For the past 15 months I’ve had beautiful nails. Not beautiful in the sense that someone’s going to snap me up as a hand model. No, beautiful in the sense that they looked cared for.
Which is a major improvement on the 15 months years prior to that.
My secret?
Well, it’s not so secret now but back when I wrote this post in August last year, not many people had cottoned on to the two-week manicure from CND Shellac. In a nutshell, it’s applied like a regular polish – two colour coats plus a base and undercoat – but it’s sealed under UV light. It won’t feel thick like acrylics on your nails and, unlike acrylics, I can report that your nails will actually strengthen from having this on regularly. To remove the colour, you soak it off with acetone, which I’ll mostly do at home to save a few dollars at the salon.
To find out more and what colours I’ve loved seeing on my nails, head over to my post today on Justb. The Justb. team loves a chat on Facebook. Come over and say hi to Pip, Erica or I.
Comments 29
Oh Thank you Nikki!!! I have just had my first CND Shellac manicure after reading about it here. I am in love with it and it most definitely has become part of my beauty maintenance routine. Go the Hot Chilli! Thanks again 🙂
Author
Oh brilliant! Will have to try that colour soon!
I had two Shellac manicures back to back in August/September. Loved it – my nails looked fab for 6 weeks. BUT when I took the polish off my nails were a disaster – weak, thin and flaking. It’s now nearly the end of November and my nails still haven’t recovered, I have to keep them super short to stop the flaking – maybe Shellac suits some people but if you already have a tendency to weak nails then I’d avoid it.
Author
I fall into that category but luckily my nails have been fine. Mine comes off every 2-3 weeks. Sometimes I get Shellac back on again, sometimes, I leave it for a week and apply Orly Nailtrition. Overall my nails are stronger since Shellac – they used to split on my right hand terribly.
I’ve heard the same about the thin, brittle nails after shellac. Have you tried the Sally Hansen Salon Effects? It lasts for ages and doesn’t affect your nails at all, as it is real nail polish. It comes in lots of patterns too. I have some pics of my nails at http://bubbleshouse.com/?p=195 if you want to take a look.
Author
I’m very happy with Shellac – has actually made my nails stronger and less prone to splitting. And I’ve been getting it done for 1.5 years now.
OK so excuse the dumb question… (live under a rock with two small children!)…. so this Shellac… is it simply painted onto your own nails like regular nail polish … but it makes them super strong? I don’t like acrylic nails because of what it does to your own nails underneath… mine are already paper thin without that kind of treatment. Is this the dream solution?
Author
Yes, Melissa … it’s just what you think. It’s painted on but “cured” in between with UV light. Doesn’t add extra thickness to your nail but helps them to be stronger. If you have a read over my original post that’s link in above, it explains it more.
I have been really intrigued by the whole shellac thing too.. I am terrible with nailpolish, I am lucky to keep it chip-free for a day, so something more long lasting is really appealing to me 🙂
That was the appeal for me Omega … I could see the point of me spending time having a mani or paying for one when it was ruined the next day. Also, you don’t need to wait for this one to dry.
I am having shellac for first time this weekend. Baa. Total sheep.
Author
Woohoo – be brave the colour!
I have wanted to try this sort of polish but am worried about the UV exposure. Is it safe?
Author
I don’t believe any UV exposure would be considered completely safe. Your hands are under the lamp for about 7 minutes total – four sessions with breaks in between. I wear sunscreen on my hands every day anyway and I’d suggest this for this treatment too. You can never me too careful.
A US blogger, @alexandrawrote told me about http://nailharmony.com.au/about/gelish-gel-polish/ – it uses LED light instead. I haven’t tried it or seen it in salons here but keen to.
I don’t get colour with my Shellac. Just get the top coat. That way I can put clear gloss over the regrowth. Lasts nearly a month this way 🙂
Author
That is INSPIRED Vanessa – you get the gloss and the strength – and the longevity. You know you could add a normal nail colour on top too (and just remove with non-acetone polish)?
I can’t believe I didn’t think of putting colour on top! Best of both worlds 🙂
I can’t believe I never thought of either. Nice one ladies!
man that is such a good idea…
I have been having the shellac for a while since I went back to the UK 18 months ago and all my friends were doing it…I LOVE IT…my nails aren’t great but this makes me feel good…
I was just about to do a post on how good it is too 🙂
I will be doing the natural thing next time, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that…I love the natural but shiny look
thanks Nikki and Vanessa
Sarah
Author
Don’t you love it when readers help out each other?!
Hi Nikki,
did have this a while ago at a Nail spa in Caloundra and i had to go back twice.. 🙁 Can you pretty please give me a shout out to a good place on the coast? I LOVED it when it finally worked! My son nibbles on my
nails so it was the BEST when it stayed on.. LOVE it.. x
Author
Oh, dear … and yes, Katherine I can highly recommend Ros at Suite Three on Buderim. Ph 5445 6700.
Thankyou!!!! xxx
I love Shellac too. Who has time to go to the salon weekly:) Wearing bubble gum pink right now. Not sure what the official color is called but it’s been on longer than two weeks! Needs redoing though and looking forward to trying hot red next time:)
Author
Go the Hollywood red Annabel – that’s what I had on the time before last! And I think I see that pink in my future too. It might be Tutti Frutti or Rosebud?
No idea! But it’s nice:) Will try Hollywood!