So you’ve decided you want to do your nails yourself, but don’t have the time to figure out every detail needed to get started. Or maybe you’ve been around the block a few times and need a professional solution (we see you 👀).
Don’t worry—you won’t need to include finding the perfect nail starter kit in your 99 problems. VBP has it all with gel and acrylic nail kits for beginners, intermediates, and professionals. These kits are so great, in fact, they’re even popular with our professional nail techs as well.
We’ll lay it all out on the table and help you decide which is the best acrylic nail kit for you and/or your clients.
What Are Acrylic Nails?
We wouldn’t be doing our due diligence here if we didn’t get the basics out of the way. If you’re a pro looking for the right bundle, scroll a bit down and avoid the technicalities.
First of all, what even are acrylic nails? You’ve probably heard of acrylic before, but whether you know what it is, is another story. This ultra-popular, durable nail style binds to the natural nail to provide strength and length. Acrylic uses a a mixture of liquid monomer and powder polymer and is manipulated until the desired shape is created 💅.
So, what’s the big deal with acrylic nails?
- Strength: If you want the strongest option out there, choose acrylic rather than gel or regular polish.
- Flexibility: Acrylic nails let you get super creative with shape and nail art. They also allow you to go as long as you desire!
- Damage Control: There’s nothing worse than a chipped nail. Acrylic nails are less likely to peel, chip, or scuff than other types.
While acrylic nails are safe to use, you should take a break from them every three to six months to maintain the health of your natural nails. It’s not you, it’s them.
Usually, you’ll want to have your acrylic nails removed at a salon because that’s the fastest, easiest, and safest way to remove them. These may be removed at home without a professional, but do make sure to be gentle. Removing them roughly can lead to damaging your natural nail.
So, the downsides of acrylics? They can be difficult to remove and don’t look as natural as gel nails.
What Are Gel Nails?
If acrylic nails aren’t your thing, because you want a more natural look, or because you’re looking for an alternative, gel nails are the way to go. Created using acrylic monomers and oligomers that bond to your natural nail, gel polish uses a UV light to finish off the process. It is painted on just like normal nail polish, but it must be cured under the aforementioned UV light in order to dry.
Some say once you go gel, you can never go back. But others are loyal devotees to acrylic. It’s easy to get confused which side to choose, but here are a few advantages gel has over acrylic:
- More natural in look and feel.
- Easier to remove (avoid the salon and save time/money).
- Healthier than acrylic options.
So now that that’s taken care of, let’s talk kits.
What Makes the Best Acrylic Nail Kits and Gel Nail Kits?
First and foremost, the best nail starter kit for beginners or pros depends on what you’re looking for and what you need. Kits are great because they contain all the things you need (usually at a discounted rate). This is what we aim to do at VBP - provide value and great quality in our tailored nail kits. Our kits include:
- High-quality ingredients
- Easy to use products
- A variety of products for an easy one-stop-shop for all your nail needs
- Colors that are true and pigmented
The kits offered by VBP have some of the highest quality ingredients and provide a flawless result. Get pigmented, smooth, bubble-free nails every time and avoid a crusty, uneven finish.
What Are the Key Components of an Acrylic Nail Kit?
Any acrylic nail kit worth your time will have the holy grails. 🏆
- Dehydrator: This is essential to remove the oils from your nail to create a fresh base.
- Bonder: Time to get cozy up in here. This step binds the acrylic to your nail.
- Liquid monomer: You’ll need this to create the acrylic itself.
- Acrylic powders: Go nude or fluorescent with the acrylic powders in your nail kit.
- Top coat: A high-quality gel polish top coat will seal it all in.
These are the components of a great acrylic nail kit, but you’ll want to purchase other tools as well. Some of these tools include a basic nail file and buff, a cuticle pusher, acrylic brush, and more, depending on your level. Note: if you already have these items, we have other bundles that contain just powder as well for your convenience.
Assessing Your Skill Level
Before you choose your kit, you’ll want to determine your skill level. Here are a few questions to get started:
- How often do you do acrylic or gel nails?
- Do you prefer acrylic nails or gel polish?
- Do you have clients, or are you doing them yourself?
- What are your future goals?
- How much are you willing to invest?
Who Is Considered a Beginner?
Where are all of our rookies? There’s a special place in our hearts for beginners ready to build a solid foundation and perfect the basics.
If you’re new to the nail craft, we’d count you as a beginner. Typically, beginners do not have experience or equipment and need to begin building up their arsenal. If you’re trying to grow your skills in nail art or are trying to do your own nails to save money, you can consider yourself a beginner. However, if you’re considering going pro in the future, you may want to level up your kit.
What Can You Do with the Beginner Kit?
A beginner kit for either gel or acrylic includes the basic tools you need to get started. With the gel kit, you will learn to apply base coat, one to two thin coats of pigmented gel polish, and a top coat evenly to cover the entire nail, prevent any bubbles or dents, and master the curing process. This will give you a solid one-color manicure that you can perfect over time.
For acrylics, our beginner kit will walk you through the process of using liquid monomer to transform your acrylic powders into a malleable texture to create your desired shape. You’ll have the whole process down in no time. We even have Youtube videos to guide you through the process!
What Is the Best Gel Nail Starter Kit for Beginners?
The basic Gel Polish Starter Kit is perfect for any beginner and includes three items:
- A base coat preps the nails and creates a barrier between the nail and the rest of the polish and topcoat.
- A gel polish color of your choice. Choose from over 120 shades, including glitter, iridescent, and solid colors.
- A non-wipe gel topcoat that seals in your color for long-lasting wear and a beautiful glossy finish.
What Is the Best Acrylic Nail Starter Kit for Beginners?
As an acrylic nail kit for beginners, VBP offers Acrylic System - The Beginner Kit. It includes a nail liquid monomer, non-wipe top gel, and super bond primer for the nail base.
As for the acrylic powders, it comes with the Bad N Boujee acrylic powder, which is our most popular light pink color.. It also has crystal clear acrylic powder and #135 Skin Tight pigment acrylic powder (a sheer pink with glitter). If you want to exude class and elegance, look no further this kit is it.
Who Is Considered Intermediate?
The intermediate nail artist has the basics down and is moving on to more difficult techniques. They tend to have a solid foundation of knowledge, skill, and inventory. They are on the journey of perfecting the nail art game.
If you find yourself bored with the same solid nail paint or French tip of the beginner stage, you are ready to move on to the next step. Spread your wings and get creative with designs and techniques!
An intermediate nail artist could be doing nails on others for a fee or even beginning to work in a salon. You may see the nail kit as a way to get creative and improve your skills to build toward a level of professionalism.
What Can You Do with the Intermediate Kit?
This thirst for new knowledge and creativity means you need a kit that expands the boundaries and lets you explore. Intermediate kits will contain additional products to step up your game.
Our Gel Nail Kit is great for intermediate artists . It gives you a little more to play with than the Gel Polish Starter Kit. If you want to expand your horizons, jump in here!
Who Is Considered Pro?
Now you’ve reached the big leagues. A professional nail artist is in the advanced or expert level, has clients and a professional license, and works in a salon or has an independent business. Of course, you can still be a “pro” without these things, but for those with imposter syndrome, if you checked off those items, there should be no doubt - you are a pro!
Jenny Bui and other celebrity nail artists are some of the most well-known nail artists. Experts have been working in the field long enough to master their craft and create a personal style, and they may even mentor other artists.
As a professional, you can create outside of what you were taught and offer fresh perspectives. You recognize areas for improvement for yourself and the system, be it your salon or even the industry.
What Can You Do with the Pro Kit?
Due to the high level of professionalism, there is a larger need for more variety in a kit, so it would be very worth investing in a larger kit to offer clients many options. If you fall into this category, you’ll get the most value out of our pro kit.
Our entire acrylic system lineup, OG gel full line, and level up line will be perfect if you're into acrylics. You can offer a comprehensive service with this kit, so your clients will have a huge range of options to choose from. You’ll have the rainbow at your fingertips, so dig in and get crafting!
Get Started on Your Nail Journey Today with VBP
Your nails can be fashion-forward and should celebrate you, your passions, and your career. VBP works to provide the best quality nail products so you can create the most beautiful works of nail art with as much ease as possible.
Gel polish and acrylic nail kits come in all shapes and sizes. Choosing the kit appropriate for your skill level and intentions makes shopping easier and takes out the guesswork. If you don’t see a kit that works for you, you can always opt to build your own kit.
Whether you’re a novice or a pro, don’t settle for anything less than the best. Our kits are the highest quality on the market and we can’t wait to see what you create. Let’s get started together.