Jelly nails have taken the beauty world by storm with their translucent, dreamy look. But don’t be fooled by their salon-worthy appearance! You can easily recreate this trend at home without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to achieve perfect jelly nails, sharing budget-friendly tips and tricks along the way. Get ready to transform your nails into a work of art!
PRESS ON NAILS
For those that don’t enjoy painting their nails, I linked some press-on nails below. You can find some other press-on jelly nail styles by clicking through to the Etsy/Amazon stores. Here are a few options you might like!
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/71nyS4lzf9L.jpg)
KISS Bare But Better Nude Jelly Nails
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Screen-Shot-2022-10-15-at-2.04.15-PM.png)
AILLSA Press on Jelly Nails
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/71PFXUXUL.jpg)
GAOY Jelly Gel Nail Polish (6 colors)
DIY JELLY NAILS
PREP
Make sure to prep your nail bed beforehand—check out my favorite products that help prepare your nails for this dreamy manicure.
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/167038526578b986870ea28d697663dbbb8c768e74.jpg)
Professional Stainless Steel Cuticle Clippers
Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/51tUBRBjWHL.jpg)
AIMEILI Nail Prep Bond Primer, UV LED Gel Foundation for Acrylic Powder and Builder Gel
DIY USING NAIL POLISH YOU ALREADY HAVE
Don’t worry if you don’t have specific jelly nail polish! You can easily transform your existing polishes into a jelly-like finish. By mixing your favorite color with a clear base coat, you can create a translucent effect. Experiment with different ratios to achieve your desired level of opacity. Get creative and explore the colors already in your nail polish collection!
Alternatively, you can follow the Nailcou YouTube tutorial for a step-by-step guide on achieving the jelly nail look at home using gel polish. If you don’t have a gel set yet, I’ve linked some beauty blogger favorites below that can help you achieve salon-quality manicures at home. The Goay set is particularly handy for replicating the jelly nail trend, as it includes pre-made polish that already has the jelly nail effect.
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Screen-Shot-2022-10-15-at-2.34.37-PM.png)
GAOY Gel Nail Polish Kit with U V Light, 16 colors, & prep kit
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/b6352f029120457fbf60310cbb075684.png)
Beetles Easy Gel Tips Almond Nails Extension Kit
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Screen-Shot-2022-10-16-at-1.45.08-PM.png)
GAOY Acrylic Nail Tips with UV Light, 300Pcs Press Ons w/ Tools
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Screen-Shot-2022-10-11-at-12.36.58-AM.png)
Vishine Nude Gel Polish Kit
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/61lJV9nXElL._AC_UF10001000_QL80.jpg)
GAOY 15 Pcs Jelly Gel Nail Polish Kit
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Screen-Shot-2022-10-11-at-12.40.59-AM.png)
OPUIU 10 Pcs Pastel Jelly Gel Nail Polish Set
NAIL POLISH
If you prefer traditional nail polish over gel, check out the two products below. CirqueColors and JLLaquer are popular choices for achieving the jelly nail look on Etsy. With these polishes, you can easily create the effect by applying just one coat of polish followed by a top coat.
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Cirque-Colors-Nail-Polish-Cocoa-Jelly-0_37-oz-Nail-Lacquer-at-Beyond-Polish.jpg)
Cocoa Jelly Nail Polish
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Jade-Jelly-Bottle-Low-Res__33672.jpg)
Jade Jelly
Pics to use as mani inspo:
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/Korean_Jelly_Nails.jpg)
![](https://beautypg.com/wp-content/uploads/beautypg/2024/07/1fbf04937500afd23cad6a315c70dca0.jpg)
If you prefer traditional nail polish over gel, check out the two products below. CirqueColors and JLLaquer are popular choices for achieving the jelly nail look on Etsy. With these polishes, you can easily create the effect by applying just one coat of polish followed by a top coat.
CONCLUSION
Creating the viral jelly nails trend at home doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity and budget-friendly materials, you can achieve a stunning, professional-looking manicure. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless. With time and patience, you’ll master the technique and enjoy the satisfaction of DIY nail art. So, gather your supplies, unleash your inner artist, and get ready to rock those jelly nails!