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Get a Red Carpet Manicure at Home

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I'm a manicure addict. I love painting my nails and adding color to my life, but I hate how the polish only lasts for a day or two before it starts chipping (and that's if I don't smudge it to begin with). That's why I was thrilled to discover gel manicures, which outlast regular pro manis by two to three weeks, making them the ideal option for busy brides-to-be who don't have time for constant trips to the salon. However, the average cost for a gel manicure is about $33—not exactly affordable when you're trying to save up thousands of dollars for your dream day. 

So when a new DIY kit promised to deliver the same results for much less, the BG editors and I couldn't wait to review it, naturally. The Red Carpet Manicure ($57.94, ulta.com) is the first at-home LED gel polish system. It averages about 20 applications total, so you're only really spending $2.90 per mani. Choose from 54 shades ($9.99 each) for your bridal shower, bachelorette, wedding, and honeymoon. It takes some practice to nail down the technique, so if you aren’t ambidextrous enough to paint both of your hands without getting any polish on your fingers, ask one of your bridesmaids to help you out.

Giving yourself the manicure does take quite a bit of time, but we promise that it's worth it if you're going to do your nails more than once. There are three parts to the process: preparation, care and color, and finish. First, you file and shape your nails, applying the preparation coat. Then, it's time to brush on all of the different layers (gel, color, and brilliance coat), which you "cure" under the LED light in stages. The gel is what adds thickness and stability to your nails, and it also helps the colored polish stay on longer.

Some pointers: Don't try to use regular nail polish instead of a gel one (it will peel off; not pretty); if you get any polish on your skin, be sure to wipe it off before moving on to the "curing" process (or you'll get lumps); and whatever you do, don't touch your nails between or after any of the steps. Lastly, remove the tackiness on your nails by rubbing them with a "purify" solution on a cotton ball or paper towel. 

Would you try an at-home gel manicure? Or are you sticking to the salon?

 

—Christina Hedges