If there’s two things you should know about me, it’s that I will do just about anything to save a dollar or two if I can help it. I also have a real bad nail-biting problem (yes I know, it’s gross), so the only way I ever have nice nails is if I get a manicure. But those aren’t cheap, and I’m not down to spend upwards of $80 every single month just so I can have socially-acceptable nails. So, I’ve found my own way around it: an Amazon DIY gel nail kit.
This isn’t a new discovery or anything like that. These nail kits had their viral moment during lockdown, when nail salons were closed and the girlies were stressing about how they were gonna cope without their Red Nail Theory or French tips. I bought my Gel X nail kit back in 2021, and since then, I’ve been learning how to do my own extensions instead of taking a trip to the salon.
Sure, I’ll go get professional nail art from my favourite nail tech a couple times a year for a ‘treat yourself’ moment. But other than that? It’s me, Netflix, a Sunday afternoon and my nail kit.
If all your beauty treatments are starting to rack up and something’s gotta give, but you don’t want to cut your own hair or wax your own brows, I’m here to convince you that skipping the nail salon isn’t such a bad idea.
Is It Hard To Do Your Own Gel X Nails?
You’re probably thinking: how am I meant to do my own nails? I can’t even paint my nails on my dominant hand with my shaky ass movements, so how am I meant to apply extensions and do all that?
Let me tell you, my friend, I was in the exact same boat. But guess what? It genuinely isn’t that hard.
It takes a lot of practice. My first set of nails were absolutely awful. Like, if a child vomited pastels over my fingers five minutes before I had to leave for work.
But I persevered. I watched a bunch of YouTube and TikTok tutorials so I could learn the right techniques and buy any products I was missing.
It took a few solid goes, but I saw progress. With every application, they’d look better. I started experimenting with simple nail art, using it as an act of self care when I needed to take some time for myself.
Doing your own Gel X nails is really fun! I won’t lie, it takes a lot of time, especially if you’re filing the extensions into a certain shape or doing intricate nail art. It can take any time between an hour to five, depending on what you wanna do. I’ve made the mistake of starting my nails at 9pm, then still being in the trenches at 1am as I’m fighting off sleep, trying to perfect my non-dominant hand.
Now, it’s something I block out time in my calendar for. And while it’s still not quite to a professional standard, they’re fun to do, and it always comes with a surge of pride when I pull off a fun design.
How Do You Do Your Own Gel X Nails?
It can be hard at first to wrap your head around all the little steps, but there are a lot of TikTok tutorials that break it down simply, with a visual guide to show you how to apply each product. And tbh, once you get started, working your way through is pretty easy!
- Start off with a dehydrated, buffed nail, so the glue has something to cling to.
- Prime your nails.
- Apply a base coat.
- Apply your glue and nail extensions, and flash cure them under the small UV lamp.
- Once all five extensions are applied, put your whole hand under the UV lamp and cure.
- Shape around the base of your nail with an electric nail file.
- Paint your nails and cure.
- Add a top coat and cure. Then you’re done!
This is the TikTok routine I followed when I was first learning to do my nails, and it was a huge help.
What Do I Need To Do My Own Gel X Nails?
So, you’re giving doing your own Gel X nails a go. Hooray! Here’s all the essentials I have in my arsenal that ensures I’m set up for success.
Vishine UV LED Nail Lamp Gel Nail Kit
Amazon has a bunch of DIY Gel X nail kits to help get you started with all the tools you need.
The $50 nail kit I bought five years ago unfortunately isn’t available anymore, but this one from Vishine is pratically the exact same. It’s great because it not only includes the UV lamp and everything you need to do the base of your nails, it also includes six different polish colours.
Image: Amazon.
Modelones 15ml Gel Nail Polish Nail Dehydrator and Primer
If your nails aren’t dehydrated or primed, they’re going to pop right off. This trusty duo has never done me dirty. Do this after you buff your nails and before you pop on the extensions (if you’re choosing to use them).
Image: Amazon.
Beetles Gel Polish Five-In-One Nail Glue Kit for Acrylic Nails
Your gel nail extensions aren’t gonna last if you’re using a crappy glue. Beetles is a trusty brand, and it’s super reasonably priced, too.
Image: Amazon.
Modelones Medium Almond Nail Tips 500Pcs
I find one of the most time-consuming aspects of doing my own nails is cutting and filing the nail extensions into shape — it can take over an hour to get them perfect. I love using these ones because they’re pre-etched and pre-shaped, so all I need to do is glue them down and file the base.
Image: Amazon.
Una Gella Short Almond Fake Nails 216Pcs
If you prefer shorter nail extensions, these ones will save you the unearthly time it takes to file them into perfect almonds once you’ve cut them down.
Image: Amazon.
UV LED Black Light Fixtures With Gooseneck And Clamp
This lamp is a lifesaver when it comes to flash-curing nails. You’ve gotta hold your extension in place for the first few seconds, and you can’t do that under the big lamp, so I advise getting a flash-curer like this one that clamps onto your desk.
Image: Amazon.
MelodySusie Professional Rechargeable Nail Drill 30000 RPM
An electric nail file is an essential when it comes to doing your own Gel X nails. They’re a whole lot quicker than a manual nail file, and can get into those hard to reach spots, especially when it comes to shaping your nail bed post-extension application.
Image: Amazon.
Tomicca 40 Pcs Gel Nail Polish Set 36 Colours Jelly Gel Polish With Glossy & Matte Top
Amazon has a bunch of great gel nail polish sets that allow you to nab all the colours under the rainbow for an affordable price. This one from Tomicca has 40 different colours in 8ml bottles, so you’ll practically be set for life.
Image: Amazon.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Your first set isn’t gonna be your best work, and that’s okay! Keep at it, and you’ll be a pro in no time.
Image: @michellekhxn / @alyssa.forato
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