For a DIY mani, you start by applying an ultrathin coating of polish and curing it in the LED lamp for 30 seconds; you know your time is up when the lamp auto shuts off. After you repeat that on each finger, you can assess how many coats you want to do. Personally, I like doing two or three if the colour is super light. You may think curing one finger at a time would take a while, but the 30 seconds go by fast, and you can start painting the next finger while the one before it dries. My favourite part: the polish is quick drying, so there's no waiting around and fanning your hands frantically to keep from smudging.
The gel manicure lasts the standard one to one-and-a-half weeks, depending on how rough you are on your hands, and is practically chip proof. What more could you need?
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jessica Harrington