ones

While trying out multiple salons and independent nail technicians throughout Chicago, I came across Tokyo Nails on Instagram. The West Loop salon saw a boom in online attention after Drake got his nails done during his tour in 2023.

Owners and sisters Nomin and Nomundari Uuganbayar opened their salon in 2018 and have over 10 years of experience in the nail industry.

It's appointment-only and specializes in Japanese gel and Gel-X services.

The sisters prefer using Japanese polish and even worked to formulate their own brand of polish directly manufactured in Japan.

Standard gel polishes have a thinner consistency, as other ingredients tend to be added to make the product stretch further. But Tokyo Nails' Japanese polish is made of 100% gel, according to Nomin, meaning it's a bit thicker than many people in the US may be used to.

It also comes in a pot rather than a bottle, so technicians can scoop it out with any desired brush.

My appointment was at 8 a.m. and lasted until around 10:20 a.m.

The technician started by removing my current nail set, which included gel extensions, gel texture, and many charms.

As much as I enjoy my monthly manicures with the works, the occasional broken or lifted nail with extensions can be painful and unsightly.

I decided to start over with my natural nails and have them cut a bit shorter.

I opted for the Japanese gel overlay on short natural nails with a simple design add-on.

I specifically asked for this manicure because the description recommended it for damaged, fragile, and brittle nails.

Once my nails were prepped, the technician applied a base coat, the color polish, and a topcoat. If nails are particularly damaged, she told me they'll add an extra overlay coat between the base and color for additional support.

One of the biggest benefits of Japanese gel is that it's supposed to last longer than traditional American versions — three to four weeks as opposed to two the three. It's also supposed to hold up quite well and resist chipping.

"When my clients come back after four or five weeks, their nails were still on perfectly, no chip, just growth," Nomin told Business Insider.

Unlike acrylic nails, Japanese gel is softer and bends more easily, giving a similar feel to natural nails. It's also supposed to work with your nails to strengthen rather than strip them — which is why it can be particularly beneficial for those who put their nails through the wringer like me.

But ultimately, the owner stressed that nail health heavily relies on how clients remove their manicures. Ripping or pulling off polish can damage nails, even if it's a nice formula like Japanese gel.

Off the bat, the manicure was more expensive than I typically pay, and it didn't even include the extensions, hand-drawn intricate designs, or charms I usually get.

But since I was only getting polish and a simple design on my natural nails, the appointment was much shorter than I'm used to, saving me some time.

Considering how often I like to get my nails done, Japanese gel isn't a sustainable option for my current budget. But I thoroughly enjoyed it as a once-in-a-while splurge.

My manicure ended up lasting the entire month of June without any natural chipping or breakage (I'm sometimes guilty of picking at polish out of habit).

This was especially impressive, as I frequently clean, build furniture, and create art, all of which usually negatively impact my nails at some point.

Overall, my nails also seem stronger — it felt like a healthier alternative to what I usually do. I saw it as a good compromise because my nails got to heal and strengthen a bit, but I still got to have a manicure.

With the rise in popularity of Russian manicures and other online platforms, I think it's time Japanese gel had a bigger space in the spotlight.