If your manicurist offers a shellac manicure or pedicure the next time you’re at the nail salon, do not hesitate and say yes. What exactly is a shellac manicure? Only the greatest advancement in nail care has occurred in the last 25 years.
As nail art addicts, we always look for new types of manicures. We recently tried Shellac nails and can attest to their beauty, functionality, and durability. Honestly, it’s one of the best manicures we’ve ever had. Notably, shellac nails can be gotten online; however, getting them from a reputable vendor for quality assurance is essential.
But why are they so popular, and are they worth all the hype? To find out if shellac nails are perfect for you and to learn more about their advantages, continue reading.
What Are Shellac Nails?
A unique nail polish developed and patented by the nail polish company Creative Nail Design is used in-salon to create Shellac nails (CND). Shellac is a half-gel, half-regular polish that combines benefits such as no dry time, shine, long-lasting results, color, and ease of removal.
When the formula’s tiny molecules (monomers) and larger molecules (polymers) are exposed to LED light, the formulas bind together, creating a shellac effect—hence the term “shellac nails.”
What Are the Differences Between Gel Nails and Shellac?
Consider shellac and gel nails to be sisters—they’re related, but it isn’t very pleasant when people mix them up. Here are a few key distinctions to consider:
- They’re Formulated Differently
Gel nails are created with a liquid gel formula that combines acrylic monomers that harden under UV light, resulting in a smooth, glossy finish. On the other hand, the shellac nail formula is a hybrid of gel polish and traditional polish. As a result, shellac nails are thinner and lighter than gel nails.
- Gel Nails Are Harder to Remove
A skilled nail technician may remove both without causing any harm, but generally speaking, removing gel polish involves a lot of scraping and filing down, is cumbersome, time-consuming, and can be more damaging to the nails. Shellac, on the other hand, is far easier to remove.
How Long Do Shellac Nails Last?
Shellac nails are extremely long-lasting, with most people getting 10 to 14 days out of them. You don’t want to wear them for more than two weeks, though, because your natural nail will have grown out by then, which isn’t the most attractive look.
Tips For Long-Lasting Shellac Nails?
Some lucky individuals can get three weeks out of a Shellac manicure. If getting one is one of your nail ideas, take into account the following advice:
1. Moisturize
Keeping your skin moisturized will help your Shellac manicure last longer while keeping your hands healthy and wrinkle-free. To keep nails from flaking due to a lack of moisture, use a high-quality hand cream during the day and nutrient-rich cuticle oil at night.
2. Protect
To safeguard your shellac manicure, wear gloves when doing the dishes, mopping the floor, or working in the garden. This is crucial if you use abrasive cleaners or chemicals, such as bleach because they might cause your polish to chip.
3. Maintain
To keep your shellac manicure well-protected from regular wear and tear, apply a layer of clear top coat polish once a week.
Application
Nail technicians begin by performing a manicure. They then use a file or buffer to roughen the nail bed. They then use alcohol to dehydrate and clean the nail bed before applying the base coat. All polish coats must be cured for 30 seconds under a UV or LED lamp. Following the base coat, two coats of color are applied and cured using a UV or LED lamp. Finally, the top coat is applied and cured under UV or LED lighting. Finally, the nail technician uses alcohol to remove a sticky film residue.
The shellac application procedure is largely the same. On the other hand, the nail technician does not roughen up the nail. The only preparation for the nail bed is dehydration and cleaning with alcohol. Another significant distinction is that Shellac requires one minute of curing under a UV light.
Gel polishes and Shellac both smell primarily of nail polish. Because of the specialized equipment and products, salon visits yield the best results for gel nails.
Is it safe to use Shellac?
In a nutshell, yes — shellac polish is widely regarded as safe. However, while nothing is wrong with Shellac in and of itself, the curing process raises safety concerns. The LED light used to cure Shellac contains powerful UV rays, which can cause premature skin aging, age spots, and even skin cancer. Before getting a Shellac manicure, cover your hands with sunscreen with an SPF of 30 SPF or higher to protect your skin from UV rays.
How Do I Remove Shellac Nails?
Nail technicians use a file to remove the shine from gel polish. They then soak the nails in acetone for 5 to 10 minutes before scraping away the polish with a cuticle pusher. Some nail technicians apply an acetone-soaked cotton ball directly to the nail and secure it with aluminum foil.
Shellac removal is mostly the same. However, nail technicians are not required to remove the polish’s shine. CND also makes remover wraps to keep your fingers from getting soaked in acetone. Nails should soak for about eight minutes.
Bottomline
So, are Shellac nails worth the hype? Absolutely. Shellac not only lasts longer than regular polish manicures, but it’s also scratch resistant and easy to maintain. Additionally, with over a hundred color options, you’ll never get tired of wearing the same polish. The only real disadvantage of Shellac is that it cannot be safely removed without the assistance of a skilled nail technician. Fortunately, the removal procedure only takes 15 minutes.