We loved the pampering of getting a manicure, but the almost instant chipping of regular polish wasn’t worth the time sitting at the dryer. The gel manicure eliminated the drama of keeping a mani intact, but it came at a price. But now you can nab the gel-manicure at home for a fraction of the cost at the salon thanks to Sally Hansen. Here’s a step-by-step guide on getting the look for yourself.

Cut your nails to the length you feel comfortable with and push your cuticles back so you have the most room for the gel. Buff away any ridges or cuticle that remains on the nail for a smooth surface.

Use the Sally Hansen nail cleanser pad included in the kit to remove any dirt or oil that may be on the nail so the get can stick properly.

This is where things can get tricky. If you’re pressed for time you can use the Insta-gel strips just like the brand’s Salon Effects Real Nail Polish by applying the strip and gently filing off the excess. And apply the provided gel topcoat.

If you have a little more time, you can start by applying a thin layer of the base coat that comes in the gel polish kit.

Use the LED lamp to cure the nails for 30 seconds. If using the strips it’ll take 30 seconds for each nail.

If you’ve picked the polishes you can cure more nails at a time, but you’ll need to cure for each layer: base, polish, and topcoat.

Use the provided nail cleanser pads to wipe away the residue that may be left for either the strips or gel polish.

Without the worry about any extra drying, smudging, or chipping, you can enjoy the extra time you saved on manicure whether you tried the gel polish or the gel strips.