DIY Gel Manicure … No appointment necessary
Though we all love to treat ourselves to necessary, yes, necessary beauty regimens, often times you will pay a pretty penny to satisfy these needs. In the beauty parlour, we are in love with our nails, manicuring, and long lasting looks that will survive cuts, color appointments, paper filing, and endless wedding-schedule-typing. We also however, are in love with saving money. More money saved = more money to spend! 😉
By now I’m sure you’ve heard of the gel-manicure-gab. The nonstop gushing about how long it lasts, yet goes on just like regular polish. To be honest, though the process is much like a typical mani, it takes longer and can be much harsher on your nails and cuticles. Plus, at $30 + a manicure every 3 weeks, your wallet can take a bit of a beating.
We have discovered the perfect way to get long lasting color without spending $30+ every 3 weeks, without waiting on that uncomfortable salon bench, breathing in those icky-artificial nail fumes, and in the comfort of your home…from your couch. Much more in the style of Jennie Kay Beauty.
What you’ll need:
Nail file
Cuticle Clippers
Cotton Balls
Approx. 2X2 cut pieces of lint free paper towel
Rubbing Alcohol
A nail polish color of your choice (preferably a polish with no built in top coats, or any of that jazz…just plain old color)
A simple UV light (can be purchased at your local beauty store online for cheap)
Sally Hansen Gel Base coat
Sally Hansen Gel Top coat
As in any spa environment, give your hands a good exfoliation, soak, and moisturizing before you begin. This preps your hands & allows you to remove dead skin and file nails properly and efficiently. Plus, it allows you to relax! You wouldn’t believe how much stress we hold in our hands…relax! File your nail to your desired shape, remove any dead skin around your nail beds, gently.
After moisturizing, take a cotton ball and wipe away the surface of each nail with a bit of rubbing alcohol to prep it for polish.
- Starting with one hand at a time, apply one coat of the Sally Hansen Gel Base coat to nails. Apply somewhat swiftly and quickly, as it becomes tacky within moments of hitting the air. Place hands in the UV light for 40 seconds, thus setting the base coat.
- Apply 1 coat (2 coats if you are able to make it very thin) of a nail color of your choice. Be sure to apply thin and even coats as to not make the layers of your polish thick and gooey.
- Set the nail polish beneath the UV light for 30 seconds.
- Apply 1 coat of the Sally Hansen Gel Top coat to nails in a swift and thorough manner, being sure to apply evenly.
- Place hand in the UV light and set this final layer for 2 minutes beneath the light.
- After polish has set for 2 minutes, take paper towel square, apply rubbing alcohol to it and gently but quickly rub across the surface of each finger nail, removing the tacky top layer of your polish.
- Repeat process on your 2nd hand.
Voila! Your hands will be dry, hardened and set, ready to go. This procedure takes all of 15 minutes and will last you over 2 weeks. No chipping or smudging will occur (if you follow the procedure correctly…I have had great results!)
Let us know how your experience with at-home gel manicures went!
-JKBP