Pros: Easy to apply, no UV lamp required, leaves a glossy and hard-wearing finish, helps polish stay chip-free for almost two ...

Another way Olive & June innovated the at-home gel manicure is by offering two base coats. The first is a classic gel base coat that has to be cured and requires the typical removal process.

As a result, the grain can become raised and require sanding between coats. Traditional oil-based stain products produce less swelling but still must be absorbed by unfinished or thoroughly sanded ...

This makes sure my nails are ready for the stickers to stick well. Next up, choosing a base coat that works best with gel nail stickers… After prepping the nails, it's time to lay down the base coat.

What We Love: Even without a base coat, this gel-like polish is extremely long-lasting and still easy to remove. What We Don’t Love: Some shades require a couple of coats to see color payoff.