Here are the best gel nail polishes that don't require a UV lamp: Best overall: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Duo. Best drugstore pick: Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy. Best color selection: Essie Gel Couture. Best for convenience: Wet n Wild 1 Step WonderGel Nail Polish. Best gloss: NAILS INC. Gel Effect. Advertisement. Advertisement. If you are using a traditional UV lamp, make sure the bulbs are fresh. You need to change them out every three months or so. It is also possible that you are applying the gel-polish too thick.Feb 22, 2016. Can you use gel polish as regular nail polish? Gel nail polish can be applied either to natural nails or acrylics. MEFA 23 Pcs Gel Nail Polish Set. This lamp-cured mega-set has over 8,300 Amazon.com reviews for good reason: It comes with 23 different shades to open you up to the wide world of gel polishes. If you just want a clear gel polish look on your nails, here is what you can do: Prepare your nail surface the same way you do colors. Apply one layer of gel base coat and cure for 30 seconds. Apply a layer of gel top coat and cure for 30 seconds. Apply a second of gel top coat, cure for 30 seconds. If the gel top coat you use is non- wiping Essie Gel Couture’s application process consists of 2 steps. You only need to apply the Essie Gel Couture color coat and the Gel Couture top coat. So there is no base coat. The polish adheres to the nail plate without it and your manicure can last for a week or even more. No lamp necessary. It comes with everything you need except for your normal gel nail polish and a nail lamp. You get five stamping polishes, stamper, scraper, liquid latex for nails , and eight reusable stamping plates. Table Of Content show. 1. Isopropyl Alcohol. The most common, budget-friendly, and effective way to remove the sticky or tacky layer on top of your gel top coat is to use Isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol will dissolve the sticky layer (which is uncured gel polish) making it easy to wipe away. Citation. 1. Buff down the thickness of your gel/dip powder. Use a file or buffer to file down the shiny top coat. This helps the acetone take off your gel/powder faster. 2. Make a foil wrap for your nails with acetone and some cotton. Lay the foil square flat, put your finger on it. L6Uzd2.