Product Reviews Rated 3.76 out of 5 stars
316 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Love this at home kit! I was skeptical to purchase this. My experience with the SH Miracle Gel line was disappointing and I wanted something that was truly instantly dry and a gel like finish. I have never had a salon gel manicure on my natural nails so I have nothing to compare it to, but I love this kit! I stopped getting acrylic nails over a year ago and have been jonesing for that perfect polish look without the damage, I have finally found it!! I have had the kit for over a month now and have done 2 manicures and 1 pedicure. As far as wear/usage is concerned, I get 7-10 days on my fingernails, but my toes lasted 3 full weeks until I got tired of the color but it was still wearing strong! I am a "picker," so the first sign of peeling and I am a mess! I cannot leave it alone! If you can leave it alone you will likely have longer wear. I had some problems the first application because I got it too close to the cuticle which caused a ridge upon grow out that caused premature peeling, and I did not rough up my nail with the enclosed file as per the directions, so they peeled off in full strips. These are very important prep steps (along with the alcohol wipe) not to be skipped. I did not rough them very much the second time, just a little but it made all the difference. What I love about his compared to the Miracle Gel is the thickness of the coat. It acts as a ridge filler and really gives that deep high gloss shine you'd expect from a gel, I didn't get that with the Miracle Gel.
I love the Shell we Dance color. The photo with this review if on my first time, I only used 1 coat of the Step 2 Shell We Dance Color between the base and top coat because I wanted a sheer/natural look. This gel kit really stands up to serious hand-washing and swimming and also helps my pathetic nails grow longer by adding some flexibility and strength. I actually had to cut them before the second mani, usually I break or peel far before that.
I also love the Pink Pong color which is a great opaque neutral for my very light pink skin tone. The Raisin The Bar was way lighter on my nails than on the box so I returned it. I used this on my daughter with a regular polish (SH Extreme Wear Black Out) and it had some good staying power (lasted about a week) I am likely going to try it with my miracle gel colors in the fall to see if I get the look I'm after. The true test will start once school begins, I am a chemistry teacher and really rough on my hands, especially on lab prep days.
Lastly, you can try this confidently from Ulta, they were not the cheapest I found, but their return policy cannot be beat which makes it risk free and keeps me a loyal customer!
Most Helpful Critical Review LED light broke after one use My nails looked fabulous, but the LED light is very(!!!) cheaply made. The plug in the back broke after one use, and after prying it open to see if I could fix it, the soldering had separated between the electronic board and the actual plug outlet. A little piece of the metal conduit had broken off too. Very peculiar given that i had only used it once - shows the poor quality of this product. I'm disappointed and would suggest you skip the high price for the gel kit with the LED light, and buy your own LED light separately, in addition to buying the polishes individually. Plus the Sally Hansen LED only fits one finger at a time, whereas a more professional LED lets you do your whole hand at once which would speed up the process tremendously.
Reviewed by 316 customers You can use other gel polishes with this light. 4
Sarah from MI
In case anyone is wondering, I have used other gel nail polishes that are not specifically from the brand and it works fine.
Awesome and easy!! 5
Rachel from Destin, Florida
As others have said, if your polish is still tacky, you may have missed the step of using an alcohol wipe after curing the top coat. Don't give up!!
Good quality product 4
Le614 from Columbus, OH
I recently purchased the kit because I found that salon gel manicures were becoming too costly. I like the affordability of this product, after two uses it pays for itself depending on how much your salon charges. Mine are usually between $30-$40 not including the tip. I think the instructions are very clear and concise. I found it easy to follow however, it's imperative you follow the steps correctly to get the best results. I'm still on my first manicure so not sure how it will last over a two week span but I'm satisfied with my results this first time around.
Goopy polish 3
Sianna from Canada
The light works well and the price is pretty good for the contents. But the gel colour and top coat and really hard to use. First time I opened the bottles I found the brushes gummed up and solidified. This in mind. Thin coats were impossible and it all just had to be dabbed on and spread out. Disappointing! The polish itself stays on well and is great once it's dried. But getting it on is a hassle!
Does anyone know how to prevent this?
Polish Peels Off 1
jlm343 from Chilliwack
Within a day, the polish peels right off. After a shower, almost all of the paint had come off.
Doesn't stay on 1
Mrs b from Salina, ks
It's a very pricey and time consuming product. It's chipping off in less time than it takes to apply. They make a lot of great products. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them.
Peels easily 2
Flaky Nails from Atlanta
I thought a brand that has been around for decades would be able to perfect a gel polish polish that lasts as long as the salon version. The polish literally peels off after 3-4 days. I wasted money on this kit. The color looks good even with one coat though...
Follow the directions and it's amazing 5
Nailgirl from Pennsylvania
This works as beautifully as having gel nails put on in the spa. The trick is to not get any of it on your cuticles at all (just like when getting them done!). Apply the base coat and then 3 coats of the polish, followed by one of the top coat and it's a pretty light shade of pink. I do not like the pink with only one or two coats because it is too sheer for my liking then. You only need to put your nails in the lamp once with every coat - not sure why people are saying you have to cure several times as you do not. Gel nails ARE sticky until you wipe with acetone lightly or alcohol - you don't realize this in the salon because you don't usually touch your nails until they have already completed this step. There is zero dry time for these and they are shiny and hard to the touch. Easy to take off with gel remover pads. Only complaint is I wish there were more range of colors.
Love it 5
Kay from Washington, DC
So I got this kit as a Christmas gift, and I finally used it during this quarantine period. It's fantastic. The gel cures properly, the extra items it comes with in the kit also help. I've only had the nail polish on for about a few days hasn't chipped yet but if it does I'll write another review. I think the people who complain about the gel not "drying" I don't think they know that gel polish has this tacky feel to it even after it's been under the LED light and once you rub it with the alcohol pads the kit comes with it's perfectly fine. It's either that or they're layering the base/gel/finish coats on too thick. But seriously this kit actually is worth it.
Light is poor quality 2
Txnurse from Lufkin, Tx
All polishes requires 5-6 cycles of the light to cure.
Best product on the market!!! 5
GinaMarie22 from Staten Island, NY
I've always loved getting my nails done but after spend so much money and having it chip was becoming frustrating. After buying and trying this kit I was in love. I HIGHLY recommend this kit to everyone and anyone. You will not be disappointed and you'll save tons of money. I would give it more stars if I can.
AWESOME, definitely buy 5
Angel2334 from undisclosed
I never write reviews but these are better than salon gel nails. I will never get gel nails at the salon again. These pictures are after 3 days of wear and they're so durable. They feel smooth and like you want gel nails to feel. They are so easy to apply (takes me about 20 mins). I put 3 coats on instead of 2 like they suggest.
Hurts my fingers and nail beds 1
Darien from Austin, Tx
I love gel nails so I?m very disappointed. When I put my nails under the light it burns my nails and irritates my fingers, especially my cuticles and joints.
Quick and Easy works well with clear but not with color 5
Desperate from San Diego
All the nail salons were closed and I needed a manicure. I bought this out of desperation and had low expectations. The first time I tried it with the colored nail polish and it looked pretty bad. The color, no matter how many coats you apply is still transparent. The tricky part is the base coat. Unless you get the base coat perfect, as in do not get it on your cuticles at all, the color seeps into every imperfect part of the basecoat application and looks horrible. I settled for the clear application and it looks phenomenal. I like clear in general anyway, so this works for me. After you finish you manicure, wash your hands and apply some sort of oil, not lotion. Lotion gets under your nails and defeats the nice clean fresh manicure look. I use Burt's Bees Face oil. I am astounded.
I don't think I'll ever go to a nail salon again.
Waste of money 2
Michelle123 from Minneapolis
This was a waste of money. I tried to get the gel off for an hour and the gel still won't lift off completely. My nails feel and look terrible.
The salons must have better quality gel remover.
Best apocalypse nail kit 5
Chanalle5 from Tulsa, ok
I bought this last week as the my state was closing down nail salons. I couldn't be happier with my purchase.
Love it 5
Charly from Topeka, KS
all supplies under 100 for gel manicurrs for a year, nice during a pandemic
Don't waste your money 3
mn from mn
it peels in less then a week
Doesn't dry right! 1
Ana from Minnesota
The polish didn't dry evenly or at all. Still sticky. I do not recommend. I've tried drying them under the light multiple times and it doesn't do anything. Please don't waste your time and money on this product!
I would buy again 5
Mulan from Lexington, KY
It was super easy to apply. It's just like using regular polish, except you CAN NOT skip the prep part!! You must file nail to shape/buff nail bed and wipe with alcohol prior to applying first coat or it won't stick!! I dry 1st coat once, 2nd/3rd about 3 times each(90 secs) and the clear tip coat also 3 times(90 secs).
Not buying again 3
nm from none
At first it looks really pretty but then it starts peeling.
Wont buy again 1
Summergirl20 from Michigan
I used this product as instructed the next day the nail polish peeled right off. if I'm going to use an LED light the gel polish should stay on for at least two weeks. The light also did not turn off
Okay this actually works 5
Courtney from Tampa
I've used it for the first time and this stuff really works. My nails look great and the gel feels great too. This would not be my choice of colour but over all the stuff works. The size of the nail gel bottles is smaller than normal size but to get things going this kit is truely great. Will keep using and get better colours!!!
Amazing!!! 5
GelQueen from Oxnard
Skeptical after reading some of the reviews of it not working as designed, but I am glad I took the chance and bought it! It's amazing quick and works perfectly... I had no issues at all. I followed step by step and my nails look great. It is important to follow the buffering step as this will eliminate all oils from nail allowing polish to stay and dry as designed. Also allowing that small amount of space around the nail so that it doesn't peel. BEST PRODUCT!!! This will save me money and I'm excited to buy a new color :)
Light would not turn off 1
AllieCat from San Jose, CA
I did not even get to use this. The light would not turn off unless I unplugged it. I hated the open feature, too bright and not good for your eyes. The polishes were great and I love them, but you can buy those separately. I used them with the LMM light, which is a much better design and has an Off switch. So 1 star for the poor quality lamp that didn't work, and five for the polishes.