“Homemade” Nail Salon
My cousin Hayden turned me onto doing my own gel nails, or “homemade” as her little sister calls it. I was spending almost $100 a month getting dip (next gen) done on my nails. It wasn't sanitary, (have you ever really paid attention at nail salons yyyuuck) and was so expensive, and honestly, I was only happy with them 60-70% of the time.
THIS ISN’T FOR EVERYONE, I get that some people would rather just pay to have them done, (my mom for example lol). I'm so particular about my nails, AND I have a pretty steady hand, (it took a few tries but I finally have my technique down and as of now, will never go back to a salon again, don't quote me). I actually bought a nail extension kit at CVS too for when I want to do them longer. I was sure to buy all the same brand when ordering this stuff, (top coat, base, regular polishes etc.) because this brand, "Gel Len" has good reviews. I'll link each of the items I ordered. Be sure to read the bottle, not because you need to, but because the english/grammar is so funny.
Process:
-Rough up your nail with a nail filer (this is like putting tile down, people. we gotta have a rough surface for the gel to stick/stay. I'm not talking about ruining your nails, but just giving them some texture for the paint to grip)
-Base Coat
-Light (for about a minute each time, the light I linked has a timer that goes off by itself)
-First Color Coat
-Light
-Second Color Coat
-Light
-Third Color Coat
-Light (If it doesn't seem too thick, and you think your color is a bit see through and you could use it, a fourth coat is fine, then the light again)
-Top Coat
-I usually do the light two times per hand on the last one.