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ELLE Lab: The 6 Best Gel Nail Kits For A DIY Mani
Our runner up is £100 off!
Tested by Orla BadgerSenior Beauty and Grooming Tester
Few things in the beauty realm feel as satisfying as a fresh set of gel nails – but feeding our mani habit can be time-consuming and costly. The solution? Do your own gel nails at home – no, seriously.
Today, there's a host of genuinely brilliant at-home gel nail kits that anyone can get the hang of, no matter how unsteady their hand. Trust us: you'll be refreshing those tips with one eye on Netflix in no time.
You may be sceptical about an at-home gel nail kit being as good as the professionals, but we’ve tried and tested the best on the market for salon-worthy results. Whether you just want a classic French manicure or are brave enough to experiment with some nail art, there’s a kit that can sustain all your gel nail needs.
How To Apply Gel Nails
While you may not be able to do the job quite as quickly as a manicurist, we've simplified the process so it doesn't seem like such a daunting task. A DIY gel manicure is the ideal night-in activity, if you ask us, and remember, practice makes perfect.
- Prep nails by filing them to your desired shape. Then buff the nail's surface and push back the cuticles. Finish by cleaning with a cleanser or alcohol wipe to ensure they're squeaky clean.
- Apply a thin layer of base coat before putting your nails under the LED lamp for 60 seconds (most lamps will time this for you). Top Tip: go over the tip of your nail with a coat of polish to seal and prevent premature chipping.
- Apply a thin layer of the colour of your choice, then cure for 60 seconds. Coat, cure, repeat at least twice, or until the colour is opaque.
- Finish by applying a layer of your top coat and curing for 60 seconds.
- Clean your nails to remove any stickiness and you're good to go.
How We Test
Our beauty testers trialled an assortment of gel nail kits over a two-week period. They assessed each set on ease of use, application time, curing time and the final look of their nails, while keeping an eye on how long they lasted before chipping, peeling or dulling.
The Best Gel Nail Kits For An At-Home Mani
Bluesky Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit
Bluesky Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit
This is as straightforward as nail kits get, coming with all the essentials you need for a perfect mani, and it’s easy to set up and use.
Testers appreciated the selection of (three) colours that came with the kit, and their streak-free finish. Nails stayed shiny throughout the trial period with no chipping or peeling for eight days. Note, foils for removal are not included.
Kit includes: LED/UV lamp, nail file, nail buffer, pre-application cleanser, base coat, three colours, top coat
14 Day Mani Signature Gel Polish Starter Kit
14 Day Mani Signature Gel Polish Starter Kit
The perfect holiday, fringe trims, your new house plant – we’ve accepted that some things are always going to be short-lived. A great gel manicure is no exception. However, 14 Day Mani is here to disrupt the market, promising to provide a salon-level gel manicure that lasts for two weeks.
Well, the results are in, and most of our panellists said their mani lasted just over a week, with one saying theirs stayed fresh for nearly three.
For those who like to customise their colour, this starter set lets choose your own four shades from a range of 100 when you buy. The kit also comes with a buffer tool and base coat for keeping nails healthy, plus a top coat for a welcome pop of shine. Be prepared to sit close to the wall, though, as some of our testers said the wire wasn’t long enough to put the lamp on top of their tables.
Kit includes: 54W LED Digital Lamp, 4x Gel Polishes, Base Coat, Top Coat, 7 Way Buffer, 200/240, Nail File, Acetone Remover, Steel Cuticle Pusher, Reusable Mani Kit Pouch
Sensationail Express Starter Kit
Sensationail Express Starter Kit
For speedy results that look seriously professional, this is the kit for you. The sensor-activated lamp is perfectly sized for your entire hand (or foot), and the choice of polish shades is impressive.
But the best part? There's no faffing around with primers and top coats – instead, a single swipe of colour is all it takes. Our testers said the results lasted for eight days before chipping.
Kit includes: LED lamp, cuticle stick, nail buffer, pre-application cleanser, base coat, one colour, top coat, removal cleanser
Manucurist Green Flash Pro Kit
A hardcore gel habit can be tough on your nails, but Manucurist's 84% natural polishes are designed to deliver the gloss and wear without the damage. They can also be removed with your regular nail polish remover, so no foils or extra admin required.
Testers loved the effortless application process, with two coats of polish leaving them with a streak-free pigmented punch of colour. They noticed peeling and chipping after five days but nearly all found their nails still looked healthy after the removal process.
Kit includes: LED lamp, base coat, one colour, top coat, removal cleanser
Le Mini Macaron Gel Manicure Kit - Fairy Floss
Le Mini Macaron Gel Manicure Kit - Fairy Floss
Le Mini Macaron has a whole host of on-point polishes and nail art accessories in its collection. This original kit contains everything you need to get started, so invest in this first, then explore all the adorable add-ons later. (We’ve got our eyes on this crazy holographic topper.)
The compact UV lamp (yes, it’s shaped like a macaron) means you can only cure one nail at a time, but it only takes 30 seconds per finger and leaves you with smooth, shiny nails that will last for up to five days. There’s a convenient USB charger that plugs into your laptop for manicuring on the move and the polish is simple to remove when it’s time for a change.
Kit includes: LED lamp, cuticle stick, nail file, removal cleanser
Mylee Gel Polish LED Manicure Kit
Mylee Gel Polish LED Manicure Kit
Mylee’s LED curing lamp has an in-built timer and roomy shape, which makes it simple to use on fingers and toes. With bottles of nail prep included, the application process is quick but our testers felt nails needed longer than the 15-second cure time suggested.
There’s not much included in the kit – no colour, lint wipes or foil - but nails stayed chip-free and shiny for five days.
Kits includes: LED lamp, pre-application cleanser, base coat, top coat, removal cleanser
Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics.
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