Who doesn't love getting a manicure? It's super helpful in helping us feel refreshed and put together and is perfect if you're looking to ace that TikTok clean girl aesthetic.
However, a couple of trips to the salon can soon cost you a small fortune, especially if you love your extensions and nail art. We'll admit, it's an expensive beauty treatment that we can't always afford.
Many of us on the Closer team have recently made the change and purchased an at-home gel nail kit, and we all agree it was a fabulous decision. While being in charge of your own nails may sound daunting at first, there are plenty of helpful tricks and tips online. Plus, once you get the hang of it, doing your gel nails is straightforward and brilliantly fun.
If you do have any doubts on how to go about nailing your manicure, at the end of our guide we've listed in chronological order the steps to follow when doing your own nails. We've also included a list here of everything you need in a gel nail kit, so make sure your preferred gel nail kit includes everything you want:
• UV/LED lamp
• Gel nail primer
• Gel nail polish
• Gel nail polish top coat
• Gel nail polish base coat
• Prep liquid or cleanse/dehydrate spray
• Lint-free wipes/cotton wool
• Nail files 100/180 grit
• Nail buffer
• Nail brush
• Cuticle sticks
• Cuticle remover/cuticle nipper
• Cuticle oil
Shop the best at home gel nail kits we could find below.
SHOP: The best at-home gel nail kits
Editor's pick
Description
A truly professional gel nail kit, the Mylee Gel Nail Kit is packaged in a cute compact box, and the curing lamp comes in its own separate box. Mylee also has plenty of instructional videos to help you get started.
Recommended
Description
A very efficient and compact gel nail kit - including a sleek lamp.
14daymanicure.co.uk
Description
New brand 14 Day Mani swear by its longstanding nails and easy-to-use kits that will keep your nails in tip-top condition. Snap up this bestseller gel polish kit to get the most out of your nails.
Best at home gel nail kit for colours
Description
Already got a lamp, file, and the other mechanical bits but need the actual colours? This at-home gel nail kit from Modelones boasts 28 different gel colours. However, it's important to note that it doesn't come with a gel base or a top coat.
Description
Or, if you've got all of the gel polish colours but need the gel nail lamp, this kit is ideal.
Best budget gel nail starter kit
Description
As well as being vegan and cruelty-free, this awesome gel nail starter kit boasts everything you need for under £30.
Recommended
Description
It's easy to see why this product is one of Amazon's top choices. It boasts 2000 ratings with an average of 4.6 out of 5, and it has lots of added extras, like a dotting pen for nail art, striping tape, nail separators, and a cuticle fork.
How to do gel nails at home:
Preparation:
Make sure your nails are clean of any residue, be it nail polish or other, using a nail polish remover. File and buff your nails, ensuring you've got your desired shape, be it oval, coffin, or square. Make sure to cut any excess cuticles, as well as pushing them back.
Primer:
Apply your gel nail primer before anything else.
Base:
Next, you'll need to apply your gel base coat and cure it for 15 seconds.
Colour:
Select your gel polish colour, add a thin layer of it and cure for 60 seconds. Paint a second slightly thicker layer and cure for 60 seconds. A third layer is optional depending on how thick your polish is.
Topcoat:
Once it's fully dry, apply your topcoat and cure this for 60 seconds also. Whilst some topcoats do not require a wipe after curing, most do, as this removes any sticky residue. We also recommend adding some cuticle oil to your cuticles as well as some hand moisturiser as the UV lamp can dry out your skin. And voila! Your gel nail manicure is complete.
How do I remove gel nail polish at home?
No matter how tempting it is, do not pick your gel nail polish off, it will weaken your nail bed and your nails will be prone to breakage. Use a nail polish remover, acetone is stronger but non-acetone will work it will just take longer, or a specific gel polish remover like this one from Mylee, and douse cotton wool or lint-free wipes with the remover placed on each nail and wrap with kitchen foil.
You can also snap up this Magic Gel Remover from Mylee, which is designed to remove gels in just six minutes and can be a huge time-saver for gel nail polish users who are used to spending a long time removing their gel manicure.
mylee.co.uk
Description
Tried & Tested by Deputy Commercial Content Editor, Natalie Corner: "I have spent many hours sat with my nails wrapped in foil, so was eager to try out this product from Mylee that promised to save me so much time. I was a little too precious with the product at first, and after waiting a few minutes nothing was peeling but I could feel a tightening sensation which shows that it was working. Impatient as ever, I added a few more dollops of the thick gloopy liquid to my nails and after about 10 more minutes I had some great results.
Isabel Martins was previously a contributor at Closer as a Commerce Writer specialising in all things shopping content.