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Heyyy Gurlies 👋🏿
Five years ago, I had the same question many of you might have today: Should I keep going to the nail salon or try doing my nails at home?
My Salon Routine ✨
I used to visit the nail salon every month for SNS dipping powder manicures (pre-COVID), spending about $60 including tip. Pedicures were reserved for special occasions. I had my go‑to nail tech, and if she wasn’t available, I had two backups. This was my self‑care ritual — one hour of relaxation and pampering.
Check out a DIY nailz YouTube tutorial below.
Covid Changed Everything 🦠
Then, Covid happened and I was unemployed. I had a lot of time on my hands, no pun intended lol. Of course, I was job hunting but still had time to do my hobbies. I believe I saw a video on YouTube on how to do gel-X nailz at home. I was glued and clocked in. As stated previously, I did the dipping powder and hardly got gel-X nailz. So watching this video was foreign but fascinating.
Becoming a Gel‑X Fanatic 💅🏿
Yes, you don’t even have to ask 😄. I went on Amazon and got all the supplies I needed to start doing my nailz at home. Now, I’m a certified gel-X fanatic who hasn’t gone back to SNS. To be honest, it took me a long time to feel confident in doing my nailz at home. I’ll say about 3 years, I wasn’t doing it everyday or everything other week. I did it mostly on the weekends. Now, I’m proud to say I’ve become a DIY Gel‑X pro — and I get compliments all the time!
Venturing Into Press‑On Nails 🎨
I’m even venturing in doing press on nails (I created) because it gives me the ability to create the nailz on my right hand (hard to do perfectly when applying gel-X ) to turn out the same as the left hand.
Beginner Tips for DIY Nails
If you’re afraid to do any of the nailz types, start off with buying press on nailz and learn how to master prepping your nailz. This is the most important step for the nailz to stay on longer. Then add nailz glue, gel-X glue (UV light), or the nailz tape for the press nailz to adhere to your nailz. My tip for using adhesive tabs for it to feel secure, is to use a hair blow dryer on heat; then put the tabs on the press-one nailz and heat it for 15 seconds; for me, it lasts about 5 days. I’m working on it lasting for 2 weeks. I know it sounds weird but it worked like I used nailz glue or gel-X glue.
Final Thoughts
Switching from salon SNS dipping powder to DIY Gel‑X nails has been a rewarding journey. It’s affordable, creative, and empowering. If you’re curious, start with press‑ons and build your confidence step by step.
👉🏿 You got this — I believe in hue!
Before You Go
Drop a comment and let me know what type of nailz you love getting at the salon or doing at home.
👇🏿