Women's hands attract the attention of men no less than other parts of the body, so it is important to take care not only of the skin, but also of the nails. Here, a neat and stylish shellac manicure will help women, which can be done in the salon or at home, guided by step-by-step instructions for beginners.

Shellac characteristic

Shellac is a natural product found in nature. This is a resin produced by subtropical and tropical insects, used in the creation of various varnishes, in photography. The product is environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, it does not contain formaldehyde and toluene.

Shellac is a popular manicure today

CND was the first to use this component in the production of products for natural nails, which developed a unique product that performs the functions of a gel and varnish.

The product quickly gained popularity among women on maternity leave, business women, travelers, all those who have no time to repaint their nails every two to three days.

Shellac features

So loved by the female sex manicure is characterized by such features:

• The ability of this coating to stay on the nail plate from 2 to 3 weeks. This figure depends on the condition of the nails themselves: the harder and stronger they are, the longer the shellac lasts.
• The technique of applying the product is drying all its layers in a special lamp that emits UV rays. Usually such a manicure is done by a professional, but you can use shellac at home, for beginners - a step-by-step guide that will help you choose the right tools and tools.

The indisputable advantage of shellac is its durability.

Advantages and disadvantages of gel polish

This product has its positive and negative features that must be considered before applying it. Among shellac benefits worth noting the following:

• Creates a long lasting, durable manicure that can only be erased with a professional tool, therefore, it is not afraid of various chemicals used in everyday life.
• It is harmless to nails, as it is made from a resin of natural origin, does not contain harmful substances that destroy the nail plate (formaldehyde and toluene). Therefore, this coating is suitable for pregnant women or women suffering from allergies.
• Protects the nails from delamination, the appearance of cracks, allows you to make the nail plate stronger, grow it.
• A diverse color palette (more than 100 shades) allows you to create a manicure for any occasion, combine different colors, make beautiful, unusual patterns. Such a manicure will always be unique, it can be limited only by the imagination of a woman.
• Shellac is easily removed at home with a special tool or film. For beginners, there is a step-by-step instruction that allows you to remove the coating without harm to your nails.

One of the disadvantages of shellac is its high price.

Despite having many advantages, gel polish has its drawbacks, among which are the following:

• Shellac creates a suitable environment for the development of bacteria that lead to nail diseases. This is due to the fact that due to changes in temperature, the nail plate undergoes various deformations, leading to a violation of the integrity of the coating. Water and dirt can penetrate through the formed cracks, creating good conditions for the development of microbes.
• Covering nails with shellac in the salon is a rather expensive procedure, and the correction of an overgrown nail will be expensive. Applying gel polish at home reduces the cost of the process, but requires skill in covering nails with one hand, in addition, there is a need to purchase special equipment.
• Shellac is not a remedy, therefore, it cannot completely solve the problem of weakened and thin nails, in addition, it does not adhere well to such a nail plate, it can begin to peel off after a few days.

Do not use the product for women suffering from nail fungus, fingers

What resources and tools are needed

To create shellac at home, it is recommended to purchase all the same tools and materials used in the salon. None of the components can be replaced, this will allow beginners to create a beautiful manicure step by step. The list includes the following means and materials:

Shellac kit at home

• hard nail file (220–240 grit), nail clippers, spatula, orange stick, buff;
• cuticle remover;
• brush for dusting nails;
• degreaser;
• lamp with UV rays (36 watts);
• shellac - base, tone, top;
• wipes that do not leave lint;
• adhesive remover.

Choosing materials and tools it is recommended to give preference to the most well-known and trusted companies so that the result only pleases, does not become a disappointment.

Preparing nails for shellac

In order for the coating to fit well on the nails, you must first prepare them. note that gel polish manicure consists of the usual and specific procedures:

If the cuticle has not grown very well, you can simply push it back with an orange stick

• Cuticle treatment: carried out in various ways, depending on how much it has grown. Before removing it, you need to make a bath that softens the cuticle and makes it easy to remove. If it has not grown much, then it is enough to push it away with an orange stick. For overgrown cuticles, it is better to use special oil or nail clippers.
• Nail treatment: it is necessary to give an even shape to the nails, treat them with a buff for better adhesion to the coating. Clean your hands of dust with a brush.

Processing the nail plate with a degreaser is a very important step in preparing for a manicure.

It is especially good to treat the sides of the nails with a degreaser.

After applying this product, the nails should not be touched, otherwise the gel polish will not adhere well to the base. The degreaser can be replaced with alcohol wipes, but it is believed that they can affect the quality of the coating not for the better.

Shellac at home: step by step instructions for beginners

A beautiful manicure can be done not only in the salon. Easy to apply shellac at home. For beginners, a step-by-step guide will help you learn how to apply one color of gel polish, when this skill is mastered, you can try other designs.

The following instructions will help you master the technique of applying shellac:

• Apply a base coat that protects the nail plate. To make the layer not too thick, you need to know the rules for applying the base (this rule also applies to applying other coatings): first, the edges of the nail are painted over, then only the middle, the last touch is sealing the tip of the nail, so the layers will hold better. Drying nails in a UV or LED lamp, the time in the first should be one minute, in the second 12 seconds.

After processing the cuticle, a base coat is applied to the nails.

• The main coat is applied according to the same rule as the base coat, but the tips do not need to be painted over. The shellac layer should be as thin as possible. Pro tip: before applying the product, it is recommended to roll the bottle several times in the palm of your hand to better distribute the pigment.
• Drying the color layer in the lamp, drying time 1-2 minutes. If during drying the gel polish swells, then the whole process must be started all over again, with degreasing.
• Applying a second layer of the base, which will create a brighter and more saturated color, if a translucent effect is needed, then this item can be skipped. The second layer of coating should be slightly thicker than the first.
• Drying the new layer with UV rays for 2 minutes.
• The finishing or top coat is applied in the thickest layer. The last layer is dried in the same way as the previous one - 2 minutes.
• The resulting sticky layer is removed with a lint-free cloth and a professional tool, alcohol can also be used, but it can deprive the shellac of its gloss and shine.

It is important to understand that such a step-by-step instruction for applying shellac at home is quite simple, but for beginners it can be quite complicated. Don’t worry if it doesn’t work out right away, the skill will definitely come with time.

Manicure "Cat's eye" - a popular trend in nail design today

How to make fashionable shellac "Cat's eye"

A popular manicure this season is the “Cat's Eye”, which got its name from the similarity with the stone of the same name. Such nails look very beautiful and noble. You can create a Cat's Eye manicure at home, because the whole secret is in a special magnet.

For this design, you will need the same tools as with conventional gel polish, the difference will be in the shellac itself - you need to buy a special magnetic tool, which comes with a magnet.

The process of creating a fashionable manicure consists of the following steps:

• Preparation of the nail plate and cuticle.
• Treatment of nails with a degreaser.
• Applying a base leveling coat, drying it in a lamp.
• Covering one nail with a colored layer of shellac, drying it in a lamp.
• Applying a second color layer on the same nail plate.
• Creating a design with a magnet, for this it is brought to the painted surface so as not to touch it (about 3 mm from the nail). It is recommended to hold the magnet for 5-10 seconds, during this period the necessary pattern is created. Drying the nail in the lamp.
• Applying a finish coat, drying.
• Removal of the resulting sticky layer.

All other nails are processed using this technology. To make the manicure sparkle even more, it can be additionally decorated with rhinestones.

In order for the glitter shellac to be uniform, pre-mix the glitter gel polish

Secrets of using shellac at home

Making nails beautiful is not so easy if you use shellac at home. For beginners, step-by-step instructions may not be enough, for the reason that they do not know some of the secrets that are available to professionals. To get the desired result, experts recommend the following:

• For a uniform and even distribution of sparkles on the nails, you need to mix them with a small amount of gel polish, mix everything well and only then apply the second layer of sparkles to the nail plate.
• For the best result, it is recommended to apply shellac in a thin layer, and you do not need to paint over the cuticle, otherwise the look of the manicure will be sloppy.
• To create a French manicure, you should not use a stencil, because after drying it can no longer be removed, and if removed from a wet coating, the border will spread.
• When using shellac as a build-up, there is no need to completely cut off the nail plate, just sand it a little.

Rules for removing gel polish from nails

The use of shellac at home involves not only its correct application, but also requires knowledge of how to remove gel polish. The usual nail polish remover will not help here, you must use professional tools, in addition, it is important to know the procedure itself, which consists of certain step-by-step recommendations for beginners.

To remove gel polish, you need to prepare five discs of cotton, cut into two pieces, ten squares of foil, the size of which should be able to wrap a finger, a special tool, orange sticks and a buff.

To remove shellac at home, you need foil

The shellac removal procedure includes the following steps:

• The discs must be wetted with a gel polish remover and applied to the nail plates.
• Wrap each nail with a disc in foil, leave for 5-7 minutes.
• Remove everything from your fingers, remove the remnants of the product with an orange stick.
• If shellac is difficult to remove, it is recommended to hold the soaked cotton wool a little more or rub it lightly.
• Treat the nails with a buff for the final removal of gel polish.
• Make a relaxing bath, rub any care product for hands and nails.

solvents and their analogues should not be used to remove shellac

Thus, you can make shellac yourself at home. For beginners, a step-by-step guide will help you comprehend the intricacies of this process, learn the secrets of professionals, and create a beautiful and original manicure on your nails.

Beauty to you and your nails.

Step by step video on how to make shellac at home:

Useful video on how to remove shellac at home:

Video, which reveals the reasons for the instability of shellac:

The use of shellac for coating nails has gained popularity due to the improved characteristics of the coating. To make yourself such a manicure, it is not necessary to visit the salon. The procedure can be carried out at home, but for this you need to purchase special equipment and know the rules for working with the material. How to cover nails with shellac at home is described in this article.

What is Shellac

Shellac is a modern manicure product that was invented by the American company CND in 2010. CND (Creative Nail Design) was engaged in the production of varnishes, manicure tools and nail care products. Shellac was introduced as a unique composition for decorative manicure and quickly gained popularity among women due to its qualities.

Effective, elastic and durable coating is suitable for weakened and brittle nails

Shellac coating is odorless, hypoallergenic, free of formaldehyde and toluene, suitable for thin and brittle nails. At the same time, shellac provides flexibility and strength to the nail plate, improves the appearance of nails, and protects against household chemicals and mechanical damage. By consistency it is a varnish, but by properties it is a gel, which is dried in a special ultraviolet lamp. Shellac coating is practical because it does not wash off and lasts up to 3 weeks.

Comparison of properties of varnish and shellac (table)

Shellac gives a denser coverage of rich color

What coatings to choose

With the advent of Shellac, consumers began to call any gel polish shellac.

Despite the fact that CND does not consider Shellac a gel polish, users equate them. There is an opinion that Shellac contains the resin of the same name or its derivatives. However, no official source mentions the content of organic shellac polymer in CND products.

• Of course, the leading place among gel polishes is occupied by the American company CND as the inventor of shellac. The quality of Shellac CND coating is different from coatings from other manufacturers. But he has worthy competitors, which are worth paying attention to.
• Gel Polish GELCOLOR by OPI is a gel that dries under LED lamps. The manufacturing company OPI does not require pre-polishing of nails and claims ultra-fast drying - only 4 minutes for all layers of the coating (including the base and top coat). Consumers, however, note the liquid consistency of this gel polish and, accordingly, a less saturated color than CND shellac.
• Gel Polish Artistic Color Gloss. To polymerize the gel, you need a special LED lamp Artistic LED PRO 30, in which the hardening process takes only 30 seconds. The manufacturer promises a flexible glossy finish that lasts up to three weeks. This gel polish has a thick consistency, so it is recommended to apply it in thin layers.
• Shellac Blue Sky is another gel polish that is popular, however, users pay attention to the liquid consistency and the need to apply up to three layers for a denser coverage. This coating is dried under a UV lamp.

Examples of the most popular in the photo

The CND palette has 79 basic shades The Gel Color palette has more than 100 colors Gel polishes of the Artistic Color Gloss Blue Sky trademark offer 250 shades of shellac

What you need to pay attention to before applying

• To avoid misunderstandings, you should pay attention to the fact that the degreasing liquid, base, gel polish and top coat must be from the same manufacturer. It is then that the result will correspond to the declared.
• With a fungal infection of the nails, it is not recommended to apply shellac to avoid exacerbation and spread of the process.
• It is necessary to refrain from applying shellac while taking antibiotics, as the coating will not adhere better.
• To keep shellac for a long time and not fade, you should refuse contact with products containing acetone and household chemicals. To protect the coating, it is recommended to use rubber gloves.
• In the first two days after application, it is not recommended to visit the bath and sauna.

How to apply shellac at home

Working with shellac is just like with regular varnish. But it must be dried in a UV lamp, since only under the influence of UV waves of a certain length will a transition from a liquid to a solid state occur, and an elastic film forms on the surface of the nail. For the same reason, shellac is packaged in opaque bottles, as it shrinks when exposed to sunlight.

What is needed to perform the technique

• Ultraviolet lamp;
  Different types of lamps work with different coatings, and the exposure time for each lamp is individual, so when using a particular model, you must definitely read the instructions.
• soft nail file;
• lint-free wipes;
• degreaser CND Scrubfresh;
• Base Coat from CND;
• shellac CND;
• UV top coat from CND;
• CND Cool Blue tack remover or alcohol wipes
• cuticle oil.

Set for work (photo)

Necessary for working with the cuticle. Grinding the nail plate increases the degree of adhesion to the coating.
UV lamps can be used at home
Disinfection and degreasing is an important step in applying shellac
In the process of drying the layers of shellac, a sticky layer forms on the surface, which is removed with a special tool. After applying the manicure, it is recommended to treat the skin around the nail and the cuticle with a special nourishing oil.
The top coat will add shine and strength to the manicure.
A large palette of gel polishes allows you to choose a color for every taste. To obtain a smooth and glossy finish, it is important to completely clean the nail.
The base gives the coating strength and protects the nails from penetrating staining.

Step-by-step instructions: how to do a manicure and apply Shellac

1. Prepare nails: manicure, remove cuticles, shape nails.
2. Treat the nail plate with a soft file for polishing, this is necessary for the best adhesion of the coating to the nail.

   Grinding is performed against the growth of nails

3. Nails need to be disinfected and degreased with a special tool. To save money, you can use pharmacy alcohol wipes.

   This tool removes the remnants of cream, soap and other cosmetics from the surface of the nail.

4. Cover the nails with the UV Base Coat, while treating the ends of the nail. It strengthens the nail plate and protects against the effects of dyes.

   The base must be applied to the entire nail plate and to the end of the nail

5. Dry the layer under a UV lamp for 10 seconds.
6. Warm the shellac in your hands and apply a thin layer on the nails. Shellac is applied with a brush, like a regular varnish. In this case, the ends of the nails are necessarily sealed.

   Each layer of shellac is dried under a UV lamp.

7. Dry in a lamp for 2 minutes.
8. Apply a second layer, more dense. Too thick a layer can swell, so moderation in application should be observed.
9. Dry under the lamp for 2 minutes.

   The hardening process of shellac occurs only under the influence of certain UV waves.

10. Apply the UV Top Coat in a thick layer, which will give the coating strength and shine.

    Top coat increases the life of shellac

11. Dry for 3 minutes. The agent hardens under UV rays for 2 minutes.
12. Remove the sticky layer from the coating with lint-free wipes and special liquid.

    Remove the sticky layer only with lint-free wipes so as not to spoil the gloss of the coating

The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

Video instruction for beginners

What problems can be encountered when applying

Even strictly observing the technology, you can not get the perfect result. Consider what problems may arise and how to solve them:

• Coating chips. To prevent this from happening, the obligatory sealing of the ends of the nail with each layer of the coating is required. Peeling nails can also cause chipping. To correct exfoliated areas, a structuring gel is used, which is applied to the nails immediately after the base.
• The coating does not dry and lies unevenly. It should be remembered that it is recommended to apply shellac in thin layers. So they dry faster and give a smooth and shiny coating.
• Loss of shine. If the shine disappeared immediately after applying the top coat, then you can apply another layer of top coat. If the shine has disappeared during wear, then you can update the coating with ordinary varnish, which is applied on top of the shellac.
• Uneven coverage due to the curvature of the nail plate. Shellac lays unevenly on uneven nails. To smooth the surface of the nail, a structuring gel is used.

color mixing

In order to get new shades of shellac, you can use the sequential application of one color to another. In addition, each layer must be dried under the lamp. How to mix shellac colors correctly can be found by watching the video (video).

Video about mixing rules

Options for mixing shellac shade Hot Chilis (photo)

Shellac gets an oblique shade when using the Tutti Fruitti shade for the second layer. To get a soft pink shade, apply a second layer of Strawberry Smoothie. A hot pink shade will get shellac if you apply a second layer of Rose Bud.

Decor with sequins

To decorate shellac with sequins, you need:

• apply a base on prepared nails and dry under a lamp;
• apply the first layer of shellac and dry it;
• pour a little shellac into the palette, pour glitter into it and mix;
• apply the mixture with a second layer;
• dry;
• apply top;
• remove the sticky layer.

How to paint: step by step video

Glitter manicure designs

Only one nail can be decorated with sparkles. The unusual shine of silver sparkles on a dark varnish attracts attention. All nails are decorated with sparkles, and there are more of them on the tips of the nails.
The base of the nail is strewn with sparkling glitter. Pink glitter is applied to the black coating.

French manicure

Such a pattern on the nails is done without the use of stencils, since after the shellac dries, they cannot be removed. In this case, the procedure is as follows:

• First, apply the base and dry it under a UV lamp;
• Apply skin-colored shellac to the entire nail and dry it;
• With white shellac we draw a “smile” along the edge of the nail, not forgetting to seal the end;
• We dry;
• If necessary, apply a second layer of white and dry;
• We cover the nails with a top and dry under the lamp;
• remove the sticky layer.

How to make a french and moon manicure yourself (video)

Reverse French manicure option (video)

French ideas for long and short nails (photo)

Summer manicure can be done with shellac of different colors The reverse jacket is made of contrasting colors of varnish For the jacket, even black shellac is used French is considered a classic wedding manicure Slightly asymmetrical, made with red varnish, the jacket looks very stylish The white border of the nail is painted over with white varnish

We decorate shellac with patterns

For a change, you can decorate shellac with patterns and drawings.

This pattern looks good on contrasting colors of varnish.

To make such a drawing, perform the following steps:

Recently, the lace pattern on the nails has been very popular. It is made according to the base coat dried under the lamp, for example, beige. For decoration, use a very thin brush of size 0 or 00 and dots. Lace is painted with white shellac on all nails or only on the ring finger. On the rest of the nails, you can perform a simple jacket. The applied pattern is dried under the lamp for 1 minute and a top is applied, which also needs to be dried. You can decorate the manicure with rhinestones.

As we have already noted, shellac is good in that its service life, with the right application technique, can be stretched even up to 3 weeks. How to achieve this? You should follow certain rules and buy only proven and real products.

From the proposed material, you will learn how to properly apply shellac, how to remove shellac, and understand why such a manicure does not always last long. You will also find step by step photos and reviews for this CND product.

As for color, the CND lacquer palette is replenished every year. In addition, the manufacturer offers instructions for mixing a particular color to obtain new beautiful shades.

For a shellac manicure, it is better to buy a ready-made kit, which includes everything you need. Namely, the base + top coat, a lamp, three colored gel polishes in a red tone, shellac removers and nail degreasers, cuticle oil. Only for our readers there is a special 50% discount on the shellac starter kit. To take advantage of the promotional offer, follow the link.

Shellac is a unique excellence. Those who at least once did a shellac manicure returned to it again and again. Although it requires drying under a special lamp, as a reward you get a long-term coating that is not afraid of external damaging factors and lasts as long as 14 days. For owners of problematic nails, Shellac is a real find.

So, what is shellac nail polish? Shellac was created by CND (Creative Nail Design) and is a gel/varnish hybrid. In addition, it is much easier to apply and remove than the gel.

By the way, if you expect a really long-term effect, use materials with the CND logo. CND YV lamp power should be 36W

The differences between gel and shellac are insignificant:

1. Shellac is easy to remove and has no analogues.
2. The shellac technique does not require the use of a primer, but this is more of a minus than a plus. After all, the trouble is that such an approach to manicure leads to dry nails.

Let's go directly to the instructions and tell how to make shellac at home.

How to make shellac at home

First, let's look at what you need for shellac at home. Please note that we have included only the most necessary tools in the list.

We will need the following manicure accessories:

• A buff of medium abrasiveness for removing gloss and a file for shaping the nail.
• Degreaser or acetone.
• Base coat (foundation) it is also called the base (for stronger adhesion of the nail and varnish.
• Colored gel polish. The palette is currently very diverse and depends on the manufacturer (see table below).
• Topcoat is a top coat. It will seal the manicure.
• Liquid to remove the sticky layer.
• Napkins should only be lint-free.
• UV lamp (or LED).
• Liquid and special shellac removers.

For those who are just learning how to do shellac manicure, it is better to buy ready-made kits.

If you have never tried to apply such a long-term remedy, and do not know how to make shellac at home, we suggest that you follow the instructions below.

1. Preparing the nail plate for applying shellac. Namely, we give shape, get rid of the cuticle, remove only the gloss from the nail, no need to diligently work it out with a buff. We degrease. It is especially important to degrease those who have oily skin. Use special wipes, cotton pads are contraindicated.
2. It's time for the primer. At this stage, we apply the base with rubbing movements, keeping a distance of 1-2 mm along the perimeter. In other words, we leave a gap between the skin and the surface treated with the base. Direction: cuticle to tip. Dry the primer under a UV lamp for 30 seconds.
3. How to apply shellac with colored pigment. We apply the first layer in the same way as in the previous step. We leave intact the perimeter of 1-2 mm. Dry for three minutes. We cover again. Now we close the perimeter but without touching the skin and cuticles, otherwise the shelf life will be significantly reduced. We seal the end. Again under the lamp. For design lovers, there is an opportunity to finish drawing drawings, as you like, from simple lines to florals.
4. Finishing time. Be careful, you should, as it were, seal the manicure, including from the end. Drying (3 min.).
5. In the end, use special wipes soaked in clinser (special liquid) to remove the sticky layer. You can use an alcohol solution instead of a clinser (70% water + 30% alcohol).

Why doesn't shellac hold up?

Despite the declared strength, it is not always possible to go through two weeks and keep the shellac manicure in perfect condition. Why doesn't shellac hold up well? The reasons may be very different.

In the weak adhesion of shellac to the nail, the wrong application technique is often to blame. This is, firstly, poor degreasing, and secondly, not sealing the end.

A common reason why gel polish does not hold is delamination and flexibility of the nails. Indeed, with an accidental bend, the nail does not always break, but a crack in the coating may appear. As a result, the period of wearing a manicure is significantly reduced.

Very rarely there is an individual intolerance to the components of the gel polish.

How to quickly remove shellac from nails

We told how to cover nails with shellac, now it remains to find out at home. When carrying out the procedure for removing shellac, adhere to the following rules.

• Soak a cotton swab or napkin in acetone;
• Place on nail;
• Wrap tightly with aluminum foil;
• Wait 10 minutes and clean the surface.

For convenience, we provide a step-by-step photo instruction that shows how to remove shellac yourself.

Watch the video: how to remove shellac at home using brand products:

Shellac price

Shellac has been and remains the leader among gel polishes. It follows that the price of a shellac manicure is quite high. But if you want really high-quality coverage, then the price should not be an obstacle. The cheapest analogue is offered by the Bluesky trademark, although this gel lays down with flaws and lasts much less than the declared two weeks.

The approximate price of an economical set is from 4,500 rubles to 13,000 for a complete set. As you can see, you can get by with an economy option, the price of which is quite adequate.

But before purchasing a set, we advise you to try shellac manicure in the salon. This will allow you to see if this coverage is right for you. And then learn to make it yourself, starting, of course, with economy kits. After all, the high price of a salon procedure on an ongoing basis can significantly hit your budget.

Color Palette Guide

Many complain about a small amount of color gel polishes, but today, thanks to step-by-step instructions, you will learn how to create a huge number of different shades.

1. Apply base coat, wait 10 seconds.
2. Then cover with the first color from the pair you like. Dry 2 minutes.
3. Next, according to the photo instructions, select the second color. Dry 2 minutes.
4. Cover with a finishing layer. Again under the lamp for a couple of minutes.
5. Remove stickiness.

That's all, you yourself will be surprised how easy and simple it is to create a variety of colors with the help of several shades of shellac.

What is better shellac or gel polish

To begin with, let's reveal a terrible secret, shellac is the same gel polish, just such a name has been assigned to all gel polishes. This is because CND was the first to produce a product called shellac. Hence, the price of this nail cover is the highest.

In the hope of saving money, we try to find cheaper options, since there are more than enough of them. But the leader is still CND, this fact is indicated by the reviews of both the manicure masters themselves and their clients. In addition, it still has no equivalent analogues. Plus, shellac manicure does not require prior application of a primer. However, this technique is fraught with drying of the nail plate.

As mentioned earlier, shellac is a hybrid of a plastic gel and varnish that requires curing under a UV lamp. It is simply indispensable for those who value their time and are ready to devote no more than 30 minutes to creating a manicure once every two weeks.

So which is better? Opinions and customer reviews vary. Someone thinks that shellac is much better than other analogues like it. But there are those who are delighted with the cheaper Gelish and Bluesky. Apparently, many people are afraid of the price of CND sets.

But if we put all the reviews together, we can conclude that shellac is better than others due to a fairly simple removal procedure. Although its colors are not so diverse, and it lasts only two weeks versus 20 days of InGarden brand gel polish, subject to the application technique. Ultimately, Shellac and Gelish Harmony scored highest among users.

To understand which gel polish looks better than others on nails, see the photo gallery at the end of the article. But do not forget: a lot depends on the application technique and the level of professionalism of the manicure master.

How to spot fake shellac

Most fakes can have slight visual differences, but the easiest way to tell an original from a cheap copy is to look at the batch number. You need to pay attention to the presence of a batch number when buying absolutely any product. The batch number is applied to the packaging in a non-printing way and duplicated on the bottom of the varnish.

• So, the first thing to alert is the low price.
• The serial number printed on the bottom of the product must match the number on the packaging.
• Another distinctive feature is the smooth bottom of the original and the ribbed edge of the fake.

If you have caught the purchased shellac as a fake, then in no case do not use it. Fake shellac can cause nail damage or worse: severe allergic reactions.

pivot table

	Shellac cnd	InGarden	Bluesky	Gelish Harmony
Manufacturer	USA	USA	China	USA
Bottle volume	7.3 ml	11 ml	10 ml	15 ml
Difficulty or ease of application	Applies like regular polish, requires UV drying	The brush is uncomfortable, skill is required for the accuracy of the coating, it does not spread	Poor quality of the brush and the gel polish itself, paints unevenly	Liquid consistency, consumed quickly
Drying speed	36W UV lamp (2 minutes) or LED lamp (30-60 seconds)			drying time should be increased by 1.5 or even 2 times
How many layers will be required	One two	One - Two, some shades will have to be applied in Three and Four layers	Three-Five	Three
Color palette	61 shades, it is possible to combine different colors for a wider palette	Very extensive, every year replenished with new shades		141 colors
Nail cleaning and primer application	Not required (just degrease is enough)	Requires sanding with a buff and application of a bonder - an adhesive coating	Required	Requires sanding with a buff, dehydrator treatment and application of a bonder
Effect on nails	Coating makes nails stronger	Does not spoil, strengthens	Recovery courses are needed, in some cases, medical treatment of the nail plate will be required	For problematic nails, the manufacturer suggests using treatment bases
Coating durability	2 weeks	Up to 3 weeks	10-14 days, easily chipped	14 days, the first thing starts to peel off from the cuticle
Withdrawal	Product Remover (10-15 minutes)	Artificial Nail Remover (15 minutes), easy to remove with a film	does not soften completely, you have to cut it down	The removal time takes 15 minutes, it must first be dissolved under the foil liquid Harmony Gelish
Hypoallergenicity	There is	There is	Possible allergic reactions	There is
Bad chemical smell	Missing	Missing	The smell is not strong	Missing
Formaldehyde resins	Missing	None, + added caring ingredients	Contains hazardous substances	Missing
Cost price	Low if application technique is followed	Medium		High
Cost, rub.	900-1500	500-600	300-450	In sets up to 3000
User rating	4.5-5 points	4-4,5	3-3,5	4.5-5 points

Shellac is among the top most popular long-term coatings, has high durability, a bright palette, is easy to perform even at home, and craftsmen work real miracles.

Shellac is the name of the most popular product from CND. It was this brand that first invented a semi-liquid, but resistant coating for manicure. It combines the usual varnish and gel. The composition was kept secret for a long time, the company mentioned only natural resins. Later, gel polishes from different manufacturers appeared on the market, and the word "shellac" from the name of a particular product turned into a household name.

Shellac is often referred to as ordinary gel polishes or the manicure itself in which they were used. Some brands, such as BLUESKY, even put the “Shellac” mark on the packaging, but the composition does not match the original CND.

The main advantage is that for strength it is not necessary to cut off the nail plate, replace it with another material. Even without this, the material merges with the natural nail. Manicure looks natural, thick and high tubercles are not formed.

Fortitude

The durability of shellac is on average two weeks, but often it increases to 20-25 days. Subject to the technology, careful application, and the use of high-quality materials, cracks, chips, and detachments should not appear during this time. By the end of wearing, the top layer may only slightly fade, and small scratches will appear on it over time.

Pros and cons

Shellac has many advantages, the material is easy to apply and wear.

pros:

• suitable for nails of different lengths and thicknesses;
• you can give any shape to the tips;
• gives scope for designs;
• the coating does not require much time, 2-3 hours is enough;
• convenient to use;
• worn 14 - 20 days;
• rich palette of shades;
• makes thin nails thicker, increases strength;
• the product in the vial does not dry out, does not deteriorate.

The downside is the cost. This type of coating cannot be called budgetary, shellac is much more expensive than gel polish. In recent years, many alternatives have appeared from domestic, American, Chinese manufacturers at a price 3-5 times lower.

Differences between shellac and other coatings

Gel polish, shellac, gel - all these are nail coatings that allow you to get a durable manicure for several weeks without a change in color and the need for correction.

The main difference between shellac and other materials is the natural resin in the composition, mixed with ordinary varnish. Similar products from other companies may contain toluenes, formaldehydes and other harmful substances.

There are not so many differences between gel polish and shellac. Outwardly, they are very similar, the technique is identical, but in rare cases, a primer is not used under shellac. He should be fine without it. There are more differences between these materials with gel. They have a different consistency, application technology, the gel is not so pliable, it requires skill, sawdust.

Comparison table for coating properties

	Shellac	gel polish	Gel
Package	bottle with brush	bottle with brush	Jar with screw cap
Consistency	Liquid	Liquid	thick
Application	brush	brush	Spatula and brush
Nail after drying	Elastic	Elastic	Solid
Palette	rich	rich	rich
Design	Available	Available	Available
Removal	Soaking, sawing	Soaking, sawing	Basically sawing

Shellac or gel

The best is the one that lasts longer and is more comfortable. Some girls are completely satisfied with shellac, the manicure wears well, looks natural, the coating allows you to grow any length. But, some nails do not like him, they reject him. Even the masters cannot explain it, they just say “not suitable for everyone”. Whoever makes the coatings, the material begins to chip off, peel off. In this case, it is better to choose a gel. It will also become a salvation for very thin, bending marigolds, since after polymerization it becomes hard.

Shellac or gel polish

They are very similar in appearance and properties. These materials have practically no differences in technology. If you learn how to use shellac, then you can easily try gel polish. It's hard to determine which is better. In terms of price, prevalence, availability, they are ahead of gel polishes. Durability depends on various factors. Shellac wins in composition, it has less chemistry and dangerous compounds.

What is more harmful

For natural nails, the wrong technique, cuts, and careless removal are more harmful. With careful work, following all the rules, natural nails become thicker, grow well, do not require rest, which is talked about so much. Good masters have clients who go for several years with a beautiful manicure without interruption.

If you correctly approach the performance of a manicure, then the worst thing that can happen is an allergy. If it is only on shellac, then it is better to choose gel or gel polish and vice versa.

Shellac is a breakthrough of the 21st century in the field of beauty and femininity. The coating quickly won the hearts of fashionistas with its durability and practicality, and after a few years, literally 90 percent of women began to use the coating constantly. Let's talk about how to paint shellac nails at home, because not every one of us can afford monthly salon procedures, the cost of which is quite high.

The advantages of shellac

The advantages of shellac are obvious literally from the first acquaintance with this coating. The gel significantly strengthens brittle and bending nails, allowing women not to worry about changing their manicure for a long time. The coating lasts from 3 to 5 weeks, after which, as a rule, a correction is recommended. If the material is of high quality, the manicure remains “like new” even after a month, however, correction is necessary because the growth line of one’s own nails becomes clearly visible.

With shellac, you can safely go on vacation and be sure that your hands will look well-groomed and beautiful until you return home. You can also freely engage in primordially female household duties - washing, cleaning and cooking.

Shops with materials for manicure offer fashionistas a huge palette of coating colors, as well as various rhinestones, sparkles and sliders.

The most popular design options

The eternal female question "what to do nails?" causes a lot of inconvenience, but only when a woman does not follow fashion trends.

The coming season is recommended to fashionistas to pay attention to tenderness. Yes, pastel colors are called tenderness, the most popular among which are lilac, mint, peach and pink. The classic jacket does not lose ground either, although the options for its execution have become the most unthinkable. All sorts of animal sliders, floral prints and reptiles are literally the leaders of the last few years.

Also, defiant red and natural, beige colors will never go out of fashion.

If your own imagination is in a stupor, you can find a million beautiful and stylish designs on the Internet.

What do you need to make shellac at home?

In order to master new horizons and try yourself as a manicure master, you need to purchase a minimum set of materials and tools. These include:

Some girls are fans of hardware manicure, in this case it is worth buying a special device for cutting off old material and removing cuticles. The purchase will be justified if you plan to engage in manicure creativity all the time, if the desire is “at a time”, you can get by with improvised manicure devices.

Do you already have everything you need? It's time to start the exciting process.

Steps for proper application

Before applying gel polish, it is very important to properly prepare the surface for work. If you already have a manicure on your nails, carefully get rid of any signs of manicure.

First of all, you need to give the nail the desired shape. A hard-coated file will help with this. Do not forget about the cuticle, which is removed or moved as close to the skin as possible. Lastly, take a soft file and sand the surface of the nail to a shine. If all the steps are over, treat the nail with a degreasing surface - this is necessary so that the gel polish adheres well and there are no rough edges on the nails. After degreasing, in no case do not touch your nails. The preparation phase has been completed.

Then the most interesting and exciting begins, especially for those who do such a manicure for the first time - a thin film of the base liquid is applied to the nails. It is important that the coating lay flat. The fingers are placed in the lamp for 15 seconds. The base is a very important intermediary between your nail and shellac, because how long you can carry this manicure depends on its quality.

After the base is dry, the same color varnish that you have chosen for the design is applied. To achieve a rich color, several layers are applied, the main thing is not to overdo it. The scheme is simple - “apply a layer + dry in a lamp”, just repeat the procedure twice on each nail. Carefully ensure that the coating is applied evenly, all kinds of dust particles and villi do not get into it, so that the product does not get on the skin of the fingers and does not come into contact with the cuticle.

Several coats applied and dried? Cover the manicure with a top, dry it again in a lamp, wipe it with a degreasing cloth and you're done!

We made sure that a home “salon” manicure is quite real and absolutely every woman can do it. Do not be afraid to get acquainted with new horizons and please yourself with well-groomed, beautiful hands.

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