DIY nails

[NightOwl19]

Hoping you all can help me, I normally lurk on this part of the site.

I normally have my nails done just simple gel painted and not to long but want to make the switch to doing some DIY ones at home myself to save money as I'm 24 weeks pregnant and will be going on maternity leave soon and also trying to restrict how much I go out the house due to covid and a trip to the nail shop just doesn't seem worth it.

However I am horrific at nails, I brought a UV kit off amaZon for about £35 with a light and gel nails but they were awful sticky mess so it put me off but now I'm asking for any tips or recommendations so I can finally make the switch

Thank you

Did you wipe the top tacky layer off at the end?

No wipe top coat...game changer.

I've recently started doing my own with gels as opposed to normal nail varnish and can hardly get over how much longer they last etc. Recommend some "magic remover" as well, it'll doesn't burst open like the adverts say however it does make a massive difference to how easy the gels come off.

I haven't tried doing my own gels, but my lockdown discovery has been Essie Gel Couture polish. You apply like regular polish but the brush makes it easy to do neatly and mine lasts 10 day before chipping! I'll probably go back to salon gels at some stage but this is a great stopgap solution and doesn't wreck your nails.

@Ellewoods20

Did you wipe the top tacky layer off at the end?

No? I didn't no I needed to wipe a top layer off? Wouldn't that just take everything off?

I had one of these kits.

You need alcohol wipes or acetone on cotton wool will also work.

First swipe the alcohol or acetone over the clean nail.

Then put a layer of base coat polish on, do NOT run it right up to the cuticle and sides - leave a tiny gap and make sure you run along the edge of the nail otherwise the polish will peel.

Cure in the lamp.

Repeat with coloured polish.

Repeat with top coat.

Wipe over the nails with alcohol or acetone.

Ta da!
Shiny, beautiful nails 👍

I use this base and top coat - no need to wipe: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SHGMVNN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8