Shellac or Gelish?

[Aimzimac]

Hey guys, Im new here and Ive recently set up my own from home beauty business, i specialise in waxing, tinting, tanning and threading but i am thinking of adding nails to my treatment list next. I trained in acrylics years ago and worked in a specialised nail salon for three years but that was just before the shellac/ gelish type polishes came out. I have no interest in going back to acrylics, possibly gels in time but that's down the line. I am thinking however of just offering shellac or gelish... Im so unsure of which to go with as I've read so many debates on them. Ifrom what I see these are the two leading brands and seem to be a cut above the ims, gellac, red carpet etc...? Can anyone give me an honest opinion... I did a shellac course a few years ago so I have a cert from them and my local salon shop has said if I buy the gelish kit that i will get training for free. What to do? also is there major technique in getting them just right or will i catch up fairly fast?
thanks guys
Amy

 

[Ilovenails32]

They're both amazing and both very similar. If you know the basics prep and application you'll be fine. I use almost every gel polish I could get my hands on have yet to be disappointed. I've noticed clients don't care on which brand it is. They want nice colors so expand your options girl [emoji4]

 

[Aimzimac]

They're both amazing and both very similar. If you know the basics prep and application you'll be fine. I use almost every gel polish I could get my hands on have yet to be disappointed. I've noticed clients don't care on which brand it is. They want nice colors so expand your options girl [emoji4]

Tha

 

[Aimzimac]

Tha

Thanks a million. . So if I'm starting with a starter kit would you go gelish or shellac?
Amy

 

[Ilovenails32]

Shellac [emoji4]

 

[Ilovenails32]

But honestly my top 2 favorite are orly and ezflow truegel [emoji4]

 

[Aimzimac]

Thank you for the advice. So if I go for the shellac kit with the new led lamp will that also work for the gelush range? Would I need both prep products or would scrub fresh etc work with gelish too?

 

[cheekychick]

Thank you for the advice. So if I go for the shellac kit with the new led lamp will that also work for the gelush range? Would I need both prep products or would scrub fresh etc work with gelish too?

The CND led lamp won't work with Gelish. Some of the prep products used for shellac can be used with Gelish, however some people can experience lifting issues with Gelish if cuticle away is not thoroughly removed from the nail before Gelish application. x

 

[Aimzimac]

Ok. Does the relish led work on shellac? The 18g looks really good

 

[Aimzimac]

Ok. Does the relish led work on shellac? The 18g looks really good

Gelish I mean

 

[cheekychick]

No it doesn't. They both need their own specific led lamp to cure correctly.

I love my 18g it is a great lamp. But I only use Gelish not shellac.

 

[Aimzimac]

Thanks so much for all your help. I'm feeling more drawn to gelish because of the colour range and the lamp quickness and efficiency... And Vienna 've heard its more cost effective. But then I'm afraid clients might want the more natural look and know the name of shellac better. So hard to decide... I can use only afford to go with one range.

 

[blossom]

Shellac marketing is better and therefore more people know it by name, as you say.

What they don't tell you is that on a thinner bendy nail shellac will chip off easily after a few days. And as a nail tech, we tend to see a lot of people whose nails are not the best, I find.

I went for Shellac, trained in it about 4 years ago and have zillions of colours but it has not been without issues and tbh knowing what I know now, I prob would go with gelish or a different brand.

I've introduced gellux in the last 6 months and people who couldn't wear shellac for more than 7-10 days are getting 2.5-3 weeks from gellux. I understand from people on here though that gelish is easier to soak off than Gellux altho I don't have a problem with it. Good luck whichever you go with x

 

[cheekychick]

Ah see I don't agree. I used shellac for 2 years and everyone was coming to me asking for Gelish no one ever asked for shellac. Maybe just the area. I don't know.

When it comes to leaflets, posters, stands for new collections etc nail harmony are on the ball.
They always have vat frees & sales which really help out.
I just prefer it and dodo my clients. They all come back after 2-3 weeks with perfect, chip free, shiny nails the same as they left with when first applied.
I haven't looked back since converting to Gelish over a year ago

 

[jennyrebecca]

I trained in shellac nearly 2 years ago I found that it was difficult to apply the correct thinness of colour etc I had issues of chipping mainly I didn't experience any other issues so I decided to go over to gelish and I love it clients get 3 weeks before coming for a fresh set I still use shellac tho but use gelish top coat as they get longer out of shellac so in all honesty if I was stating agin knowing what I know I would of gone straight onto gelish x

 

[NancySyd]

Both Shellac and Gelish are excellent products, but, after starting with CND Shellac I chose to go with Gelish. Shellac is a great product and CND education, customer support, and marketing is second to none. And Shellac removal is very quick and easy. But I was very frustrated with the strictures of CND, particularly the lamp issue. Shellac simply does not play well with others! Gelish base and top coats can be used with other brands' color coats (per HNH instructions) and the Gelish 18g lamp is acceptable for other manufacturers as well. And Gelish lasts 21 days to Shellac's 14.

That said, just to throw a monkey wrench into this, my favorite is OPI GelColors which combines the best of both worlds

 

[krum]

I like shellac and it gives a lovely finish but the bottles thicken up so quickly! I use it at work and like it but I wouldn't choose it simply because of how it thickens and once it has it takes a very long time to apply as you have to work it over the nail rather than paint. The topcoat thickens even faster. I do shake the bottles hard before every use before anyone says anything! This problem doesn't happen with pure gels like gelish plus they are slightly more hardwearing and most clients want it to last 3 weeks.

 

[Lapixstrel]

Both Shellac and Gelish are excellent products, but, after starting with CND Shellac I chose to go with Gelish. Shellac is a great product and CND education, customer support, and marketing is second to none. And Shellac removal is very quick and easy. But I was very frustrated with the strictures of CND, particularly the lamp issue. Shellac simply does not play well with others! Gelish base and top coats can be used with other brands' color coats (per HNH instructions) and the Gelish 18g lamp is acceptable for other manufacturers as well. And Gelish lasts 21 days to Shellac's 14.

That said, just to throw a monkey wrench into this, my favorite is OPI GelColors which combines the best of both worlds

Hi NancySyd why do you prefer OPI? X

 

[NancySyd]

Hi NancySyd why do you prefer OPI? X

I think OPI combines the best of both Shellac and Gelish. It has the easy removal of Shellac (because, like CND Shellac, its base coat is hybrid), and it has the training and education, customer support, and market penetration of CND. But it has the color range and durability of Gelish - and OPI colors are iconic! OPI"s formulas are smooth and flow nicely, and all GelColor colors also come in rnp. OPI is easy to find and has a price point between CND Shellac and Gelish.

 

[Rover G]

I think OPI combines the best of both Shellac and Gelish. It has the easy removal of Shellac (because, like CND Shellac, its base coat is hybrid), and it has the training and education, customer support, and market penetration of CND. But it has the color range and durability of Gelish - and OPI colors are iconic! OPI"s formulas are smooth and flow nicely, and all GelColor colors also come in rnp. OPI is easy to find and has a price point between CND Shellac and Gelish.

Hi NancySyd- do you think that the OPI is hypoallergenic? I'm allergic to gelish so I use CND on myself and wear gloves to use gelish on clients. I would love to add OPI to my stash.