Martinez says soft gel nail polish—which is brushed onto the nail like traditional nail polish—is perfect for creating shorter, natural-looking nails.

I love getting my nails done as much as the next person—from a structured gel mani to the TikTok-famous Russian manicure, I'm down to try anything. That's the fun part. The not-so-fun part?

Our pick of the best gel nail kits with UV or LED lamps will help you create a salon-worthy manicure at home and save money. Shop the best in 2025.