Diva’s first at-home do-it-yo-self gel mani in effect!!

And it’s not even that it looks all that amazing in the end, I’m only a beginners,  but it was just so easy and will only get better each time. It’s like learning to ride a bike. Start by just getting on.

THE LIGHT

To give yourself an at-home gel mani that will last two weeks without a single chip (I couldn’t believe that mine really did!!), you need to invest in an LED light. There are very expensive and probably superior models out there. I got a supercute portable mini 6W LED light from Amazon for only $25 (and free shipping with my Prime account, score!!). It has a preset 45 second timer and a little heart button to start the light. Adorbs!

THE GOODS & STEPS

The steps for the Gelish DIY gel manicure are easy breezy, babes.

1. Clean, file and push back cuticles on your nails. Buff lightly.
2. Prep nails with nail polish remover. 
3. Apply Gelish Foundation Gel in a thin, smooth coat. Get as close to the edges as possible.
4. Place nails under LED light. How long depends on your light. I went under for maybe 10-15 seconds for this step. (This too you learn as you go – as in, how much drying time per step is needed with your light and your products).
5. Apply Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish in your desired shade. I went with The Big Chill. Which is like a perfect grey/white with the subtlest of shimmer. NOTE: For this step, you want the thinnest possible application and gel polishes are thick to begin with so really try to layer it on sheer, while also getting close to the edges and reinforcing the tips. I found this to be a little challenging my first time due to the consistency of gel polish. And I ended up not going close enough to the edges at the base of my nail beds. Lesson learned. ALSO: you won’t automatically need two coats like most non-gel polishes. In fact, most likely one coat will provide enough color and coverage. Two may be wayyyy thick. So start with one thin coat and after you cure it in the light, see if you really need a second.
6. Place nails under LED light. Again, time depends on your machine. And lighter colors need less time. I went under for 45 seconds. Til the device auto-turned-off.
7. Apply Gelish Top It Off Gel Sealer in, you guessed it, a very thin coat over the full nail from cuticle to tip.
8. Place nails under LED light. For this step, I went under for 30 seconds. (Apologies for the repeat messaging but it could be more or less time depending on your light and gel products.)
9. Wipe your nails (that will now feel tacky to the touch) down with rubbing alcohol on a cotton beauty wipe. My beloved go-to wipe is by Shiseido.
10. Add a drop of cuticle oil to the skin around your nails and rub in. Then admire your DIY craftiness.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

Not. Too. Shabby.

I’m no Mei Kawajiri (though I love her and die over her work) but my nails looked pretty presentable and the polish lasted for two solid weeks until enough regrowth was visible at the base that it was time for my next mani. That’s really all I could ask for.

As for learnings, next time I’ll go sheerer and closer to the edges and just knowing how the polishes apply and how the process works will make it exponentially easier and so much better. The only question is – which shade do I want to wear for TWO FULL WEEKS??? I usually chip in a day or so, so manis are not really such a commitment. This is 14 days and nights worth of outfits one single shade needs to complement. Adios mio!! I’ll have to give it some serious thought…

Or try this pro trick my friend Liz from Essie told me about. For her wedding she did a gel mani in a light shade and put regular polish over it in a fun shade for her rehearsal dinner. Then on her wedding morning she just lightly swiped nail polish remover to take off the top non-gel color and reveal the perfectly intact bridal gel shade underneath. UMMMM. GENIUS. (It’s like the Johnny Dangerously contact paper car scene — but BETTER.)

Will have to report back on that one. Here’s to hoping I nail it. Pun intended.

xoLC

NOTE: This post is not sponsored. All thoughts are unbiased and my own. Samples were provided for review and/or my use as a professional makeup artist. All photos are property of DIVAlicious.

Lauren Cosenza is the creator and editor-in-chief of DIVAlicious, a trusted beauty/fashion expert, an on-camera personality and spokesperson, a leading NYC-based professional makeup artist, a published contributor and writer, a brand consultant, a product junkie and an insatiable style seeker — with a former life at Cosmopolitan and Shape magazines.

Serving up style with a side of attitude, her site DIVAlicious gives women (and men) the confidence and permission to be fabulous. The site is filled with must-have products, pro tips and tricks, how-to DIY tutorials, makeovers, style inspiration and insider access. Topics range from beauty, fashion, culture, career, fitness, wellbeing, men’s and unisex offerings.