DIY Gel Manicure

Awhile ago, a friend posted about doing a DIY gel manicure she found on Pinterest. It was one of those "Oh I should do that! Meh, I don't have time. I'll check it out later." kind of things to me. I neeever do my nails, like ever. I haven't had nail polish on in probably about 5 months. Actually, I know it was 5 months. My last manicure was a Shellac I got for my sisters wedding in October, and I took it off when Parker was a few weeks old. It looked horrible by then. But that's why I can't do Shellac! I just don't have the patience to sit and take it off. It takes like twenty minutes just to remove it!

So I'm trying this. She found it here.

Here's what you'll need:
                                                                                    1. Nail polish of your choice
2. Gelous Advance Nail Coat (found at Sally Beauty)
3. Top coat of your choice (I used Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, also from Sally)
4. Nail buffer



This takes about an hour total, so I had to wait for nap time.

First, take off any polish you have. Trim and buff your nails also, and then rinse them with water to make sure there are no fuzzies or anything that will ruin your manicure.

Now follow these steps:
1. Apply two thin coats of the Gel Advance. Let it dry a few minutes in between coats. When you're done with the second coat, let it sit for about three minutes.
2. Apply a coat of your nail color. Let it dry about five minutes.
3. Apply another layer of the Gel Advance and let that sit for about two minutes so that it's semi dry. Run the brush over the tips of your nails to make sure it's all sealed in. This will prevent any chips on the ends!
4. Apply the second coat of nail color. Let it dry for about five minutes.
5. Finish it with the top coat!

Ta-da! All done! Be patient with the drying time! Even though they appear dry, there are so many coats on that it'll take a few hours to be completely dry. I learned that when I got all the way through and nicked my nail on the counter. Grr!

Here's the finished product!

They seriously look exactly like Shellac! I'm quite impressed. I'll be sure to update in a week with how they're holding up!

Oh, Chief saw me taking pictures and wanted to model. Isn't he a stud?

I might be posting again tonight, as I'm making some stuffed shells for dinner. Considering I never cook, we'll see how they turn out! Mike wanted sausage in them, so they'll definitely be different.