Easy DIY gel nails?

[ColeslawSandwich]

Can anyone recommend an easy gel nail system with UV lamp?

Years ago I bought the original Sensationail set but there were so many different steps needed I only used it a couple of times.

I would like to do my own at home to save some money.

Thanks.

The steps are very similar no matter which brand or system you're using. I think most of the brands perform fairly similarly and the longevity depends on how good your prep is. The removal is also a bit of a faff no matter which brand you use. You need to use the entire system from a single brand as they all cure at different wavelengths and with differently calibrated lamps and if you're mixing brands you risk under-curing, which can lead to over exposure resulting in allergies. You also need to make sure you don't get any of it on the skin, so you mustn't flood the cuticle as a) you risk allergies, and b) it will peel.

I'm training at the moment as a nail tech (as a little side "thing" just for fun really) so have moved over to a professional brand, but I used to use Bluesky. Never had any major problems with it, retention was fine but it was very difficult to remove and took ages, whereas the pro brands I've used soak off much easier. I can't imagine it's that much different to Sensationail.

I would recommend gel nail stickers. I use the brand MoYou. You cure them under a lamp but so much easier than painting. My current ones have been on for a week and a half including a holiday in the pool every day and still look fine. And really easy to remove compared with gel. Just apply some nail oil then run an orange stick underneath no nail damage.

MoYou London Semi Cured Gel Nail Wraps, Nail File, & Wooden Cuticle Stick – 20 Pc. Gel Wraps for Nails – Salon-Quality Manicure Set & Pedicure Supplies, Parties Pink amzn.eu/d/aaHawr2

They all have several steps, similar to sensationail.

No offence meant to pp but I don't like the look of the sticker ones at all

So interested in the sticker ones - can’t really believe that they work. @Wiii What don’t you like about the look (genuine question) vs gels?

I was going to suggest Sensationail, so if you found that too tricky I’m not sure what to suggest.

Sensationail have more recently done some one step colours that don’t need the undercoat, but I find the cleanser/primer/undercoat are crucial to getting a good finish and lasting nails so I think any shortcut will just mean they aren’t as good.

Thanks all, really appreciate the advice.