This was my first attempt at gel nail extensions and they turned out pretty good. I didn't even know this kind of thing existed as I don't go to salons. Four days in and they're holding up well, even though I did a couple pretty thin. I will add that I'm a stay at home mom with three young boys so my nails bumped and banged all day. I even scrubbed the shower with these on. I watched some online tutorials and noticed many making the application more complicated than it needs to be. Just follow the directions here. I buffed my nails a bit, wiped them with alcohol, applied the gel to the dual molds (purchased on amazon), pressed them on, and cured them under a UV light for 2 minutes. I bought the brush on amazon as well and dipped it in alcohol so it would glide easily. They filed easily and anything that got on my skin came of easily with cuticle nippers. I then put on base coat so I could apply gel polish as usual. I'm impressed.