Save your money on Le mini macaron, it peels within a day. I was also interested in the one step, as I have a active toddler so I can’t spend too much time on my nails. I ordered Madam Glam one step gel with a coupon, lamp and other accessories from Amazon. Granted it’s not a “kit” but the quality is better and so you will not be wasting your money.

I personally just buy all my gel nail polish and lamp from Aliexpress. They work totally fine! I did upgrade my lamp after a year or so (also one from Aliexpress, just better now) because the first one didn't fit my whole hand at once under it. If you're looking for a really affordable way to get started I'd definitely recommend it. I just bought a lamp + base polish + top polish + about 5 colors, and it cost me about 20-25$ total.

Of course, shipping always takes a while from Aliexpress lol

I recently upgraded to a UV lamp that fits my whole hand, and I wish I'd done that so much sooner! I got my lamp from Amazon for $19.99. I'm not sure if Amazon links are allowed, so just search for "SUNUV Gel UV Light Nail Dryer for Gel Nail Polish 24W Curing Lamp with Sensor 2 Timer SUN9C"

I have a different recommendation - buy a gel base and gel top coat. Put the gel base, cure it, then put your regular nail polish (not gel) and wait until it's fully dry, and then the gel top

it works well for me and I have oily nails

I bought a Beetle gel polish set with lamp off Amazon. With nail prep, it's wonderful and lasts forever. In fact, I find it difficult to get off (so. much. soaking).

It sounds like you’re thinking gel? I haven’t done gel in a long time but there are different types depending on your goals. The terminology is confusing imo because people interchangeably use words that are technical and also adjectives (myself included). But if you want nail extensions or acrylics you’ll get different recommendations than if you’re just looking for regular gel polish to use for color on natural nails. My nails are thin and in the past gel polish gave me more strength but the last few years I’ve found ridge filling base coat and a plump quick dry top coat are really pretty protective and I can a “medium” length with them, so I’ve switched over to regular lacquer. My daughter has been asking me to correct the apex of her thumbs so we’ve been experimenting with dip and soft gel. It was more of a hassle than I expected to make sure different brands would work with my light and other products, and it’s become more time than I really want to commit right now. Figuring out your goals more specifically is important to finding safe products imo, especially because preventing allergies is so important.

From your post I'm assuming you want recommendations for gel products?

First: Don't buy anything off of Amazon, even if it's a so-called reputable brand. Amazon has a major counterfeiting problem, and most Amazon brands (e.g. Beetles) are trash. There are only a handful of cheap brands that I'd recommend, but you're not even there yet so I won't list them here.

Second: Peep my flair. See #1.

Third: Pop over to r/gelnails. There are two allergy guides in the wiki/sidebar. Read them. Read them again. Read them a third time.

Fourth: Before you even think about buying gel products, I hope you're already able to polish your nails without getting anything on your skin. Getting uncured product on your skin is just asking for an allergy to develop. If you're the "I'll just slap on polish haphazardly and just clean it up after" type of nail-doer, then gel is not for you. If you're not yet at the stage where you can NEATLY polish your nails without getting anything on your skin, practice with regular polish before you buy any gel.

Fifth:

im familiar with acrylics though i don't prefer them due to long term damage.

Acrylics do not damage nails.

Nail damage comes from improper prep and removal - overfiling, using carbide bits on the natural nail (DON'T DO THIS EVER), not removing lifting right away, etc.

If your reasoning for choosing gel over acrylic was solely because you don't want damage, then just know that you can easily get damaged nails with gel. Learn how to properly prep your nails and how to properly remove product from the nail and you should be able to use any acrylate product (gel, acrylic, polygel) without nail damage.

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Check out The Salon Life on YouTube. Very informative on cuticle care, filing, oils, hardeners etc. pretty much all aspects of natural nail care and a bit about gel polish

Tbh I really recommend you do some research into gel/acrylate allergies before starting with at-home gel kits. Allergy rates are on the rise and they have some pretty serious side effects (that we know of - there may be some we don't know about yet).

Of course ultimately whether you use gel or not is up to you but I would definitely recommend learning about allergies first, ways to prevent them, best practice, etc. to give yourself the best chance.

Apres. They are a reputable brand that created the gel-x system in the first place and have great instructional videos as well.

If you are a complete beginner, go with regular gel polish. It’s the easiest to work with and most straightforward application. Don’t forget to get a lamp for curing! It’s not a bad idea to get UV gloves or put sunscreen on your hands before curing, too. Protect your skin :)

I have modelones gel to build extensions then the candy lover kit with 12 colors lamp and base top and matte coat, plus a 17 dollar nail drill tool, paid under 100 and don't regret it

I'm pretty sure they're all coming from the same factory in China, just private labeled/put in different bottles. Beetles, Modelones, Lilycute, URSugar, etc. I'd get a stronger lamp and be very careful to not get any uncured gel on my skin, since these cheaper polishes do contain higher amounts of HEMA. Cured HEMA polymerizes (turns into a plastic) and isn't a problem, but uncured HEMA can absorb into the bloodstream, and that's where most gel allergies come from. So that's why, I'd get the polishes but also get a stronger lamp and cure it extra time, especially darker colors.

Not trying to sound scary, just cautious. I got a Beetles kit for my birthday, and it was a great affordable way to get my collection started.

My friend purchased the Modelones kit and her nails look great all the time...and they last her at least 2 weeks ..

Hey! Idk about Amazon specifically put I can give u some tips about choosing the products ! •If u don't care for professional use, buy a good top and base coat and use cheaper colors in between. •The drills are only good if a "box" is attached to them. •Look for lamps with good reviews I've been scammed many times! •When it comes to gel I've tried several cheap brands and they were all fine • In Shein u can find packs of several form stickers for rly cheap, i'd suggest u get one with several different shapes for like 1-2$, I personally prefer the round ones and it rly matters to how the form stands on ur finger!

I can even suggest u brands that are cheap and good💕 anyone feel free to text me!!!!

I have used some beginner gel nail kits available on Amazon, and I find that some of the less-known brands are sometimes very good while at other times they can disappoint. One of these kits that has really captured my attention is the Beetles Gel Polish kit which is relatively cheap but of high quality and includes all necessary items.

First and foremost, it is essential to get a quality UV/LED lamp for proper curing. To aid in the application process, it is advisable to buy lint-free wipes as well as a cuticle pusher. Making such purchases may seem small but they really count!

If you want a good gel kit, don’t buy it from Amazon. Nail Hub is having a spring sale.

Otherwise, Attain is formulated by the lead chemist at Light Elegance - maybe get their starter kit. Their base is a builder gel and you don’t need the powder that comes with either kit. Their lamp is also meant to be excellent. Attain is the independent brand of the owner of the Nail Hub.

You can also easily buy Kokoist products although their most basic lamp is pricier. But I have it and I love it.

Buy fewer, better products and build up slowly. There’s a learning curve with DIY gel.

I feel like this sub has turned into more of a sub about gel allergies, rather than a safe place to get tips and advice, so I’m hesitant to give brand suggestions to try from Amazon. I understand not wanting to spend a ton though when you’re just starting out, so here are some of my suggestions anyway.

Firstly, take the ratings on Amazon with a grain of salt. Most of the bad reviews are because the majority of people leaving them don’t know what they’re doing. Secondly, the most popular brands on Amazon are Beetles and Modelones but my personal opinion is to go a different route. Third, I don’t know if you’re looking for a hard gel, builder gel, builder in a bottle (BIAB) or what, but here’s a little bit of each.

For hard gel: Morovan, IBD and Saviland. Saviland was my favorite because the viscosity was easier to work with for me. Builder gels: those three brands also carry builder gels. Otherwise, look at Venalisa, Gellen, GAOY, Orly, IN.HYPE (love this brand), and Aimeila. I believe most of these come in a jar and/or a bottle.

If you’re just starting out, you’re most likely going to struggle with getting the gel on your skin, therefore I highly recommend you start with Aimeila because their whole line is hemma free. But just because something says it’s hemma free, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear and won’t get a gel allergy. There are all sorts of things that contribute to the risk, so make sure to clean up you’re cuticles with alcohol as much as you can, and follow all of the other advice you’ll find on here. And go easy on yourself. You’re gonna make mistakes, but that’s the best way to learn. Just practice, practice, practice, and then practice even more 😊

Hope this helps.

Whatever you decide to get, keep it off your skin to reduce your chances of getting an allergy.

If we're talking strictly amazon, I have not used beetles because it's heavily frowned upon around here. I tried a couple of random brands and they all tend to chip on me within a week. I suspect they are beetles, just repackaged.

Modelones and Aimeili are popular brands, and I personally started out with a brand called Kastiny, but it isn't available on amazon anymore. I don't know why. I suspect it was also a knock off of something, but I can't figure out what. I originally bought it from amazon, but if I want it now, I have to get it from temu, and they're much smaller bottles.

I have settled on a brand called Gaoy. I found them originally when looking for a mid-priced peel off base coat. I fell in love with it, went back, got the regular base, top coats, builder in a bottle, and several colors. It is easily my favorite brand. It also seems to be very compatible with the cheaper color brands I have. If I sandwich the color in between Gaoy layers, I don't get any chipping. So it's nice that it also breathed new life into bottles I thought were worthless.

As a side note, no matter which brand of matte top coat I use, I inevitably get a chip after about a week. Matte is the devil.

I buy all my nail stuff from Amazon and haven’t had any problems.

You really don't want "the best of bad". Gel is straight up dangerous and can cause future medical complications. You really need to invest in a strong enough lamp which alone is easily $30+, and HEMA free polishes, and then you have to apply them properly. Gel is an investment, and tbh it's a risk.

I’m glad I could help. One other thing I wanna suggest is to get the corresponding base coat for the brand you use. It’s not a must, but it’s helpful.

If you’re interested in regular polish, Olive & June has a starter set that includes manicure tools and everything.

I recently started doing dip powder nails and I really like it. I bought the sassy saints kit, it has everything you need and the quality is good but I heard some people saying it’s overpriced and you can get similar kits at a lower price so idk

Dazzle dry to practice painting without getting it on your skin. It doesn’t extend your nail but it’s the perfect combination of incredibly quick drying with no lamp, lasts as long as gel, comes off as easily as regular polish 

I got the Apres Starter set! Use their soft gel builder. Nothing else has stayed as long on my nails, and I’ve never had one break (unlike other brands). I use the whole beginner set and a very thin layer of extend gel because my nails are very bendy. I get 4 weeks every time.

They’re the creators of the original gel x system.

Do not get beetles gel nail polish

You should try Gel-X nails. I used to get my nails done with acrylic monthly and the cost is crazy. Gel-x is really beginner friendly and way less damaging to your natural nails. You can also look up tutorials on how to do Gel-X nails. And it doesn’t smell bad like acrylic. Of course, everything takes practice. I’ve been doing my own nails for 3+ years now and im sure I saved a lot of money compared to going to the salon. It’s definitely a good investment.

So I just started this journey myself after my old nail salon did me dirty twice in a row while charging $80 a visit for acrylics.

I went to sally and got their starter kit and and a $40 e-file and it actually went pretty well! I already had an ASP brand light and gel polish. I'm on my 2nd fill now and they look nearly as good as the professionals for way cheaper and I haven't had any chipping polish or broken nails.

Forgive my angry cuticles I have anxiety and pick at them

The allergy is due to acrylate. They can be in the glue, the polishes, etc. a good thread on it: https://www.reddit.com/r/GelX_Nails/s/dPxFECugs0