Fashion & Beauty

4 Women Honestly Review Gel-X Manicures (+ 42 Nail Art Ideas We Actually Tried)

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It’s been nine months since my first Gel-X manicure and let me tell you: I’m never going back. Dips? Acrylics? Extensions? Regular gel? NO MORE FOR ME, THANK YOU. So today, I wanted to share a little bit more about Gel-X (you know – what it is, how much it costs, how long it lasts, the pros/cons) buuuuut I also wanted to bring in a few familiar faces to share their opinions and experiences. (If you’re the type of person with the dexterity to paint your own nails, we’re also sharing 42 different shots of our actual manicures – maybe we can spark some of your creativity! And, if you’re like, “uh, nails aren’t for me,” there’s even a picture of a real-life horse in here! Why? You’ll find out! Anyway, something for everyone!) Let’s start with the high-level overview, yeah?

Basically, Gel-X is a press-on nail that cures like gel (read: your nail technician will size up your hands, glue on a nail of your preferred shape/length, and your ~new nails~ will be firmly attached for about a month after you shove your hand under one of those UV lights). Once everything has cured, your technician will proceed as normal – polish, art, lotion, oil, an occasional full hand model photoshoot for their IG, etc. – and when you’re finally ready to come back in a few weeks to switch things up, the removal process is the same as it would be for any standard gel manicure.

i’ll pop in later with more of my nail art, but here’s a taste!

Gel-X nails are flexible (so they won’t snap in half when you jam your hand into a wall, or a counter, or your car, or some other place, as regular humans are wont to do). They’re also really lightweight, especially when compared to acrylics, and they look natural – or, uh, as natural as neon cow print nails can look, at least.

More than anything, though, I’ve found that Gel-X nails just make me feel really, really, really great. There’s something kind of fun and visceral about clacking away on something, you know? But this isn’t just about me – three other EHD gals have hopped on the Gel-X train, so I wanted to grab their unbiased opinions, too. I’ll check in with you below (and I’ll spill the details on my average spend!), but first…let me throw it over to the queen of nail art, Veronica.

Veronica

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? My first Gel-X manicure was in June of 2021, because I wanted to do something special for my birthday, and since then it’s been a nice once-a-month self-care routine during the pandemic. :)

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? Before Gel-X, I had gotten gel on my regular nails and tried press ons / glue ons, but those only averaged about 2 weeks max.

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? Not really. Gel-X is better for your nails than acrylics, but your nails do thin still because of them being sanded down in the process.

What’s your preferred shape and length? I go back and forth between getting somewhere between an almond and stiletto shape and a square shape. I usually keep them short-medium length because of my job (photographer who works on her computer most days, or is dealing with equipment when I’m on set).

How long do your appointments take? Appointments take between 1.5 – 2 hours.

How long do your nails stay on? I’ve never had a nail fall off when getting Gel-X, and I usually get mine done anywhere between three and four weeks because my nails grow out pretty quickly.

How do your nails feel? My nails feel good, not like they are being ruined or anything, but they are thinner for sure since starting Gel-X! Although, my nails have always been on the thin side.

Is there an average cost? The place I go to is on the more expensive side (between $90-100 before tip) because I found a nail tech I really love and trust, but I know a salon that a pal of mine has gone to and it’s around $65 starting price. It really just depends on the salon, but I have found it’s important to go somewhere you feel the techs are able to take care of your nails in a healthy way.

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? I use Pinterest and Instagram for nail inspo and have saved boards on both. Two accounts I follow on Instagram are: Nia Ho & Vivian W and the other saved posts have popped up on my explore page. :)

Any pros and cons? I’m not a professional, so I can only speak to my personal opinion lol but pros – if you want something that will last without having to worry about chipping, breaking, or touch-ups, then the Gel-X is a great option.

Cons – it can add up and get expensive depending on how often you get them done and it’s important to get them taken off in a salon so you don’t ruin your nails trying to do them yourself.

Ryann

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? I started October 2021.

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? Years and years ago I used to get acrylic nails but I hated it. More recently I was a press-on nail gal but only for special occasions.

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? Oh yeah. At first, I felt like I couldn’t do anything with long nails but I got used to it pretty fast. Typing was very hard at first (I looked like this).

What’s your preferred shape and length? I get the medium length and almond shape.

How long do your appointments take? If I am getting a Gel-X removal plus a new set it usually takes an hour and a half.

How long do your nails stay on? The longest I have gone between appointments is 4 weeks and they were still holding on!

How do your nails feel? My actual nails feel a lot stronger than they did when I used to get acrylics. I think the Gel-X is a lot more gentle on your actual nails.

Is there an average cost? With tip it’s between $100-150 (when you do designs versus a solid color it’s closer to $150).

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? Instagram or my friends!

Any pros and cons? Pros: I feel put together even when I am wearing sweats. And I get compliments all the time. :’)

Cons: If the technician cuts my actual nails too short before putting the Gel X on as my nails start to grow out it can be painful because my nails start to grow into my nail bed (it’s gross I know). But the easy fix to this is to tell your nail tech not to cut your actual nails.

Jess

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? October 5, 2021 (my birthday:)).

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? I went a couple of years getting gel manicures all the time when I worked in restaurants because it was the only kind that actually lasted. Getting a regular mani at the time was like throwing money directly into the trash. Then a few years ago I got a gel manicure with a design for the first time and my god I loved it but wasn’t able to afford it on the regular. This go around however was my first time EVER getting “fake nails”. My mom gave me a hard no when I wanted those french tip acrylics in middle school. I guess being like all the other cool girls wasn’t a good enough argument.

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? Lol yes. I felt like Edward Scissorhands but less proficient for at least a week. I remember the next morning trying to put on my leggings thinking “I don’t think I can dress myself. This nail thing is a LIFESTYLE!” I was mainly afraid of them ripping off which is apparently a VERY normal experience for newbs like me. But then when I got my second and now with my third, they just feel like my normal fingernails.

the 2nd set that felt too wide (they also were a little shorter to be fair)

What’s your preferred shape and length? I love an almond shape and medium length. I don’t know if “medium” is a technical term but I want them to look longish and elegant but still want to be able to you know, type. I will also say that the physical gel-x shape is I think called Stiletto (not the tip shape but fact check me on that). Basically, I like the nail to look slender. The second set I got (the green one above) felt a little wide for me. Just something to think about if you are going in for the first time or if you want a different look.

How long do your appointments take? Eh, 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the design. The first time is the shortest since they don’t have to remove your old set.

How long do your nails stay on? So far about six weeks. BUT I have chosen designs where the “background” is clear or “natural”. Why that’s a good idea if you want to stretch out your mani is that the grow-out is less noticeable than if I had a solid color.

How do your nails feel? Ok, so the plan is to have my real nails grow long enough to where I can just go back to gel manicures and they are almost there (except one stupid one that broke so not sure if I need to wait until that one grows back). That being said, you can see my real nails when I flip my hands over. It’s not the prettiest if I’m honest but I’ve got goals. So when you go, you have the choice to keep your natural nails long or cut them short so you really can’t see them ever. How do my real nails feel you ask? When the fake ones get shaved off, they feel oookay. Look, it’s a sacrifice. I don’t know if it’s possible to have perfectly healthy nails and do anything beyond a regular manicure. All I know is that for now, I love having my nails done and fun for six weeks at a time.

Is there an average cost? $105 + Tip (I usually give $30 because they do such a great job and they are literally painting art onto my hands).

left: really long nails | right: short (for me:)) nails

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? Pinterest and Instagram. I have folders that I save to. But also Beyonce was my last inspiration so look at those celeb nails too! Veronica also shares accounts she loves which is so fun and very sweet of her. We go to the same salon too!

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Any pros and cons? Pros: I LOVE my nails and they make me feel sexy, powerful, and put together.

Cons: It’s not cheap and I know that my real nails aren’t living their best lives. Oh, and activities like bowling and putting on necklaces are hard.

Caitlin

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? Got my first one on May 19, 2021 and I never went back.

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? I used to spend a bunch on standard gel manicures with full art – that’s the one beauty splurge that I really loved – but I had a really bad habit of picking it all off, which (a.) made my hands look kind of gnarly and (b.) was not great for the health of my nails.

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? For me, no. I was used to having longer nails so other than the constant fear that they were going to pop off, they felt totally normal to me.

What’s your preferred shape and length? I started with medium ovals, but I moved into long territory with the set you see above. Scale-wise, I think longer ones look best on my hands.

How long do your appointments take? Removal can take 30-45 minutes and then my new manicure can be another 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how much detail I’m looking for.

How long do your nails stay on? I maxed out at 8 weeks for the holidays – I literally had to cut them like my regular nails because they’d grown out so much. That said, I did experience some lifting on the base of my pointer finger when I first started – this was remedied by bringing it up to my nail tech and I haven’t had any problems since! If you’re doing a lot of schlepping or manual work, I’d highly recommend flagging that before your first set.

How do your nails feel? Good! While I don’t mean to suggest that Gel-X is making my nails stronger, they’re in WAY better shape than when I used to get gel manicures sanded off every two weeks. When my sets are removed, my nails look pretty normal, too – no breakage or thinning is happening underneath the Gel-X nail.

Is there an average cost? I pay a $20 booking fee to reserve my spot and then manicures are $60-100, depending on how crazy I’m getting. Tips are always 20-25% – so basically $100 on the low end, $150 on the high end.

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? NIA!!! My nail tech is LA’s best-kept secret and while I kind of don’t want to share the intel (it’s already hard to get an appointment – she’s popular!!!), YOU MUST CHECK OUT HER INSTAGRAM. I do not know how Nia does not have a million followers – she can do ANYTHING. Seriously, her IG page is filled with a staggering variety and you’re guaranteed to find something inspiring there. SHE IS THE BEST. (I wouldn’t want to spend ~2 hours with anyone else.)

as promised – this is doolittle, a big sweet dummy who loves to eat bananas, and these are my thanksgiving nails after a month of growth!

Any pros and cons? Pros: I feel really powerful and kind of intimidating when my nails are done. Shampooing my scalp feels like a dream. If I’m going to spend at least 8 hours a day typing, it cheers me up to see a little party going on at the tips of my fingers. Clinking my nails on glasses makes me feel really happy.

Cons: COST. I mean, when I break it down, I do think they bring me at least $3 of joy per day…but it’s not an essential and if things ever went south, I’m totally aware that this would be the first item cut from my budget. I don’t love subjecting my hands to such isolated UV rays once a month and sometimes I forget SPF before my appointments. Picking up coins is challenging. Working lobster clasps on jewelry is impossible. Nia’s studio is walking distance from my apartment and I get catcalled by a lot of creeps on my way to get my nails done. Despite all this…they’re worth it to me.

If you’re self-assured (I’m not) and want to give Gel-X a whirl at home, you can grab a kit right here. If not, check Yelp to find a highly-reviewed technician near you – if you’re going to splurge, make sure it’s on someone who can deliver long-lasting results that’ll make you smile.

But now I must know – what say you??? Tell me about your nail habits! Show me your nail art! Send me your inspo accounts! (I have an appointment next week and need a jumping-off point if anyone has suggestions.) LET’S JUST TALK ABOUT OUR HANDS.

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How to Grow and Care for Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata) Indoors

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Dragon Tree Care Dragon trees are very popular as large potted plants for homes and offices. Here are the most important care requirements. Plant in well-draining soil Water regularly during their growing season. Place in bright, indirect light, though they can thrive in a variety of light conditions. Fertilize conservatively at the beginning of spring. Light Place your dragon tree in an area with bright, indirect light. These plants can also survive in partial shade. Keep in mind that plants kept in lower light situations will grow slower and produce smaller leaves with less intense color. Additionally, take care not to place your dragon tree in a spot that receives direct rays of sunlight—its foliage can burn easily.2 Soil Use a loose, well-drained potting mix when growing a dragon tree as a potted plant—loamy soil amended with peat moss is ideal. Make sure the container you choose has room for the plant's extensive root system. 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Gardening

Now Is the Best Time to Fertilize Fruit Trees for Huge Harvests—How to Do It Like a Pro

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Home Decor

The River House Primary Bathroom Reveal (Including A Sauna!! And Mirrors In Front Of The Window)

Today we have quite the luxury bathroom for you – including a hers and his shared shower, a view of the river, a heated toilet, and a sauna inside the bathroom (I’m truly jealous). It’s another River House bathroom, my favorite one that is so warm and airy – and the white tile in here might be my favorite I’ve ever used. The bathroom itself is more long and narrow – the shower faces east and the windows over the vanity are south. The footprint of this wing was dictated by how the house was designed by Anne Usher (the architect) and built by JP Macy of Sierra Custom Construction. It’s not huge so it had to be really thoughtful in how it was going to be maximized. They actually added the sauna near the end which I think they stole by flipping the toilet room and getting rid of that small storage cabinet between the old toilet room and the vanity area. Here you can see how it connects to the primary bedroom. 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To the right of the bathroom is the tub/shower wet room and it’s so flooded with light, bouncing off all the textures in the tile and the faucets – it’s extremely dreamy to be in there. Because we were working with Kohler on this we were able to go all out in the plumbing department – a rain shower, two showerheads for joint showering, and a hand shower. Their new Statement and Anthem line is so beautiful and with a lot of flexibility and customization – with options for mechanical valves that don’t require electrical in addition to plumbing (so an easier install) or digital. We chose the Ceric tub because it was the narrowest and has such a sculptural and classic shape. The water temp is automatically set and you simply just push on and off and it reaches that temperature. The look of it is so design-forward, but the function is really simple. The tub is big enough for two people but doesn’t have a huge footprint so fitting into this shower was just fine (which was something we worried about and went through all the exercises like bringing a cardboard template to make sure it fit). The knob controls the temperature and the buttons turn it on and off (and control the hand shower). It’s just so streamlined and squared off with these modern round knobs – so graphic and simple. Each person gets to control their own temperature, all pre-set by them, and they can change the water pressure and stream with a few different options (there is a really fun spray that is so soft that we love). This tile is one of my favorites I’ve ever used – such a pretty texture with white and vertical organic stripes. We stacked them horizontally and the vibe is so rich and textured, and yet still calm. Ann Sacks has a lot of stone tile as well, and we chose the large format 12×24 for the vanity floor and then switched to a small herringbone of the same tile for the shower room (smaller tile always works to slope better towards the drain). It’s all so gorgeous. The stone has a lot of warmth and green in it, calling back to the trees outside all the windows. I can’t stop staring at it. Anne (the architect) designed this storage cabinet with three shelves and a door for extra storage. The Kohler hooks are black to help pull in the black sliding door frame and all the black light switches (we also chose a black hand towel bar). The Sauna Now, TBH I had very little to do design-wise with this sauna, beyond my extreme support and enthusiasm. The best part is that it’s both infrared AND a traditional dry sauna. I’m so jealous. Essentially the infrared goes deeper and some say is better for your skin, but they don’t heat up to be as hot as fast (and you have to stay in much longer to get the benefits) whereas a traditional dry sauna can get really hot and you only need 20 minutes to drip with sweat and get the mood-boosting benefits. The black panels are the infrared heat and then below you’ll see the dry system with all the rocks. My brother worked with a local sauna builder (that is a design/build firm) and Ken was super happy with their service and work. The sauna is big enough to fit both of them sitting up or one lounging. They have been using it 5 nights a week, watching Friday Night Lights through the glass on an iPad. Again, very jealous. The Toilet Room/Watercloset Yes, there is a toilet in its own little room with a pocket door and a beautiful deep color. It’s a smart toilet with a heated seat, bidet, and a lot of bells and whistles (controlled by a remote that is attached to the wall). Yes, you need to plan for a plug (and I’d suggest all toilet rooms get an outlet just in case a future owner is as obsessed with having a bidet as the general bidet enthusiasts club population seems to be. LOL). They LOVE it. And I love how streamlined the toilet is, thus making it easy to clean:) Jess thought it would be fun to show you the difference between the bathroom before and after styling – it’s so simple and calm so the styling really added a lot. Human for scale:) I love my bathroom, I do, but when you are in this bathroom, showering with a view of the river, surrounded by trees it’s pretty darn glorious. A huge thanks to Kohler for partnering with us on this bathroom – we are so thankful to work with our favorite brands to create beautiful rooms (and photos for the blog).

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Fashion & Beauty

The Best New Spring Denim I’m Really Really Into (And Everything Is Comfortable)

Ididn’t set out to buy new denim when I went shopping – heck, I don’t LOVE wearing restricting clothes at all (a covid holdover), but I loved some of what I found so much, in a refreshing way – like denim, but dare I say special? Also, if you haven’t checked out the spring basics post, there are shorts and jeans in that post (that are just great staples), but this one is more head to toe denim (with a few matching sets I’m obsessed with). Let’s dig into it. Hands down my favorite “shirt of the summer” (tied with this one from the Gap – both so good). I’ve worn it so many times since I got it because it’s both casual and stylish (versus a denim button-up that mostly reads as casual). I also love the one I’m wearing in the opener for a more western inspired button-up (that is super affordable). Now the shorts I think are more on trend and stylish than my shorty shorts that I typically wear. I bought them (and modeled them) for those of you who don’t LOVE wearing short shorts, because they are really good. They flare in a good way and that cuff is strong and cool. They aren’t the trendy “bermuda shorts” that were in last year, they are more flattering and yet still long. I added the belt to make it look pulled together (which worked!). Now, this denim dress is a real affordable winner, clocking in on sale at $29.99. So easy to throw on, dress up, dress down, light weight, cute, flattering, comfortable, not body-con – all the things I like in a spring/summer daytime dress. The sandals I bought last year, and they are the most wearable around town heels that I own (like I wouldn’t go out for an intentional long walk in them, but heels that you can wear all day, out and about, walking for hours and be super comfortable). This is the other button-up that felt worth having (love the little western pockets and so affordable). It’s a bit thicker (less drapey) so good for more structure or to wear as a shacket. But the real reason we are here is to talk about the famous SWEATPANT JEANS!! Yes, these are the Rag & Bone, printed jeans that are actually sweats. My review of them is “darn incredible” because they are obviously incredibly comfortable. They look “real” (even the backpockets are printed). Now, I get why they are expensive ($238) as I’m sure they had to perfect and have the perfect printing ink and technique to look so real, but I ended up returning because I mostly work from home (where I can wear more affordable, comfortable clothes). Plus, if I am to leave the house and want to look cute I’d opt for actual jeans. But for people who have to leave the house daily to look presentable and still want to be super comfortable, these are 9/10 (again, missing a point because so $$$). If you want SUPER soft and comfortable but not seatpants and not $238, I bought and kept these Dean jeans from Madewell, which are not printed, but just somehow soft, a bit drapy and extremely comfortable. Like I would wear them on a plane kind of comfortable (always baffled by people who wear hard pants on a plane, TBH). I’ve been wearing this on repeat since I got them – IMHO the easiest to wear denim jumpsuit I’ve owned – not trying to be all hour-glassy and therefore uncomfortable after lunch, but has a slim enough leg that you aren’t just one big box. I like the short sleeves and the tapered leg, and it’s mid-weight so it falls nicely, isn’t too constricting or thick and is just so darn easy to wear. Plus, huge pockets for your phone, etc – I literally throw this on when I want to look stylish but still need to work (i.e. on set, styling, shopping, etc). Well this was a surprise – both from H&M and super affordable and so darn cute! Granted I like wearing boxy tops and tiny skirts, so this isn’t for everyone, but this is in my “spring date night” arsenal for sure. The sandals are Korkease (so very comfortable for heels). I LOVED this outfit – it’s more of a city look for sure, but I’m so excited to have it as a go-to for when I go to New York for meetings where I want to look cool, be comfortable, make a statement, but not stress. It’s oversized but there are so many times where we all just want to look cool but don’t necessarily let people see our bodies, and this checks the box for me. Also, that dark wash is super in (with the silver buttons and contrasting stitching). LOVE THIS LOOK. This last one that I’ve become super obsessed with is this denim dress that looks like a shirt and skirt!!! But it’s a dress!! Finally a non-body-con denim dress that is so flattering. I think a belt would even make this outfit look better. Cute with sneakers or sandals, great with clogs – just a nice “I’m casual, comfortable but still cool” outfit but with just one piece of clothing. HUGE FAN.

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