We all want to have super-fantastic nails, but a lot of the time it’s the case that we can’t afford the price tag coming with them. Whether you want long nail extensions, or you simply want to have a color for every weekend, it is entirely possible to obtain salon-quality nails at home, provided you purchase the right equipment for the job.
If you want to have those shiny, strong nails you see on salon advertisements, you need to find the best LED gel lamp for your needs, as well as making sure you don’t go over budget, and also that your favorite polishes are compatible with the type of lamp.
Never fear, however! We are going to talk about what to look for when searching for the best LED nail lamp for gel nails and we’re also going to talk a little about the UV nail lamp too, just to bring the whole subject into a full circle.
Where do you start?
Well, first things first, what type of nails do you want to achieve? Most people love the shine and strength of gel, and in that case, you need gel polish and you need a lamp. Shellac is one of the most famous types of this nail version on the market currently, and this is entirely possible to achieve at home, with a little practice.
There are ways to use gel nail polish without actually using a UV or LED nail lamp also, however these may lack the overall strength of nails which have been cured under a lamp.
What is curing? Basically this is the process of allowing your nails to dry and strengthen with the aid of a lamp, either LED light or UV light. You can choose between the two types of lamp, and we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each in a short while.
For this chat however, we are focusing mainly on the best LED nail lamp for your personal needs, because of most nail polishes cure well with LED light. Having said that, you shouldn’t assume that the best UV nail lamp doesn’t work with nail polishes, it’s really a case of checking on the polish packaging.
Okay, so let’s talk about what you need to think about before you decide on the best LED nail lamp for gel nails.
#1 - Budget
You need to set yourself a budget and stick to it. If you’re a beginner, don’t spend too much, because you may find that gel nails aren’t for you!
Of course, this is unlikely, and having a curing lamp in your house will give you the flexibility to give yourself a great set of nails for a special occasion, without having to head to the salon.
If you go to the salon for your nails regularly, you should probably add up how much this is costing you over a year – it is, therefore, probably cheaper to do it yourself and consequently, finding the best LED gel lamp is a more pressing concern!
#2 - The types of nail polishes you regularly use
We touched upon this briefly, but you need to know that the type of nail polishes you like and regularly use are compatible with the type of lamp you’re going for. UV lamps generally work to cure all polishes, whereas LED curing lamps only cure LED nail polishes.
If you enjoy using Shellac, you will need to find the best UV nail lamp for you, because certain ones don’t work so well with LED nail lamps. Having said that, most big named nail polishes on the market do work with LED nail lamps aside from Shellac, so it’s really a case of checking the small print on the packaging before you make your final decision.
#3 - The changes in curing time
On the whole, LED nail lamps cure polishes much quicker than UV lamps, averaging around 30 seconds per layer, compared to 90 seconds per layer on a UV lamp.
If you’re pushed for time, LED is, therefore, better for you and it is also thought to be much more energy efficient as a result. LED bulbs also never need to be replaced, whereas UV bulbs do.
#4 - Warranty options
The length of warranty will totally depend on the brand you go for and where you purchase it from. This is something you should look into carefully because you get a large amount of peace of mind when you have a warranty to fall back on.
#5 - Added extras
When shopping around for the best LED nail lamp for your particular needs, you need to check out the various added extras on offer too.
For instance, some lamps have timers you can set for custom performance, some have motion sensors which turn the lamp off when you remove your hand, therefore, saving energy, and some have fans included. Another plus point is a lamp which has a detachable bottom, because that way you can use it for pedicure curing, as well as manicure curing.
DIY gel nails are not that difficult, and it's really about patience. You should always ensure that you allow each layer of the gel polish to cure completely before adding another – sometimes it's hard to stay patient, but if you rush this process, you're simply going to end up with ruined nails from the get-go. '