All You Need To Know About Shellac Manicures

Shellac manicures are a popular choice, however, if you have never had a Shellac Manicure before, you may have some questions about what Shellac is and what are the benefits of having a manicure with Shellac.

What Is Shellac? Shellac is a brand owned by Creative Nail Design (CND) and is a hybrid of normal nail polish and a gel. Shellac is owned specifically by CND and gel polish refers to all other similar products available with other brands.

Shellac is applied like a normal polish but the Shellac product is cured using UV light that gives it great flexibility, durability and leaves an incredible shine on the nails. Shellac manicures usually cost a little more than a regular manicure, but they can last around two to three weeks, while regular polish may chip much sooner.

What Is the Main Difference Between A Normal Manicure and a Shellac Manicure? Regular nail polish has a much longer drying time than shellac because it dries by evaporation which means it can take up to 3 hours for it to fully dry. Shellac is cured under a UV light, so your nails are dry before you leave the salon.

How Does Shellac Differ From Other Nail Enhancements Such As Acrylic Extensions? When it is applied and removed correctly, Shellac can be gentler on your natural nail than the techniques used for extensions or overlays, and it doesn't need a drill.

Can Shellac Be Removed At Home? Yes, Shellac can be removed at home, however, it does require you to have 100% Acetone and takes about 15 minutes to remove.  Do not pick at or peel off your Shellac manicure. It can be very damaging to your nails, and peeling off Shellac often takes layers of your real nail with it.You can also have the Shellac removed at the salon, which very minimally increases the time and is less of an inconvenience.

Overall, Shellac manicures can be gentle on your nails and long lasting, but a lot of the success of your Shellac manicure will come down to which salon you go to, the nail stylist and also how well you look after and maintain them at home. Little things such as wearing gloves while doing housework and/or gardening, using cuticle oil regularly and removing them correctly all factor into how long your manicure will last and also how well your natural nails will hold up throughout the process.

We take real pride in our Shellac manicures, and the tips above can help yours last as long as possible.