The Best Gel Nail Polish Kit

Gel nail polish lasts up to three times longer than regular manicures, but having them done at a salon can be time-consuming and expensive. Salons usually charge $35 and up for gel nails. In contrast, some DIY kits cost less than $20. It’s not hard to apply your own at home, and you can easily apply designs and other decorations with a steady hand.

The kits can include a few colors or as many as two dozen, plus base and top coats. You can also shop for kits that include things like nail clippers, files and buffers.

These kits usually come with two top coats. One will be for a matte finish, while the other will be glossy. You’ll also find polishes with glitter and kits that come with rhinestones to attach to your painted nails. Check the sizes of the polish bottles since some are smaller than others. Unopened, securely stored gel polish can last up to three years, but once opened, the shelf life is much shorter; if it thickens up and starts to smell strange, throw it out.

At-home gel nail polish applications don’t always require a UV lamp for drying, but using a UV lamp can result in a more finished look. These LED nail lamps emit UV rays that convert the gel from liquid to solid. These lamps are not expensive, and many kits include them. To remove the polish, you have to cover the nails with cotton balls soaked in acetone, wrap them up in tin foil and wait about 15 to 20 minutes.

• Many gel polishes are SGS-certified (Standard Global Services). This agency inspects, tests and certifies various products, including cosmetics.
• Look for gel nail polishes that have non-toxic, odorless ingredients.
• If you don’t like every polish color in a large kit, give some away as gifts or trade with family and friends.
• One bottle of base coat might not be enough for all polish applications, so you will probably need to buy more (especially for larger sets).
• Trim, file and buff your nails before applying polish; also, use nail clippers to trim around the nails.
• The UV lights usually have timers, and you’ll need to dry your base coat, polish coats and top coat separately.