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Original poster

Gel Nails at home

41 replies

CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 26/02/2016 21:23

I had my nails 'done' for the first time before my holiday 2 weeks ago, gel polish. I have now removed with acetone at home. My only previous nail job was acrylic French mani for my wedding on 2000.

My nails are naturally soft and flaky and snap at sh given moment. This is mainly due to my job Sad.o have found my nails to be in the best condition ever due to the added strength the gel polish gave but.... Alas I can not afford to get regular manicures.

So could you help me with what i need to get gel nail at home- uv lamp, prep, base, Polish, top coat etc etc without breaking the bank Grin

OP posts:
waceystills · 26/02/2016 21:30

I do my own gel nails at home. I have a kit, which was a present so I'm not sure of the cost.

I have the Sensationail kit and today I am on day 12 with just two tiny chips, so I recommend it!

You have to follow the instructions to the letter and the colours a £15 in Boots, so a little pricey and the bottle is small.

I do believe some folk say you get better value by sourcing the kit separately on ebay, so I'm sure some one will be along shortly to explain what you need .

pollyblack · 26/02/2016 21:32

I have sensationails too, if you sign up to their newsletter and fb they often have good offers on.

southeastastra · 26/02/2016 21:33

I always manage to get nail infections when i do them myself. Really try hard not to be too slap dash with the kits

SuffolkNWhat · 26/02/2016 21:34

I do my nails at home too. I got the various bits from Amazon, not a kit but the lamp, prep, gels etc. It's not expensive to get now and really easy to do (just takes time really)

waceystills · 26/02/2016 21:36

I'll keep an eye out for those offers Polly, I need to get some more colours.

At the moment I have taupe and red, I'm not keen on the colours the kit came with.

Original poster
CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 26/02/2016 22:00

So what do I need?

Obviously polish and uv lamp.

What base, top coat, prep and finish? I have no scooby doo! Cuticle oil?..,:

OP posts:
waceystills · 26/02/2016 22:04

Special wipes, a nail buffer and orange sticks for your cuticles. You need to keep them out of the way of the seal you make, which ensures the longevity of the polish.

TimeToMuskUp · 26/02/2016 22:05

If you want to have a bash at the shellac-type stuff, Amazon is your friend. You need base coat, top coat, colours, prep&wipe lotion, and alcohol lotion to wipe the sticky residue off. You'll need the uv lamp, too, and I recommend the Bluesky stuff as a place to begin as their colours are so cheap and cheerful.

Prep the nail with the prep&wipe to remove any oils, layer of base coat, cure for 2 minutes, I do 3 thin layers of colour, curing each for 2 minutes, a layer of top coat, cure for another 2 minutes and wipe with the alcohol and a swipe of cuticle oil. I've been doing mine for 4 years and never had a problem (I disinfect the kit often and am a bit militant about hygiene when I do them for friends).

seb1 · 26/02/2016 22:49

I saw this and wondered if it would be any good Transformer sensationail transforms any polish to gel, think it has £15 off starter kit in Boots

Original poster
CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 04/03/2016 19:32

So.... I bought a uv lamp and starter kit from Amazon. The nail gel polish, base and top coats are from bluesky. £40!

Tried it out for the first time this afternoon and OMG it's so easy and quick! Great results and I will save £££££.

Happy I went down this road. My fairly new to gel polish and it's also strengthening my nails and they are growing longer! Positives all round Smile

OP posts:
IpreferToblerone · 04/03/2016 19:39

Another sensationail user here. Love doing it in my own home, no appointments to make, can have the radio on or watch telly whilst I'm doing it and not having to make 'polite' conversation, nor have to sot in traffic, it's a win-win. Oh, and if you do get one peeling or chipping, just takes seconds to fix it.

Original poster
CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 04/03/2016 19:49

And change of colour when you fancy! (Forget that it's a bit of a faff taking it off!). I've already broken even as it costs £45 hands and toes in my area!

OP posts:
QforCucumber · 04/03/2016 19:56

I got all mine from amazon too and use the bluesky colours.

Will still get them done every now and again as a treat but 90% of the time I do my own now and swear by it. The lamp, base top and colours and the alcohol wipes I paid about the same as you and they last forever!

nibblingfingernails · 04/03/2016 20:05

Can I ask a question please?

I have the "Gelish" range of prep/base/top coat..... If I wanted to, could I use different types of gel nail polish such as blue sky or sensationail with the "Gelish prep?

DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel · 04/03/2016 20:06

I got/get most of my stuff from ebay. Currently I have heat sensitive colour on. It gets darker as my nails get colder. Sometimes they can look quite arty and gradually get darker towards the tip.

Original poster
CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 04/03/2016 20:07

Think I will get 6 months out of the alcohol wipes. Now I need to invest in colours. Happy lady!

OP posts:
QforCucumber · 04/03/2016 20:49

Can't see why not nibbling I've bought the odd cheap colour from eBay and amazon and used them with the bluesky base and top coat and been fine. One of the cheapys was terrible and thick and peeled off within a few days but I could tell it wasn't great from how gloopy it was! Currently have this one on, with the bluesky base and top coat. [http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/CCO-UV-LED-NAIL-GEL-POLISH-SOAK-OFF-NEW-GLITTER-COLOURS-STRAWBERRY-SMOOTHIE-/272145515852?txnId=0]

Original poster
CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 04/03/2016 20:55

Yes apparently (according to lamp instructions) you can use any type of gel polish!

OP posts:
Original poster
CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 04/03/2016 21:02

This is my first try, 3 weeks ago my nails were to the bone as usual....

Gel Nails at home
OP posts:
Imisscheese · 04/03/2016 21:02

How do you get the polish off? I have a lamp and blue sky polish but it takes me ages to remove the polish. Does anyone have any good tips?

Imisscheese · 04/03/2016 21:03

I like your colour, they're great.

Original poster
CountryRoadTakeMeHome · 04/03/2016 21:22

Thank you cheese! My nails are not good though... Very soft and peel and snap any given moment, this is very much down to my job! It's advised against applying to my type of nail but I have found they grow much better as the gel strengthens them!

Taking the colour off... Yes a bit tricky. Acetone on a cotton wool pad wrapped around nail, secured with foil and left for half an hour. Should then rub it scrap off. Not a quick process I'm afraid!

OP posts:
PutDownThatLaptop · 04/03/2016 21:31

For taking off, I got these clip on nail things from Amazon which are great.

MissTurnstiles · 04/03/2016 21:43

imisscheese cut cotton wool pads into quarters and cut up some foil into squares. Soak the cotton wool in pure acetone or an acetone-based remover and place on nail. Wrap foil around to hold in place and leave for 5-10 mins. Gel should just wipe away.