Bad home haircuts, orange self-tanning, walking for exercise, meditation: quarantine means that many have become responsible for their own beauty and self-care routines. 

Home manicures are replacing salon visits, and you don’t need to look like a kindergartner just painted your nails anymore. Beautiful nails are easy–it takes a little practice.

In the middle of March, we were all asked to practice social distancing and quarantine in our homes, which meant the salon was out of the question. Although the restrictions are lifted, many are hesitant about the face-to-face experience of salon nail care.

But for students like Lindsey Green, a regular manicure customer. It has been very rough not being able to get her nails done, because of the social aspect.

Green said, “I missed getting my nails done because it stays on so much longer when you get it done at the salon than when you do it yourself at home, it also is a fun thing to go do with your friends.”

Within  a “COVID Bubble” or a small group of friends, staying home and doing at home manicures  can be a fun and safe experience.

My sister Lily and I have always loved to get our nails done together. For our birthdays, my mom would pay for us to get our nails done as a special treat.

We researched a practical at home manicure method that would last longer than normal polish. I am not the most artistic person, so I needed something that was easy that I could do to myself.

After a lot of research, we came across this method of manicure called dip powder. Dip powder is a combination of a glue-type liquid and powder that hardens when it hits the air. We chose this method because it is not only affordable, but it is healthier for the nails, in contrast to gel nail polish or acrylic nails. Also it stays on for about two weeks, which is similar to a salon manicure.

I was in love after ordering my first  Peppi Gel kit.  Peppi Gel is a company located in Manassas, Virginia and was founded by two women whose main goal is “to provide at home dip powder systems, while keeping it as a clean and healthier alternative to gels and traditional acrylics.”

This company was also perfect as they make this daunting task of a 3-polish step process into an easy step by step process.

They offer daily interactions on their Instagram and Facebook pages with Tips and tricks. They also have an online tutorial school which answers any commonly asked questions or you can submit a question of your own.

The company has quick customer service turn-around time.

The Peppi Gel Starter Kit. is $64.99, it includes one color of your choice of the nail dipping powder, 3 liquid bottles (ready, set and shine), a buffer block and the instruction guide. The kit allows for about 25 manicures. That’s less than $3.00 per manicure, one tenth the salon price.

To use the kit, first you sanitize your hands. Then you choose your dip powder and grab the 3 steps polishes.  Next Cut nails, file and shape to your desire. Then remove shine from nails by lightly  buffing the nails and dusting them off. After that Apply liquid #1 to the first finger and then dip into powder. Dip the finger into the loose powder slowly and then tap the excess powder off of the nail. Repeat this step 3 times which each nail. Next apply step 2 to each nail and wait for them to dry for 2 minutes. Once dry, use a buffer to smooth out nails and file. Next apply another coat of liquid #2, wait 2 minutes and then wipe excess with a paper towel. Apply first coat of liquid #3, wait 2 minutes and then apply a second time. After 2 minutes you Peppi Manicure is dry and looking fabulous.

After liking the kit so much, I began to order more colors, each dip powder is about $15, and I also became a member of the monthly subscriptions, so it doesn’t take long to accumulate a full range of colors. To make this process even easier, I even purchased The Peppi nail art brushes for drawing nail art, ombre’, and nail cleanup. I also purchased an Electric Manicure Nail File to make it easier to file and shape my nails. This makes the second step faster.

I have been obsessed with doing my nails lately and it has really been a way to be productive during the pandemic. As it has kept me busy and given me a chance to focus on myself. For those looking for a hobby or something to do occasionally should try to do an at home manicure yourself with Peppi Gel!