Anna from Toronto
Well-Known Member
WHAT MAKES A PERFECT SHELLAC™ MANICURE?
What is Shellac?
Shellac™ is made by CND and it is a unique product. It comes in an array of colors, it goes on thin, just like a polish, it looks just like a polish but it’s cured (dried) by a UV light. Once Shellac is cured- it’s completely dry!
Shellac stays shiny and lasts up to 2 weeks on the hands and up to 4-6 weeks on the feet. It's very easy to remove without damage to the natural nails (when removed properly).
What makes a perfect Shellac™ manicure?
We have listed 3 important components that “make” Shellac Manicure.
 Perfect application.
First, it’s important to know that CND Shellac™ is a brand and NOT a type of service. Only genuine Shellac™ should be used to perform a “Shellac Manicure”. Shellac™ base coat, Shellac ™ color coat and Shellac™ top coat all must be used with a perfect Shellac™ Manicure. If the bottle doesn’t say “CND Shellac™” then, don’t be fooled! It’s NOT Shellac!
We always perform a manicure before application of Shellac™. Why? If there is any cuticle left on the nail plate, Shellac might flake off from that area.
Shellac must be cured in CND approved lamps. You can see CND logo on top. Shellac is not guaranteed unless it is cured (dried) with CND lamps.
We always perform a manicure before application of Shellac™. Why? If there is any cuticle left on the nail plate, Shellac might flake off from that area.
Shellac must be cured in CND approved lamps. You can see CND logo on top. Shellac is not guaranteed unless it is cured (dried) with CND lamps.
 Maintenance.
Shellac is very low maintenance. Solar Oil™ should be used at least 2 x day, preferably every night so the oil won’t be washed off right away. The oil is supposed to be applied around the cuticle and massaged into the nail. Solar Oil™ not only does wonders to the skin but it penetrates through the Shellac polish. It does benefit the natural nail as well as the Shellac itself, plasticising it and making it pliable, resisting chipping and peeling.
When the Solar Oil™ is not used Shellac might be prone to drying out which causes chipping and peeling..
Would any oil suffice? Not necessarily! Solar Oil™ is designed to work with Shellac. It has very small molecules that can travel down the microscopic channels in the surface of the Shellac making it pliable and resistant to chipping.
When the Solar Oil™ is not used Shellac might be prone to drying out which causes chipping and peeling..
Would any oil suffice? Not necessarily! Solar Oil™ is designed to work with Shellac. It has very small molecules that can travel down the microscopic channels in the surface of the Shellac making it pliable and resistant to chipping.
 Removal.
Proper removal plays a huge part in how your next Shellac Manicure will last and is vital in maintaining the health of your natural nail.
Shellac should NEVER be filed off or picked off. Peeling the Shellac coating WILL damage your natural nails by removing the layers, making your nails weaker and drier. Shellac bonds very well with a healthy nail. The first layer of the natural nail is a very dense, protective layer of keratin. You want to protect that layer! When Shellac is applied to a damaged nail, the bond might not be as strong and that area might peel and chip in the future.
We recommend a visit to the salon for a proper removal before Shellac starts to chip or peel.
Proper removal includes wrapping the nails with cotton and remover for 10 minutes letting the Shellac loosen up and release safely from the natural nail.
Soaking in a bowl or leaving the wraps on not long enough causes only partial softening of the product which then leads to forcefully prying or scraping the product off = DAMAGE.
Shellac should effortlessly flake off the nail. It should not be scraped off!
If you see a white, flakey spots on the nails, it simply means that the nail is dehydrated. The dehydration can be caused by not using oil or peeling the Shellac off which removed that protective layer of the dense keratin off leaving the nail vulnerable to dryness. If that happens, you don’t have to stop getting Shellac Manicures. Just use cuticle oil regurarly and don’t ever peel the Shellac. The dry part of the nail will simply grow out
Shellac should NEVER be filed off or picked off. Peeling the Shellac coating WILL damage your natural nails by removing the layers, making your nails weaker and drier. Shellac bonds very well with a healthy nail. The first layer of the natural nail is a very dense, protective layer of keratin. You want to protect that layer! When Shellac is applied to a damaged nail, the bond might not be as strong and that area might peel and chip in the future.
We recommend a visit to the salon for a proper removal before Shellac starts to chip or peel.
Proper removal includes wrapping the nails with cotton and remover for 10 minutes letting the Shellac loosen up and release safely from the natural nail.
Soaking in a bowl or leaving the wraps on not long enough causes only partial softening of the product which then leads to forcefully prying or scraping the product off = DAMAGE.
Shellac should effortlessly flake off the nail. It should not be scraped off!
If you see a white, flakey spots on the nails, it simply means that the nail is dehydrated. The dehydration can be caused by not using oil or peeling the Shellac off which removed that protective layer of the dense keratin off leaving the nail vulnerable to dryness. If that happens, you don’t have to stop getting Shellac Manicures. Just use cuticle oil regurarly and don’t ever peel the Shellac. The dry part of the nail will simply grow out
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