Shellac nails are created with a special in-salon nail polish that was developed and patented by the nail polish brand Creative Nail Design (CND). Half-gel and half-regular polish, shellac combines the benefits of both, like no dry time, long-lasting results, shine, color, and easy removal.
The benefits of a Shellac manicure include over 14 days of glossy, chip-free wear, no drying time at the salon, and easy removal that doesn't damage nails.
Manicurists have long given shellac their seal of approval and its a hit amongst those who favour a lifeproof, chip resistant manicure. The most common misconception when it comes to shellac though, is that they're simply any old gel nail, but, shellac is a little more specific than that.
Shellac benefits from its gel content, but don't forget that there is regular polish in there too. As such, whilst it is harder to chip than regular polish, it can still chip more easily than gel. But, the plus side of this is that it is far easier to remove.
Due to the long-wear quality of shellac polish, Dunne says that your nails are protected and will look their best for longer. “The major benefit of shellac is a beautiful high-gloss manicure that will stay chip-free for 10 to 14 days (if applied correctly),” she explains.
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.
If you do want to do it at home, however, know that because shellac is a polish, it's easier to remove than gel and kinder to your nails as you don't have to buff your nail plate to 'break' the bond.
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.
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.
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.
You can remove them easily enough yourself, with nothing more than a few cotton balls, some foil and nail-polish remover.
Shellac nails are a blend of gel and regular nail polish that offer a glossy finish. Acrylic nails are durable, while gel nails are less damaging. Shellac nails, however, give the most natural look.
Unfortunately, leaving your CND™ Shellac™ manicure on for too long can result in service breakdown; lifting, chipping, discolouration etc.
Because it is like a gel, however, it does add strength and durability. In the long term Shellac is much less damaging to nails than traditional Gels (or Acrylics). The main benefit is that it reduces chipping.
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.
Is Shellac Safe to Use? While there is nothing wrong with shellac itself, it's the curing process that raises safety concerns. LED light lamps used to cure shellac emit UV rays, and extended exposure to UV rays can have potential side effects, including premature aging of the skin, age spots, and skin cancer.
Don't pick, bite, or cut
Others pick at it and even peel the coats off. All of this can damage your natural nails and will degrade the durability of your shellac manicure.
Our top tip for short nails:
Opt for gel, shellac, BIAB, or another semi-permanent option when it comes to your short nails manicure.
CND Shellac vs OPI GelColor Curing Speed
If you were using a LED lamp GelColor would have an edge over Shellac in speed and how well it cured the coating. But if it was in a UV lamp they both will cure at pretty much the same speed but Shellac would have an edge as it's formula will cure better then GelColor's formula.
The Differences in Cost
It all comes down to 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.
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.
Shellac nails (and gel nails too) are painted on and put under a UV light. SNS nails are dipped in powder instead of being painted. Each nail is dipped into the powder one by one and the powder sticks to your nails. Since SNS nails are dipped in powder, they tend to create a thicker look.
SNS is short for 'Signature Nail Systems' and is a manicure that requires repeated dipping into a powder that hardens on the nail. No LED or UV lamp is needed to set SNS, which is how it gets its connotation of being more healthy and natural for your nails.