Are you looking for a way to keep your fingernails stylish in between salon visits? Having an at-home gel manicure set can save you both time and money. Plus, gel manicures last longer than regular nail polish, staying shiny and chip resistant for about two weeks. Luckily, retailers make some of the best at-home gel manicure kits that combine all the supplies you need all in one product for the perfect salon-quality nailcare.
However, lots of us find it challenging to make time for self-care. In fact, according to a recent poll of 2,000 Americans, the average respondent only feels relaxed for less than an hour a day. While 47 percent feel even less relaxed than that. Self-care looks different for everyone. The survey also reveals respondents’ top self-care routines, like treating themselves to workouts (36%), listening to music (35%), and going for walks (33%). Additionally, 32 percent like to take a long shower and embark on a skincare routine or sink into the couch to watch their favorite TV show or movie. Meanwhile, three in 10 respondents enjoy indulging in a hot bath or picking up a good book. Others prefer meditating (28%), listening to a podcast (27%), or journaling (23%).
The poll also shows that there are some barriers to respondents’ self-care journeys, such as lack of money (52%) and motivation (42%). If you don’t have the budget for regular nail salon visits, an at-home gel manicure set can be a solid self-care option. So why not try it?
If you are wondering which ones to use, StudyFinds has that info at your fingertips! We’ve compiled a list of the five best at-home gel manicure kits from ten expert websites to up your beauty game from the comfort of your own home. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best At-Home Gel Manicure Kits, Per Beauty Experts
1. Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit
Sally Hansen’s beauty products have been household staples for over fifty years. This gel manicure set scores big with reviewers for its ease of use. “It comes with a gel base, gel polish, top coat, nail file, cuticle stick, cleanser wipes, an LED lamp, and a bottle of acetone remover,” according to Real Simple.
Harper’s BAZAAR calls this kit, ‘Best Quality DIY Manicure’ adding, you “get up to 10 gel manicures with this all-encompassing starter kit from the trusted brand. The shade, Shell We Dance, is a soft neutral you’ll actually want to wear again and again with no chips, and no dry time.”
Good Housekeeping points out, “our Beauty Lab pros appreciate that the kit’s ingredient label follows FDA’s Cosmetic Labeling Requirements and that the packaging also clearly states to avoid skin contact, making this a user-friendly pick when it comes to safety as well.”
2. MOROVAN Poly Gel Nail Kit
Reviewers like that this kit from MOROVAN comes with multiple polishes. “With six bottles of regular gel polish and two bottles of temperature-changing ombre polish, you’ll never get bored with your nails,” according to InStyle.
However, if it’s your first time using an at-home gel manicure set, it can be a bit tricky. Byrdie notes, this kit earns “perfect scores in most categories, including drying time, finished appearance, longevity, ease of removal, and nail integrity after removal. We only marked it down for ease of use since there was a slight learning curve to applying the gel nails.”
People adds, “the component with the biggest learning curve was the nail extensions, as this kit comes with an extension gel and shaping foil to help you create your desired length and shape. Once the hard part of applying the gel was over, it was smooth sailing with the drying process.”
3. Le Mini Macaron Gel Manicure Kit
This next set is compact and great for keeping your nails presentable while on the go. Who What Wear points out, it “comes with everything you need for the perfect at-home manicure, including a nail file, cuticle stick, LED lamp, gel remover wraps and the polish. The lamp is powered with a USB cable, which makes it handy for traveling.”
“You can skip the base coat and top coat on this one because the colored polish does it all on its own. All you have to do is plug in the USB UV light, paint one nail, cure, and repeat. You can easily use this on your toes for a quick pedicure, too,” suggests Elle.
However, Real Simple adds the mini-LED lamp is only “large enough to accommodate one finger at a time. While this could be frustrating if you find yourself wanting to do your nails all the time, it’s especially space-saving and still very effective.”
4. Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 LED Gel Nail Polish Kit
Town & Country Magazine calls this kit ‘Best All-In-One’, noting it includes “a professional LED light, a primer, a base and top coat, several tools for shaping and buffing, plus nourishing cuticle oil that’ll leave your hands and nails looking and feeling their best.”
“We watched as the gel hardened into a shiny gloss on our nails in just 45 seconds and stayed looking smooth with very minimal chipping over the next two weeks,” according to People. Reviewers agree this pro kit achieves salon-quality results. “Simply follow each step according to the instructions, and you’ll have a chip-free manicure in under an hour,” adds Cosmopolitan.
5. Gellen Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit
Polishing off our list, is this nail kit from Gellen. “The brand’s starter kit earned a perfect score for ease of use, thanks to the straightforward instructions. It comes with a base coat, 12 bottles of gel lacquer, a top coat, several grooming tools, nail embellishments, and a UV drying lamp,” according to Byrdie.
“One thing this kit doesn’t include: Removal accessories. Thankfully, removal supplies aren’t hard to come by — in fact, a trip to the drugstore should do the trick,” notes InStyle.
Although, this gel polish may not last as long as some other sets. People points out, “the lacquer began to chip around day six and had peeled off completely by day eight, so soak-off removal wasn’t necessary. Though we wish it lasted longer, this feature-rich kit is still a great value.”
You might also be interested in:
- Best Eco-Friendly Nail Polish
- Best Nail Polish
- Best Ways to Paint Your Nails
- Best Ways to Paint Your Toenails
Sources:
- Real Simple
- Harper’s BAZAAR
- Good Housekeeping
- InStyle
- Byrdie
- People
- Who What Wear
- Elle
- Cosmopolitan
- Town & Country Magazine
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.