The DIY gel nail brand that saved me £1k on manicures has launched a 2024 advent calendar
Head of beauty Zoe has saved a small fortune by swapping to a home gel nail kit from salon manicures – and the brand that helped her do it has just launched a money-saving advent calendar
by Zoe Cripps · The MirrorIt’s becoming harder to justify spending on luxuries, and I know many people are opting to skip their favourite salon treatments to save some cash. However, when it comes to tasks like hair dyeing, the results can sometimes be disastrous. But what about DIY manicures? Not to diminish any professional skill, but with a bit of training, it’s an area I felt I could excel at. So, a year ago, I made the decision to give up my regular salon manicures to do my own nails at home.
After working out I was spending at least £70 a month on my nails – that's a minimum of £840 a year, and likely closer to £1,000 when you factor in the times I got nail art or acrylics to fix a broken nail – I realised I’d rather be putting that money towards a house deposit, so I bought myself a Mylee gel starter kit.
Now, a year on, I’ve worked out I’ve saved well over £1,000 by learning to do my own nails, and I have no desire to go back to in-salon ones (unless it’s for a very special occasion). Since buying the starter kit, I’ve stuck mostly to Mylee gels because they’re compatible with the lamp the kit comes with, and I’ve been desperate to branch out and try some new shades that aren’t neutrals.
READ MORE: 'I've saved over £1,000 doing my nails at home - you need to shop the right tools'
It’s like the brand heard my wishes because Mylee has just unveiled a Selection Box Advent Calendar that’s packed with shades and accessories to give you on-trend manicures. Priced at £55 here, the 12-day calendar packs limited-edition shades as well as soon-to-be-released nail products.
What’s inside Mylee’s Selection Box Advent Calendar
- 2x Classic Gels
- 2x Cat Eye Gels
- 1x Spotlight Gel
- 2x Nail Art Markers
- 2x Cat Eye Magnets
- 1x Builder Gel
- 1x Iridescent Flake No-Wipe Top Coat
- 1x Scrunchie
- 1x Cuticle Oil Pen
More specifically, if you’re not worried about spoilers, some standouts include a Nativity Spotlight Gel Polish, which is a festive gel polish in a rich, spotlight-worthy shade and a Snow Globe Builder Gel – an exclusive gel with a unique wintery finish, ideal for building and shaping your festive nail designs.
You’ll also get a Cat Eye Quartz Magnetic Gel Polish – a magnetic gel polish with a stunning quartz effect that creates a mesmerizing cat-eye look – and a Gingerbread Cuticle Oil Pen to nourish and hydrate your cuticles with this oil infused with a festive gingerbread fragrance.
Are you in the market for other beauty advent calendars? We also highly recommend taking a look at ASOS' Face + Body 25 Day Advent Calendar for 2024. From high-shine lip glosses, dreamy pillow spritzers, and TikTok-viral blushes, you'll be positively luminous this festive season - even more so after having made a saving of 76% on some of your favourite brands.