DIY Gel Nails {10 Day Nail Test}

Have you seen those at home gel nail kits?

Well, I've been eyeing them for awhile.

A friend of mine had her nails done at the salon, and she loved them.  

It wasn't cheap at $30 a pop.

Why pay salon prices?

Not me... I'm too cheap...

Knowing that I'm leaving on a cruise in 3 DAYS!!!

I wanted my nails to look pretty and I didn't want to have to deal

 with them for the trip.

So, I went out and bought this kit. It was about $50, but it should do 10 manicures!! Do the math...$5 per manicure! Now you're talking!

I love painting my nails,

but I don't like the fact that they chip within ONE day!

Now, read where it says up to 2 weeks of "dazzling, damage-proof wear".

Well, we shall see.

By the time I get back it will have been 10 days.

I'm hoping they last!

The kit is pretty easy and self explanatory.

This is what came in the kit:

 A nice card, that explains each step.

A file, wood cuticle pusher, lint free wipes, "nail cleanser" (basically rubbing alcohol), a primer, base and top coat, nail color and 

that pretty led lamp.

Ready, get set, let's go!

Start by pushing your cuticles back, and buffing the top of your nails.

Done. Ack! My nails are ugly!  

It's all that work at the apartments and subbing at the high school.

 (Bahamas Cruise.... take me away!!!)

After buffing, you need to wipe them down with the lint free wipes and nail cleanser to get all the oils and stuff off.

Next, apply a thin coat of primer.

I did my thumbs first, that kind of gave me a test run,

 before I did the rest of my nails.

Then paint a thin coat of the basecoat.

Cure for 30 seconds.

Cool, right?? My nails are glow in the dark!

The lamp beeps at 30 seconds then turns off at 60 seconds.  Very easy. 

So, I pulled them out at 30 seconds. Then I painted a thin coat of polish.  

Love the red!!

Cure for 60 seconds.

Then repeat the polish, and cure again for 60 seconds.

If you can paint your nails, you can do this.  It's really easy.  Of course, painting with the left hand is always a challenge, but it came out good!

They caution A LOT about not getting 

the base/top coat or polish on your skin or cuticles.  

Well, I'm sure I did. We'll see how it affects it.

Last part, is to seal it with a top coat and cure for 30 seconds.

After that last 30 seconds, your nails are hard and DONE!

The last thing is to wipe them down once again with the cleanser.

You can touch them, bang them, type, whatever!

I LOVE that!

Look how pretty now!

They are so shiny.  They don't even look too bad being short. 

I soooo hope they hold up!!

Cruise leaves on Sunday and we'll be soaking up the sun for 7 glorious days!  We are celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary! Yay! Can't wait!

So, have any of you tried this Do-It-Yourself gel nail kit? 

How were your results?

Blessings,
Lori

(All opinions are my own, no one paid or compensated me for anything.)