I Stopped Going To The Nail Salon
And Why It Was the Best Decision
…because I saw a random photo somewhere on the internet of a nail polish color that I LOVED & my hyperfixation became figuring out what it was.
The work day would end, I would check my evening tasks off my to-do list, I would finally be freshly showered, getting into bed, and then the search would begin. I was Google searching every single variation of the “light super see-through pink nail polish” phrase I could come up with. I was reverse image searching with screenshots & closeups of the nail color, looking into nail polish brands, & scouring Pinterest for weeks — eventually getting so lost in the deep dive that I was trying to remember where the original screenshot had even come from.
Then one night, I struck gold and finally found what I had been looking for – Rose Water by Gelcare.
This turned into browsing pages of stunning colors, and then finding there was an entire at-home nail kit to make this a fully DIY situation. And as a dedicated nail gal since approx 8 years old who mastered the art of painting with my non-dominant hand years ago, there was really nothing holding me back. I filled up my cart with one too many colors (no such thing!) + their starter kit that has everything you need to do this yourself & I never looked back! Now listen, I have had other UV lamps at home before & I did do some research on my alternative options, but I quickly came back to this brand as a one-stop shop for all the supplies and colors I could ever need or want. The products are 10-free, cruelty-free & vegan, and I can’t overstate the color selection; you really can’t go wrong.
Is it worth it in the long run?
Three years later, and not a single regret. But let’s talk about the particulars of doing your gel manicure at home. If you’re anything like me, you love to have your nails DONE, but you don’t particularly love the process of *getting* them done. Unless it’s the perfect day, I usually get a little antsy sitting at the salon, It’s a little disappointing when they don’t turn out exactly as you wanted, and while I want the colors to last, sometimes I’m a little bit bored before the 3 week clock strikes and I wish I could have something new.
The Cost Breakdown
If you compare the cost of doing it yourself to getting them done at a salon, at-home is going to win by a LONG SHOT every time. So that’s a bonus for your wallet!
It’s really not so complicated a process either & can be quite cathartic, especially if you’re at all familiar with your average at-home manicure. Pop on a good show, make yourself a delicious morning coffee & get to prepping + painting. There’s a step-by-step guide on their website on “How to Become Your Own Nail Artist,” so I will leave all the particulars to the experts (I do recommend reading all about proper application and potential risks), but here are a few tips & tricks I have learned along the way if you’re just getting started:
- Preparation of your nails really matters — don’t skip this step
- Thin coats, thin coats, thin coats — this one cannot be overstated! It helps the color to build + last on your nails & everything to cure correctly
- Start out with their line of “jelly” or “oil” colors first, as these are a bit more sheer and easier to build + apply
- Patience — give yourself some time to do them the first few goes so you aren’t rushed through the process
- Practice — the more you do it, the better you’ll get!
& if the whole painting with your non-dominant hand is also intimidating to you, even that will get better with time. There’s endless inspiration online (I love to peruse Instagram & Pinterest) for designs if you want to add something extra, but starting with a solid color is just as great of a choice too!
Favorite at Home Gel Polish Colors
Doing them at home gives you full control of the schedule, how often you change up the color or design, what kind of comfy outfit you’re wearing while you do it, and it’s definitely a fun, creative outlet for playing with both the design and colors. I even find myself mixing the colors together for a full spectrum of whatever I’m in the mood for at any given time.
The lounge outfits I want to be wearing while I do my nails at home:
When the time comes that you want to switch it up, they also have a gel removal kit so that you can easily remove and redo! While I personally still resort to the let-them-peel-off or peel-them-off-myself, this is not a suggestion I would pass along to you! If you’re looking for a new hobby or just want to learn something new, you might just buy this kit and give up your addiction to the nail salon, too.
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