Thrifty Thursday: Gel Nails

I'll be the first to admit that I am the queen of nail polish. You will rarely see me without something on my nails (mainly because they don't grow worth a darn and if I get them painted, them they don't break as easily). I got my first gel manicure when they first came out and of course became obsessed. Two weeks without my nails chipping (Y'all my nails usually chip as soon as I leave the salon). So the hubby bought me the Gelish set for my birthday one year. Basically, it's amazing. This what the starter set looks like (it doesn't come with colors and the light is sold separately).

So this is Thrifty Thursday and you're thinking "that can't be cheap." Well, it is thrifty. This starter kit on Amazon (which actually includes two colors and the UV light) is only $106.24. I hate to tell you, but that's only 3ish gel manicures. That's pretty darn amazing. Okay, so now you're wondering how hard it is. Well, the truth is, is it's not hard at all. I will say that it takes me about 30 minutes to do both my hands (less than getting to the salon and back). It's a total of 5 coats on each finger (PH bond, base, color x2, top coat). You also have to spend 45ish seconds under the UV light on each coat (I usually try to do my thumbs with the rest of my fingers to save time). So as long as you can paint your nails (and if it gets on your skin, it rubs right off) then you can totally do it at home! The colors of polish cost about $14 but they last forever. I have a bunch of colors and love to swap them out.

So an at home Gelish manicure lasts me a little less than 2 weeks (I've had a couple last longer than two weeks). I think it depends on how rough I've been on my hands, etc.) and a pedicure lasts a month. I still love having a good pedicure at the salon, but I have the manicures under control now :)

Xo,