Getting manicures is fun
and if you go above and beyond and like to get designs and not just a plain
color you’ve probably been offered Shellac to do so. But what is Shellac and
what makes it different from any other nail polish? Many people also confuse Shellac
with gel nails and that’s just plain wrong.
What
Are Shellac Nails?
Shellac is a product
that combines the properties of nail polish and gel. It’s not quite like
getting gel nails but it’s also not your regular nail polish. It’s a mix of
two. So you get the shine and the strength of gel nails but the application
technique is much easier. It doesn’t cheap, it lasts longer than normal nail
polish and you don’t have to wait for it to dry, because it’s cured with UV/LED
lights, just like gel nails.
Shellac
Application
When you get your nails
painted with Shellac the first step is to de-grease the nail with rubbing
alcohol, or a special solution that removes nail oils. Then a sticky base is
applied, then a coat or two of the actual Shellac nail color and then a shiny
topcoat. In between each coat, you dry your nails quickly in a UV/LED lamp that
cures the Shellac, similar to gel nails.
Is
Shellac Bad For Your Nails?
Shellac isn’t exactly
bad for your nails. If applied and taken off properly it causes no more harm to
your nail then normal nail polish. Your nails won’t become more brittle or
damages if you get your manicure done by a real professional at a nail salon.
However, unlike gel or acrylic nails you do need to have healthy nails, to
begin with, since you can’t really add length or change the shape of your nails
with Shellac alone.
How
Long Do Shellac Nails Last?
Shellac nails last 2
weeks on average without chipping or peeling off. Shellac also doesn’t really
get affected by washing dishes or doing house chores, it’s a pretty safe bet
that your nails will look good for 2 weeks straight. If you’re careful it might
last even longer than that, but your nails will grow out and it’ll start
looking a bit weird if it’s not a nude natural color.
Removing
Shellac Nails
Shellac can be removed
in two ways. You can put acetone soaked cotton pads on your nails and wrap them
in tinfoil for a couple of minutes to let the Shellac dissolve a bit and then
it can be scraped off. Or it can be taken off with a special nail drill. It’s
not advisable to do this at home because you can damage your nails in the
process.
Can
Everyone Get Shellac
The only requirement there is to getting Shellac nails is to have relatively healthy nails. As we’ve mentioned above, it’s impossible to add length to your nails with Shellac. So if you have short nails you can use Shellac to paint them, but not shape them. Other than that – everyone can use Shellac.
