As nail salon prices for just a basic gel manicure have skyrocketed recently, Gen Z has taken to a new trend — becoming their own nail technician. As a college student, I have witnessed multiple friends transport entire nail kits to their dorm room desks. This trend isn’t just seen in students, though, as the global at-home nail kit had a market size of around 711.7 Million USD in 2023, and is estimated to increase to 1,186.73 Million USD by 2031 according to Data Bridge Market Research.
Not only are the increasing costs a main reason why many are opting for the D.I.Y approach, but also the self-care aspect. Many have found that the routine of doing their own nails has been relaxing, as they can turn on Gilmore Girls and get to work on their holographic fresh set.
Products to Buy for Prep
First, let’s start with the materials you will need in order to prep your nails for polish:
Electric nail drill & bits: The MelodySusie Electric Nail Drill and Luminary Drill Bits are great for increasing the longevity of your manicure by cleaning up cuticles, nail shape, and nail surface.
Nail file: A Crystal Glass File is recommended more than others, as it’s more gentle and, therefore, better for weaker nails. Say ‘goodbye’ to chipping and ‘hello’ to nail health! Start by filing and shaping nails to prevent rough nail edges from tearing and for a uniform grow-out process. Then, file in one direction (back and forth can damage nails) using a glass file so the keratin in your nails isn’t damaged.
Cuticle Care: A Cuticle Softener, Cuticle Push Sticks, and Cuticle Oil are great for minimizing the damage that can come from cutting your own cuticles and will extend your nail look’s wear time. Begin with a cuticle softener on the base of the nail, which will dissolve/soften any excess skin. Then, push the cuticle back with a cuticle pusher stick and go in with a file and buffer for a seamless polish application. Next, massage a few drops of cuticle oil into your nails. Make sure to remove excess oil before painting to ensure the polish sticks.
Buffer: The REVLON Shape-N-Buff is perfect for smoothing the nail so the polish will sit beautifully. Do about ten strokes in an “X” shape. Overbuffing will dry and thin out the nails.
Coating Your Nails
Coating your nails is how you protect them from being damaged after all the hard work you’ve put into them. Here’s what you’ll need:
Builder gel: The Luminary Builder Gel is a strong as acrylic so you won’t have to worry about constant chipping.
Top coat: The Paint Box Like Glass and Olive & June Top Coat will lock your meticulously applied polish into place. Apply a top coat at the end of your manicure to prevent wear and tear.
Base coat: The Zoya Naked Manicure Perfecter is great for creating a protective barrier between the polish and your nail while ensuring the polish will last. Base coats also protect natural nails from staining.
The Best Polishes
Here’s the fun part: actually painting your nails!
Only apply two to three coats of nail polish, as thick layers are more likely to chip. Remember, if you use gel polish with a UV light or LED lamp, your manicure should last 2-3 weeks, while a regular manicure will last about 1-2 weeks.
Gel polish: Bio seaweed gel sells polish directly to licensed professionals and the public, so you get an expert formula. KOKOIST also makes amazing gel polish that’s so bright it only needs one coat. Its paint-like formula is ideal for experimenting with nail art, like French tips!
Regular polish: Dazzle dry is worth the price, being comparable to the wear time of gel polish while being the healthier non-gel alternative. Olive & June is also great for salon quality nails, and is made with a vegan formula.
Lamps and LEDs
At-home lights: Although pricey, Investing in a high quality UV light is recommended because they can last years. The Bio Seaweed Gel LED/UV light and Luminary Pulse 2.0 are great for quick curing while eliminating the risk of heat spikes.
Inspiration From The Latest Trends
To decide how you want to design your nails, you have to look no further than online. There are plenty of trends that will have you wanting to redo your nails every day. Here are the supplies you’ll need to do them:
Chrome powder: This chrome jar set is super versatile, with three holographic chrome powders, eleven metallic mirror powders, one white chrome powder, and one color-changing powder.
Cat Eye Gel nail polish: Bio Seaweed Gel Speciality Gel creates a velvety glass effect to add an ethereal manicure.
Nail brushes and dotting tools: This nail art brush and pen set is a beginner-friendly tool kit for DIY designs.
Charms: This variety charm set has bows, flowers, bears, and more, perfect for those looking for a stand-out vibe.
Blooming gel: This Beetles Nail Blooming Gel is an easy way to create a fuzzy, water-color effect on polish. It’s perfect for the ‘aura nails’ trend as shown below.
Although the list of supplies for at-home manicures may seem daunting initially, your bank account will thank you later when you become a seasoned at-home nail artist. So, sit back with your favorite podcast or iced chai, and start the therapeutic process of painting confidence-boosting nails.