Essentially gel nails use a semi-permanent gel to color your nails, whereas shellac nails use semi-permanent polish. There are also nearly triple the number of color options for gel nails as there are for shellac nails, but there are still plenty of shades to choose from for either.
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.
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.
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.
Gel Nails. 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).
Shellac is thinner and softer than gel polish, but harder than traditional varnish.
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.
They are worried about the possible harmful effects of UV light exposure." Additionally, while Shellac appears to help avoid the damage to the nails caused by acrylics, SNS goes a step further, according to Vo. “SNS is positively good for nail health.
Any remover with an acetone content of 60 per cent or more will work, but it's best to find one designed to remove shellac or gel polish – like this one – as it will be less harsh on your skin and nail beds. Pure acetone is also very effective, but it can also be drying to your skin and nail beds.
Unlike with acrylics, there is typically no damage done to the nail bed at all once you remove the polish. Gel nails are flexible with your regular nails and can easily be removed at home. Cons: Because there is UV light involved, there are some concerns about premature aging skin and skin cancer.
Shellac polish can ruin your natural nails. Scraping and peeling off cured nail polish can physically remove the top layers of your nail bed. If the damage is already done, learn how you can repair broken, brittle, or flaky nails with all-natural ingredients.
When you peel off polish from previous applications, it continuously removes the stronger layers of your nail's surface, which reside on the top of your nails. This then exposes the weaker layers of nail, which can cause the shellac nail polish to peel off with the weaker layers of your nails when applied.
Although gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands.
This is why heading to a professional to remove shellac nails is a good idea. A liquid solvent used to remove stubborn polish. Like traditional nail varnish remover, but seriously strong (I'm talking removing Sharpie strong). Cotton pads will be soaked in acetone, and wrapped around each nail, to dissolve the polish.
The cons of a shellac manicure include:
Curing with a UV lamp is necessary and frequent exposure can be harmful over long periods.
The alcohol in many hand sanitizers can dry out polish and crack cuticles, causing polish to chip. “Nails that lack enough moisture often become brittle”, says Cassy Chao, manager of Dream Nails Salon. “Brittle nails don't receive and hold polish or shellac like a healthy nail bed will.”
Our top tip for short nails:
Opt for gel, shellac, BIAB, or another semi-permanent option when it comes to your short nails manicure. They'll stay perfectly glossy and remain chip-free for the duration of your mani (around 2-3 weeks).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 is not a nail enhancement like acrylic, which can add length to your nails,” she says. “It's a healthier option in comparison to acrylic.” Hanna adds to this, noting that while Shellac is longer lasting than regular nail lacquer, it's less durable than traditional gel since it's blended with regular polish.