If you’re capable of painting your own nails with regular polish, then you’re capable of giving yourself a gel mani and saving loads of money. You’ll need:
- Gel nail polish (base, color, and top coat)
- Nail file
- Rubbing alcohol
- LED or UV nail light
Let’s get started.
- Do one hand at a time.
- Start by prepping your nails. Shape them and gently push cuticles back, buff the surface with a fine-grit file, and swipe them with rubbing alcohol to remove any oil.
- Paint the clear base coat onto your nails. If any gets on your skin, be sure to wipe it off before curing, because it will get hot.
- Cure the base coat under the light.
- Paint your desired color over the base coat.
- Cure under the light.
- Paint a second coat of your desired color over the first coat.
- Cure under the light.
- If necessary (for light or streaky colors) paint a third coat over the second coat and cure under the light.
- Paint the clear top coat over the color coats.
- Cure under the light.
- Swipe rubbing alcohol over your freshly painted nails to remove the tacky feeling.
- Repeat steps 1-12 on your other hand.
That’s it! Totally doable, and not at all intimidating. The cost of a gel kit is usually the same as the cost of two gel manis in the salon, so you’ll recoup the cost in no time.
More Style Guides:
- MP! Style Guide: What are the different types of braids?
- MP! Style Guide: What are all the different nail shapes called?
- MP! Style Guide: How to dye your hair at home
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