gel polish starter kit with lamp

How to Do Gel Nails at Home

If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to get beautiful, long-lasting nails at home, then gel nails are the perfect solution. Not only do they look great, but they can also last up to three weeks without chipping or peeling. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to do gel nails at home, including the tools you’ll need, step-by-step instructions, and tips for keeping your nails looking their best.

Is It Worth Doing Gel Nails at Home?

Convenience and Flexibility:

You can pamper yourself with a salon-quality manicure without leaving the comfort of your own home. No more waiting for appointments or rushing to the salon during busy days. 

Cost-Effectiveness:

Regular salon visits for gel nails can add up over time, making it an expensive beauty routine. Investing in a good-quality gel nail kit allows you to save money in the long run. 

Health and Hygiene:

Maintaining your own gel nails at home ensures that you are in control of the hygiene practices. You can be certain that your tools and equipment are clean and sanitized, reducing the risk of infections or nail damage. 

Creative Expression:

DIY gel nails open the door to endless creative possibilities. You can experiment with a wide range of gel nail colors, designs, and nail art to match your mood or occasion. 

Skill Development:

As you practice, you’ll improve your techniques, resulting in neater and more professional-looking manicures. You may even discover a new passion for nail art and design, honing your talents with every application.

Long-Lasting Results:

By doing gel nails at home, you can ensure meticulous application, leading to nails that stay flawless and beautiful for weeks, resisting chips and fading.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start doing your gel nails, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need:

  • Gel nail polish
  • Base coat
  • Topcoat
  • UV or LED lamp
  • Nail file
  • Cuticle pusher
  • Nail buffer
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Cotton pads
  • Acetone

Gel Nails at Home: DIY Guide

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to get started! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do gel nails at home:

  • Start by preparing your nails. Use the cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles and the nail file to shape your nails. Be sure to remove any oils or lotions from your nails using the alcohol wipes.
  • Apply a thin layer of base coat to your nails and cure it under the UV or LED lamp according to the instructions on the polish.
  • Apply a thin layer of gel polish to your nails, making sure to coat the entire nail evenly. Cure the first coat under the UV or LED lamp.
  • Apply a second coat of gel polish and cure it under the UV or LED lamp as well.
  • Apply a thin layer of topcoat and cure it under the UV or LED lamp.
  • Once your nails are cured, use the nail buffer to smooth out any bumps or rough spots.
  • Use an acetone-soaked cotton pad to remove any excess polish from your skin or cuticles.
  • Repeat the process on all of your nails, making sure to cure each coat of polish under the lamp before applying the next one.

Tips for Keeping Your Gel Nails Looking Their Best

Now that you know how to do gel nails at home, here are some tips for keeping them looking their best:

  • Avoid exposing your nails to harsh chemicals, such as cleaning products or acetone-based nail polish remover.
  • Wear gloves when doing dishes or other activities that may damage your nails.
  • Apply cuticle oil to your nails regularly to keep them moisturized and healthy.
  • If you notice any lifting or peeling of the gel polish, don’t try to fix it yourself. Visit a professional nail technician to have it fixed.
  • When you’re ready to remove your gel polish, be sure to soak your nails in acetone for at least 10 minutes to prevent damage to your natural nails.

Best Gel Nails at Home Kits

Morovan Poly Gel Nail Kit offers a professional-grade solution for achieving salon-quality results in the comfort of your home. This kit comes equipped with a 48-watt LED lamp, base coat, top coat, poly gel, nail forms, and a nail file. With its easy-to-apply and sculpt poly gel, combined with the quick and even curing power of the LED lamp, you can create stunning and durable gel nails effortlessly.

Gellen Gel Nail Polish Kit is a great value for the price. It includes a 24-watt LED lamp, base coat, top coat, and 12 gel polishes in a variety of colors. The gel polishes are easy to apply and last for up to 2 weeks.

Sally Hansen Salon Pro Gel Starter Kit is a good option for beginners. It includes a 36-watt LED lamp, base coat, top coat, and one gel polish. The instructions are easy to follow, and the results are salon-worthy.

Le Mini Macaron Gel Manicure Kit is a portable and compact kit that’s perfect for travel. It includes a 16-watt LED lamp, base coat, top coat, and 6 gel polishes in a variety of colors. The kit is small enough to fit in your purse or carry-on, and the gel polishes are long-lasting.

FAQs

  1. How long do gel nails last? Gel nails can last up to three weeks without chipping or peeling.
  2. How often should I get my gel nails redone? It’s recommended to get your gel nails redone every two to three weeks, depending on how quickly your nails grow.
  3. Can I use regular nail polish with my gel nails? While you can apply regular nail polish over your gel nails, it may cause them to peel or chip more easily. It’s best to stick with gel polish or gel-like polishes for the best results.
  4. Do gel nails damage your natural nails? If applied and removed correctly, gel nails should not damage your natural nails. However, improper removal or lifting of the gel polish can cause damage.
  5. Can I do gel nails at home without a UV lamp? Technically, there are gel polishes that can be cured under LED lamps, but they tend to take longer to cure and may not provide as strong of a bond as UV-cured gels. It’s best to invest in a UV lamp for the best results.

7 BEST BIRTHDAY NAIL SET IDEAS WITH LASTING QUALITY

Calling all birthday nail enthusiasts with a birthday coming up! Ready to ditch the chip worries and rock a stunning manicure that lasts? Look no further! We’ve curated 7 of the best birthday nail set ideas specifically designed for birthday nails, ensuring both eye-catching designs and long-lasting wear. Get ready to celebrate your special day with fabulous nails that won’t quit!

OUR TOP PICKS

BEST POLISH: ESSIE GEL COUTURE LONGWEAR NAIL POLISH + TOP COAT KIT

If you’re aiming for a gel manicure look without the UV drying light, Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish is an excellent choice. This polish, which has a thick, non-dripping formula, applies like regular polish and dries to a hard, glossy finish that mimics a professional salon manicure. We wore these nails for over two weeks and experienced minimal chipping, comparable to professional gel manicures. Removal is straightforward with acetone, leaving your nails healthy and undamaged.

While lamp-cured gel polishes dry faster, Essie Gel Couture takes about 15 minutes to fully dry. However, its staying power is impressive, and we loved the vibrant colors and the well-preserved condition of our nails after removal. If you want a gel-like manicure without the need for a UV lamp, this polish is the best option.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 15 minutes
  • Lamp Included: No

BEST FOR TRAVEL: LE MINI MACARON LE MAXI DELUXE GEL MANICURE SET

The Le Mini Macaron compact kit is ideal for on-the-go manicures. We gave it top marks for ease of use, drying time, finished appearance, and nail health post-removal. Despite gel kits often being intimidating for beauty newbies, this kit from Le Mini Macaron is user-friendly and fun, even for beginners. The gel lacquer dries quickly with the included LED lamp, leaving nails glossy and hard in just one minute. However, the travel-friendly lamp is small, so you’ll need to dry your thumb separately.

While we loved the quick-drying, glossy finish, the polish began peeling within a few days and was completely gone soon after. Longer-lasting results might be achieved by using a nail-prepper product, applying thinner coats, or drying nails for a longer time. Despite the short staying power, our nails were not damaged, making this kit an excellent travel choice.

  • Shades: 2
  • Dry Time: 1 minute
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST VALUE: GELLEN GEL NAIL POLISH KIT

For a more comprehensive option, the Gellen Gel Starter Kit is a great choice. We awarded this kit perfect scores for ease of use and were impressed with the 12 included bottles of polish, various nail embellishments, grooming tools, and UV lamp. The instructions recommend drying each coat for 60 seconds under the light, but we found our nails were still tacky after a minute. Extending the drying time to 90 seconds yielded better results.

Once painted and dried, we loved the appearance of our gel manicures. The colors were vibrant, and the polish dried smooth with a glossy finish. However, the lacquer began to chip around day six and was completely peeled off by day eight, making soak-off removal unnecessary. While we wish the polish lasted longer, this feature-rich kit offers great value.

  • Shades: 12
  • Dry Time: 90 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR BEGINNERS: SALLY HANSEN SALON PRO GEL STARTER KIT

If you’re new to gel nails, Sally Hansen’s beginner-friendly Salon Starter Kit is perfect for you. This kit earned a perfect score for ease of use, thanks to its simple three-step process and lightning-fast drying time. Curing your nails with the included LED lamp takes only about 30 seconds.

Once dried, our nails were smooth, super shiny, and hard without any stickiness. Although the kit comes with only one color, additional bottles can be purchased separately. Despite the promise of up to two weeks of wear, our manicures didn’t last very long. The gel began to peel when we cleaned around the house, even with gloves on. This kit may not be ideal for those who work with their hands, but it’s a great option for anyone looking to try gel nails at home.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 30 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST BUDGET: SENSATIONAIL GEL STARTER KIT

Looking for a budget-friendly option? The SensatioNail Gel Starter Kit is a solid choice. The instructions can be a bit confusing, so we recommend reading through them thoroughly before starting. While this kit wasn’t the easiest to use initially, the process should be smoother the second time around. We were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the lacquer dried with the included LED lamp, but for the best results, we suggest applying thinner layers of paint and taking your time.

The brand claims up to two weeks of wear, but we noticed chipping after about a week—slightly longer than regular polish but not as durable as a professional gel manicure. Although this affordable kit comes with only one polish color, you can purchase additional bottles individually to expand your collection.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 3 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR NAIL CARE: RED CARPET MANICURE PRO 45 STARTER KIT

If you prioritize skincare, it’s important to care for your nail beds and cuticles too. This comprehensive kit includes everything from cuticle oil to sealing top and base coats, along with cleansers, foil wraps, cuticle pushers, and more. The gel hardened into a shiny gloss on our nails in just 45 seconds and stayed smooth with minimal chipping for nearly two weeks.

We did notice that the brushes were a bit uneven and frayed, making it challenging to cover all the edges perfectly. However, with a steady hand, we applied the glossy shades, confident that our nails and skin were protected. After removing the polish two weeks later, we were pleased to find our nails as strong as ever.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 45 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST OVERALL: MOROVAN NAIL KIT

Morovan’s Poly Gel Kit earned perfect scores for drying time, finished look, staying power, ease of removal, and nail integrity post-removal. We only marked it down for ease of use due to a slight learning curve. However, the instructions were thorough and easy to follow, and the illustrated how-to booklet was very helpful.

This set includes everything needed for a professional-level manicure, plus some fun embellishments and extras. It comes with eight polish shades, including six solid opaques and two ombrés. The kit also includes a primer, a dehydrator, a base coat, a top coat, an LED lamp, and various tools for grooming your nails and cuticles.

The most challenging component was the nail extensions, as the kit includes extension gel and shaping foil to help you create your desired length and shape. Once the gel was applied, the drying process was smooth and straightforward.

After two weeks, only two extensions had fallen off, and the stunning color and shine remained. When it was time to remove the polish, the gel came off easily with the help of a scraping tool. If you’re up for the challenge of DIY gel extensions and want a long-lasting manicure, this kit is an excellent choice.

  • Shades: 8
  • Dry Time: 2 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AN AT-HOME GEL KIT

STAYING POWER

One of the main attractions of at-home gel nails is their promise of professional-level longevity. The products, tools, and formulas should provide similar results to what you’d get at a salon. However, many kits we tried didn’t last more than a week. Various factors can influence this, including improper use of the kits, daily wear and tear on your nails, and not thoroughly removing natural oils from your nails before painting. For best results, carefully read all instructions and follow the manufacturer’s nail care suggestions, and consider wearing reusable gloves when cleaning and doing dishes.

INCLUDED SHADES

While some at-home gel kits come with multiple polish shades, many starter sets only include one or two. However, additional colors are often available for individual purchase, allowing you to gradually expand your collection with shades you’ll actually use. An extra bottle of white nail polish is great for classic French manicures and the trendy “glazed donut” nails.

CURING LAMP

Most kits come with a UV or LED lamp, which is essential for curing and drying gel polish. As celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein explains, “Gel polish needs a UV light to cure/dry and provides a chip-free manicure that lasts much longer than regular nail polish.” Depending on the lamp’s bulbs and wattage, each coat will take anywhere from 30 seconds to three minutes to cure. Most of our top picks, except for Essie’s Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish, include an LED/UV lamp.

REMOVAL

Gel manicures typically require soak-off removal. This involves soaking 10 cotton pieces in pure acetone, placing them on your nails, wrapping them in foil, and letting them sit for about 15 minutes. After soaking, the polish usually scrapes off easily. If you prefer not to make multiple trips to the store, consider the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Gel Starter Kit, which includes foil wraps, gel polish remover, and more.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it! With these seven fantastic nail set ideas, you can celebrate your birthday with stunning nails that last. Whether you crave a classic French manicure, a touch of playful glitter, or a bold, eye-catching design, there’s a perfect option for you. So go forth, embrace your beautiful nails, and rock a birthday mani that shines as bright as you do!