7 Perks of Doing Your Own Gel Nails at Home vs. Going to a Salon

It's no surprise that we're big advocates of doing your own gel nails at home. It's kind of our whole thing . But if you've never done your own nails and you're tossing up the pros and cons of DIY vs. salon, we're here to lay it all out for you.

Getting your nails done every few weeks at the salon can most definitely add up.

On average, it can cost around £65 for a gel mani at the salon , and that doesn't always include the nail art extras. If you get your nails done twice a month, that can amount to a good chunk of money over the year.

Of course, there's no price on feeling good and treating yourself, but doing your own gel nails at home can save you a pretty penny. Especially in the long run.

It's not just the cost that makes DIY gel nails so appealing, there are a ton of other benefits that come with it...

As well as the cost that comes with booking a nail salon appointment, there's also the time side of things.

Depending on where your closest salon is located, you'll need to factor in the time for the appointment and the time it takes to travel there and back. If you're a busybody, it's not always easy to carve out time for a salon visit.

It can often take around 1.5 hours to get your gel nails done. Add on commute time, and you're looking at a half-day commitment.

By doing your own nails at home, you eliminate the need for travel time and can work on your own schedule. So what would have taken half a day can now be done in the comfort of your own home whenever suits you best.

A similar point to the one above, but without the restrictions of an appointment or travel, you can take your time to create the perfect set of gel nails.

In a salon, there's often a time limit on appointments before the next person is scheduled in.

Also, if you did have to get public transport or drive to the salon, you might have your own time constraints to consider if you've got somewhere else to be or if it's going to take you so long to get home.

Doing your own gel nails at home means there's no time pressure. You can take as long or as little as you like without the worry of someone else waiting for you or your own schedule.

Not everyone feels completely comfortable in a salon setting. Whether it's the idea of strangers touching your hands or just feeling out of place, some people can feel a bit intimidated by the idea.

Doing gel nails at home allows you to have complete control over your environment.

You can create a comfortable and relaxing space that suits your needs, whether it's playing your favourite playlist, having on your favourite comfort show in the background, or simply enjoying the much-deserved 'me time'.

You can turn it into a full-on self-care session, complete with a warm cup of tea and your favourite scented candle.

If you do fancy a bit of company, you could even invite over your best friend and have a mini pamper day from home, sharing your favourite gel polishes and tips with each other. No need to worry about strangers judging your nail skills or having to make small talk!

One of the biggest advantages of doing your own gel mani at home is being able to have complete creative control over your designs.

We all tend to have an original idea in mind as to what gel polish or nail art we want. But we've all been there halfway through a salon appointment, realising the nail technician has gone in a completely different direction or they've not quite hit the brief.

This is where the beauty of DIY gel nails comes in. You are able to choose your own colours and designs without having to worry about someone else's interpretation.

Not to mention, you won't be charged extra for adding a little extra gem or nail art.

And it doesn't matter if it goes wrong! With a nail wipe and some Gel Remover, you can easily fix any mistakes or start from scratch if needed.

Along with having more creative control over your mani, doing your own gel nails means you get to build up a cool collection of gel polishes. You can experiment and play around with different colour combinations and designs, which you don't have to worry about paying for every time.

You can also get yourself a home gel nail kit as a great starter pack.

Our Full Works Complete Gel Polish Kits are brilliant bundles that contain everything you need to create your gel nails at home. These kits come with a series of beautiful gel polish colours , a Top Coat and Base Coat Gel Polish, a Pro LED Curing Lamp , and a bunch of other tools for the perfect mani.

You can get everything you need all in one nifty package – and for a fantastic price!

If creating your own collection of gel polishes isn't enough, you can also earn free gifts and goodies!

Our Clubhouse scheme lets you track your gel polish collection so you can add your existing and new polishes to your virtual polish wardrobe.

Every time you add a new polish, you'll earn stamps, and for every 15 stamps you get, you'll receive a free gift! This could be exclusive gel polishes, nail tools, or beauty accessories – we’re always switching up what’s on offer to keep the freebies fresh!

We're always striving for self-improvement and growth, and teaching yourself a new skill is a fantastic way to achieve that.

You don't need to be an instant nail maestro, but with a bit of practice and patience, you can become an expert at doing your own gel nails.

You'll get more confident with each set you do, and soon enough, you'll be able to create intricate designs that’ll leave your friends in awe.

You could even start doing theirs, too, which could lead to a little side hustle or a fun hobby.

Teaching yourself a new skill isn't just about the end result; it's also about the process.

Setting aside some time to learn a new skill can massively boost your confidence, improve your mental health, and help you de-stress.

There's also nothing better than feeling good, and having your nails done can definitely give you that.

Feeling and being put together can have a positive impact on your mood and self-esteem, and taking care of yourself in this way can help you feel ready to tackle the day.

Doing your own gel nails at home is much more than just a money-saving tactic. It's an act of self-care with numerous positive effects on your well-being. You have creative freedom to experiment with different mani designs and gel colours and teach yourself to become a real gel nail pro.

First though, you'll want to make sure you have all the bits you need to get started on your gel nails journey. Luckily, you can find it all right here!

We have over 200 gel polish colours, as well as all the essentials you need to get salon-quality results at home. From nail prep tools to nail art goodies, we've got you covered.

Plus, we've got lots of blog posts dishing out our gel nail inspo and the latest trends so you can stay on top of your nail game.