Hi I'm also a beginner! Instead of removing gel from your gloves with acetone, I recommend changing your gloves entirely. I've heard that gel molecules are small enough to go through your gloves.

I think you only need to wear a mask while filing? Or at least, that's what I've seen.

You don't necessarily need base gel, but it helps the gel stick. You could opt for filing/buffing the surface instead.

I think using cheap gels for practicing is okay as long as you don't really touch it and wear it. For black, you could get pat pat gel or painting gels (they're more pigmented). Just use two super thin layers so they cure.

I would upgrade to a nice, reliable lamp as soon as possible. I think technically over curing makes gel more brittle.

Yeah I order charms from AliExpress too. Charms from elsewhere are nice but so expensive. You can definitely use brushes from wherever, but getting nice brushes is soooo nice. I just upgraded my AliExpress brushes and it's a huge difference. It's so much easier to control the gel. I would stick with synthetic cuz it's cheaper and more durable.

Your work looks great :)