"Getting a shellac manicure involves applying a shellac color polish over a shellac base coat, followed by one of several shellac topcoats," says Kandalec. All of these layers are treated and cured with UV light to make them last longer, appear glossier, and prevent chipping.
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. Either way, you will have a manicure that lasts longer than basic polish.
Shellac comes in the form of a polish but contains gel and polish mixed together. This makes it stronger than regular polish, but not as strong as a gel. Shellac is actually a brand name and it was created by Creative Nail Design. Once placed over the nail, it is also cured under a UV lamp and can last around 14 days.
Any polish that is cured onto your nail has the potential for nail damage. Usually, shellac and gel manicures begin by intentionally damaging the top layer of the nail bed to essentially "rough it up." They do it because the polish adheres better to a textured surface.
Your shellac nails should remain shiny and chip-free for 14 to 21 days if you take care of them responsibly. Don't worry about your day to day activities: taking out keys, working on the computer and (light) cooking are no match for shellac.
Soak a cotton pad in 100% pure acetone. Place the cotton pad around your finger and wrap aluminium foil around it, do this for each finger and allow to soak for 15 minutes. This step may need to be repeated a few times until all product is dissolved and able to be gently wiped or scraped off.
The bottom line
If you're trying to switch up your manicure, shellac nails are definitely worth a try. They're long-lasting, cute, and easy, and as long as you get them removed properly, they won't cause any major damage.
Cotton pads will be soaked in acetone, and wrapped around each nail, to dissolve the polish. Next, aluminum foil is wrapped, in individual pieces, around the varnish-vanishing cotton wool to keep it in place.
Shellac Nails can be soaked off with acetone. At the spa we soak a piece of cotton or gauze in acetone and put on each individual nail, and then wrap the nail with tinfoil. Leave this on for 10-15 mins, and when you remove it your Shellac should be able to be lightly scraped off with the orangewood stick.
You can remove them easily enough yourself, with nothing more than a few cotton balls, some foil and nail-polish remover. Here's how to safely remove shellac or gel polish at home. Using a nail file, gently buff away the shiny layer of hard-to-dislodge polish until it takes on an opaque appearance.
Shellac is the brand name for a new, patent pending nail product created by Creative Nail Design (CND). It is a hybrid, meaning half nail polish, half gel. The product can be applied similarly to nail polish on your natural nails (no sculpting or filing).
“The optimum time between CND Shellac manicures is 2 weeks,” says Marian. “However, slow growing nails can go up to 3 weeks. The main reason is that after 2 weeks the Shellac starts to take a little bit longer to remove as it continues to harden.
A French manicure is a classic beauty look that can be achieved with polish and shellac. However, the downside to this is that if you want to remove your polish and shellac from your nails, you'll need to use nail polish remover.
If you have strong natural nails, shellac is a top option that will be kind to your nails on removal, with a beautiful natural finish. If you're looking for something that will last for a longer period, say a honeymoon or holiday – go for gel. If you have weak nails, or want some drama – go for acrylics.
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.
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.
A basic manicure, with the right polishes, is the healthiest for your nails. When we say the 'right polishes' we mean the best nail growth polish or breathable nail polish. The harsh chemicals in many polishes often degrade our nails. Using an organic polish that contains vitamins, is the best way to avoid damage.
This is rule number one for shellac nails – DO NOT peel them off. Peeling off the shellac nails yourself can damage your natural nails by peeling off the stronger layers of your nails leaving the weaker nails exposed.
To prevent smudging, it is best to wait one to two hours before hopping in the tub or shower. To help speed drying time, use a fast-drying topcoat or a nail polish dryer. Get 15% off your next online order when you sign up for text messages.
While the risk of using shellac on your nails is relatively low, the Skin Cancer Foundation does recommend protecting your hands from dangerous UV rays when possible. You can do this by applying a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen to your hands 20 minutes prior to UV light exposure.
A gel manicure and a Shellac manicure are essentially the same thing: long-lasting polishes cured under UV lamps. The difference is that "gel nails" or "manicure" is the generic term for nails done under a UV lamp, while Shellac is a brand of gel nails by the company Creative Nail Design (CND).
"Leave the acetone to soak for 15 minutes. By then your gel polish will have lifted from the nail bed," Lucy says. She adds: "My top tip is to keep your nails warm during the soaking process by wrapping your hands in a towel – this will speed things up."