Shellac lasts UP TO 14 days, although some of my clients can go 3 weeks. As long as they are looked after properly, eg, not used as tools and cuticle oil massaged in daily you should have no problems.
I have been using shellac for some time now and the only time it doesn't last the two weeks is if the nail plate is dehydrated clients must oil the nails daily to prevent this from happening using solar oil. Another reason is not preparing the nail plate properly or using the wrong uv lamp.
Keeping your skin moisturised will extend the life of your shellac nails and keep your hands looking healthy and youthful. Use hand cream during the day (reapply as often as needed) and a richer cuticle oil at night before bed. The oil will treat your fingers overnight and keep nails from flaking for lack of moisture.
Nails need to be lightly scratched to ensure proper product adhesion. However, I have found that too much buffing weakens the clients' nails, which makes nails more susceptible to bending, eventually tearing the Shellac or gel over time, causing the gel to chip.
If you're looking for a long-lasting manicure, you can't go wrong with either shellac or gel nails. Both manicure variations last between 10 and 14 days. But because shellac nails are partially made with standard polish (and therefore softer), they're more vulnerable to chipping than gel nails.
Shellac manicure starts peeling within a day or 2:
Your tech may have not dehydrated your nail bed well enough. You don't always need to rough up the nail but the natural shine should be buffed down first (unless you are using Shellac brand gel polish they require no buffing). The polish might be older.
“Lifting occurs when there isn't a correct bond between the product and the nail plate. Therefore, the best way to prevent lifting is through proper prep of the nail plate and product control. It's important to be very thorough when removing cuticle stuck to the nail plate—a quick swipe of the file isn't enough!
Shellac was the first hybrid polish, produced by CND, and you can expect manicures to last about two weeks. Some may find that the chip-free finish lasts longer than this, but it's recommended that you get them removed after 14 days as by this time your own nail will have started to grow out.
The end result in both cases? Hard-wearing, shiny, thick colourful nails that will last 2 to 3 weeks without chipping. In our experience, SNS can last up to one week longer than Shellac nails without chipping, and SNS also creates a thicker-looking nail from all that powder getting added on.
Shellac is not very durable and is prone to damage. This finish is not heat-resistant. As a precaution, avoid placing hot pans or objects on it. Another drawback is that shellac is not water-resistant, hence unsuitable for areas such as kitchens or bathrooms.
It is possible for Shellac nails to chip. They can even crack. Simply put, this is almost always caused by poor habits or incorrect application. Being too rough, picking, excessive product usage or hand washing, improper nail preparation, and incorrect product application can all result in this outcome.
Great for nails that are already in good condition, a shellac finish will stay intact for up to two weeks. They are chip-resistant and have the effect of a beautiful mani, without the edges fraying.
If you're asking yourself why your nail polish is chipping so fast, you may not be washing your hands before you apply nail polish. Your nails have natural oils that may prevent polish from adhering correctly, so wash your hands with soap and water before starting your manicure.
A shellac manicure can usually last 14 days without chipping. If you want your shellac to last another fortnight or so, protecting your natural nails, a nude-ish Shellac Forte is your best bet.
Step 1: Give Your Nails a Break
Most nail technicians suggest giving your nails at least a week-long break every eight weeks.
Acrylic is more durable and lasts longer than Shellac. “When properly applied, acrylic nail enhancements should last until you or your nail tech removes them, giving your nails strength at any length and minimizing breakage, cracking, and chipping,” Malarkey says. That's not to say Shellac isn't worthwhile, though.
“We highly recommend using shellac polish versus your typical gel polish because they soak off easier and are less damaging to the nails during the soak-off process,” Dunne says.
Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.
While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack. You'll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.
Gel manicures definitely last longer, and if you like that plush, ultra-glossy finish, it's the way to go. However, the removal process for Shellac is much gentler on the nails, which makes switching up your colors easier to do.
On average, they last up to 2 weeks, with some lucky few getting a good 3 weeks in! However, it isn't uncommon to experience issues with how long these nails actually last, and there have been cases where Shellac nails start to peel after only a few days.
For most of my work I stick to clear shellac. Three to four coats is generally enough to give the work a fully protective coat.
STEP 5: Recoat as required until you're happy with the finished look. At least three to four layers of shellac are required to achieve an ideal finish. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the wood achieves a smooth, even appearance.
Unfortunately, leaving your CND™ Shellac™ manicure on for too long can result in service breakdown; lifting, chipping, discolouration etc.
NOT PROPERLY BUFFING/ PREPPING YOUR NAILS
It needs to be totally “roughed” up with a nail file (gently) and completely matte. If you don't do this properly, your precious gel mani that you just hunched over for hours for, will pop right off in a week or so.