Gel Nails DIY Advice

[Jemimatheragdoll]

Thanks to the wonder that is Mumsnet and YouTube, I've successfully managed to tint my brows and lashes so now would like to nail gel nails!

I know I need an LED lamp rather than UV so just wondering which brand I should be looking at - are they much of a muchness?

How about base/top coats and actual polishes? Again, any particular brand?

Any advice will be most welcome please. I'll save so much money if I get this right although my poor beautician might find her profits are down somewhat!

Hmm, I think my final flippant comment about profits is a bit insensitive so apologies if I offended anyone-we're all struggling somewhat atm

Mylee stuff is great, you can buy starter sets which are reasonable!

I second mylee

You need either an LED or UV lamp and you need to make sure the polish you go for is compatible with your lamp, some cure under LED, some cure with UV. You can get lamps that do both. Invest in a good dehydrayor, base and top coat and the colours are much of a muchness, you can find some nice sets on Amazon.

Halo Gel polish. This is a professional brand & has all approved chemicals in.
Gellux is also a good one but will cost you slighrly more.

There is alot online i.e ebay etc I'd be wary of Bluesky,CCO being the 2 main ones due to what is in them.

You need -

Prep & wipe solution
Lint free pads
Base coat
Colour
Top coat

• With gellux you also require "fast bond" which you apply prior to base coat, again this just depends how much you're willing to spend

I would recommend a "no wipe top coat". I have both and much prefer this

I bought a mylee kit at the beginning of lockdown. I've been really pleased with it.

Great thanks, will check out everything you've all mentioned-I was looking at a Mylee kit but the lamp was uv not led.

I had an original budget of about £100 (had no idea really how much they cost) but there's a lot cheaper around by the looks of it.

Mylee 100% go through justbeauty.com and sign up to get 15% discount - makes it cheaper and they do the mylee led lamp

Sensationail is a good brand as well.

Mylee do an LED lamp for sure. I have one!!

I use a mylee led lamp and blue sky gel colours. Been doing my own for 3 years now and pretty happy with them.

I've been looking at the kits mostly but they don't include a dehydrator (grincheux mentions this) just a base and top coat - do I need a dehydrator?

I'm usually too busy chatting when I'm having my nails done to actually watch and ask about the process

I used the blue sky one you can get it from just beauty, think its called nail primer was £6 I think

I was on a similar thread back in Feb/March and there was tons of good advice on it. I bought this kit (www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202732025165) but back in the spring the price for the whole kit was only £60.

I also bought some weird gel remover stuff (Remove UV Gel Nail Polish Magic Remover Soak off Nail Art Primer Acrylic Clean Nail Art Soak Off Remover Gel Polish Acrylic Removal 15ml 2pack www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07V9D2ZWN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XGQ1Eb79G22H7)?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 which does make the removing part a lot easier. And I had a cuticle oil already but I’d recommend one if you don’t have it.

I have bought blue sky polishes on eBay/amazon (depending on the colour and price) and I've found they have lasted perfectly for up to three weeks ie before I get sick of the colour and take them off!

All in all, it’s the best purchase I’ve made in a very long time.

Go for Gellux Fast Bond, Gellux Easy-Off Base Coat, and a decent top coat. The Fast Bond is the dehydrator which you do need. If you don't already have a decent cuticle pusher and nippers consider investing in those too, preparing your nails properly will help the gel last longer.

Just use acetone as a dehydrator as that’s what it is, make sure you’ve done your cuticles, wash hands, dehydrate. Also make sure you cap all your edges especially with your top coat

Just popping back to say I've ordered a Mylee kit - after hours of research! Thanks for your help.

Hope you get to try it out soon😊

My first attempt at gels was so much better than I expected, 10 days in they're all still looking pretty good.

I went for a pale grey so will redo this weekend with red-go big or go home

I have the mylee led light, I'm sure I bought it on amazon. I use the TBNL bond aid and primer also from amazon and the manicure company nail gels. I've used many brands and these are the best so far for me.

Ylark79 is the magic gel remover any good? I looked at some reviews but they weren't great. Removing gels properly is such a ball ache!

MrsPerfect12 I bought the mylee led lamp too - very happy. I didn't use a primer as others had said the base coat was enough-what difference does it make?

Sensationail Peel Off Base Cost!
It is miraculous stuff. Lasts 10 days on me.
Looks perfect. Literally peels off. No damage. No soaking and faffing about with foil.
Brilliant stuff. £15 a bottle. About 30 applications.

Coat, not cost. Obviously...