The Best Gel Nail Kits For Flawless At-Home Manicures, According To The Pros

Red Carpet Manicure’s 8-piece set has everything you need beyond the typical gel polish and LED light pairing to create a salon-worthy manicure. It includes a nail primer, pre- and post-cleanser, foil wraps for removal and a nourishing cuticle oil. Fans of the kit stress the importance of following the instructions included, noting that the prep step is as essential as applying the polish. 

Nail artist Kesang Gurung adds that the cuticle oil provided in the kit can and should be  applied in the days and weeks after painting nails to help them last longer. “It helps to hydrate and strengthen your nails, making them look fresh, but also preventing them from chipping and breaking,” she says.

What you’ll love:

• Comes with prep and post tools
• Long-lasting
• Easy to apply

Keep in mind: 

• LED light is on the smaller side

A mainstay in the nail space, it’s not surprising that Sally Hansen has a gel nail kit that’s beloved among many. It comes with the essentials: an LED lamp, gel base and top coat along with some basic tools. While compact, users can get up to ten manicures out of the set and the instructions are easy to follow for those trying out at-home gel kits for the first time.

Speaking of beginners, nail artist and Pear Nova founder Rachel James says that nail health should always be a priority, and proper prep can factor into that. Sally Hansen’s kit comes with several nail cleanser pads for this purpose. James says, “Gel manicures and pedicures will last longer with a strong foundation and, if applied properly, the gel polish will help to protect your natural nail.”

What you’ll love:

• Easy to use
• Dries quickly
• Simple instructions

Keep in mind:

• Fewer color options

Gurung has reached for CND’s shellac products for years because of their high quality and great coverage. The removal process is also easy. She notes, “You don’t have to file the top layer of the gel, all you have to do is wrap it in an aluminum foil for 10-15 mins and it just falls off in one piece.” For that reason, she notes it would be great for at-home use.

There is a catch: Gurung says it doesn’t last as long as other gel brands but adds that “it doesn’t damage your nails and, for me, I would go for nail health over the longevity of the polish.”

What you’ll love:

• Professionally vetted
• Easy to remove

Keep in mind:

• Pricey 
• May not last as long

Not the best at applying nail polish—gel or otherwise? Stickers and nail wraps are a great alternative. This brand asks very little of its customers: Simply select the best size (each packet comes with 20 strips in 10 different sizes), stick them on each nail and trim so that they fit correctly. Don’t skip the curing step which will keep the wraps in place and ensure they last for up two weeks. A topcoat also helps, according to some reviews. The nail wraps come in a variety of colors and designs, from marble to terracotta.

What you’ll love:

• Low maintenance
• Easy to use
• Fun shade and design options

Keep in mind:

• LED/UV light not included
• Added tools not included

We get it: Life gets busy and sometimes you don’t have the luxury to use your kit at home, which is where Le Mini Macaron’s adorable one-step product comes in. The polish includes a base and top coat right in the polish so you don’t have to lug around a bunch of bottles, while the LED lamp can be conveniently charged with a USB cord that can plug into an outlet as easily as it can a laptop. 

It does only cure one nail at a time, but it helps that it takes a swift 30 seconds to do so. The key to a long-lasting look seems to be applying the polish in thin coats.

What you’ll love:

• Compact and cute
• Dries quickly

Keep in mind:

• Only dries one nail at a time
• Polish doesn’t smell great

This kit comes with 19 different items—including a buffer, primer and LED lamp—for less than $30. Just because the price is low, it doesn’t mean the product skimps on quality, either. Users praise it for its easy application process (only takes three steps and the nails cure in just 60 seconds) and note that the setup is great even for rookie DIYers. Just remember that practice makes perfect.  

What you’ll love:

• Affordable
• Includes useful prep items

Keep in mind:

• Limited color options
• Polish can have a thick consistency

Love the long-lasting durability of gel polish but hate the smell and the petrochemical compounds typically found in them? Try Lilaque. Its gel polish and top coat contain a soybean oil derivative as the main ingredient which is described as low odor. The brand’s at-home manicure system also includes a mini nail lamp, emery board, buffer, and alcohol and acetone remover pads. Users can achieve an enviable manicure in 30 minutes or less, and it generally lasts seven to 14 days.

The name Lilaque is a reference to “lacquer” and “lilac,” a wink to the product’s plant-based formula. The nail lamp, while small compared to others, is also shaped like a pretty blossoming flower. 

What you’ll love:

• Plant-based formula
• No chemical smell
• Ease of use

Keep in mind: 

• Nail lamp on the smaller side