Want to achieve salon-quality gel nails without leaving your home? Or maybe you’re like me and just don’t like paying the hefty price tag at the nail salon. Whatever the case, this DIY gel manicure step by step is for you!
*There are affiliate links in this post which means if you make a purchase I might earn commission at no additional cost to you!
In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the entire process of doing your own gel nails at home. I’ve tried about three different lights/lamps at this point for curing and finally found one that impresses me. Choosing the right polishes is another issue. I’ve tried some very budget friendly ones that literally peeled off the next day. If you want your gel manicure to last 2+ weeks, these are the products to try.
In this blog post, I’ll share my top recommendations for the best light and polishes to use, ensuring long-lasting and professional results. You’ll learn the step-by-step process of applying the gel and curing it for a flawless finish. Say goodbye to expensive salon visits and hello to beautiful, at-home gel nails with these easy-to-follow tips and tricks.
Why Gel Over Regular Polish?
Simply put, regular nail polish lasts me about .05 seconds before it chips. Gel polish can last me 2-3 weeks! That one reason alone is why I never waste my time with regular polish on my fingernails and almost always opt for gel if I’m having any color put on them at all.
I realized that the gel application process was actually super simple and once I found the right supplies, it was game over! It’s one of the best things for saving money but still having stylish nails.
How to Build an At-Home Gel Kit
These are the necessary materials I now swear by for at home gel manicures!
In addition to these things you’ll want to have clippers and a nail file for the edges of your nails, but I’m guessing you probably already have those things. Now, let’s get into how you can create your own gel manicures!
Base and Top Coats to Use
I’ve tried numerous brands on Amazon that I could get my hands on. I really want the OPI gel base and top coat, but unfortunately you have to have a beauty license to purchase those. I’ve seen DND at my local nail salon so figured it was a top notch brand.
I’ve tried a much cheaper gel base coat and top coat with the gel lamp and let’s just say things didn’t go well. “Splurging” on this pack was a much better choice. I definitely don’t think it’s outrageously expensive, but there are cheaper options out there. I will 100% be only buying this one from here on out however. It by far holds up the best. I don’t want to have to redo my nails every few days!
In the past, I’ve kept rubbing alcohol on hand because once cured your nails will have a tacky layer or “stickiness” about them. I found have this very true for other nail lights/polishes. I’m not sure if it’s this brand polish or the nail lamp I’m using, but I have NO sticky nails when I’m finished. The base/top coat set says “no cleanse” on the website so I’m guessing this is the reason. This is also a huge perk of using these products/this method!
Nail Polish Colors
Again, I’ve tried numerous gel nail polishes from Amazon. I used to go for the ten pack for $10 type thing, if you know what I mean. Do a quick search on Amazon for gel polishes and you will easily see options that make you wonder why I paid $17 for one color.
However, I was so tired of my at home gel manicures not lasting. I mean, how could it be that different than the salon? Then I decided to “splurge” on DND and grabbed the base/top coat set and a couple of different colors. I can without a doubt say if you want to take your gel manicures from lasting 2 days to 2 weeks this is the brand to use.
For best results, apply two thin coats of the color. One coat is sufficient for the base and top coat polishes. Yes, you will pay more for this brand but it will be so worth it having the perfect gel manicure.
I also really appreciate that the DND sets come with a bottle of gel and a bottle of regular polish. I prefer gel on my fingernails and regular on my toenails so it works out great!
Cuticle Oil
It’s a good idea to use cuticle oil after polishing your nails. I’ve actually had this little bottle for quite a while because I took a break from doing at home manicures for a bit. I think the packaging has changed but if you can find OPI cuticle nail oil, grab it! This is the perfect final step to make you truly feel like your nails went to the spa. This step is optional, but feels so nice and hydrating for a clean finish.
This finishing touch just adds to the experience of a salon-quality gel manicure.
The Best Gel UV Nail Lamp
100% transparency here, I was gifted this nail lamp and did not purchase it myself. I have however used two different gel UV lamp options in the past and was never super impressed with either so was excited to give this one a try in hopes it would be better. They were both okay and did the job, but my manicures did not stay on very long.
I’m so happy to report that this is my new go-to light. I finally found a way to do gel manicures at home and have almost identical results to if I went to the salon for a gel polish job. This is the most luxurious LED lamp I’ve used and it has a super easy curing process.
Another nice feature is that it is cordless so you can charge it up then take it with you to any room of the house.
Step by Step Tutorial – My Exact Method!
Of course prior to following these steps you may choose to clip, file, buffer, etc. If you want to really get a high quality manicure, use a cuticle pusher on the nail bed. I try to keep things as simple as possible so I just filed my nails a bit before starting. Now, here’s the application process!
Step 1: Apply one thin layer of base coat on natural nails. Cure for 60 seconds.
*Use VERY thin layers for each coat of polish on the surface of your nails. Thin coats is the difference between a messy and salon looking manicure.
Step 2: Apply 2 Coats of DND Color of Choice. Cure for 60 seconds each.
Step 3: Apply 1 Coat of DND Top Coat Gel Polish. Cure for 60 seconds.
Step 4: Using a nail file, lightly file away any bumps or lumps you see (or skip this step if you don’t have any).
Step 5: Apply OPI cuticle oil at the cuticles and rub in.
Finished Result
Here’s an image of my finished manicure. I’m super pleased with how they turn out! I’m sure you’ll be able to recreate this look on your own nails. I love classic, clean nails and a simple gel manicure does just that.
Conclusion
Don’t be fooled – you do NOT have to pay an arm and a leg at a fancy salon to have beautifully polished nails. With a high quality gel light, a base and top coat along with a color polish, you can easily achieve stunning DIY gel nails. Now, give this long-lasting manicure routine a try!
