Ever wanted to get those beautiful gel polish manicures but never wanted to pay for it? The last time I got one was many years ago and they were charging about $45 canadian for a manicure with gel polish. It honestly just got so expensive it wasn't worth it for me to continue getting it done considering it grows out and you have to probably get it done every 2 weeks or so. I had tried a few brands of do it at home gel polishes over the years, some I loved, some I hated so when I was contacted by Pink Gellac with respect to trying out their starter kit, I naturally had to say yes! I love painting my nails and since having a baby I wash my hands so much that regular polish doesn't seem to stay as long anymore. In comes gel polish, it stays put after application and stays fresh and glossy for as long as you have it on.
The starter kit that was sent to me retails for $99 on their website but is currently on sale for $49.50, which in itself honestly is the price of two salon visits. I used to be so intimidated with doing this at home, but I have now mastered the craft of doing this that if you keep reading below, I'll give you some tips and tricks on what to do to achieve salon results at home!
The Starter Kit comes with the below:
1 x Free Primer
1 x Free Color Dynamic Pink
4 x Free online courses
1 x Pink Gellac LED Lamp
1 x Pink Gellac Base2
1 x Pink Gellac Ultra Shine 15ml
1 x Nail file 240-180 grid
1 x Orange Woodsticks
10 x Cleaner pockets
10 x Remover pockets
1 x Free Color Dynamic Pink
4 x Free online courses
1 x Pink Gellac LED Lamp
1 x Pink Gellac Base2
1 x Pink Gellac Ultra Shine 15ml
1 x Nail file 240-180 grid
1 x Orange Woodsticks
10 x Cleaner pockets
10 x Remover pockets
In my honest opinion, that is a VERY reasonable price for everything to get yourself started at home! Everything is packed in a small box for you, compact and doesn't take up alot of room either.
As you can see, the lamp is about the size of my hand. Gone are the days where there are HUGE lamps that take up a quarter of your desk (I still have those types of lamps from years ago).
Below you will find everything you will get in your Starter Kit (plus three additional colors I was personally sent for review) ~ for yours, you will have one color (Dynamic Pink) as mentioned above.
How I do my nails!
1. Take a nail buffer and buff the surface of your nails to smooth out all ridges (those will show under the gel and make the surface look a bit bumpy). If you want to get rid of your cuticles, you can use a cuticle eraser gel/liquid or trim them with some cuticle scissors. I personally do not like to trim my cuticles as I find that it makes the cuticle area peel after a few days, but that is your personal choice.
2. Brush off with a fluffy brush (I do not recommend washing your hands, you want to keep your nails as dry as possible). If you do want to wash your hands, then wait about an hour or two afterwards to start your gel polish application.
3. Before starting your gel application, check around the nail bed for any skin tags that can affect the gel curing. If you see them, gently trim them with the cuticle scissors.
4. File your nail to your desired shape and dust off.
5. Start with brushing a light layer of primer on the nails - I cannot emphasize the LIGHT layer part enough. Every layer here on out has to be THIN or you will be left with a thick cured gel mess on your nails not looking like salon quality.
6. Apply the color, first coat super thinly (yes sometimes it will look super faint and like you want to put on a thicker layer, but do not be fooled!) Once it cures and you put on the second thin coat, it will work itself out and both layers will miraculously come together to show the true desired shade.
7. Apply the final shine gel top coat and make sure that you horizontally seal the nail tips, this helps water from entering and seals the nail if that makes sense and cures it.
8. Take the cleaner pocket and wipe the nail (the sticky layer). Once the stickiness is fully removed, I like to cure my nail under the LED lamp TWO more times to ensure that it is fully cured and hard. (This is something I personally do, the instructions do not say this, so do as you wish! But I found that this worked out for me!)
Finally, above you will fine the Cleaner Pocket packets and the Remover Pockets. I love that the remover pockets are all individually packed for each individual finger and is already in a pocket shape to slide your finger in which makes removal super easy. Before with competitor brands, you have to soak a cotton ball, put it over your nail then wrap the entire nail with tin foil and wait. This is much more practical!
The end result :)
Overall I highly suggest purchasing this starter kit if you are looking to do a gel polish at home, its so effortless and from start to finish it took me about 20 minutes. With the ability to remove this at home, and not spend an arm and a leg at a salon, what do you have to lose!
Until next time, XO - M!
*products were sent to me for review, all opinions are my own
