In short, shellac has taken the best of gel no-chips and colour and added the benefits of traditional polish shine and ease. Gel nails are made with liquid gel and are available from a huge number of different manufacturers in addition to Gelish. If we want to get technical, they work by mixing oligomers and acrylic monomers which harden under a UV light. Shellac, on the other hand, is a patented brand coming from one manufacturer: Creative Nail Design.
The result is that with Shellac you get the traditional shine we all love. Due to the gel, Shellac nails also need to harden under the UV light. Firstly, both shellac and gel polishes are a great choice. Both will look fabulous. Both last longer than traditional polish, at around days, although gel may last as long as 3 weeks. 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. Your manicurist can remove Shellac nails in just minutes, without any harsh scraping, using an acetone remover not too different from standard nail polish remover.
It involves soaking and filing, and, sometimes, damage to the surface of the nails. But for you, this is probably the main reason to consider shellac over gel. The nail technician will take care to dissolve the shellac and remove it carefully, without the need to use harsh techniques. Removing gel nails will take considerably longer, and may involve buffering processes which leave your nails weaker and damaged. Not only have we tried it for ourselves, but we also spoke with Jan Arnold , co-founder and style director of Creative Nail Design CND , to get the lowdown on this popular salon service.
So, if you're always on the hunt for your next nail venture, you may just find that a shellac manicure is everything you've been looking for. Read on to learn all there is to know about shellac nails, including how it differs from a gel mani.
Meet the Expert. Jan Arnold is co-founder and style director of CND and has been with the company for over 30 years. She is a self-confessed nail fanatic and fashion addict who influenced the change from bare nails to elaborate, fashion-forward manicures on the runway.
Her roster of clients includes Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu. What is shellac? It's a patented system that includes a branded base coat, color coat, and top coat. With over shades, there's something for everyone, from ethereal pinks to dark metallics. The manicure is cured with a special LED lamp made exclusively for shellac, so there's virtually no drying time , according to Arnold.
This is when ultraviolet UV wavelengths hit molecules called photoinitiators in the gel formula and activate them. Let's tackle the shellac vs. The fact is, the differences between these two nail types are slim, but it does have an effect on your overall manicure experience.
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 amount of color options for gel nails as there are for shellac nails, but there are still plenty of shades to choose from for either.
Arnold says the removal process is one of the biggest things that sets a shellac manicure apart from other gels or gel polish.
She explains, "When acetone-based remover is applied, the coating actually breaks into tiny pieces and releases from the nail," allowing for a seamless removal more on that later. We can attest, the finish is very durable and rarely chips or peels. This manicure does stand up to most household chores like washing dishes.
While this finish is known for its durability, some chemicals can damage your manicure , so you should still be careful and wear gloves when cleaning and doing other harsh tasks. As with most beauty procedures, the cost of a shellac manicure can vary.
It might be tempting, but you should never attempt to peel off a shellac manicure, as you can do a lot of damage to the top layers of your nails if you do. It's best to go back to the salon for proper removal. The process can take anywhere from five to 15 minutes. Apply sunscreen to be safe, and you should be fine. Sadly, the official CND Shellac service is an in-salon only treatment.
But you can certainly have a crack at getting a close effect, by using a gel-style nail varnish. Gelish and OPI brands are both good, with a decent base coat and gloss top coat. Barry M also have a Gelly Hi-Shine range, with pots of polish costing less than a fiver. Always remember to buff your nails before you start to give the polish a better chance of adhering. There are some really great at home nail kits that you can invest in, should you fancy. You can also buy a quality gel-style varnish, use a base coat and a glossy top coat, for a professional vibe without the cost.
One thing that applies to both gel nails and Shellac nails is that your nail beds do not need to 'breathe,' — and that having coatings on top of them are hindering this. Just like your hair, your nails are already dead sorry, aware this sounds grim. However, your cuticles and nail bed are very much alive, and caring for them is super important. As such, make sure you never try and rip them off and instead head to a salon for a pro removal, or follow the steps for safe DIY removal, above.
While gelish colours are strong, with a range of natural and vibrant shades, shellac colours lag behind at only , so you're more limited in choice. If you're planning to remove your semi-permanent polish at home, go for shellac nails so you have less chance of ruining your natural nail.
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