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These sets allow you to achieve pro-level results from the comfort of your own couch.

Manicure and pedicure habits changed significantly during the pandemic—there's no doubt about it. Heading to the salon weekly (or bi-weekly) was once an essential step in our self-care rituals, but when the lockdowns went into effect in 2020, many of us had to resort to teaching ourselves how to do nails like our favorite technician—be it with good ole fashion polish, press-ons, or store-bought tips. And though salons have since re-opened, there's just something so rewarding about putting these newfound skills to use and achieving pro-quality mani-pedis right from the comfort of your own home.

Fortunately, there are tons of at-home gel nail kits on the market that make DIY manicures a breeze. Unlike traditional manicures with varnish, gel versions are less time-consuming since they use a UV or LED lamp to cure each coat—meaning no drying time required. Better still: Gel manicures always promise ultra-glossy, chip-free nails that can last for up to two weeks. Whether you want to brush up on your skills or you're new to the DIY game, here are the best gel nail kits for a just-stepped-out-of-the-salon manicure.

Ideal for DIY newbies, this starter kit comes with everything you need to create a salon-quality manicure at home. Inside the box, there's a gel base and top coat, an LED lamp for curing your nails, a nail file, and an orange stick, as well as a pretty pink shade similar to the one Queen Elizabeth loved. There is also a polish remover and cleansing pads for when you're ready to switch up your look.

"I'm very picky about my manicures and was going [to] the salon every other week but those days [are] gone now!" raves an Ulta fan. "This will save me lots of time, money, and aggravation from chipped nail polish!"

If you want to cut back on salon visits, you're going to need a reliable kit. Look no further than Gelish: Not only does it come with the usual essentials, but it also has a pH bond formula for prepping nails and cuticle oil for an extra dose of hydration. Writes a fan: "Don’t hesitate to buy. Works just like the salon. I’ve been doing my own nails for months. Lasts long!"

Coming in at less than $40 and with more than 25,000 reviews on Amazon, this kit has all the DIY components for a gorgeous at-home mani-pedi. "As a beginner, using this was fun and easy," raves a reviewer. "The instructions are clear, concise and easy to follow for near professional results the very first time you use it. I’m sold."

This one has it all, including a professional LED light, a primer, a base and top coat, several tools for shaping and buffing, plus nourishing cuticle oil that'll leave your hands and nails looking and feeling their best. As one Amazon reviewer put it, this kit is "just like having nails done in [a] salon."

Have a destination wedding or a last-minute occasion on the agenda? Consider this adorable, portable version your new travel companion. The set contains a gorgeous burgundy varnish and matching mini LED lamp that'll give you professional-looking and long-lasting nails in just 15 minutes. Even better: The brand offers the kit in other stunning shades as well.

"This little machine is so easy to use, portable, and has pretty colors," says a user. "I will do my nails while watching TV. With each application my technique is getting better. Very happy I decided to try this!

If you're struggling with brittleness, Zoya's Gelie-Cure collection was specifically created to treat and protect damaged nails. With a professional LED lamp, this simple 3-step system incorporates a Demi-gel layer that helps strengthen and shield nails, while providing a smooth base to paint your favorite color over or leave natural.

Can't make it to the salon? No problem! This technician-approved kit can help create the perfect mani-pedi straight from your couch. "CND Shellac goes on so fast and lasts weeks," says a reviewer. "You can work with your hands without worrying about it flaking off. 10/10 recommend this kit for anyone who likes to do their own nails."

Don't want to use a lamp? Fret not: Essie's easy, two-step gel system will deliver the same expert-level, budge-proof results with just a few swipes of color and the top coat. "It looks so pretty, very glossy," writes an Amazon reviewer. "I cannot believe how long it stayed on without even chipping!"

For easy-to-use, fuss-free nails, this Dashing Diva kit is your best bet. Unlike regular gel polish kits, this comes with semi-cured strips that are applied onto nails as stickers and then put under a lamp for 45 seconds. According to a reviewer, the result is "long-lasting nails with amazing shine for two weeks" with "minimal chipping, cracking or lifting."

The secret to flawless nails without leaving the house? It's this option from Manucurist. What makes the Green Flash kit particularly unique are the plant-based formulas that deliver a gel-like effect to nails with wear for up to 10 days. The brand also offers the set in tons of different pretty colors, all of which can be removed with ordinary nail polish remover. As T&C's Senior Digital Editor Roxanne Adamiyatt put it, the Green Flash set is a "game-changer."