Why Pay $60 for Nails When You Can Suffer Through It Yourself?
A Guide to DIY Gel Nails That’ll Save You Money (and Maybe Your Sanity)
Join me for a dose of snarky humor and witty commentary as I share the ups, downs, and lessons learned while navigating life, marriage, and parenting nuerospicy kids with an ADHD partner—all while trying to embrace the crunchy lifestyle!Why I Stopped Going to the Nail Salon & How I Learned to DIY Gel Nails (Without Losing My Sanity)
A little over a year ago, I made the decision to stop going to the nail salon. Why? Because spending $60 every two to three weeks on nails was starting to feel less like self-care and more like a financial hostage situation. Sure, I loved the alone time away from the kids (let’s be real, any excuse to escape is a good one), but I didn’t love the price tag that came with it.
After a while, keeping up with my nails felt like trying to maintain a toxic relationship—draining, expensive, and leaving me questioning my life choices. But I still wanted strong, polished nails that could withstand my daily activities (which, let’s be honest, are just me playing in dirt, deep cleaning messes I didn’t make, and occasionally pretending I know what I’m doing when I help my husband with construction projects).
My DIY Gel Nail Journey
So instead of handing over more of my hard-earned cash to a salon, I took that $60 and made a boss move—I invested in a gel nail kit. What did I get?
A curing light (aka a tiny spaceship that makes my nails invincible)
A nail drill (because who doesn’t want to feel like a professional manicurist in their own home?)
Sample-size gel polishes (which, spoiler alert, are never the colors you actually want)
Builder gel (for when you need your nails to double as armor)
A top coat (to pretend like you know what you’re doing)
The first time I did my nails, it took four hours. And the results? Well, let’s just say I would have been better off slapping some glitter glue on and calling it a day. But I wore them proudly, knowing I had taken the first step into my new era of financial freedom and slightly janky nails.
With every nail redo, I got better. Now, a year later, I actually enjoy doing my own nails. It’s my alone time, but instead of driving to the salon, I get to sit in my house, guilt-trip my kids into leaving me alone, and binge-watch Housewives while I transform my hands from “construction worker chic” to “moderately presentable.” What used to take me four hours now takes me one episode of messy reality TV. Progress, baby!
The Cost Breakdown (or, How I Beat the System)
Over the past year, I’ve spent only $60 on my initial kit, plus a few bucks on builder gel and two new polish colors (because somehow, despite having 10+ bottles, I never have the one shade I actually want). That’s fresh nails every two to three weeks for an entire year—for the same price as one salon visit. If that’s not a financial glow-up, I don’t know what is.
I won’t be opening a nail salon anytime soon, but I do a good enough job on myself. Even my daughter trusted me to do her nails for prom (though let’s be real, she didn’t have much of a choice). We had a fun, girly bonding experience and I saved a small fortune. Win-win.
Tips for Doing Your Own Gel Nails (Because You Deserve Better Than Chipped Polish)
Thinking of breaking up with your nail salon? Here are some hard-earned tips:
Invest in a Good Starter Kit – Look for one that includes a curing light, a nail drill, and essential gel polish colors. Avoid the “bargain” kits unless you enjoy frustration and regret.
Prep Your Nails Properly – Buff your nails, push back your cuticles, and lightly file the surface so the gel actually sticks (unless you like peeling polish in 24 hours).
Use Thin Layers – Unless you want nails thicker than a Snickers bar, apply thin, even coats. Trust me.
Cap the Edges – Seal the tips of your nails to prevent chipping. No one likes sad, peeling nails.
Practice Makes Perfect – Your first few sets might look like a toddler did them, but stick with it. You’ll get better. Probably.
Give Yourself Time – Don’t rush. Put on your favorite show, grab a snack, and enjoy your DIY nail time. Bonus points if you ignore your responsibilities while doing it.
You can add the links in the "My Favorite Nail Products (Aka, My Ride-or-Dies)" section. Just hyperlink the product names or add them in parentheses after each item.
For example:
Gel Nail Kit – This is the one I bought (Comes with the curing light, nail drill, sample polishes, builder gel, and top coat)
Additional Builder Gel – This stuff is a lifesaver (Because I refuse to have weak nails)
Two More Polish Colors – This shade is my go-to (Because somehow, I always want a shade I don’t have)
If you love having your nails done but don’t love the financial burden that comes with it, take matters into your own hands (literally). Learning to do your own nails is a game changer—you save money, get creative, and never have to suffer through awkward small talk with a nail tech again.
So, are you ready to ditch the salon, or are you still clinging to the dream of having someone else do your nails? Either way, let me know in the comments!
Love my snarky takes on marriage, parenting, and the chaos of raising an AuDHD-fueled family—while still trying to live that crunchy dream, but do not want to upgrade to paid? Help keep the laughs rolling, the sourdough rising, and the wellness wisdom flowing. Toss a few bucks my way—because organic sarcasm and real talk deserve a little funding. 😉