This DIY Nail Kit Gave Me Flawless-Looking Nails for Over a Week (2025)

Even when everything else is falling apart and I feel like a hot mess, when my nails are done, I feel pulled together. Maybe that's why I've spent hundreds of dollars and countless hours sitting at the nail salon getting dip powder manicures over the past few years. My natural nails are tiny and rarely grow without breaking, so with the help of the powder dip nail coating, my real nails were able to grow into long, almond-shaped ones that slimmed my hands and made me feel like a real-life Disney princess. I loved my dip powder nails so much that I posted a pic to IG stories the second I left the salon and taught myself how to type, cook, and even diaper my kids with them on—not an easy feat.

This DIY Nail Kit Gave Me Flawless-Looking Nails for Over a Week (1)

But as my busy schedule got even busier, I couldn't justify the time and money I was spending. So one day, I asked my nail technician to remove the dip powder and—gulp—chop off my long nails. As much as this act signified freedom from the salon and a fresh start on my healthy nail journey, I was quickly reminded of the role my nails play in my confidence. Nonetheless, I asked for two coats of pale pink polish and tried to embrace the au naturale look. But, TBH, it proved to be a big beauty bummer. (Of course there is absolutely nothing wrong with natural nails; I'm just being honest about my experience.)

Salon X-Tend LED Soft Gel Nail Kit in Gloria

What It Is

After a few weeks of rocking my natural nails (I did feel especially light!), I received the Kiss Salon X-Tend LED Soft Gel System. The name sounds complicated, but basically, it's a set of pre-polished gel nails that you apply with glue before curing them with an LED lamp (which is included in the Starter Set and costs $24). It's a little more involved than straight up press on nails, but you can still do it at home. Now, by no means am I a nail pro—I can't even paint with my non-dominant hand. And I haven't worn fake nails since the French-tipped acrylics I wore to high school prom, but this set was calling my name so I decided to give it a whirl. Let's just say I was shocked at how easy it was to use, how well and long it lasted, and how good it instantly made me look—and feel. This set is confidence in a box.

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How It Works

The Salon X-tend collection features 18 different looks (shapes, lengths, designs) so there's something for every vibe. I chose "Gloria," a medium length, almond-shaped, pale pinky-nude—the same set Camila Cabello recently wore to the Video Music Awards. A few tips I learned and want to share: After unboxing the nails, it's important to make sure they're sized correctly since everyone's nail shapes are so different. I matched each fake nail to my real nail, filing if I needed to tweak any of the nail sizes (like I said, my nails are tiny). Next—and this is key when prepping your nails for extension application—I used a Prep Pad (nail polish remover on a cotton pad would suffice) to remove any old polish and/or oil that could mess with the adhesive.

After my nails were dry, I used a file to gently buff my nail bed—a tip I received from celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, who works with the brand. "This provides some grit for the nails to hold onto; if they're super smooth, the nails could slip off easier," she explained. Next, I put a dot of glue onto the back of the tip and firmly pressed it onto my nail, working from the cuticle to the tip. Lastly, I placed my nail under the LED lamp (which is sold separately and in the Starter Kit) for up to two minutes to cure. You repeat the process until all of your nails are done. You're good to go, unless you want to make any adjustments. I trimmed the length a tiny bit and filed them to a shape of my liking. After about 15 minutes, my nails went from wimpy to wow. Here's a shot of them below.

This DIY Nail Kit Gave Me Flawless-Looking Nails for Over a Week (3)

How Long They Lasted

The company says the nails last up to 14 days. While mine didn't last quite that long (on day seven, a few fell off), I still got a week's worth of gorgeous, Pinterest-worthy nails. And in the name of testing, I left the others on, and on day 14, I still had five nails going strong! They felt super lightweight and they didn't catch or snag on anything. I also loved how easy the removal process was. There was no long, harsh soaking. You simply squeeze the Glue Off (another product in the line that's sold separately) along your cuticle, wait a minute, then use the chisel tip to lightly lift the fake nail. This was easy, painless, and best of all, it didn't damage my natural nails, something I can't say for any previous nail treatments I tried.

The Verdict

Will I be applying these nails every week? Probably not. But you better believe the next time I have an event, I'll be reaching for a new set. It saves me time and money, and yet I still get my sexy nail fix when I need it. As a busy mom, the 15-minute application time is well worth a week of Hailey Bieber-esque nails. As they say, the juice is worth the squeeze.

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This DIY Nail Kit Gave Me Flawless-Looking Nails for Over a Week (2025)
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