Why my budget goes to coffee, not salons.
Breaking up with my nail tech
Why spend hundreds a semester at the nail salon when you should be saving that money for your coffee, sweet treats, and inevitable shopping sprees. Saving money isn’t easy, but skipping the salon is—especially when DIY nails feel like a mini self-care party.
I jumped on the Gel X train earlier this year after learning a shocking fact: the average woman spends about $600 to $1,400 a year at the nail salon. The stat, along with what I noticed about my own nail expenses, led me to start researching budget-friendly alternatives. The most popular—and the one I landed on thanks to TikTok—was Gel X nails. The first step was realizing what truly made sense for me: spend about $100 upfront on all the Gel X essentials that would last me months, or keep dropping $40–$60 every 2–4 weeks at the salon for a single set. When I did the math, the choice felt obvious. I took the plunge and grabbed all the essentials (which I’ve rounded up at the end of this article if you’re feeling inspired to join me) and did my first set in March of this year. My first attempt? A disaster. I chose the ugliest green imaginable (for a St. Patrick’s Day party, okay?) and paired it with my nonexistent skills. Spoiler: the combo didn’t exactly scream ‘professional manicure.’ So after peeling off every pathetic green nail, I decided to redeem myself a few days later with a softer pick: light pink chrome. To my surprise, they actually lasted three weeks without a single chip or pop-off—suddenly, I was a proud, self-proclaimed ‘nail tech.’
Why You’ll Thank Yourself for Switching
No creativity? No problem. If you were to think about the least artistic person on the planet, you would be thinking of me. Drawing isn’t my thing, but hand me a set of bare Gel X tips and I can turn them into something cute in no time- and you can too! Ditch the salons and make your bank account happy by making the switch! It may at first seem daunting but the first attempt full of frustration and doubt can turn into months of improvement, and years of savings. If I had to guess, I would say I have saved around $500 since starting to do my own nails this past March. On a college budget, it just makes sense to save where you can and if you can possibly pick up a new hobby along the way, what’s the harm in trying? My friends have become my unofficial clients… and honestly, I’m pretty sure they don’t mind the free manicure. Consider this your sign: ditch the salon, try Gel X at home, and start saving today.
Your DIY Gel X Starter Kit
- Gel X Nail Tips
- Gel Polishes (including base and top coat)
- UV Nail Lamp
- Nail tools (buffer, file, cuticle pusher stick, nail art brushes)
- Nail Dehydrator & Primer (if you want long retention- do NOT skip this one)
- UV Nail Glue (I really like the one made by the “Beetles” brand!)
- Alcohol Wipes (to remove tackiness and any residue at end)
- Optional: Chrome, Glitter/Gems, 3D Sculpting Gel, Blooming Gel, Charms, etc…
What I Wish I Knew Before My First Set
- Want to do French Tips but have a shaky hand? Use the erase method- do it messy and clean it up with acetone to ensure perfect lines!
- Seal where the nail meets your nail with acetone (this helps the nail tip melt down some and adhere better to your nail).
- Research proper nail prep! This makes all the difference and helps your nails last!
- Avoid any gaps under nail where water can seep under- not only can this make your nail lift but nobody wants greenies!! (essentially a form of fungus under the nail from trapped liquid).
- Don’t be afraid to try nail art- I promise you can do it and it is a lot easier than it looks!
- Don’t have high expectations on yourself for your first few sets- just relax and have fun!