Earlier this month I wrote all about how to give yourself an at-home manicure. This week I’m taking it a step further because – if you’re at all like me – a regular manicure just doesn’t always cut it. I’m missing my gel manis like craaaazy and I couldn’t take it anymore. So I took matters into my own hands and experimented with gels at home. And I gotta say – it was shockingly EASIER than using regular polish!
I found that since gel polish is a thicker consistency, it bleeds less, making it a lot easier to “color inside the lines” while painting! Plus you can’t beat the 1 minute drying time! I’m almost a little taken aback that I’ve been paying quadruple at the nail salon for a gel mani when it’s 10000 times easier to do than a regular mani!
What You’ll Need
- nail polish remover with acetone
- soak off nail clips or aluminum foil
- gel polish remover tool
- cuticle pusher & trimmer (optional)
- nail file
- UV/LED light (This one was pretty cheap!)
- nail dehydrator
- rubbing alcohol
- CND gel base & top coats
- Gel color (I find CND works/stays best, but also like Essie and OPI)
What To Do in 7 Easy Steps
- Remove any existing polish. For gels, file off the top layer and soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover that has acetone. Use aluminum foil or nail clips to hold in place for 15-20 mins.
- Cut/file/shape your nail and push back the cuticle (trimming them if needed).
- Use a small piece of paper towel to wipe nails clean using acetone polish remover. Then, apply a nail dehydrator if you have it! All this does is make your nail extra clean and get rid of any oil on your nail so that the gel polish adheres better.
- Apply base coat to one hand, then put under the UV/LED light for 1 minute. Repeat with other hand.
- Apply first color coat to one hand, then put under the UV/LED light for 1minute. Repeat with other hand. Then repeat for a 2nd coat on each hand.
- Apply top coat to one hand, then put under the UV/LED light for 1 minute. Repeat with other hand.
- Your polish will have a tacky residue, but it is NOT wet! Simply wipe off this tacky residue with some rubbing alcohol and VOILA!