A good gel nail starter kit isn't about having as many products as possible – it's about having the right ones. If you put together your basic equipment yourself, you know exactly what you've got and can add to it later. In this checklist, we show you which products you really need to get started and which BNC products are a good fit.

How to build your gel nails step by step is explained in detail in our guide DIY gel nails for beginners. Here, it's all about shopping: what belongs on your list?

The checklist: basic gel nail equipment at a glance

1. Curing lamp: the heart of your equipment

Without a lamp, no gel will cure – that's why it's at the top of the list. Make sure the lamp has room for your whole hand and cures both UV and LED gels.

• To get started: According to its description, the BNC UV/LED 26 watt lamp cures all LED gels, UV gels and UV polishes such as shellac, has 18 LEDs, a digital display and a 10/30/60-second timer.
• For more power: The BNC 168 watt UV/LED curing lamp works with 36 dual LEDs and timer settings of 10, 30, 60 or 99 seconds – a great option if you do a lot of nails or want to start a salon.

We compare which lamp suits you in detail in our UV or LED lamp buying guide. You'll find more models under curing lamps.

2. Preparation: nail prep, primer and cleaner

Most adhesion problems start during preparation. That's why these three liquids belong in every starter kit:

• Nail prep: BNC Nail Prep (dehydrator) removes moisture and natural oils from the nail plate. It's applied before the primer and air-dries in about 30 seconds.
• Primer: BNC Primer Ultra Bond is an acid-free, air-drying bonding agent for gel and acrylic – suitable for beginners through to professionals according to its description. For very stubborn adhesion problems, there's the acid-based BNC B5 Acid Primer.
• Cleaner: BNC Cleaner Clear degreases the natural nail and removes the sticky (dispersion) layer after curing.

You can read exactly how these products differ in Cleaner, primer, nail prep & remover: what do I need when? You'll find all products under primer & nail prep.

3. The gels: base gel, builder gel, colour gel and top gel

In the classic 3-phase system, you need three types of gel – plus colour if you don't only want to work in clear or natural shades.

Base gel

BNC Base Gel violet has a thin consistency, is HEMA-free and cures in 120 seconds under UV or UV/LED light. Alternatively, Masterline base gel clear is a quick choice at 60 seconds in a UV/LED lamp.

Builder gel

For beginners, a forgiving gel is ideal. BNC Masterline UV/LED builder gel pink is a versatile 1-phase gel for base, build and seal and, according to its description, suits beginners through to professionals. If you prefer to work in clear, go for Studioline 1-phase gel clear, which generates only little heat while curing. For working with nail forms, the thick Professional builder gel clear is a good fit. More choice: builder gels and 1-phase gels.

Colour gel

Start with one or two favourite colours rather than a huge palette. A soft pink like Base One colour gel Balerina Pink goes with almost everything, and BNC French gel white lets you create classic French nails. You'll find all shades under colour gels.

Top gel

The top gel seals and adds shine. Particularly handy for beginners is BNC high-gloss top gel without sticky layer: according to its description, no wiping with cleaner is needed. Alternatives: BNC gloss finish gel or other finish gels.

4. Files, buffers and brushes

• Buffer: Use the BNC buffer white 100/100 to gently roughen the natural nail before applying gel.
• Files: The BNC pro file white is designed for filing down UV gel and acrylic. For shaping close to the nail bed, the LUX banana file zebra 100/180 is handy. Which grit is for what is explained in Which nail file is right for me?
• Gel brush: An angled brush like the BNC angled gel brush no. 6 or an oval one like the oval gel/acrylic brush no. 6 is enough to start with. More under brushes.
• Small tools: The BNC gel spatula / cuticle pusher combines a gel spatula and a cuticle pusher, and the mini dust brush removes filing dust.

5. Wipes, care and removal

• Wipes: The lint-free wipes by Lohmann & Rauscher leave less lint behind than ordinary cellulose pads – important when wiping with cleaner.
• Cuticle oil: After your gel set and in everyday life, cuticle oil keeps your cuticles supple, for example the strawberry cuticle oil roller. You'll find more scents under nail oils.
• For later: BNC acetone and the remover pads are suitable for removing shellac and gel polish. Builder gel, on the other hand, is filed off – read how in How to remove gel nails.

What you don't need (yet) at the start

• Electric nail drill: Files are enough to get started. A drill is worth it once you do regular infills.
• A huge range of colours: Better a few colours you can apply confidently.
• Tips and nail forms: Only useful once you want to extend. You'll find the comparison in Nail extensions: tips or forms?

Still torn between gel and acrylic? Then Acrylic or gel nails – which is better? will help you. And if you'd like to start with acrylic, you'll find the matching checklist in Acrylic starter equipment.

FAQ: gel nail starter kit

Do I really need a primer?

For reliable adhesion, yes – especially with oily or difficult natural nails. The primer is applied after the nail prep and before the base gel.

Is a 1-phase gel enough to start with?

Yes. A 1-phase gel acts as base, builder and sealer and makes getting started easier. We explain the difference to the 3-phase system in Builder gel & BIAB.

Which lamp do I need as a beginner?

A combined UV/LED lamp with room for your whole hand and a timer is ideal, because it cures both UV and LED gels. Always stick to the curing times of each gel.

How many files do I need?

To start with, a buffer for roughening, a file for filing down and a finer file for shaping are enough. Files wear out and should be replaced regularly.

Where can I find the step-by-step guide?

In our article DIY gel nails for beginners, we show you every step.