Reddit mentions of MiroPure UV LED Gel Nail Lamp Light Dryer, Fast Dry 48w Professional Nail Dryer Curing Lamp with Smart Sensor for Home and Salon

I bought this lamp and use the Gelish brand ph bond + foundation + top, and only use gelish colors. Don’t bother with their nail cleaner, though - isopropyl alcohol works exactly the same and doesn’t dye stuff blue, plus it’s 25% of the cost.

I have red carpet manicure gels (usually regular price $12.99 Canadian at London drugs, a lot are marked down to $6.99). I also have the now-discontinued Quo by Orly gels (shoppers drug mark, initially ask $12.99 or something but snagged for $0.99; great if you find them at that price but I noticed they don't last as long and aren't quite as shiny as the red carpet manicure ones).

Lamp is from Amazon. Mirapure lamp uv/led. Has auto on/ off as well as timers.

https://www.amazon.com/MiroPure-Nail-Timer-Setting-Files/dp/B01KZQ90S6

With rcm gels my nails lasted 2 weeks until the grow out bugged me and I took it off. With quo, 1 week and it started to peel.

I cobbled together a bunch of different unrelated products instead of going for the premade kits. Here is what you would need if you were interested:

• LED lamp
  
  
• base coat and top coat set
  
  
• gel nail polishes - you can also find these in Ulta or beauty supply stores like Sally's if you wanted just one or two to start out with
  
  
• lint free wipes
  
  
• structure gel - optional, but I use it because I have weak nails
  
  
• typical mani/pedi tools - emery boards of different grit sizes, buffer, nail file, cuticle pusher, cotton balls, pure acetone, makeup sponges, tiny nail art brushes, and rubbing alcohol. these are usually cheaper and easier to find in a beauty supply store or even a Target/Walmart/etc.
  
  
• nail polish remover clip things - to remove the gel nail polish
  
  All in the initial setup was under $100. Given that a glitter gel mani costs about $50-60 in my city, it paid for itself very quickly! Once you get the hang of it, you can expand your arsenal to include chrome powders, holographic powders, glitter, striping tape, stamping plates, etc.

Upgrading my lamp really helped me out more than changing which polish I used. I upgraded my drug store kit lamp to the one I linked below and I found that my gel polishes cured better and lasted longer. Other than that I can recommend curing your polish for longer and really making sure you wrap your tips well and dont flood your cuticle at all. For polishes I like bundle monster gel polishes and Sally Hanson salon gel polish.

Edited to add a polish brand I like and the link I forgot! Sorry!

36W UV LED Nail Lamp Manicure/Pedicure Nail Dryer with 4 Timer Setting - Perfect Salon Tool for Drying Nail Polish and Gel - Dry Both Fingernails and Toenails with 2 FREE Bonus Nail Files https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01KZQ90S6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_brP0Bb49QFVRW

If you're just getting started, I'd recommend this starter kit from Gelish since they're an excellent professional brand and it has everything you need other than a color coat (which you can pick up at Sally's or online if you're feeling more daring). It comes with the cleaning solution which is an alcohol base like you said, as well as the remover. I think starting with good quality products is the easiest way to learn so you're not fumbling with something that's already difficult to work with.

For lights, I haven't used many different lights, I just got one on amazon that had really good reviews. It seems like the ones with a "hood" over them are ideal. Just make sure it says it's UV light! I got this one and I absolutely love it! It's nice and big so you're not scrunching your hands in there to fit, it has different time settings, or it will automatically kick on when it senses your hand and start counting how long your hand has been in.

Other important things to consider is proper removal technique so you don't damage your natural nail. Buff up the top layer, soak them for 5 or so minutes in hot water with a bit of acetone, then wrap them in foil with cotton balls soaked in acetone like they do in most salons and wait 15-20 minutes. You shouldn't have to struggle to get anything off.