I paid over $300 for a Russian manicure that took 3 hours. It blew American and Japanese gel out of the water.

• I get professional manicures every month and prioritize nail health and longevity.
• I paid over $300 for a Russian hard-gel extension manicure at Say-It Nails in New York City.
• Russian manicures specifically groom the nail beds and cuticles to help the polish last.

As someone who gets my nails done monthly, manicure longevity is one of my top priorities.

Russian manicures, which have exploded in popularity on TikTok this year, emphasize cuticle care. If done properly, a full set looks no more than a week old two to three weeks after an appointment.

On my last trip to New York, I went to Say-It Nails in Midtown Manhattan for a hard-gel extension Russian manicure with complex nail art.