Shellac Manicure

[lisabarr]

After learning about Shellac polish for natural nails that last's 2 weeks, I am going to give it a go today.
I never get a color on my nails because they chip after a couple of days. Shellac is said to be chip free and shiny for up to 2 weeks.
It is $33. Anybody try it?

 

[Gigi22]

My DSis just tried it--the shellac manicure was suggested by her esthetician. DSis was very happy with hers. It lasted 2 weeks. I saw it towards the end of the 2 weeks, and it still looked good.

 

[Conway733]

My hair salon just opened a nail salon that does these types of mani/pedis. I was wondering how easy is it to remove after the two weeks? Sometimes after a regular pedicure I have trouble getting the polish off.

 

[Gigi22]

I do know that there is some gel in the shellac manicure. I'll check with DSis and get back to you--she just moved house, and I am sure her manicure took a beating!

 

[woodkins]

I was thinking of trying it, my neice works in a salon and loves her shellac manicures. I don't like the fact that you have to go back to the salon to have it removed. I would feel odd just going back, having it removed and leaving. I feel like I would continually have to keep getting it done & I am not that dedicated to my manicures

 

[lisabarr]

I had it done today and it looks fabulous!!! Was dry as soon as she finished the top coat. I mean, totally dry! I could dig in my purse and then went food shopping.
They guarantee it for 2 weeks or they will fix it for free. I saw some remover online but the girl who did me says you just soak them acetone for ten minutes to remove! I am really pleased becuase I never do my nails due to the fact that they chip after a few days or they bubble. These look perfect and should be this great in 14 days and still shiny.

 

[TheRatPack]

LOL, I just keep thinking of a paint and body shop doing nails now.....LOL Seriously, I never paint my fingernails....I can't keep them from chipping and then they look horrible because I don't take the time to remove the polish for a few days. I do paint my toenails....it would be nice to go 2 weeks without painting them, wonder if you can get this for a pedi too?

 

[Sagginit]

is that the same thing as gels....like the new opi ones? i heard they can damage your nails underneath so i havent tried them yet.

 

[it's kelly]

is that the same thing as gels....like the new opi ones? i heard they can damage your nails underneath so i havent tried them yet.

This was my concern. The nail salon I use also offers this service and I was thinking about having it done before my vacation so my nails stayed nice while I was away. I was worried about what it would do to my natural nail when the gel is taken off.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I do light concept gels and I'd love to learn more about this "shellac" manicure. Any links? My gels last 3 weeks and I love not having to do much to them and still have them look nice.

IDK if it is the same but I have removed artificial nails myself before and this is the easiest way with minimal damage-

Get cotton pads not balls, pure acetone ( I get it at target, it is labeled MAXIMUM strength np remover, under it is says 100% pure acetone) and some aluminum foil, torn into 4-5" wide strips.

I soak a cotton pad with acetone, put it on top of your nail,put your finger on top of a foil strip and fold the foil up towards you, then roll sides in like a burrito. Let them stay like this for about 30 minutes. Then take them off and use a clean cotton pad or fine emery board (dep. on your nail condition) to remove the "melted" nail material. Some materials are harder to remove than others. You may have to repeat this process a second time.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

This was my concern. The nail salon I use also offers this service and I was thinking about having it done before my vacation so my nails stayed nice while I was away. I was worried about what it would do to my natural nail when the gel is taken off.

In my experience, the gel doesn't damage the nail. The removal process damages the nail IF they pry or shave the material off instead of soaking. Soaking (or the method I posted earlier) takes longer but you never damage the nail. I imagine the shellac is the same.

 

[badblackpug]

I've had both gels and shellac. I have shellac right now. I love them. In my opinion the shellac looks better and lasts longer than the gels. I get about 2 weeks out of the gels and then they start lifting. I got 3 weeks out of the last set of shellac. There was no lifting or chipping, they were grown out. Neither system damages the nails. They are applied just like polish. There are no acrylics. ...and as a PP said...they are dry as soon as the top coat goes on.

 

[patsal]

May look into this for my next vacation manicure. I always get 2-3 months out of a regular pedicure, but my mani only lasts 10 days no matter if I do it or the salon.

 

[2chinooks]

Shellac is applied similar to regular polish. The nail bed is not roughed up like most gels, so there is no damage to your nails. If you are going to remove it yourself you can soak (or wrap) it in acetone for 10 minutes then gently rub off any leftover bits with a wooden cuticle stick. Don't buff or file it off! Not necessary! Shellac is fabulous!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I've done the shellac too. I love that it is dry right away! No sitting around for ten minutes and being careful for an hour. I got three weeks plus out of my french manicure. You need 100% acetone to remove it. Soaking for 5 minutes or so does the trick. At my salon it is $35 though. A regular manicure is $15. So you could do a regular manicure twice and it would still be cheaper. Or manicure and multiple polish changes. I will only do shellac before a trip or special event I think.