
Basically, unless you have eight-plus hours to paint your nails and carefully wait for them to set, expect some imperfections. This extra-long dry window left plenty of time for accidental dents and smudging-especially if you plan to go about your life afterwards-and my manicure ended up looking *very* amateur. I did my nails around 6 p.m., and didn’t feel like the polish was 100% smudge-proof until I woke up the next morning. While it was dry to the touch within 45 minutes or so, I could easily dent, smudge, or chip the thick coat for hours afterwards. With that said, the polish took hours to fully set. If your polishing skills are on point, you can definitely achieve a glossy gel manicure that looks professional-grade. I’m a big fan of the shiny top coat-it’s thick, easy to apply, and similar in texture to a professional gel. It’s definitely a good quarantine beauty save, and I love that it doesn’t require a UV light. While I wouldn’t put it on the same level as a salon mani, I was able to achieve a more glossy, professional look than I have in the past.

Overall, I was decently impressed with my Sally Hansen Miracle Gel manicure. How to Apply: Two coats of color, one top coat, and ample dry time I decided to try out Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel in hopes that it could tide me over between visits. The condition of my nails, coupled with minimal practice and zero patience, has resulted in countless botched paint jobs over the years, so I typically skip polish altogether if I can’t visit a salon. Suffice it to say, I have my work cut out for me every time I attempt a DIY manicure. I usually get a basic gel mani and call it a day I’ve actually never gotten acrylics in my life for fear of further weakening my already frail nails. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoy the experience of getting my nails done and going to the salon every two weeks. My nail techs typically cringe when I lay my hands on their table and ask what happened, whether I bite my nails, or simply say, “Ouch.”

Thanks to years of subconscious picking in reaction to every minor inconvenience, they’re short, brittle, and may or may not be bleeding at any given time. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my nails are a nail artist’s worst nightmare. While the brand is primarily known for its affordable nail care products, it also produces a trusted line of tweezers, eyelash curlers, wax strips, self tanner, and more. Uses: Affordable, gel-like manicures without a trip to the salon.Ĭlean?: No contains Methylparaben, Propylparaben, and PEG-10.Ībout the brand: Sally Hansen founded her eponymous beauty brand in New York in 1946, and it’s been a household name ever since.
