Gel Nails at home

[CountryRoadTakeMeHome]

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 .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

I'll keep trying. I looked online and thought the gel would wipe away but I find it's more like 30 minutes plus and then I'm picking at then to get them off. It can take ages to get them all off! I'll have a look and see if I'm using the right product. Otherwise I think the home kits are great, stops me biting my nails! Thanks everyone.

Yes it did take me 45mins to remove my first gels from my finger nails! Acetone x

Today's colour x

Thank you Mumsnet for your swears by code on this today!
Have had mine ages but wanted one for a pressie

Hi folks, this is very timely for me - have been wondering if my splitting, flaking nails would be better protected by gel/shellac - is there a difference between them?

And is there a difference in the lamps? ie, uv and led? It all feels a bit of a mystery!

A bit alarmed at the length of time it takes to remove, and the reports of having to scrape off...

I have shellac and it takes 10 minutes, in fact I time it so that I apply the remover in 1 minute intervals allowing me to remove them at the correct time.

There are lots of videos on YouTube detailing both gel and shellac nails.

I prefer shellac as I used to have gel nails and soaking them off was always a pain in the arse.

I have tried the sensationail nail shields which are like a sticker that goes on the nail underneath the layers of polish. I expected them to be rubbish but I found the colour still lasted well and they were really easy to remove without damaging the nail like I usually do with acetone. They can be a bit tricky to stick on flat without getting creases though...

Scotsmum 1 - LED better than UV - main difference is time, LED takes 15-30 seconds per coat, UV takes 2-3 mins. You don't have to replace the bulbs in LED lamps and the UVA/UVB rays are far lower

Re taking it off, just adjust the amount of primer you use.

(If it takes too long, use less primer)

I've just bought the Sensationail kit with the discount code and am pleased with it so far - will definitely work out cheaper than having my nails done at a salon although DIY is a bit of a faff. I'm worried now though about infections - how/why would you get those?

I've got a lamp and some gels, base and top coat (given to me) but I'm not sure what primer you all mean? And what the alcohol stuff is to wipe at the end. Could some link to some please? I'm confused

You get infections when bacteria is trapped between the nail plate & the polish.

Http:www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171115974658

Ignore that stupid link!

I use blue sky primer, I've used the no wipe one which is good but it's a bugger to get off.

I've found bluesky and elite 99 last ok. Some others aren't as good.

For removal, once you have foils on pop them under your lamp for a few minutes, the heat speeds up the removal, mine crumbles away easily after 5 mins or so

Ooh will try that mirror when I have to remove (just done them today)