It gives a shiny mirror smooth finish to your nails and stays intact on the nails for about 14 days and in some cases even more, without chipping or fading away. So, if you are looking for a manicure that will stay on your hands for long, look for no other than shellacs.
“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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Shellac is a blend of gel and nail polish. Because it is like a polish, it can't be used to extend your nail. Because it is like a gel, however, it does add strength and durability.
How to remove shellac - Step 3. "Leave the acetone solution 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."
The difference between Shellac and SNS nails is more about method than it is about results. Shellac, or gel nail polish, is painted on. SNS, or powder dip nails, is not painted on. Rather, you dip your fingers one-by-one into a little container of fine, coloured powder that sticks to your nails.
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.
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.
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.
The longer you leave your CND™ Shellac™ manicure, the more likely it is to chip and lift (leading to picking!). We recommend rebooking your next appointment when you're with your nail technician.
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.
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.
Shellac nails are similar to gel nails in that they're both cured under a UV lamp, but Shellac is also a brand of gel nail polish by CND. Gel nails can be applied either by hand or under a UV lamp (which typically requires acrylic powder), while Shellac comes pre-packaged as nail polish.
Remover: You have a few replacement options to use instead of acetone. Hand sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide, and cuticle oil are some of the most popular and effective methods. You can also try a kitchen oil like olive oil. If you have nothing else on hand, warm, soapy water or vinegar can be used to remove gel nails.
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).
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.
It gets applied like regular nail polish but dries like gel. Shellac gives your manicure a little more stability than the usual manicure, allowing longer lasting results. These manicures take slightly more time than the regular because of the UV curing process between each coat.
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.”
A shellac manicure is known to last two weeks as promised. The nails continue to stay super shiny without chipping and grow out as the nails grow. As tempting as it may be when the polish eventually does start to chip or lift, it is best to return to the salon to get it removed.
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.