Does anyone do their own gel nails at home? Looking for recommendations?.

[NicoAndTheNiners]

Was thinking about getting gels nails done as they last longer than normal polish. But have been put off by tales of having to go to the salon to have them soaked off and redone. I’m so all over the place with work I can’t make appts for stuff in advance and it’s difficult enough fitting hair cuts in.

But I see lots of diy stuff on websites. Does it work? What do I need? Just soak off stuff? What’s the control solution? Any brands you’d recommend?

I use glue on acrylics ... i get about a week for each set. So easy to put on ... put the glue on your nail, attach the fake nail, press down for 5 secs. Once all the nails are on I usually file them down little which is probably why they last me a week.

I don’t want acrylics, definitely want to do the gels but thanks.

My friend does hers at home. She said it's a lot harder than it looks! She got the uv lamp from argos and buys varnishes from amazon, where you can also get the acetone to soak them off. I tried soaking my own off before but it didn't work, I think I was too impatient!

I get mine done at a salon, but I can't afford to get them done every few weeks and it would ruin my nails. What I've started doing is having colour on the tips only (nicer than it sounds, I'll try to attach some pics) and clear coat on the rest. That way I don't get that huge glaring half moon at the bottom of my nails as they grow out! I go about five or six weeks between appointments.

I do with shellac polish. You can soak them off yourself with acetone. I tend to pull them of and ruin my nails because I can't help myself. You can look up instructions for removing them online. It's pretty easy.

I use a led lamp - it’s super easy. I bought a kit for 20 quid on amazon to see what it was like. Pure acetone takes it off.

I do my own gel nails at home. I bought a lamp and base coat/top coat kit from eBay. Then I bought a pack of 6 small gel colours. I buy a new colour each month!

It's harder than it looks. It takes longer than at a salon. They work on one hand while the other is under. I do my thumbs first. Then left hand, then right. Watch YouTube demos.

The benefits for me are when one nail chips or breaks, I can quickly fix it. I also backfill the colour after approx 2 weeks to cover the growth, so I get another 2 weeks before removing.

Plan to spend some time without gel on, so that your nails can repair themselves and grow thicker again.

Thanks will have a look for some kits and give it a go.

Your nails look nice PurestGreen so if I can't get on with DIY I might try that look in a salon.

I bought a Mylee lamp from Amazon and Blue Sky polishes. I've been doing my own nails for a couple of years now, but not constantly.

It takes 20-30 mins to do both hands, on your own, though sometimes I get DD to do it.
They usually last 10-14 days, but I'm heavy on my hands.
If you overlap or make a mess of one nail, you can 'trim' the polish afterwards with a cuticle tool.

Avoid Elite 99 polishes on Amazon, they weren't good.

One of these!

I have an LED lamp and use Bluesky Gel polish (about £6 per bottle).

My nails are very thin and bendy but my gel polish has lasted well over a couple of coats of Bluesky Hard Gel. The only downside is it takes me about 45 mins from start to finish (including prep) which I never seem to find on a regular basis.

To remove, I usually file the top layer or two then soak in acetone for 10 mins (cotton pad soaked in acetone then wrapped in foil).

I use Sensationail. Bought my kit from Boots, but now buy gels and base coat etc direct from Sensationail. Took a couple of goes to get it right but I'd had it done at the salon for a few years so knew what I needed to do. I find that after 3 weeks I can usually pick off the gel easily without damaging the nail underneath. Occasionally I will soak off using cotton wool ball with acetone then wrapped up in foil - doing each nail individually. Leave for 15-30 mins while watching TV. But maybe only do this once or twice a year. Been doing my nails now, every 3 weeks, for over 5 years.

Thanks everyone, will get shopping. Am quite excited about trying this.

Did this with a 20 quid led drier and 5 for 9 quid led polish tonight. Easy!

My wallpaper is so outing, off to name change...

I have a sensationail lamp. Buy my polishes from Sally's as I have a trade card, find OPI last the best.

Gel polish, not gel extensions?

I do my own gel polish

I use Blue sky polish, starter kit here and an led, not uv lamp (much quicker) This is mine

I buy acetone to soak off... give quick ‘buff’ with a buff block, then soak in neat acetone for 5 mins using this

Use the hoof stick in the starter kit to gently remove, then repeat with acetone.

Complete doddle.