Ready to begin DIY Nails? START HERE!! A comprehensive guide to tools & educational courses!

If you’re in the market to start doing your own nails, either with gel or regular polish, this post is for you! 

First off, why would you start doing your own nails??? 

1. It's expensive!! The exact manicure process that I do on my nails can run about $150-200 per appointment. You can spend about that much on tools & supplies and do your nails as much as you want, saving yourself money each time!

2. You're sick of getting services you're not happy with. TRUST ME - I am the pickiest person ever when someone else does my nails. So much that I don't even do it anymore! I trust myself way more to do my nails WELL and SAFELY. I have been burned in the past and I'm not letting that happen again. 

3. Your nail goals aren't being met! Is gel ruining your nails? Or you want to grow your nails but they just keep getting weaker and breaking? My process will actually SAVE your nails, keep them strong, and allow you to grow them for once and for all. 

This post is going to be your guide for all tools you need for executing your manicures at home plus which educational masterclass course I recommend to pair with your goals! I’m going to break down everything you need to get started so you can do your nails at home like a freaking pro!

Ok let’s get started: 

REGULAR POLISH:

I love a good regular polish manicure! They are so fast to do and they allow a lot of freedom to switch up your look as much as you want without long removal times. I can usually get a regular polish manicure to last for 7+ days, but I honestly get bored by then and like to switch it up after a few days anyways. 

I’m sure you’ve used regular polish before, but perhaps you’re struggling with perfecting your application, getting your manicure to last as long as possible, or prepping your nails well (cuticle care, shaping, etc.), so this is where I can offer some help! 

PREP: 

Prep is SO important for any manicure, it’s just as important for regular polish as it is for gel. I find that if you don’t prep your nails well for a regular polish manicure, it not only won’t apply that well and look smooth, but it also might not last. I always recommend a dry manicure because water is the enemy of nail polish, and it’s also a really safe way to prepare your nails with professional tools! 

These are the tools you will need to execute a dry manicure: 
Straight Edge Clippers
240/180 Files
Cuticle Pusher (this is the BEST one!!)
Sponge Buffers
Cuticle Nippers
Alcohol
Acetone

If you want to become a PRO at prepping your nails, you need to check out my new Dry Manicure Prep Tutorial Course! My Manicure Prep Course - Dry Manicure course is a presentation and demonstration of how to safely and properly execute dry manicure prep for long-lasting regular OR gel manicures. Each course comes with a fully detailed PDF download featuring follow-along instructions and links to products I use and recommend for executing at home. 

WHO IS THIS FOR?
- Anyone who is starting out with DIY nails and who wants to learn how to safely and properly execute a dry manicure at home
- Anyone who has tried, but can't get their nails to last for 2+ weeks or look as good as they hoped and is ready to try a new technique that finally works
- Anyone who is struggling with keeping their nails healthy and strong & wants to improve their craft

WHAT WILL THIS COURSE COVER?
- DRY MANICURE PREP: What it is, why we do it, why it WORKS, with a thorough demonstration including how to shape, how to do cuticle work, and how to prep to ensure your gel manicure lasts for 2+ weeks

AFTER THIS COURSE:
- You will understand the dry manicure process & how it works to keep your nails healthy and ensure product longevity
- You will confidently be able to execute a gorgeous manicure prep for manicures that lasts as long as possible
- You will be an expert at shaping your nails and executing flawless cuticle work

With your purchase, you will also receive a downloadable PDF with my exact process detailed so you can refer to it when doing your nails, AND a list of all of the tools with links that I use and recommend. 

And if you’re struggling with your nail polish application, I highly recommend my Prep & Paint Bundle which contains my new dry manicure prep course & my Perfect Painting 101 course! This course teaches you all of the fundamentals for executing a flawless manicure with regular polish! I’ve heard from people who have taken this course that it was the only tutorial they’ve watched that actually made a difference in their painting skills! 

GEL POLISH:

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with gel manicures, and I know a ton of you are too! Since I’ve started posting more and more about gel, I’ve heard from a bunch of you that you have struggles and problem areas with executing these manicures yourself. 

The one thing I really want to hit home with gel manicures is that it’s 100% doable to execute well at home, but it’s NOT as simple as using regular polish. There are safety measures, health measures, and a lot of important things to keep in mind in order to safely and effectively execute a gel manicure. This is why I am so excited about my new educational masterclasses for gel manicures that I just released! They have a huge emphasis on education and teaching you the foundational information to execute a gel manicure that is safe, that lasts as long as possible, and that looks amazing!

My new courses are meant to work together, so you can start off with my Gel 1.0 Masterclass: Gel Manicure Foundations, Application and Removal, and then expand your skills and knowledge with my Gel 2.0 Masterclass: E-file Removal + Prep and & Builder Gel Application! With that in mind, there are two types of gel manicures that these cover. 1.0: A basic gel manicure (think base coat, color, top coat) and 2.0: A builder gel manicure (think building and apex, doing in-fills, with the goal to grow your nails longer). For both of these manicures, you’ll need some basic gel manicure tools: 

All prep tools from above

Gel Lamp 

E-File & Bits 

For gel polish, the product selection really depends on which type of manicure you’re doing and the state of your nails! 

Read this post to learn more about product selection and read this post to learn more about knowing which type of nail product is right for your nails! 

Here are some of my favorites for gel manicures:

Kokoist Megastick Base Coat

My Favorite Gel Colors

My Favorite Builder Base Gels

My Favorite Gel Top Coat!!

Read more about my favorite gel products from Kokoist HERE and HERE!! And use my code KARA10 for 10% off your purchase :)

Let’s talk about my new gel manicure masterclasses! 

Gel 1.0 Masterclass: Gel Manicure Foundations, Application and Removal

Gel Manicure 1.0 Masterclass: Dry Manicure Prep, Gel Foundations, Application & Removal course is a 1 hour and 20-minute presentation and demonstration of how to safely and properly execute manicure prep and a full gel manicure that lasts 2+ weeks with removal. Each course comes with a fully detailed PDF download featuring follow-along instructions and links to products I use and recommend for executing at home.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

- Anyone who is starting out with gel products and wants to learn how to safely and properly execute a manicure at home

- Anyone who has tried gel at home but can't get their nails to last for 2+ weeks or look as good as they hoped and is ready to try a new technique that finally works

- Anyone who is struggling with keeping their nails healthy and strong while doing gel manicures & wants to improve their craft

WHAT WILL THIS COURSE COVER?

- DRY MANICURE: What it is, why we do it, why it WORKS, with a thorough demonstration including how to shape, how to do cuticle work, how to prep to ensure your gel manicure lasts for 2+ weeks

- GEL MANICURE FOUNDATIONS: Safety concerns, product explanations, proper application steps

- GEL MANICURE APPLICATION: How to properly apply products, how to properly cure products, how to make your gel manicure last 2+ weeks

- GEL MANICURE REMOVAL: How to properly remove a gel manicure for healthy and strong nails (no special tools needed)

AFTER THIS COURSE:

- You will understand gel polish & which products are right for your nail type and how they work together to keep your nails healthy

- You will understand the dry manicure process & how it works to keep your nails healthy and ensure product longevity

- You will confidently be able to execute a gorgeous gel manicure that lasts 2+ weeks

- You will be able to remove your gel polish safely without damaging your natural nails

With your purchase, you will also receive a downloadable PDF with my exact process detailed so you can refer to it when doing your nails, AND a list of all of the tools with links that I use and recommend. 

Gel Manicure 2.0 Masterclass: E-file Removal + Prep and & Builder Gel Application

My Gel Manicure 2.0 Masterclass: E-File, Gel Manicure Prep, and Builder Gel Application Course course is a THOROUGH, DETAILED, IN-DEPTH, 1-hour 30-minute course where I break down my exact process for e-filing your gel manicure to prep for your next manicure (AKA gel polish removal), prepping your nails for another gel manicure, and applying builder gel. This is basically three courses in one :) SO MUCH GOOD INFO!

WHAT WILL THIS COURSE COVER?

• A thorough presentation on the WHY behind my entire process

• A thorough explanation of the products and processes I use and how they can effectively make your manicures last and grow your nails long & strong

• Demonstration and explanation of using your e-file for gel removal & precise cuticle care

• Prep demo - how to "fill" your manicure & prep your nails after you e-file 

• Gel manicure demo with a builder gel base coat - how to get a perfect apex/build your base for a beautiful and strong mani

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

• You want to improve your gel manicures, make them last longer, perfect your technique, and keep your nails healthy and strong

• You are a beginner at using an e-file or you want to learn new skills and techniques for efficient and effective gel removal & mani prep

• You want to learn how to use builder gel to create an apex for a beautiful, salon-quality manicure

• You have a basic understanding of manicure prep & gel manicures and want to continue your nail education (read more below!)

AFTER THIS COURSE:

• You will understand gel polish & which products are right for your nail type and how they work together to keep your nails healthy

• You will understand the e-file manicure process for gel removal & prep. You will be able to execute the process and understand how it works to keep your nails healthy and ensure product longevity

• You will confidently be able to execute a gorgeous builder gel gel manicure that lasts 2+ weeks

• You will be able to remove your gel polish safely without damaging your natural nails

This course pairs well with: 

My Manicure Prep Course & my Gel Manicure 1.0 Course. While this course is great for beginners, it's important to have a foundation of knowledge since I will not go into the same exact detail as my mani prep & gel courses. If you'd like to purchase all three courses together, check out my bundle here!

If you want all of my favorite things & links all together, make sure to grab my free DIY Gel Manicure Starter Guide download HERE! :) 

I’ve had a bunch of requests to break the courses apart into individual sections for people who feel like they understand some topics but need help with others! If this sounds like you, make sure to check these ones out too:

Builder Gel Application Course

E-File Gel Removal & E-File Manicure Prep Course

Gel Manicure 1.0: Gel Foundations, Application & Removal

Gel Manicure Masterclass Bundle

Gel Manicure Removal 1.0 Mini Course

Glazed Donut Manicure Mini Course

Perfect Pedicure Prep & Painting Course

If you ever have any questions about which course is right for you, or which product sounds right for you, or if you’re struggling with any aspects of the process after watching the courses, DM me or send me an note! I’m always happy to help!! 

HAPPY PAINTING!!