Im not qualified YET (am booked to do my cert2 though can't wait!) and I first started using an Australian made brand of shellac called Epicnail. I've got a friend who owns her own salon and she's taught me how to use CND shellac and it wasn't until I bought my own Epicnail that I realized how much I love doing nails and decided to go and do a course :-D granted the product I'm usingON MYSELF is not CND shellac but it works well to be honest. My salon owner friend even tested it out and in her personal and professional opinion she thinks for personal use its fine. It does the job doesn't damage your nails and comes offers y how it's meant to in 10 minutes flat.
If it wasn't for epic all I wouldn't have figured out what I want to do. I love my stuff. Once I'm qualified ill buy CND and use it on my customers but i honestly find in Australia no one really cares about brand name as long as it does the job that might just be my feelings about brands in general but when I've gone to the majority of salons in my town I've seen blue sky more often thn not. Granted its not a PROFESSIONAL USE PRODUCT but its their choice I guess.
What I use on myself is fine. If it wasn't I wouldn't use it. I had really badly damaged nails from a tech who screwed my nails up so badly when she did my acrylics that they were peeling and paper thin but I started using CND solar oil, Sally Hansen miracle cure and my Epicnail and I've not had a problem since.
Look at the end of the day there is a reason why there are products made for salons. Just look what happens if you don't kno what your doing and try to bleach your hair LOL! And when I've done my qualification ill be doing a CND shellac course and offering shellac. But if other professionals choose to offer something else or even both at different prices and their customers are still happy and healthy then that's good for them. In Australia right now the cost of living is increasing dramatically electricity is ok the rise and a lot of people can't afford the basics. I started my own bath and body import business in order to offer awesome products including mineral makeup and low prices because people who love on the bones of their bums and can't always afford to pay the high prices still deserve to feel good about themselves. I know personally I would rather charge less for a products or service, do more work, have customers who can go home feeling good about themselves looking good and also not have to stress about which bill will have to suffer slightly for them to treat themselves.
Each to their own and I did say I'm NOT A professional YET but I am still learning and experimenting and I guess I feel differently to many others
