This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a commission should you choose to make a purchase through one of these links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclaimer here.
The at-home manicure has become everyone’s favourite self care ritual at the moment. It’s a quick and easy way to perk ourselves up a bit and make us feel more confident (even if we are just lounging around the house).
I love a good DIY manicure. But, for a long time, I felt that doing my nails at home was a stressful, rather than relaxing, experience. Gloopy nail polish and tediously long drying times really took the fun out of it.
After seeing Mylee’s Gel Polish Starter Kit, I knew it was time to try something new. I’d seen loads of people raving about it online and the thought of streak-free, salon-worthy nails had me sold.
So did it live up to the hype? Here are my thoughts … and also a few extra tips on how to apply your Mylee nail gel polish 😆
What’s included:
- Pro LED lamp
- 1 top coat
- 1 base coat
- 4 MYGEL polishes (Pastel Chic, Soft Touch, Requiem For A Pink & Diva)
- Pack of 100 lint-free wipes
- Prep + Polish (250ml)
- Gel remover (250ml)
How to apply your Mylee gel nail polish:
- Use a cuticle pusher to gently move the cuticles back. Trim the excess with cuticle nippers.
- Use a nail file to create your desired nail shape.
- Take a buffing block and carefully polish your nails. This will help the gel varnish stick better.
- Soak a lint-free wipe in the Prep + Wipe solution and clean each nail.
- Apply a thin layer of the base coat. Cure for 30 seconds.
- Apply a thin layer of your colour polish and cure for another 30 seconds. Repeat this step to build up opacity.
- Go in with your top coat. Cure for 60 seconds.
- Finally, use a lint-free wipe (soaked in Prep + Wipe) to remove the tackiness.
Note: Please make sure to cure your gel nails for the recommended amount of time and wipe off any gel polish that gets onto the skin before curing. Leaving gel polish on your skin or not curing it properly can lead to gel allergies.
Opinions on the …
Price
The Mylee Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit is priced at £90 – which I don’t think is too unreasonable. Buying every element separately, you would be paying about £10 extra. So if you’re keen to save some money, it’s definitely worth getting these items as a set.
Quality
Each item arrived unscathed and thoroughly packaged. I’m super impressed with the UV lamp as it feels sturdy and looks pretty much like the type you would find in a salon. I also think it’s great that it comes in it’s own box (so it’s easy to store) and has various plug adaptors so you can even take it on your travels.
Related posts:
An Essential Guide To The Perfect At-Home Manicure
Pros of the Mylee gel nail polish kit:
Easy to fix
If you’re a clumsy painter (like me), gel nail polish is ideal. I really like being able to go back and clean up any mistakes I’ve made, without having the added pressure of the varnish drying up if I’m not quick enough.
The fact that it doesn’t dry instantly also means you can get a better finish on your nails. With regular polish, I’m a little afraid that too many strokes will make it go bubbly or clumpy. This doesn’t seem to be an issue here!
The Mylee gel nail polishes are really smooth and apply so well. If I get some on the surrounding skin I simply take a small brush, dipped in the gel remover, and remove the excess.
Super shiny
The finish of gel polish is just unbeatable. I’ve tried getting the same effect with classic nail varnish and I’ve not been able to. Admittedly, this could be down to my own skills (and not the polish). But it’s nice to start my at-home manicure safe in the knowledge that it’s going to turn out well.
All of the Mylee gel nail polishes I’ve tried have been amazing and the shine, once finished, is gorgeous. I’d be interested in trying the Mylee Matte Top Coat, just to see if it lives up to the standard of the glossy one.
Long lasting
This is a major one for me because I get super lazy when it comes to doing my nails at home. If I’m feeling motivated then I don’t mind spending an hour or so painting my nails, but sometimes I just don’t have the time (or the energy).
If I use gel polish I can normally go 3-4 weeks before I have to redo my nails. I’ve never noticed any chipping or peeling with the Mylee gel set. I usually just remove the polish when new nail growth becomes super obvious.
Cons of the nail kit:
Colour selection
My only (teeny tiny) criticism would be the colour selection that comes with the starter kit. It would be amazing if you could pick your own shades i.e. swap out the four polishes that are included. I’m not a massive fan of really bright or dark varnishes so I’m unlikely to wear a couple of the colours.
I love Pastel Chic, but I think Requiem For A Pink will be staying in the box. It’s a super pretty shade, just not my usual style!
Other than that I have 0 complaints!
Is it worth the investment?
While £90 is a hefty sum to fork out initially, in the long run, I definitely think it’s worth it. It’s basically the same price as a couple of visits to the nail salon, so I think – as long as you use it regularly – you’ll make up for the money you spent.
I personally find it such a useful device to have on hand, and during the COVID crisis I couldn’t have gone without it. It makes gel nails really accessible for people who can’t get to the salon or those who just prefer to do their nails themselves.
If you’re a nail art enthusiast, or even a complete newbie to the nail art world, I 100% recommend getting one. I get compliments on my nails all the time, and the best part is that – with this set – painting my nails takes up half the time and effort that using regular polish does. I honestly wish I’d bought one of these kits sooner!
Where can you buy it?
You can buy this gel nail polish set from Mylee, Sephora, or Amazon. It’s usually retails for £89.99, but there’s always deals on so it pays to keep an eye out.
If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, Mylee also does a Mini Kit which sells for £65. You get a petite LED lamp, plus gel polishes, wipes, cuticle sticks, a buffing block and an angled brush.
Have you tried the Mylee Gel Polish Kit? What are your opinions? Let me know in the comments.
And, if you liked this, why not take a look at my guide to the perfect at-home manicure.
Leave a Reply