We Tried Two Viral At-Home Mani Systems to Save Extra $$ — Here’s How It Went

What We Tested…

• Olive & June’s Gel Mani System, ($115+) 

• Livi Beauty’s The Gel Manicure System™, ($65) 

Why Alessandra Tested...

Test Results...

• All-inclusive kit. This kit comes with everything you need for salon-quality nails from home. We’re talking top and base coats (including a peel-off version for easy removal), buffer, file, clippers, cuticle remover cream, cuticle serum, cuticle pusher, polish remover, touch-up brush, and an LED gel lamp for curing. Everything is neat and compact for easy storage. I did notice that the plug-in cord for the light was a little short, but the lamp uses a USB-C cable so it was easy for me to swap it for one of my own cords. 

• Quick-drying. One of the first things that stood out to me was how quickly this tiny LED lamp actually dried my nails. The machine has one power button with two options: a one-minute and a two-minute timer. Truthfully, I didn’t need more than 60 seconds after each layer. This made the entire process more efficient and I didn’t feel like I was waiting an eternity for them to dry (which is usually how I feel at the salon). Each hand took about 15 minutes total to paint and dry the base layer, two color coats, and a top layer. 

• Quality. Everything in this kit feels like it’s built to last. The nail clippers are covered in a smooth silicone-like material for an easy grip. The buffer tool and nail file are both easy to hold and appropriately rough. The light is about three times smaller than my old gel UV light but works so much better. I will note that the polish has a thicker consistency so it felt a little goopy at first, but it was easy to get used to and didn’t create a mess. 

• Long-lasting. I’ve had my nails done for about a week since writing this article and I have found zero (I repeat, zero) chips. The polish hasn’t lifted either (my pet peeve), so it’s not snagging on anything. Nine days later, and you’d think I went to the salon yesterday.

Why Margo Tested...

Test Results...

• Ease of use. As a lefty, painting my nails is simply a no from me, but I also hate how messy press-ons can get. The Livi system uses pre-cured nail stickers, so it’s an in-between solution. Put simply, it’s the easiest at-home manicure I've ever applied and I was floored with the results. The kit comes with everything you need, and after following the simple instructions you'll have a glossy gel manicure in just about 20 minutes.

• Comfort. These nail stickers are thin, strong, and comfortable to wear. It feels like an actual gel manicure, rather than press-ons.

• Lasting power. The brand claims that these will last from a week to 14 days, depending on how you take care of your nails. This feels accurate to me, as I've had some manicures last a week and some last about nine days.

• Affordability. If you're a gel manicure person, I cannot rave enough about how affordable this kit is. The initial starter system comes with every single tool you need and two manicures’ worth of gel stickers for $65. There's also a subscription offering that brings the system price down to $50. The gel stickers on their own are $20, so once you have the system, you can spend $20 on an at-home gel manicure, which in my eyes is a win.

• Skin safety. One of the biggest concerns people have with gel manicures is that the UV lights can cause skin damage. Livi's UV light is small and uses a lower voltage, plus the gel stickers are 60% cured when you put them on your nails. If you still want extra protection, you can apply sunscreen to your hands or buy some UV gloves.

• Compact size. This entire system fits into one small pouch that's easy to pack and store. I love this for travel and general small space storage.

• Removal. These gel stickers are not damaging and they aren't a pain to remove. In the kit, you'll also get some cuticle oil and a wooden cuticle pusher. All you have to do to remove the stickers is apply the oil around the circumference of your nail bed and use the cuticle tool to push up the edges. The stickers will easily peel off from there.

Sidenotes...

• The Olive & June system has clear, step-by-step instructions (with visuals) printed right on the box, making it very beginner-friendly. 

  • Pro tip: Don’t skip the cuticle care portion. The serums and tools are high quality for a reason. If you skip, you’ll run the risk of painting over your cuticles, which can cause the polish to lift over time. 

• Livi currently offers 16 colors on their site, and four colors on their Amazon page, though there aren’t really any nail art and other funky design options.

The Fine Details...

• Olive & June’s Gel Mani System, ($115+)

• Livi Beauty’s The Gel Manicure System™, ($65)