The 3-in-1 gel polish you apply like a marker. No bottles, no three rounds under the lamp. 87 shades, Cat Eye and glitter included.
A gel nail polish pen with no base and no top coat is a 3-in-1 gel: base, colour and top coat are in the same formula, so one coat on the nail and 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp is all it takes. That's exactly why so many of you search for it: you want salon nails without the salon routine.
A classic gel manicure needs three bottles, three layers, three rounds under the lamp and a sticky layer to wipe off at the end. Twenty minutes on a good day, as long as the base doesn't go wrong. The One Step pen cuts all of that: twist, paint, cure. Want a richer colour? Add a second coat. That's it.
Below you'll find what actually changes compared with the traditional method, how to apply it without smudging, which lamp you need, which finish suits each occasion and how to take it off without ruining your nails. The product we're talking about is Dream Shop's One Step gel polish pen, just in, in 87 shades.
Quick answer: which polish pen to choose
- The best polish pen with no base and no top coat is the One Step gel pen because base, colour and top coat are one formula: one coat and 60 seconds of lamp time.
- The best lamp for a gel polish pen is the 81-LED UV LED lamp with sensor because it cures all five fingers at once, thumb included, in 60 seconds.
- The best shade to start with is a nude or a solid red from the Classic line, because it hides first-timer mistakes better than pale pastels.
- The best finish for evenings is the Cat Eye 7in1, because the magnet is built into the pen and creates the light stripe with no extra tools.
- The best way to remove gel polish is the steam gel polish remover because it warms acetone to 42–52 °C and lifts the gel without filing your nail down.
- The best buy if you're starting from scratch is the complete kit with pen, lamp and remover, with lamp and remover at −30%.
The best polish pen if you don't want base and top coat
The best polish pen if you don't want base and top coat is a 3-in-1 gel, because one layer does the job of three: it grips the nail, adds colour and seals with its own shine. That's why you'll see it sold as "one step" or "one coat".
You feel the difference straight away. The gel flows when you twist the end of the pen, reaches the soft brush and goes on in a single stroke. No waiting for a base to set, no remembering which bottle comes first. No sticky layer to clean off: after the lamp the nail is dry and glossy.
One misunderstanding we see a lot in the comments, though. "No base and no top" doesn't mean "no lamp". This is real gel, and gel only hardens under UV or LED light. Drugstore gel-effect polishes air-dry but barely last a week. Here we're talking about up to 3 weeks of wear.
| Method | Layers | Lamp | Wear | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Step gel polish pen | 1 coat (2 for full colour) | Yes, 60 s | Up to 3 weeks | Gel nails without the effort |
| Classic gel polish | Base + colour + top | Yes, 3 times | 2–3 weeks | Experienced users or salons |
| Gel-effect polish, no lamp | 2 coats + top coat | No | About a week | No lamp at all |
| Gel nail stickers | 1 sticker to trim | Yes | Up to 3 weeks | Zero brushwork |
One Step gel polish pen
Base, colour and top coat in a 2 g pen. Six lines and 87 shades: Classic with 48 solid colours from nude to red, Cat Eye Pearl, Cat Eye 7in1 with built-in magnet, Pearly, Glitter and the pre-matched 3-pen Set.
One coat, 60 seconds under the lamp, done. It takes up as much room as a lipstick and replaces a whole manicure kit when you travel.
Pick your colour and shop →
If you've read our polish pen guide, this is the difference: that one covered the classic marker pen, this one a formula that skips base and top coat. Every shade is also on the gel polish pen page, with the application video.
How to apply a polish pen with no base: the 3-step method
The best way to apply a polish pen with no base is to prep the nail properly, apply one thin coat and cure for 60 seconds. Wear is decided in that first minute, not by the pen.
Prep first. File the shape, push back the cuticles and lightly buff the surface. Then wipe with an alcohol pad to remove cream and oil: that's where gel loses its grip, not at the tip. If you tend to get polish on your skin, peel-off latex tape around the nail keeps the edges clean.
Then paint. Twist the pen until the gel reaches the brush, start a millimetre from the cuticle and work towards the tip. Always thin: a thick coat bubbles and lifts sooner. Cap the free edge by running the brush over the tip. Lamp for 60 seconds. More colour? Second coat, second cure. Finished.
One coat, cuticle to tip
The brush is short and soft, designed for people who've never done gel nails. It stays precise near the cuticles, even with your non-dominant hand.
Use the same pen on fingers and toes: on toes, go for two coats, since the nail is thicker and the colour needs more coverage.
Pick your colour and shop →
For salon-style cuticles, the fine-tip diamond nail bit cleans the edge in seconds. For a French tip, the silicone stamper gives you a straight line without a steady hand.
The best lamp for a gel polish pen
The best lamp for a gel polish pen is a dual-wavelength UV LED lamp with around fifty LEDs or more, because it cures every gel on the market and takes all five fingers at once. One Step sets in 60 seconds only if the light reaches it evenly.
The problem with small lamps is the thumb. You do it separately, twisting your hand, and the edge often stays tacky. The 81-LED lamp with infrared sensor fixes that: slide your hand in and it starts, pull it out and it stops. The display counts down and the 10, 30, 60 and 99-second timers cover even the heaviest glitter.
If you travel a lot, keep a backup. The USB mini lamp fits in your bag and charges like your phone: great for fixing a chipped nail in a hotel, less so for a full manicure every day.
Sun X25 Max UV LED lamp, 81 LEDs
Dual UV and LED source, automatic sensor, four timers and a removable base for pedicures. Cures gel polish pens, gel polish, builder gel and poly gel.
On the polish pen page you'll find it in a kit at −30%, with the discount applied straight in the cart.
Shop now →
A tip from someone who uses it every week: keep your hand flat and fingers slightly apart. If the nails touch, the light can't reach the sides and that's where gel lifts first.
The best finish for every occasion: Classic, Cat Eye, Pearly or Glitter
The best finish for the office is a nude or rosy Classic, for evenings a Cat Eye, for parties Glitter. Choose based on how many hours people will be looking at your hands, not on your outfit.
The Classic line has 48 solid shades and it's where to start: good coverage, forgiving on first attempts and it goes with everything. Pearly has six iridescent tones that shift with the light, ideal if nude feels too flat. Glitter is for Saturday night, but on one nail per hand it works on Monday too.
Cat Eye is the one that turns heads. Paint, hold the magnet close for a few seconds before curing and the pigments gather into a stripe of light that moves with your hand. In the 7in1 the magnet is built into the pen. Cat Eye Pearl needs a separate magnet, and the Love 3-in-1 magnet adds a heart effect too.
One Step Cat Eye: 7in1 and Pearl
Five shades in the 7in1 with built-in magnet and six in Pearl, from pinks to petrol green. The light shifts as you move your fingers: on camera it looks like a 50-euro salon set.
Same application as Classic: one coat, magnet, lamp. Two coats for a deeper effect.
Pick your colour and shop →
Want more? On top of One Step you can add sugar-effect glitter, 3D flowers and punk studs: every technique is in our 3D nail art guide.
The best way to remove a gel polish pen without damaging your nails
The best way to remove a gel polish pen without damaging your nails is to soften it with warm acetone instead of filing it off, because heat lifts the gel in about 10 minutes and your natural nail stays intact.
The cotton-and-foil method works, but it's slow and cold acetone does a poor job. So you end up scraping and over-filing, and after three rounds your nails are paper thin. That's why so many people give up on doing gel at home.
The steam gel remover heats acetone to 42–52 °C and keeps it steady. Pour in 60 ml, wait for the green light, rest your fingertips in the slots. Buff the surface lightly first, and after ten minutes the gel comes off with a cuticle stick. It switches itself off after two hours.
Steam gel polish remover
36 W electric bowl with an acetone-proof 5-finger tray, anti-vapour lid and insulated double wall. Removes gel pens, gel polish, acrylic and dip powder.
Together with the pen and lamp it completes the routine: on, off, a new colour every week without wearing your nails down.
Shop now →
Need a break from the lamp? The creamy pearly polish air-dries in minutes: it doesn't last like gel, but it's perfect between gel manicures.
Shop by category
FAQ: gel polish pen with no base and no top coat
Is there a gel polish that needs no base and no top coat?
Yes: the best gel polish with no base and no top coat is a 3-in-1 gel like the One Step gel polish pen, because base, colour and top coat are in the same formula. Apply one coat, cure for 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp and you're done, with no sticky layer to wipe.
Does a one-coat gel polish pen really last?
Yes, the One Step gel polish pen lasts up to 3 weeks because it cures under a lamp like traditional gel polish. Wear depends on prep: a lightly buffed nail, wiped with alcohol, and thin coats. Two coats give fuller colour and stronger tips.
Which lamp do I need for a gel polish pen?
The best lamp for a gel polish pen is a dual-source UV LED lamp like the 81-LED lamp with sensor, because it cures all fingers at once in 60 seconds. For touch-ups on the go, the USB mini lamp works too.
Can I use a gel polish pen without a lamp?
No, a gel polish pen won't harden without a lamp, because the gel only cures under UV or LED light. If you'd rather skip the lamp, choose a quick-dry polish like the creamy pearly polish, knowing it won't last as long.
How do I remove a gel polish pen without damaging my nails?
The best way is the steam gel polish remover, because it heats acetone to 42–52 °C and lifts the gel in about 10 minutes without filing your nail. Buff the surface first. Alternatively, leave an acetone-soaked pad on for a few minutes.
How much is the gel polish pen and how can I pay on Dream Shop?
The current price is shown under each product and on the polish pen page, where the lamp and remover cost 30% less in the kit. Shipping is free from €100, you can pay in 3 interest-free instalments with Klarna or cash on delivery for a €10 fee. 14-day returns and customer care based in Italy.
One pen, one coat, done.
87 shades of gel polish pen with no base and no top coat, a pro lamp and a steam remover. Everything you need for gel nails at home, no appointments.
Free shipping from €100 · 3 interest-free instalments with Klarna · Cash on delivery · 14-day returns
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.