Nothing beats the feeling of a fresh manicure, especially when it’s the gel variety, which can stay flawless for weeks. But when there’s no time to get to the nail salon, an at-home gel kit comes to the rescue—with the added benefit of extreme hygiene, because you know exactly where your tools have been (i.e. nowhere).
Full Set
Snag half a dozen paint shades, a file, a buffer, cuticle oil and more—plus, of course, the crucial curing contraption to give your fingers shine for weeks. beetles Gel Polish
Polishes labeled as “9-free” lack nine harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, toluene, parabens and acetone. Those who seek a vegan option should look for options that are 21-free, which omit a host of additional ingredients, including animal-derived ones.
Beautiful Neutrals
A high-tech design featuring a digital timer guides you through the curing process to help minimize mistakes. Joytii
Gel manicures are notoriously hard to take off; that’s part of the appeel, of course—oops, we mean appeal! But no matter how tempting it may be to peel off your gel, don’t: You’ll end up stripping your nails too. Instead, have an acetone nail polish remover on hand, and invest in a gel-removal kit.
Glossy Shades
The pack also includes stickers and striping tape to create flawless French lines and other fun designs. Vishine
LED lamps cure faster than UV and don’t expose your hands to harmful rays, but they only work with LED-specific polish. (UV lamps work with all gel polishes, and many lamps use a combo of both types of light.) If you crave a UV curer but you’re concerned about the effects, invest in a pair of UV-blocking gloves.