As a veteran in-salon shellac-er, I was sceptical my skills could hold up to my go-to nail artist, Alexandra. And, to be honest, of course they couldn’t. She is an artist with a brush. 

However, my budget doesn’t often stretch to multiple shellac manicures and pedicures a month, plus, the time waiting between appointments with glaring regrowth is a serious bugbear. 

So, when I first tried the Mylee LED gel polish kit, I went slow and steady – very much a tortoise instead of a hare. I knew that mistakes would be harder (nay, impossible) to amend when the polish was cured.

The result, a solid, almost seamless shellac manicure, all from the comfort of my living room. The process was identical to an in-salon experience (besides the lack of ambient background 00s pop music), and it didn’t feel at all laborious doing it myself. 

Shop Mylee The Full Works Complete Gel Polish Kit, £129

Unlike regular gel nail polish, the Manicurist Green Flash Basic Kit cures polish using an LED lamp, rather than UV, which means there’s none of that unnerving aching sensation you get when your fingers have been under the light for a little too long.

You first paint on a base coat, followed by two colour coats and finally a topcoat, setting under the light in between each layer. The key is making sure each layer is as thin as you can manage. This is what makes sure the polish cures quickly, and stays put for longer. 

Acetone-free, this kit is perfect if you hate the dehydrated feeling that can come with traditional gel manicures.

Shop Manicurist Green Flash Basic Kit, £55

If you hotdesk, travel regularly, or just prefer something that can fit inside your coat pocket, the Le Mini Macaron is the curing light for you. 

Powered by a USB cord, it can slot into a plug socket, attach to your computer or portable charger, curing polish in 30 seconds. The light is also suitable for pedicures – the magnetic top can be moved around. 

Remember, though, curing one nail at a time (and that includes a base coat, two to four layers of polish, and a topcoat) will extend the length of the process. 

Shop Le Mini Macaron Gel Manicure Kit at FeelUnique, £29.70

A professional grade-light, SunUV uses UV LED light to cure gel nail polish in various time increments, either 10, 30, 60, or 90 seconds.

Unlike other options, this light has an automatic sensor to expedite the process of your manicure or pedicure, too.

Shop SunUV Professional Nail Dryer and Curer, £49.99

A comprehensive starter kit, the Modelones at-home gel nail kit includes the essentials to prep and paint your nails but also embellish them with nail stickers and rhinestones. (Euphoria vibes, anyone?)

Shop Modelones UV Gel Nail Polish Kit Starter, £39.99

A slightly smaller kit from leading brand Mylee, it includes a UV lamp that cures polish in two minutes, as well as preparation tools, a base and top coat and the four ‘essential’ shades – dark red, delicate pinks and a mauve.

Shop Mylee Black UV Lamp Kit with Gel Nail Polish Essentials, £60