Does anyone do their own gel polish nails??

[Dickorydockwhatthe]

Thinking of buying a UV lamp and giving it a go myself to save money. I use normal polish but it never last more then a day. I just saw superdrug have a UV lamp on sale. Can anyone give any tips or recommendations for polish??

I did pre lockdown and have done for about the last 3 years. I would buy a LED rather than a UV lamp. The SUN brand ones are good quality and very cheap.

I would buy a good quality branded base and top coat and then use whatever colours you like. Trial and error will help you identify the consistency and brush that works best for you so I'd recommend buying one polish at a time from a few different brands rather than a big kit.

Preparation is the key to a good quality finish so files, buffers, lint free wipes, cuticle pusher etc are are essential.

What will make or break your ability to do your own nails long term will be how you well you get on with removing the polish before you can reapply.

Another DIY gel nailer here, as pp said LED lamp is better than UV. I brought a set from amazon years ago with some vouchers, not holding much hope and it’s still going strong!
Get lots of comments on my nails. Wasn’t very good to start with but practice has paid off now!
I’ve been buying different polishes from amazon for a while and have found some better than others, so as pp said probably best not to buy a whole load from one brand to start with!
Best of luck with the manicure :)

I've been doing my own for about five years. I use Sensationail but I also buy the Blue Sky nail polishes from eBay as they are much cheaper but just as effective IMO. Mine always last about two weeks or so. I think it's definitely worth it.

I’ve been doing mine at home for a few years. I’ve got a Mylee LED lamp and I buy Bluesky gel colours, there’s hundreds to choose from. They usually last until I get bored and want to change the colour - so at least two weeks.

How do How take it off before reapplying?

Thanks everyone I will have a look. They always make it look so easy when they do my nails but £20 a time is alot ever few weeks.

Yes, I really enjoy it (but not the taking off).

I would recommend getting a good top and base coat and just one (or two) good quality colours rather than the ‘pack of 12’ type deals you see on amazon. You can build your colour choice slowly and it’s better to have one good quality polish rather than 12 crap ones.

As well as the prep being important (remember to wash and dry your hands properly before you start so there’s no residue on your nails), I’d also say you need a lot of patience: Multiple very thin coats makes a much better outcome than a couple of thick, gloopy ones.

I started doing my own in lockdown, found the sensationail stripgel base much easier to remove myself and less damaging.

I had all the kit years ago but found soaking them off such a pain in the arse it's easier to reapply polish every week.

I find my polish always peels off, what prep steps do you follow?

CND gel polish is really good

Elegant Touch do really easy pre-soaked removal sachets.
They’re like little finger puppets

Taking off: Emery board the surface of the gel to break the surface, cut foil strips, small piece of cotton wool covered in acetone (damp, not dripping), wrap round nail, leave for 10 mins. I do a hand at a time. DON'T do it near wood! I used a glass chopping board to protect surfaces.

I tend to use normal nail polish with the Sensationail polish to gel which is massively less complicated. Don't bother with their patented anti-sticky wipes to finish off, just a bit of alcohol/surgical spirit/nail polish remover without acetone takes away the stickiness.
Also, make sure the gel coat goes over the nail and caps it at the top and is set there, that stops it chipping at the top.

If using full on gel nails, roughen the surface of the nail first, it helps it stick. I use the first bit of a nail buffer against the grain.

@newnameswhothis I lightly buff my nails beforehand and make sure my cuticles are cut back. I make sure my hands are clean and dry so there’s no oils or residue or anything left on them.

When applying polish leave a good space between the cuticles and the edges - it shouldn’t get on there at all or it will peal. Then wrap the tip of the nail slightly when applying the polish. Use a good base and top coat.

Also, in day to day life just be cautious for a few minutes after you’ve had a bath/shower/washed your hands as your nail shape changes when they’re wet.

I bought a lamp & polishes in March and it’s been brilliant.
I prep after light buffing using this Mylee Prep + Wipe Gel Nail Polish Residue Cleaner Remover 250ml, Preparation & After Care, UV LED Manicure Gel Polish Base Wipe, Multi-Purpose for Sanitising Nail Plate & Removing Tacky Layer www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OZP8TIQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_Uoq0FbC8N8NAV?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21 and you use it to wipe nails when finished too, it makes them glossy and removes the tacky surface.

I bought this lamp
54W UV Nail Lamp, DIOZO LED Nail Dryer Quick-drying LED UV Nail Dryer with 36 Dual Light Source LEDs, 4 Timer Setting www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07K25Q3HC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_Zmq0FbVT84M1D?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

You need to buy lint free squares too to wipes nails with the prep liquid.

I found Bluesky polishes and base/top last longest. I started off with CND polishes but it doesn’t last as long! Polish usually starts to peel off after 2 weeks so I usually gently peel it all off. Hasn’t damaged my nails luckily.

I do toes as well now. I’ll probably never go back to the salon!

Another vote for mylee, also beauty outlet shops sell the polish for them cheaper. Also check out gels on amazon or sensationail when they have a sale on

I do my toes with gel polish, an undercoat, two coats of colour and two top coats, thinner coats, probably overkill but they look great and last really well