tips for salon-quality gel nails at home

gel nails are hot, salon prices are not. chances are you work from home these days, so why not also get gel nails at home? good thing essie has the ultimate solutions for doing a gorgeous gel manicure at home: no uv lamps, no icky removal, no sweat. here’s our easy step-by-step guide for saving time by doing salon-quality DIY gel nails in the comfort of your own home.

what do you need for doing gel nails at home?

 

first, gather together your supplies. better yet, get a box or caddy and create your very own at-home gel nails kit. here’s your checklist: file, buffer, clippers, cuticle pusher (cuticle trimmers optional), gel by essie longwear nail polish, and a gel top coat. that’s it! we didn’t include a base coat or uv light because you don’t need them ☺.

 

how to do DIY gel nails with gel by essie

 

for a truly flawless gel manicure at home, pop on your favorite podcast and spend a little time prepping. gel by essie lasts up to 15 days, so you want to create a strong base that ensures smooth extended wear and vibrant color. start by pushing back and trimming your cuticles, and lightly buffing over the nail to smooth any ridges. then, file your preferred nail shape and get ready to polish!

 

  • 1

    clean and shape your nails

    start with a clean slate by removing old polish, dirt and oils. once your nails are squeaky clean, trim and file them into your preferred shape.
    Four upright fingers on a light skin hand with nude nails that are clean and shaped
  • 2

    cuticle prep

    ace your gel nails at home by practicing proper cuticle care. use the cuticle pusher to gently push them back and some clean cuticle trimmers to even everything out.
    Light skin hand with cuticles of index finger being pushed back with a plastic orange pusher
  • 3

    apply two coats of gel by essie nail polish

    once you’ve chosen your favorite color of gel by essie longwear polish, you’re ready for the fun part. evenly apply two thin coats and be sure to let each one dry completely. reminder: no base coat is needed!
    Light skin thumb getting a second coat of green essie longwear polish brushed on
  • 4

    apply the gel top coat

    your DIY gel nails aren’t complete without the platinum-grade longwear gel couture top coat (choose either the classic shiny or velvety matte finish). specially formulated for gel couture nail polish, it locks in shine and color plus builds chip-free durability.
    Closeup of light skin thumb wearing mint green polish getting clear top coat brushed on

 

how to maintain gel nails at home

 

if you’ve ever painted a wall, you know how important prep is. doing gel nails at home takes a similar amount of groundwork, as well as maintenance, to keep your DIY gel mani looking fresh and lasting longer. our biggest tip is don’t skip these tips for at-home gel nails!

  • 1

    prep well for gel nail polish

    as one of the most important gel nail steps, we’ll say it again: prep your nails by cleaning, filing, trimming, shaping, buffing and practicing good cuticle care (see steps 1 and 2 above). the gel polish will adhere better and you’ll set yourself up for resounding success.
    Medium skin hand nude nails with pinky folded down getting filed on the side with a gray file
  • 2

    do not over-soak your cuticles

    avoid soaking your cuticles in water for too long so the skin stays taut. cuticle care is essential for nail health because your cuticles form a protective barrier that keeps out bacteria and infection. waterlogged cuticles become weak and more prone to damage.
    Medium skin hand with fingers folded over palm showing nude nails a little wet after washing
  • 3

    use a high-quality top coat to prevent chipping

    always protect your DIY gel manicure with a protective top coat. not only does it add the perfect finishing touch, but it also acts as a shield against life’s inevitable dings. like a knight in super-shiny armor, our quick-dry gel couture top coat will keep your gel nails safe.
    The tips of three dark skin fingers wearing light pink polish getting a top coat brushed on a nail

how to remove salon gel nails at home


if you have on salon gel nails, you’ll want to remove them before doing your gel manicure at home. it takes a little patience to do it safely, but it’s well worth the effort to prevent damaging your nails and nail beds. read our step-by-step guide on removing gel nails to learn about acetone soaks, filing and post-gel treatments.

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gel nails at home faq

  • one of the best parts about using gel by essie longwear polish for your DIY gel mani is you don’t need to cure it under a uv lamp. and since uv rays increase the risk of nail damage, let’s hear a big woohoo!
  • with proper prep, application and post-care, your at-home gel nails will last 1-2 weeks. for stellar results, reapply the gel top coat after 7 days to build durability and follow all the steps in this guide.
  • gel nails are safe when applied and removed correctly, preferably by a salon professional. you can also keep damage to a minimum by applying nail strengtheners and treatments.

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