Regarding the shellac. I was getting mine done and the college student next to me was getting the shellac for her mom's wedding. I asked her about it, because my DD 12 will want something done for our cruise. She said it was wonderful. She has a french manicure done in the shellac and she said it was 2 weeks old. She had been doing house work, and had been to the beach on spring break and no chipping. She also said that the only chip she got was when she was baby sitting and they were playing outside with chalk and she scratched her nail on the asphalt. It took a small chip off. She highly recommended it.
thanks for that info!