SNS provides a bit of extra strength and length to your nails, whilst maintaining a lightweight feel. It is much thinner than acrylic but thicker than gel polish. It's a great way of getting a bit of extra strength in your nails, whilst maintaining a more “natural-looking” finish.
But we've found Shellac to be a little less damaging to our nails long-term than SNS nails. Another difference is that Shellac needs to be cured, or dried, under a UV or LED lamp, whereas SNS is dry instantly. Both treatments take about the same amount of total time in-salon though.
Shellac vs gel: the low down on which is better
You can enjoy a fantastic polish with both. For longer lasting, with more colour options, choose gel. For shine and ease, choose shellac. Talk to your nail technician and they may also have individual recommendations for you.
The Differences in Cost
On average, gel manicures and pedicures are slightly more expensive than shellac ones because gels tend to be pricier, and salons often charge a premium for LED/UV curing equipment.
Shellac is much less damaging to nails than traditional gels (or acrylics), and if your goal isn't to make your nails longer, then they're a great choice. Shellac looks like a thick glossy gel polish, and the main benefit is that it reduces chipping.
Another reason the SNS procedure tends to weaken nails is the removal process. This is an inflexible product, so any breaks or lifting usually takes your own nail with it! People prone to picking or removing can also peel away layers of their own nails with the product.
Both powders and gels are easy to apply and the result is a durable mani that lasts you around three weeks. What's more, the removal process is comparable to Shellac in speed and ease (it typically involves soaking your nails in an acetone solution) and they cost roughly the same.
The Down-Low on SNS
Unlike your typical lacquer or gel polish, SNS is applied as a powder in multiple coats that hardens onto the nail. Where Gel nails rely on a UV lamp to set the polish in place, SNS eliminates the need for unnecessary exposure, causing people to think of it as a healthier alternative.
SNS is hailed as a healthy manicure, as the powder formula contains nail-fortifying calcium and other minerals. “It can be applied to almost any nail, no matter how short,” adds Bowhill-Hayes. “They last well; up to three weeks with no lifting.”
Dip Powder Manicure
For this type of manicure, each nail color comes in the form of a pigmented powder, which your nails are dipped into after being applied a clear liquid formula. It's generally stronger than gel and lasts longer.
How Much Does SNS Nails Cost? Depending on where you plan to get your nails done, and how elaborate you would prefer the design, you can expect SNS manicure to range from $35 to $75 for a full set.
Although SNS nails are generally more robust and longer-lasting than gel nails, they can be challenging to remove and might damage the natural nail if the process isn't done correctly.
In the same way that regular haircuts prevent hair breakages and so promote growth, any strengthening layer such as SNS that is placed over your natural nail will prevent breakages.
Pour in enough acetone to soak the cotton wool or paper towel and your nails on both hands. Buff off the top coat of your nails so that the acetone is able penetrate through the dip powder. Put your hands into the bowl and let them soak against the cotton wool or paper towel for 1 minute.
Although it might sound like a trivial problem, if left on too long, SNS, gel, and acrylic nails can start to lift around the edges, allowing water to get trapped underneath and cultivate bacteria (we are especially susceptible to this considering how frequently we're all washing our hands.)
A Shellac manicure is great for someone who wants to reduce damage to their nail, as shellac polishes are super easy to remove—no nail drill needed. Regular nail polish takes a long time to dry and gel can sometimes lead to damage if removed incorrectly—a shellac manicure is your happy medium.
It does not take layers off or weaken the nail over time as SNS does, which means stronger, less damaged nails. Gelicious is free of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, tuolene, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, ethyl methacrylate, parabens, acetone, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – which means no nasty gel polish smell!
PICKING OFF YOUR CND™ SHELLAC™ – This is one of the biggest causes of natural nail damage. CND™ Shellac™ bonds to the natural nail which means that if you pick it off, it will take a thin layer of your natural nail too. This will make your natural nails much weaker and thinner, causing them to break.
Because shellac nails use traditional nail polish, in addition to a gel layer, they're a little more prone to chipping than methods like the gel application, which means you may need touch-ups more than with other types of nails.
Gel manicures benefit those with weaker nails and lasts just that little bit longer than Shellac. However, the removal process is quite lengthy. Shellac is a thinner polish, so if you want to give your nails more space to “breathe' and have sturdy natural nail beds, this one's for you.