Sick of spending so much time in the salon? (2024)

Score 92/100

Key specifications

Score: 83/100

Beginners will find this starter gel nail kit a doddle to use. It comes with all the necessary bits and bobs for application inside, including a big LED/UV lamp that easily fits a whole hand (some don’t!)

Our testers loved the choice of colours and most found the application straightforward, fast and streak-free. They unanimously agreed that their nails stayed shiny throughout the trial period, with no peeling or chipping for eight days despite the gel’s thick texture.

The only slight downside is that no remover or foils are included and the removal process proved a little time-consuming and drying for some.

Key specifications

Score: 81/100

Perhaps the trendiest pick of the bunch, this best-selling set has been an immediate success, with its promise of a 14-day manicure put to the test by beauty editors everywhere. But how did it fare at the GHI?

All our testers found the kit simple and straightforward to use from the outset – you simply scan a QR code to bring up handy tutorials. The buffer made it easy to prep your nails, allowing the gel to last for longer, too.

Testers also found the acetone provided was effective at removing the polish when it was ready to come off. As for its 14-day promise, most testers said their manis lasted one to two weeks, with one telling us theirs remained chip-free for three weeks.

It’s worth noting that some gel polish left nails looking slightly streaky and the cord for the lamp was very short, making navigating around the wire or putting the lamp on a table a little tricky.

Key specifications

Score: 81/100

This starter gel nail kit scored highly for durability, with our panel reporting shiny, pristine nails for six days after a single coat of colour.

Despite the device being too small to cure a whole hand at once, everybody said they planned to keep using the LED lamp after the trial, while the polish gave good coverage and left a smooth finish. The removal process earned mixed reviews though, with half our testers finding it time-consuming.

Key specifications

Score: 80/100

Eco-conscious beauty lovers will appreciate the green credentials of this vegan brand. The compatible gel polishes use up to 84% bio-sourced ingredients and can be removed in the same way as traditional nail polish.

The LED lamp is simple and effective, if a tad on the small side, and most of our testers found applying the polish effortless. Two coats left them with streak-free, salon-standard nails, but they began peeling, chipping and losing their shine after five days.

Removal took longer than hoped, but nearly all testers thought their nails looked healthy afterwards.

Key specifications

Score 77/100

At first glance, this kit looks like it has it all, offering a wide range of shades and tools — but when it came to a long-lasting gel manicure, it didn’t quite deliver in comparison to pricier options.

It doesn’t include removal products, which was an issue for some of our panel, and the varnish only lasted around a week. For the price, though, most testers were impressed overall, with the cuticle oil being a particular hit for those after healthy-looking nails underneath their polish.

Key specifications

Score: 77/100

Suitable for hands and feet, this SensatioNail gel nail kit promises vibrant, chip-resistant and long-lasting gel nails.

It largely lives up to these claims, but one tester found the finish a little streaky and others found the instructions confusing. That said, the entire panel liked the size of the LED lamp, the consistency of the polish and the built-in timer. It only took 10 minutes to manicure both hands, with most testers reporting no cracks for eight days.

Key specifications

Score: 75/100

Nails love to chip the moment you leave for a weekend away. Handily, this mini manicure kit is small enough to take on the go, thanks to its USB cord.

Its size belies its power — our panel was impressed by its 30-second curing time — but the LED lamp can only fit one finger at a time. Still, our testers were left with smooth and shiny nails that stayed looking tip-top for five days, and those who tried removing the polish found it easy enough.

Its compatible 3-in-1 gel polishes also combine base, colour and top coat to save on time and space — the box includes one in a shade that matches the lamp.

Key specifications

Score: 73/100

This faff-free kit was a breeze to set up and use, with all testers giving the LED lamp an all-round thumbs-up, making it a great option for beginners.

The application process was quick, but most of the panel felt they needed longer than the claimed 15-second cure, taking 10-20 minutes to finish both hands. There was a lack of contents in the kit (no colour, lint wipes or foil), and while it claims to give you chip-free nails for up to two weeks, testers found the shine and finish lasted around five days.

Key specifications

Once you’ve found the gel nail kit for you, it’s time to perfect your technique. Like most things in life, the best results take practice.

For the glossiest gel nails, follow the instructions and timings included with your chosen kit, but the steps will probably be similar to these:

• Prep your nails by filing, buffing and pushing back your cuticles, before cleaning them with a cleanser or alcohol wipe.
• Unless you have a 3-in-1 polish, apply a thin layer of base coat to your nails before curing them under the LED lamp for 60 seconds, using the flashing timer. Seal the tip of each nail with a light slick of polish to prevent chipping.
• Now, apply two thin, even layers of colour, curing for 60 seconds between each coat.
• Finish with a thin top coat layer and cure for 60 seconds.
  
• Clean your nails to remove any sticky residue.

Picking off gels does a lot more damage to your nails than the polish and application process!

To remove your gels properly, gently buff off the top layer before wrapping your nails in cotton pads soaked in an acetone-rich nail polish remover. Then, cover your nails in foil for 30 minutes. Finally, use a wooden cuticle stick to gently push the gooey gel off.

If in doubt, you can always head to your local professional to get them removed.

Gel is more durable than your regular polish (hence the appeal) and it also gives your nails a chance to grow, as the sturdy finish helps to limit breakages.

Gel manicures should last for a couple of weeks if done right. Another question often asked is whether getting them done back to back is bad for the health of your nails.

Wearing back-to-back gels can be fine, as long as you’re applying and removing them properly, as detailed above.

If your nails are feeling weak and brittle, leave them bare for a week or so, once every couple of months. This will give them time to rehydrate and repair.

Can't stand the thought of going polish-free? Try swapping gel nails for lighter regular polish every now and then.

Gel nail kits come with either a UV, LED or UV/LED lamp. The difference is in the type of radiation each bulb emits — UV lamps emit a broader spectrum of UV wavelengths than LED lamps.

As for which is better, it's really down to personal preference. LED lamps are typically pricier than UV lamps, but they're much faster at curing polish, making them safer for your skin. They also tend to last longer.

However, some gels can only be cured under a UV lamp. Look for a UV/LED blend if you want the best of both worlds.

If you want a reliable all-rounder, the winning Mylee kit is probably the one for you – it's easy to use, has a wide choice of shades is works quickly.

If you're after something a little more affordable, opt for some Bluesky thinking with our runner-up. For affordable, on-the-go top-ups, Le Mini Macaron has that little extra je ne sais qoui you're looking for.

Orla Badger, lead tester on this trial, has an extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the University of the Arts London. She's also spent time helping out as a formulation chemist for beauty brands.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has also been testing products for over 100 years, rigorously reviewing everything from vacuums and mops to cleaning products and skin-firming formulations against our protocols to make sure they live up to their claims. We use products as you would at home, so you can trust they won't let you down.