If you are still being careful about going to salons in this time of pandemic, worry not - you are not alone. But that doesn't mean your nails have to suffer! Time to learn how to DIY gel nails and get perfectly manicured hands in the time of Covid.
You might be surprised on how easy it is to do your own gel nail polish. Let us help you find the kit that suits you and your lifestyle best through our buying guide. We will also show you options with our top 10 list on what you should add to cart today.
Quick List - Top Gel Nail Kit Sets
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Table of Contents
Getting gel manicures at the salon can be quite expensive. You might be surprised how easy it is to do it yourself and how much money you can save by buying a kit! Here are some things you should consider in buying your gel nail kit.
A complete gel nail kit should have a UV lamp, a nail buff, a top coat, a base coat, a cuticle oil, and of course, gel nail polish. There are some kits that offer all of these, while there are some that might require you to purchase each separately.
You start each session with buffing your nails. This helps even out the edges and ensures a smooth application of your polish. You can then carefully apply your base coat to prep your nails for the session. A top coat locks in the color of your polish. The cuticle oil hydrates your nails after the session.
In choosing your home gel nail lamp, there are two types available right now: a UV and LED lamp. Best to pick one with set timers that can conveniently turn off once it is done.
These are needed to harden or cure the polish, giving it that smooth and long lasting finish. While they are named differently, both emit UV light. So what's the difference?
LED lamps could cure your polish in as fast as 30 seconds. It uses a more targeted wavelength in curing your polish.
These are generally more expensive, but are low maintenance. You should always make sure however that your gel polish is compatible with LED lamps - as some of them are not.
While a UV lamp may take longer to cure your polish - around two minutes each time - these can be used for all gel polishes available in the market today. This option however requires more maintenance as you will need to change the light bulb after a few months.
The fun part of doing your own nails is being able to experiment with different colors yourself. Look for shades that complement your skin tone to achieve the best look you want.
Almost all nail polish colors suit those who have fair skin but choosing dark shades for your light skin may look a little dramatic. If that's not the look you are going for, it is best to go for pastel shades. If you are in the mood for something bright, try red or purple.
If your skin tone is olive or medium toned, you can experiment with more colors that could complement your skin.
Although it is best to veer away from golds and rusty colors. Try deep burgundy shades for that dramatic look. You can go blue if you are feeling experimental. And you can always count on the ever reliable pink and nude.
Setting off your tan with bright colors is a great way to upgrade your look. Try going for fuchsia for that bright pop of color. If you are feeling extra adventurous, go for a neon green and feel like a pop star.
Do you want to give your hands an instant makeover that makes them look like you applied gel nail polish? Try getting press-on nails. They are easy to apply and gives you salon-like results that lasts for weeks!
There are so many designs and colors to choose from - some even come with nail jewels for that pretty accent. You just carefully remove the sticker and press it on to your nails for around 20-30 seconds. Just like that, your hands look freshly manicured!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SHELLOLOH 20Pcs Gel Nail Kit | ![]() | All the Things You Need Plus 20 Colors to Choose From | |
2 | COSCELIA Acrylic Gel Kit | ![]() | Complete Gel Manicure Set for Your Home Salon | |
3 | SHELLOLOH Nail Lacquer Kit | ![]() | Automatic Sensor Lamp with Quick-Dry Option | |
4 | Rosalind Nail Gel Polish UV Varnish Set | ![]() | Add More Colors to Your Gel Nail Set | |
5 | Poly Nail Extention Gel Kit | ![]() | Pocket-Sized UV Lamp for Easy Storage | |
6 | imPRESS Press on Manicure | ![]() | Get Gel Nails in an Instant with These Press-On Nails | |
7 | ibcccndc Extend Builder Polygel Nail Kit | ![]() | A Beginner's Gel Nail Kit with Professional Results | |
8 | ibcccndc Poly Gel Kit Nail Builder | ![]() | Build Your Own Gel Nail Kit with This Set | |
9 | imPRESS Press On Short Nails | ![]() | Pretty Nails Need Not Be Long | |
10 | Dashing Diva Magic Press On Nail | ![]() | Be Event Ready in Seconds with Glamorous Nails |
This kit is complete from application to removal - as removing gel nail polish can be quite challenging! From your cuticle pushers, to nail files, right down to your nail polish remover wraps - this kit has every base covered.
It even has toe separators making it easier for you to get a gel pedi as well! And with 20 bottles of nail polish to choose from, there's plenty to go around and experiment with to your heart's content.
It also has nail stickers for those cute accents you can add to make your nails truly pretty. A truly professional DIY kit.
If you are ready to give yourself a full gel manicure at home but having it come out perfectly gives you anxiety - this is the kit for you. It comes with nail molds making it easier for you to apply the polish. You can carefully shape it according to your preference before applying them on your fingers.
It comes with a nail art pen with cleanser that ensures that smooth gel application that allows you to fix imperfections. It also has decals that you can add for pretty nail art.
You can also use it for your actual nail if you don't want to use acrylics. A complete nail salon set for your home.
Getting a gel nail polish requires a lot of patience as you need to cure your nails after every coat. Thankfully there is a way to speed up the process a bit thanks to the quick-dry option the UV lamp in this kit has to offer!
Doing the quick-dry can cut the curing time significantly but if you want to go the long route you can choose between a 60 second or 120-second cycle.
It also comes complete with all items you need to get a perfect gel mani - right down to your cuticle oil to help your hands keep hydrated. With 10 colors to choose from, you will never get bored with this kit.
Always have options for refilling and/or rebuilding your gel nail kit set at home! There are a lot of colors to choose from. What makes this kit particularly stand out is that it comes with the base coat and top coat which should never be forgotten during your session.
You can go for their metallic collection if you are in a party mood. You can try their mattes and pastel if you want to look au naturelle. For a pop of brightness, you can choose the glittery shades. You would surely find something that would match your mood with these sets.
This could possibly be one of the cutest UV lamps you can use for your nails! It is small and handy making it easy to store after each use. Just requires a bit more patience as you will only be able to cure one nail at a time, extending your manicure sesh a little bit.
The set comes with acrylic nails if you choose to have extensions for that instant boost. This kit includes nude colors that are easy to wear and could match any skin tone. This is great for those who are still experimenting and considering if DIY nail gels is something you want to do.
No patience to buff, file, paint, and cure? You can still enjoy professionally-done nails without the hassle with these press-on nails. There are so many colors you can mix and match to create your own style.
What is great about this line from imPRESS is that it is ultrafit to give a seamless, natural look. It is easy to apply - just press on your nails and go! It comes with 30 nails, a prep pad, a nail file, and a wood stick. Get nails looking like a million bucks in a matter of minutes with this one.
If you are not yet sure if you want to fully commit to DIY-ing your gel nails, this is a great option for you. It comes at a very affordable price - below P1000 - and has everything you need to get started. And how cute is the personal UV lamp that it comes with?
Painting the acrylic nails carefully gives you a lot of practice if you want to do it on your own nails instead. Applying the acrylic nails is also simplified into painting and curing in this kit. Just buy your own cuticle oil separately and you are more than good to go.
If you have already gone through your first kit and are looking for items you need to re-stock, this is the perfect kit for you. There are 6 nail colors that come with it, all in nude shades that work great with any look. It also has a nail buff because of course that has to be replaced every so often.
This is great if you think you won't be able to find other stocks of the items you need for your kit. Or if you are just starting to build your own set and have your eyes set on a UV lamp, just add these items and you have everything you need.
If you can't be bothered with long nails but still want to have pretty looking hands in an instant - this is a great product for you. imPRESS press-on nails come in short lengths making it easier for you to still go through your daily routine of typing away on your laptop without a hassle. Not everyone - especially moms - can deal with long nails all the time!
Each set comes with a nail accent that you can choose to use, or if you opt to go monotone, you can do that as well. There are different sizes per fingernail in the set making sure you get the best fit and length you desire. Pretty nails that are practical - a great combo!
As rewarding as it is to give yourself a full pampering and really spend time grooming yourself, let's face it - there are days we don't want any of it. If you find yourself in a real hurry and have to get ready in a matter of minutes, this is the perfect accessory for you.
There are different shades to choose from that could suit your mood. Just carefully stick on to your nails and you're ready! They stay on for at least 2 weeks and you can move on to your next shade. Everyone would be wondering how you are able to get perfect looking hands every time.
You need to rest your nails in between each gel session to keep your nails in their best shape! Alternate between nail polish, going au naturelle, and going for the gel polish. Here are some links you might want to check out!
People usually notice your hands and it is important to keep them clean and pretty. If going to the salon is not something you are to keen to do in the middle of this pandemic, doing it yourself is a great option. With our tips and buying guide, we hope we helped you gain that confidence to be your own nail therapist!
Author: Laura Mercado
No. 1: SHELLOLOH|20Pcs Gel Nail Kit
No. 2: COSCELIA|Acrylic Gel Kit
No. 3: SHELLOLOH|Nail Lacquer Kit
No. 4: Rosalind|Nail Gel Polish UV Varnish Set
No. 5: |Poly Nail Extention Gel Kit
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