Products Needed- total around $90:
Gel lamp: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0756ZMFRL/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Gel polish set (6 total of reds and pinks): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HTBYXWD/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Gel Base Coat and Top Coat: https://www.amazon.com/Gelcolor-Soak-Base-Coat-each/dp/B07JKBZJRB/ref=sr_1_8?crid=24EHK3M779PAQ&keywords=opi+gel+top+coat+and+base+coat&qid=1551036824&s=gateway&sprefix=OPI+gel+top+c%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-8
I used to spend $70 a month at the nail salon on gel manicures. This totals $840 a year on nails! If you buy this at home set for $90, you will save up to $730 this year!
For context, a few months ago, my friend told me she did gel manicures at home. I initially bought a $35 starter set. While I would not recommend a starter set as the lamp is not very good, the set made me realize I could get professional looking gel manicures at home. I did some research and saw I could buy professional grade products for a total of approximately $90. If you follow the instructions below, your manicure will last just as long, if not longer, than a professional gel manicure.
In addition to saving money, the at home gel manicure saves a lot of time. Usually, when you go to salons, you have to dry one hand at a time. I highly recommend purchasing lamp in this set as it fits both hands- it cuts the drying time in half!
The bond aid, base coat, and top coat are EXACTLY the same as the ones used in the majority of nail salons. The cheaper gel polish sets produce the same results as the individual OPI or Shellac polish colors, assuming you use the professional bond aid/base coat/top coat.
Steps to the professional at home gel manicure:
- Clip and file nails. I prefer round nails as it looks more polished.
- Paint a layer of bond aid on each of your nails. Let it dry fully.
- Using base coat, paint a thin layer on each nail.
- Dry using gel lamp 3 times. As in, let it dry for 60 seconds and do 2 more rounds to ensure nails are fully dry.
- Paint a layer of gel polish carefully, ensuring not to get polish on the cuticles.
- Repeat step 4.
- Paint another layer of gel polish.
- Repeat step 4.
- Paint a thick layer of top coat.
- Dry using gel lamp 5 times. As in, let it dry for 60 seconds and do 4 more rounds to ensure nails are fully dry. The extra time is needed because I paint a thick layer- I think it results in a longer lasting manicure.
- Optional: Take alcohol and a cotton ball and apply to the dried polish for a lasting shine.
theverypolishedbeauty.com 