Earlier this year, I embarked into the wild west of at-home nails. There have been highs. There have been lows. But most importantly, there has been a lot of learning and fun. If you’re like me and love to treat yourself to a mani-pedi, you’ll also know how the numbers start to add up if you go to the salon on a regular basis. That, plus you always have to pencil in at least a couple hours to sit hands-free. Don’t get me wrong: I love and value the women and men who help our nails look their very best (my own mother has done nails my entire life and I absolutely adore my regular nail tech!) But after a fellow good-nail-loving friend said she was starting to DIY her own manis, my wheels started turning about what it might look like to take matters into my own hands again too.
Spoiler alert: I love it. I can’t say I’ll do my nails at home forever, but for now I’m really enjoying doing research, watching tutorials, trying new methods and products, and committing time at home that would otherwise be spent rotting to the sound of reality television to learning a new skill that’s expressive, exciting, and leaves me feeling more confident by the end of it. Plus, after the initial investment, it saves me quite a bit of money too!
If you’re curious about what this journey could look like for you, or just need a few ideas on products and methods to try, I’ve compiled a list of resources below.
You can shop my entire at-home nail shelf via my ShopMy.
While the systems can become complex depending on what types of at-home nails you want to do, there are really only a few things I used to get started. An asterisk (*) denotes an item that isn’t essential, but is very nice to have!
Your preferred nail polish / gel and the corresponding base and top coats
A UV Gel Lamp (if you want to do gel polish)
*A good sunscreen (if you want to do gel polish, it’s important to protect those hands!)
*A drill for further cuticle work and removal of gel, etc. (I personally love really clean cuticles, so the drill is essential for me)
For the Non-Committal
One of the things I hated most about doing my nails at home (and the entire gel/semi-permanent solution process in general) was the removal; it can take so long. Because I didn’t want this barrier to entry when I first started doing my nails, I began with Dazzle Dry, a non-toxic nail solution that dries in five minutes and gives the shine and appearance of gel.
I love Dazzle Dry. While it doesn’t quite have the longevity of gel polish, it last 7-10 days (or longer!) depending on how rough you are with your nails and looks so good. It also comes off with standard nail polish remover, so if you like to frequently switch things up, it’s a quick and easy solution. I started with the mini starter system, which includes everything you need including base and top coats. (Note: I also love to use the OPI Infinite Shine polishes with the DD base and top coat.) While I’ve explored more of the other solutions below, I still love Dazzle Dry every now and again (and always on my toes!)
For those that want a more permanent solution, I still love gel. I fell in love with the Gelcare selection by Le Manoir (their colors are so chic!), and later added what felt like an entire rainbow from DND (who is offering 40% off right now with code “UNWRAP”). Of course, you can find so many options at your local nail supply store, Sally’s Beauty Supply or even Walgreens or Target. This is really preference-based on what colors and formulas you like.
I will say adding a nail dehydrator / protein bond has helped with the longevity of my gel (and gel x extensions) so much! I also really love this top coat.
If you are in need of length, I have also been loving dabbling in Gel X extensions. This requires a little more time and practice, but is a game-changer if you have brittle nails or want to add some length quickly. I watched this tutorial (TikTok is a wellspring of helpful information!) It was a bit of an investment as I bought a single lamp, my preferred extension shape / length (short almond), and nail glue, but now sky really is the limit with shape and longevity!
For Nail Art Lovers
As you can probably tell, I adore good nail art. So when I decided to do my nails at home, my biggest concern was being able to do the fun designs I love. While I’m definitely still learning, I’ve found a ton of beginner-friendly solutions at home, including stickers, chrome, and rhinestones (don’t forget the glue!) For everything else, I love watching tutorials online.
Are you doing your nails at home, or still going to a salon? What are your go-to colors and tips/tricks? Do tell in the comments!
