A quick whip around the ELLE team and the result is unanimous: whenever we treat ourselves to a (normally much-needed) gel mani, all of us inevitably pick them off instead of taking a trip back to the nail bar and getting them professionally removed.

You know, like proper adults.

But the thing is, sitting down and having someone pamper your hands for half an hour is an indulgence of time and preening that most women rarely get. So when your perfect gel mani starts to grow out, making time in a crazy busy schedule just seems like an extra we can't afford.

Also, let's be honest, new shiny nails are fun. Removing them and going home with your old bare nails? Not so much.

So, as juvenile and slightly gross as it is, we pick those babies right off. It's either that, or faffing around with cotton wool and a roll of foil.

But not anymore. We've found the solution to DIY gel removal that lets you wear trackies, no makeup and means you don't have to encounter other humans IRL. You can even watch a little SATC if the mood takes you.

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Nail soaking pods, aka your gel nails' new best friend, let you remove your mani in the comfort of your own home without damaging your nails underneath.

Just fill each pod with acetone (the stuff salons use to remove nails) and pop your finger in.

So. Easy.

The Pros:

  • You can remove acrylics, temporary tips and gels.
  • You can soak both hands at once.
  • It takes half the time of the old cotton wool and foil method.
  • They're re-usable so better for your bank balance and the environment.

Even pro-manicurists are on board. The woman behind Cate Blanchett, Zosia Mamet and Olivia Munn's talons, nail artist Tracylee uses nail soaking pods as her secret weapon for quick celeb changes.

And you can get your hands on them (sorry...) for less than £2. What's not to love?