What is shellac nails made of

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. If you didn't already know, all manicures are not created equal. You may be familiar with more traditional manicure options like gels and acrylics and might have even done your research on more recent trends like dip powder nails. But if you've heard the buzz around shellac nails and assumed that they're the same as the gel mani you can get at almost any nail salon, it's time you gave yourself a little shellac nail lesson.

You see, there are quite a few things you should know about this space-age service. Is it worth the hype? We think so! Not only have we tried it for ourselves, but we also spoke with Jan Arnold , co-founder and style director of Creative Nail Design CND , to get the lowdown on this popular salon service. So, if you're always on the hunt for your next nail venture, you may just find that a shellac manicure is everything you've been looking for.

Read on to learn all there is to know about shellac nails, including how it differs from a gel mani. Meet the Expert. Jan Arnold is co-founder and style director of CND and has been with the company for over 30 years.

She is a self-confessed nail fanatic and fashion addict who influenced the change from bare nails to elaborate, fashion-forward manicures on the runway. Her roster of clients includes Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu. What is shellac? It's a patented system that includes a branded base coat, color coat, and top coat.

With over shades, there's something for everyone, from ethereal pinks to dark metallics. The manicure is cured with a special LED lamp made exclusively for shellac, so there's virtually no drying time , according to Arnold.

This is when ultraviolet UV wavelengths hit molecules called photoinitiators in the gel formula and activate them. Let's tackle the shellac vs. The fact is, the differences between these two nail types are slim, but it does have an effect on your overall manicure experience.

There are plantly of tutorials and how to list around the internet if you are willing to take things into your own hands! That Glossy look. Besides offering a really wide range of beautiful colors, Shellac will give you a shiny glossy finish that will make your nails pop! You cannot lengthen your nails during the process. Before the application, you will have to make a little effort to obtain the desired length.

It is also not a nail strengthener, therefore you will still be a victim of accidental breakage. Remember to take proper vitamins and minerals for healthy nails. You will still have to use chemical solvents for the removal. Use a natural nail polish remover instead. The UV Nail Lamp will also dehydrate the skin and leave some age spots on.

It will still leave your nails a bit dry and stressed. A lot of users around internet advise to let nails breathe some days between an application and the next on, otherwise, the polish will peel off after just 3 to 4 days.

They also recommend a daily use of cuticle oil to keep your nails from drying. Users discourage the use of semi-permanent nail polish periodically and using it for just those special occasions seems to be the best option. You must stick to that color for a while. Certainly not a problem for those who are addicted to their favorite color and shade, but a lot of us love a change that will match our mood, outfit or occasion.

The best thing to do is to choose from a nude palette, pale pink, red velvet a classic , different shades of grey will also be a good option, but will still be a limit to our preferences. Overall, some more things are worth being said: the first semi-permanent nail polish to be introduced on the nail market was the CND Shellac in creating a new product category in the alternative to Gel Nail Polish.

CND Shellac is one of the most popular nail polish brands. CND Shellac also has designer colors to choose from, allowing some shade customization by using the layering technique, but you may not find them all at your local nail spa. Shellac nail polish is a hybrid look that sits between regular nail polish and gel nails. This fusion allows for a deeply pigmented color that has a protective coat built in.

Part of the way that a shellac manicure lasts so long and looks so good is that most formulas are self-levelling so there are no lumps or unevenness in the polish. The top coat is a durable gel top coat and it will dry instantly, though it does have to be cured.

The shellac manicure is cured using a UV light in the same process that a gel manicure uses. A shellac manicure is a four-step process that produces a long-lasting, shiny and chip-free manicure. A good shellac manicure will last you a minimum of two weeks without chipping, peeling, cracking or fading. The absolute shortest amount of time a shellac manicure will last is a week.

Shellac nails stand up to everyday things like gardening and the chemicals involved with most chores. Normal everyday life will not affect shellac nails; shellac nail polish is designed to stand up to normal wear and tear and be removed only with intention. As with everything, there are pros and cons to wearing shellac nail polish. There are plenty of good and bad things about every option, but the choice at the end of the day is based on what works for the individual.

Someone with healthy nail beds and a penchant for shiny, stunning color would find a great step up from ordinary manicure in shellac nail polish. Below is a list of the pros and cons of shellac nails to help you make the choice! The cons regarding wearing shellac nail polish are really just due to the damage the removal process causes. Are shellac nails really for you or should you instead consider acrylic nails, for instance?

Below, we discuss all the differences between four of the most popular manicure trends of the moment — acrylic, gel, SNS, and shellac nails. Acrylic nails are built by combining liquid acrylic and a special powder that has been around since the s. Acrylic nails have a significant look that is well known, as well as a high level of durability and a can be cured without a UV lamp. They are not ideal for pregnant women, as the acrylic combination can be toxic. Gel nails are another option that will allow the nails to be built up and protected.

Gel nails are more flexible than acrylics, which makes them better for people who want nail extensions but may have damaged or brittle nail beds. Gel nails are safe to use during pregnancy and are applied by spreading a liquid gel across the artificial tip and natural nail.

Unlike acrylic and gel nails, shellac nails cannot be used to extend the length of your nails. Shellac and gel nails do get mixed up together more often than acrylic nails and shellac nails.

With acrylic and gel nails the nail is built up and extended. Shellac nails on the other hand pun intended are designed to provide color and the finishing touch. Shellac nail polish is the next level of nail polish. A shellac nail manicure will not thicken the appearance of your nails as significantly as gel or acrylics. Known also as dip powder nails, SNS nails feature a gel base and a powder consistency. The idea is dipping your nails into the powder and getting a natural color without harming your nail beds.