This Dashing Diva Kit Simplified My At-Home Gel Manicures

We put the Dashing Diva One Gel Magnetic Starter Kit to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full review.

Love a gel mani, but can’t be bothered with heading to the salon? You have options for achieving the perfect DIY, as at-home gel manicure systems have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Whether you’re short on time for a nail appointment, seeking a budget-friendly alternative, or looking to do a gel manicure at any time of day, an at-home system can help you achieve a result you’ll love.

In the past, the main drawback to at-home gel manicures has been the multi-step process—an issue that Dashing Diva is now aiming to solve. The brand’s one-step gel polish system is beginner-friendly, but its results just may make it a solid option for people of all skill levels looking for a high-quality, long-lasting mani. I put the One Gel Magnetic Starter Kit to the test to see if it lives up to the hype—check out my full review ahead, from the process to the wear time.

About My Nails: Short, well-cared-for, and very DIY

I’ve been doing my own nails at home for the last six years, and I find it to be one of the most relaxing parts of my week. So naturally, I’m up for any at-home nail system that can give me a salon-quality manicure. I have tried everything at home, from standard polish manicures to gel.

I gravitate towards classic colors, such as vivid reds, sheer pinks, and nudes. During the fall and winter, I often wear oxblood and crimson hues. I apply cuticle oil regularly, keep my nails relatively short due to my dual role as a makeup artist and writer, and always have a file handy to buff out any uneven or sharp edges.

Ashley Rebecca

The Kit: Comprehensive and beginner-friendly

The Dashing Diva One Gel Magnetic Starter Kit comes equipped with nail polish, an LED lamp, manicure sticks, prep pads, nail file, mini nail buffer, and a magnetic effects tool (which creates the ever-trendy velvet nails effect). The polish combines base coat, color, and top coat in one, making it ideal for beginners and those experimenting with gel manicures at home. If you need anything other than those tools, ensure they are on hand before starting.

The Prep: Ensure a smooth, clean surface

You’ll first want to file, shape, and clean your nails. Ensure that your nail beds are free from oil or residue, and gently buff them to create a smooth surface that allows the polish to adhere more easily. You can use a cuticle stick to gently push back the cuticles, or a gentle cuticle remover to remove excess skin. Finally, wipe each nail with an alcohol swab before allowing it to dry.

The Application Process: Quick and easy

Once your nails are adequately prepared, you can proceed to apply the polish. From there, the process is fairly straightforward:

Apply Your First Coat

Before using the magnetic polish, you’ll want to shake the bottle to mix the color and magnetic particles adequately. I prefer to apply a thin coat of polish to bare nails, capping the edges as I go to prevent future chipping or peeling.

Ashley Rebecca

Capping the edge means swiping your brush across the edge of each nail to seal the polish in. This takes a bit of practice to learn, so don’t worry if you find it difficult on the first try. With a few manicures under your belt using this technique, you’ll eventually get the hang of it.

Create the Magnetic Effect

Once you’ve applied the polish, use the magnetic tool to create a chic, shimmery velvet effect on your nails. Move the tool back and forth across each nail to make sure you cover all the polish with the magnet, and don’t forget the edges. It took me a little practice to get this right, but the tool was still reasonably easy to use as I figured it out.

Ashley Rebecca

If you don’t get the desired velvet results the first time, it’s an easy fix. Simply add another coat of polish to your nail, following up with the magnet tool a second time.

Cure with the LED Lamp

To cure your nails, place your hand under the LED lamp and press the button, which will turn on the UV light and cure your nails for 60 seconds. The lamp will automatically shut off when it’s finished, so you don’t need to track the time yourself.

Ashley Rebecca

I cured four fingers and then my thumb separately, as I couldn’t fit my entire hand under the lamp at one time. You can also opt to cure each nail individually if you have the time, ensuring you achieve the best magnetic finish.

It’s best practice to use the Dashing Diva LED lamp with the polish, as other lamps might not be properly tailored to this specific gel polish. After I cured my first coat of polish, I applied a second coat and repeated the curing process on each hand.

The Results: Sturdy, shiny, and long-lasting

I’ve used several at-home gel polishes over the years, and I found the Dashing Diva One Step Gel Polish to be an impressive option. Immediately after curing my nails, I noticed how sturdy the gel looked and felt, which is not always the case with other brands. I loved how glossy my manicure looked, as well as the fact that I didn’t have to use a topcoat to achieve this level of shine.

Ashley Rebecca

At first, the one-step polish, which offers the same benefits as traditional gel, sounded too good to be true—but the results were fantastic. I was happy to save so much time using this system, as standard gel manicures need base coats, color, and topcoats each time, with curing sessions in between each layer.

I wore the polish for ten days before changing it, and I didn’t experience any significant lifting or chipping, which is saying a lot since I’m constantly using and washing my hands during busy work days. My nails grew out during this time, so there was a slight gap between my cuticle and the color, but this is standard with any nail polish.

The Removal Process: Simple and straightforward

The removal process is my least favorite part of gel manicures, but this time, it was surprisingly easy. Using the brand’s One Gel Magic Off Remover Kit. I applied a coat of remover to each nail and waited five minutes for the polish to start bubbling. Then, I lightly scraped it off with the remover tool. It took two coats to remove the polish from each nail completely. This remover is only compatible with this specific polish and isn’t suitable for use with other brands.

Ashley Rebecca

The Final Verdict: A true time- and money-saver

If you love the benefits of a gel manicure but are short on time or looking to save money, Dashing Diva’s One Gel Magnetic Polish is a game-changer. The gel polish kit and remover together come to $30, which saves you a ton of money over time, as most salon gel manicures cost more than that for a single appointment.

With the complete kit, you can do your nails at home multiple times before needing to replace anything. The fact that this system combines base coat, polish, and top coat into a single step makes the entire process more seamless. And another bonus? You can take the kit on the go and do it from anywhere, making the product that much more enticing.