We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why trust us?

Professional gel nails at a beginner skill level? Yes please!

This article was updated in April 2022 to remove products that do not meet the FDA’s Cosmetic Labeling Requirements, as vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab.

For many, gel manicures are a special treat. It feels like the ultimate form of pampering to go to a salon and walk out with stunning, chip-proof nails that will last for weeks at a time. But regular salon visits get time consuming and expensive. Luckily, you don't have to go to a nail salon to have perfect gel nails — you can DIY the salon service yourself.

Gel manicures are different than traditional manicures because instead of waiting for your standard nail polish to air dry, a UV or LED light is used to harden the gel lacquer. Gel manicures tend to last longer than regular polishes and were previously a luxury exclusive to salons, but now can be done in the comfort of your own home.

There are plenty of at-home nail kits exist that bring the salon to you and virtually pay for themselves after one or two uses. These kits range from professional quality to beginner friendly, and many of them even come with fun extras like glitter, gems and trendy colors to heighten the experience. Use a hydrating cuticle cream or oil and a top-rated hand cream for a luxe salon experience, and when you're done, be sure you follow instructions for how to remove gel nails at home. Here are the top gel nail kits you can buy, according to reviewers:

This Red Carpet Manicure gel manicure kit is lauded for how professional it looks. Not only does the polish in this kit stay on nails, it's also fast and easy to apply. "The detailed instructions are very helpful and the products that come in the kit are easy to use and seem to be good quality," a reviewer reported. "I've done two manicures now and they've lasted me a whole two weeks (and could have lasted longer)." This kit also comes with remover and foil wraps to take off your manicure, completing the pro effect.

Kit contains: LED light, nail primer, base coat, top coat, cuticle oil, pre and post application cleanser, gel polish remover, one gel nail color, foil remover wraps, nail wipes, wood pushers, cuticle stick buffing strips, nail file

The beloved nail polish brand Sally Hansen also makes a gel kit. It takes just three steps to a finished gel manicure, and the LED light that comes with it helps cut drying time. "The LED light was super convenient, even though I was hesitant about getting a smaller lamp," one reviewer notes. "It's the perfect size."

Kit contains: Cleanser pads, base coat, one gel nail polish color, top coat, LED light, gel polish remover, cuticle stick, buffer, alcohol cleaning pad

Good for both beginners and experienced nail pros, this at-home gel nail kit from Makartt has everything you need to create long, luxe nail extensions no matter what your nail shape is. Keep it simple and neutral or add some fun nail art—the choice is up to you. Reviewers suggest using an actual color (not clear) the first time you use the kit to get the hang of it. The best part: Your manicure can last a month — or even longer.

Kit contains: Base coat, top coat, six gel nail polishes, dual-ended nail brush and spatula, 60 nail forms for extensions, nail file

If your nails are weak, split, cracked or broken, Morovan's set could be a great option for you, giving you salon-level strength at home. The hard gel — which comes in three neutral colors — creates a strengthening barrier for any type of damaged nails. Plus, it's easy for gel newbies. "I’m a beginner and this product was easy to manage and apply to the natural nail," one reviewer shared. "It also helped strengthen my nails and not leaving them peeling."

Kit contains: Base coat, top coat, three gel nail polish colors, nail file, nail forms, gel nail brush

With five gel nail polish colors to choose from, this mini kit has everything you need to get started. Instead of a UV light, this one comes with an LED light (to cure nails faster and without UV damage!), but the polishes will still cure under UV lights. Reviewers say the LED light is a bit small, so you may need to dry your thumbs separately.

Kit contains: LED light, base coat, top coat, five gel nail polish colors, nail treatment, cuticle oil, nail surface cleanser, artificial nail remover

When shopping, seek out these key items and tools for the best DIY gel manicure results:

Before you start applying any gel nail polish, you want to make sure your nails are clean and in good shape. Then, here's what to do:

Keep in mind that every kit differs and may have slightly different directions; be sure to follow your kit's instructions carefully to get the best results.

Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing nail stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including nail artists, technicians and dermatologists. She is an expert in all nail product categories, including nail color, nail treatments, nail art, professional services and more. Katie Berohn is a former Good Housekeeping beauty assistant who reported on GH Beauty Lab product testing.