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We tried out a bunch of at-home kits, complete with prepping products, lacquers, top and base coats, clippers, filers, and LED drying lamps. This might sound like a lot, but we promise it's actually pretty easy. After putting nine sets to the test, we narrowed it down to the most user-friendly, quick-drying options with professional-looking results. A. A gel manicure typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 14 days. However, you shouldn’t wear gel polish for more than two weeks at a time because you can damage your nails if you leave it on any longer. Also, your gel nails may not last as long if they get wet frequently, so you might want to wear rubber gloves when washing dishes or cleaning around the house.
"Plus, the light is easy to set up — just be aware that you need your own charging block." To find the best gel nail polish kits, we researched dozens of options and considered factors such as set size, polish colors, and dry time while narrowing down this list. For expert tips on how to properly apply and take off gel nail polish, we spoke with Anna Popov, an New York City-based nail artist with a studio in Staten Island. These gel nail kits typically contain a gel polish, topcoat, base coat, and UV lamp. The number of bottles of polish included varies from kit to kit, but you’ll pay more for those containing more shades.
How do you remove gel nails?
This basic kit has exactly what you need and nothing else, making it perfect for DIY pros who may already have nail accessories. If you're looking to expand your gel polish arsenal, though, our pros say this is your pick — there are tons of colors to choose from. It also comes with a UV lamp and various converters for different areas of the world, making this a great option for travel too.
Soak cotton balls cut to the size of your nails in acetone and wrap each nail in plastic wrap to hold it in place. Remove and dispose of the plastic wrap and cotton and wipe away any remaining polish with a damp cloth. Wash your hands with mild soap to remove any remaining acetone from your skin, and apply more petroleum jelly to moisturize your nails and skin and reduce irritation.
A Professional-Quality Set
Are you the gal who was fine to spend upwards of two hours in the salon having an artist do an install on your nail beds? After doing an at-home try-on to make sure the pieces fit, you'll receive a completely custom lineup truly as good as an in-salon set. Extra points awarded for the wide range of ever-changing styles.
Follow that up with two coats of your preferred nail shade, curing after each coat for the same amount of time. During this step, James says, “You can use a clean-up brush dipped in acetone while painting to remove any gel polish that is on the skin or cuticles.” Lastly, apply a no-wipe topcoat and cure. The kit comes with the full suite of Gelish must-haves, from its prep formulas pH Bond (which removes excess oils from the nail for a longer-lasting finish) and Foundation . It also comes with Top it Off, Gelish's high-shine top coat that the brand claims "will not dull, chip or peel," a cleanser to remove any lingering sticky residue and Nourish cuticle oil to finish it all off. Choosing the best at-home gel nail kit depends on what you’re hoping to achieve and how often you plan on using it. Are you only looking to give yourself a manicure or touch-up in between salon appointments?
Removal
Our tester said the LED lamp seemed cheap and wished it plugged into a regular outlet instead of only through a USB adapter. While the results looked decent, some of the gel peeled off after a couple of days. While we planned to wait the full 14 days before removing it, most gel formulas we tried began peeling off prematurely. Since several kits had disappointing staying power, we ultimately selected easy-to-use options that delivered professional-looking results. Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team and has recently earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ. She has a background in design, having studied Illustration at Plymouth University but has taken a leap into the world of journalism after always having a passion for writing.
It comes with eight polish shades, including six solid opaques and two ombrés. You'll also get a primer, a dehydrator, a base coat, a top coat, an LED lamp, and various tools for grooming your nails and cuticles. Whether you’re looking for a kit that you can bring on work trips and vacations or simply want a beginner-friendly way to try at-home gel nail manicures, this one from Le Mini Macaron is the perfect option.
Nail files
Make sure the kit you're considering offers a professional-grade curing lamp and a variety of polish colors. For someone looking to dip their toes into doing their own gel manicures, this kit is an excellent place to start. The comprehensive set is equipped with all of the essentials you need to prep your nails and craft unique designs from the comfort of your home. With six bottles of regular gel polish and two bottles of temperature-changing ombre polish, you'll never get bored with your nails.
She notes, “You don’t have to file the top layer of the gel, all you have to do is wrap it in an aluminum foil for mins and it just falls off in one piece.” For that reason, she notes it would be great for at-home use. Nail artist Kesang Gurung adds that the cuticle oil provided in the kit can and should be applied in the days and weeks after painting nails to help them last longer. “It helps to hydrate and strengthen your nails, making them look fresh, but also preventing them from chipping and breaking,” she says. If you’re fully committed to at-home gels and looking to cut back on salon visits, Aaron recommends investing in a kit that contains quality, professional polishes, such as the LeChat Perfect Match Gel Polish. On the other hand, if you’re simply testing the waters between your usual salon appointments, she doesn’t think it’s necessary to invest too much money into the process. Though this user-friendly set offered quick results, it was missing a few essential pieces.
This portable kit earned perfect scores for ease of use, drying time, overall look and nail integrity post-removal. Our tester called it a "little party in a box," explaining that it's fun and user-friendly, even for a beginner like herself. Since the lamp is so small, you'll need to dry your thumb separately.
Some options only come with one or two shades, while others come with an entire collection. With that in mind, make sure the colors are ones you'll actually wear so that you get your money's worth. Because of the kit's miniature size, you can only cure one nail at a time. Despite the process taking a little longer to ensure each nail gets enough curing time, the finished product makes the entire process worth it. Gurung has reached for CND’s shellac products for years because of their high quality and great coverage.
For example, gel nail kits typically include bottles that hold 0.25 to 0.3 fluid ounce, while regular polish generally comes in bottles of 0.5 fluid ounce. This Sally Hansen gel nail kit includes all the basics you need for a great manicure. The kit consists of a base, color, top coats, an LED light, cleanser pads, and more. The process advertises only 3 steps for fabulous nails, perfect for anyone who wants a great manicure. Gel nail polishes are cured using UV or LED lamps and some gel nail polishes can even use both. While both are effective, according to the International Journal of Women's Dermatology, “LED lamps accomplish photocuring more quickly because they emit a narrower spectrum of light.
The component with the biggest learning curve was the nail extensions. This kit comes with an extension gel and shaping foil to help you create your desired length and shape. Once the hard part of applying the gel was over, it was smooth sailing with the drying process. Apply the base coat and cure under the lamp (typically for seconds, but defer to your kit's instructions).
You can shop everything from full-on kits with everything you need to now only create your manicure, but also everything you need to remove your gel polishes. This article was written by Brittany Loggins, a freelance writer who specializes in beauty and lifestyle content. To find the best gel nail polish kits, she thoroughly researched the various types on the market, considering factors such as set size, ease of use, and wear time.
Thankfully, it comes with an easy-to-follow guide and has a pretty wide margin for error. The tester notes that, "Regardless of the mistakes I made, the gel came out pretty good." With the exception of two extensions falling off, our tester's nails looked just as good two weeks later—still shiny and vibrant without any cracks or chips. And while her nail plates were somewhat brittle, they weren't completely wrecked.
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