Shellac

It is very difficult for modern women who fully devote themselves to important matters to carve out even a couple of minutes a day to take care of themselves. Nevertheless, every girl is simply obliged to look at all 100. Hands are always in sight, which means that they should be given a lot of attention and time. Shellac is a great way to keep your nails in top condition in just a few minutes a month. Read about what it is and how to do it correctly in our article.

What is shellac

Outwardly, shellac is very similar to the usual varnish that all women use, but in fact, it is something different. A special coating, which is much stronger than the usual varnish, looks much more attractive and stays on the nails without chipping, many times longer. And the very technique of applying to the surface of the nail is slightly different.

You also need to dry it differently. If ordinary varnish dries in normal air without additional exposure, then shellac requires drying in a special UV lamp.

What does perfect shellac mean?

Perfect shellac - perfectly applied shellac. But in order to do everything right, you need to know the sequence of its application and the ingredients that are required for a manicure. Of course, ideally, if you visit the corresponding mini-courses before starting shellac manicure. If you don't want to attach such importance to the situation and spend money on courses, then just read our step-by-step instructions and watch the video at the end of the article, and then you can proceed to the main manipulations.

The basis of a quality shellac manicure:

• compliance with all hygiene recommendations;
• high-quality polishing of the nail plate and giving the perfect shape to all nails;
• the minimum amount of base coat applied, with a slight touching the end of the nail;
• drying only in a UV lamp, whose power must be at least 36 W;
• shellac must be applied strictly from top to bottom, no movements from bottom to top or to the side;
• for a high-quality manicure, you need to apply the base twice, while each should be properly dried under a lamp.

How shellac is made

Let's take a short tour of the shellac procedure, which will help you create a high-quality manicure.

1. First of all, the cuticle must be removed from the nail plate. Ideally, for this you need to use a special emollient, which can be purchased at a professional salon. But, if it is more convenient for you, you can carry out the trimmed manicure procedure. If the cuticle is very small, use an orange tree stick and push it back, having softened it with oil beforehand.
2. Next, you need to prepare the nail plate itself. To do this, it is sanded with a special file, which usually comes with shellac. However, you can save at this point by purchasing an ordinary soft sanding file. With quality processing, you will not notice any difference.
3. In order for the coating to properly adhere to the nail, it should be treated with a special disinfectant (degreaser). Pay special attention to the inside, the end of the nail and its sides. For these purposes, you can use a product that is sold in specialized stores. True, the cost of the drugs is not cheap, from 500 to 1,500 rubles. In order to save money, you can replace it with a conventional nail polish remover. It will also degrease the surface of the nail and dry it, and at a price it will be much lower.
4. Next, the nail needs to be covered with a base product. And here it will no longer be possible to save money, there is nothing to replace it. A poor-quality drug, and even more so a fake, can damage the nail, spoiling its health. But a high-quality product, on the contrary, has medicinal properties, strengthens the nail and prevents the negative effects of the environment. The only way to save money is to apply the base in small quantities in a thin layer. It is advisable to apply the base in two thin layers. Each of them must be thoroughly dried for 10 seconds in an LED lamp. As already mentioned a little above, the lamp power should not be lower than 36 W. Otherwise, you will wait for hours for the coating to take hold. But that's not all. Low power lamps upset their owners with the appearance of matte spots on the surface of the nail. Do not forget to change the lamps - change frequency: at least once every six months. Otherwise, the quality of the shellac on the nails will drop.
5. Swirl the shellac jar between your palms for about 30 seconds. Do not shake the tube, as this can damage the structure of the content. It is also not worth saving on the main coverage. High-quality shellac has a pliable structure that self-leveling when applied to the surface of the nail. That is, you will avoid the streaks and streaks that characterize cheap and clandestine products. Cover the nail plate with a colored compound, but do not seal the side and ends. If shellac accidentally ends up in the wrong place, just remove it with a regular napkin. After the first layer of shellac on the nails, polymerize for one to two minutes. Remember that the first layer should be very thin, almost transparent. This will prevent the varnish from bloating during drying. After that, you can apply a second layer, which may be a little thicker, but you should not be zealous either. And dry your nails for the same time as the first one. In principle, you can refuse the second layer. However, it will make the coating even stronger and the color richer. However, if you are satisfied with one layer, then you can stop there.
6. Finally, apply a top coat and also cure in the lamp for about two minutes. Do not try to replace it with the usual fixer - this will not lead to anything good. At a minimum, the shellac will peel off much earlier than the specified date. You do not have to purchase all drugs (base, shellac, top coat) from one company, but it is still desirable. At best, you will not notice the difference if each of the drugs is of high quality. However, if manufacturers have used different technologies to create their products, then the effect may not be as impressive.
7. Wipe the nail with a special napkin (lint-free) dipped in a liquid to remove the sticky layer. In order not to spend money on a specialized drug, you can replace it with regular alcohol. However, you should be prepared for the fact that such savings can deprive the surface of the nail shine. Therefore, it is better to test the replacement in advance and see the response of the coating.

Shellac tools and materials

After you got acquainted with shellac in theory, you need to move on to practice. To do this, first of all, you should stock up on all the necessary equipment. So, what is needed for this:

• basic tools for manicure: nippers, spatula, orange tree stick, abrasive file (220-240 grit) and buff;
• cuticle remover: this can be a softening agent or a remover oil;
• a special brush for cleaning nails from dirt;
• degreaser: you can purchase a special tool in a professional salon, or replace it with a regular nail polish remover;
• UV lamp with a power of at least 36 W;
• the base for shellac, which is applied first;
• colored coating, that is, shellac itself;
• top coating;
• special or simple napkins, but without lint;
• a special preparation for removing the sticky layer from the nail: it can be replaced with alcohol or acetone, but before that it is better to check the reaction of shellac to it - otherwise the shine from the nails may disappear.

The quality of the shellac is directly affected by the quality of the materials purchased for these purposes. Therefore, in order not to be disappointed at the very first experience, buy only brands that have been tested by time and professionals. At the same time, the price is far from an indicator of quality. Read the reviews and choose what suits you, including the price.

It is advisable if the base, shellac and topcoat belong to the same manufacturer and are released from the same series. In this case, you can be sure that all components are 100% compatible. In the future, you can try to combine and select your product line.

By the way, now it has become very common to acquire all the above-described elements not individually, but in sets. They include everything you need to create a unique manicure, and the price of these funds comes out quite acceptable, from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles. These kits also include a UV lamp with a suitable wattage.

Shellac for short nails

The shellac procedure is suitable for all lengths of nails: both short and long. At the same time, there are no restrictions on the color scale, on the contrary - if on long nails black, for example, can look vulgar and defiant, then on short nails there will be no such effect. Earlier, we already talked about manicure on short nails. in this article... There you will find color and design tips that you can safely apply in the shellac process.

How to choose shellac: stylists' recommendations

Extensive experience of professionals helps ordinary users to select only high-quality products for themselves. Let's see which brands are the best according to the pros.

Shellac by CND

Many manicurists prefer this particular brand, calling it the best. Due to its density, this shellac fits perfectly on the nail even in one layer, while the color is very saturated, there are no streaks or streaks. Stays on nails for a very long time, without chips or scratches. The 7.3 ml capacity is designed for approximately 15-20 manicure sessions. There are two drawbacks - the scarcity of the palette, in comparison with other brands, and the price (from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles per tube).

In'Garden So naturally

Excellent shellac, similar in density to the previous version, but unlike the first, it does not thicken and deteriorate so quickly. In'Garden So naturally contains natural ingredients that contribute to the minimum negative impact on the nail. However, it should not be worn on nails for a long time, strong fixation on the nail plastic will make it look not very attractive. For some clients, after these varnishes, the nails acquired a yellowish tint. The cost of shellac is approximately 500 rubles.

Color Couture by Entity One

This type of varnish has been developed for more than one year, which has led to a large number of advantages. The tool is very easy to apply, has self-leveling properties that perfectly smooth out irregularities in the nail, if any. Average density, lays down without streaks and streaks. It is also worth highlighting the successful shape of the brush, with which manicure becomes a sheer pleasure. The durability of the varnish is also high - a neat wear provides 3 weeks of bright saturated color. The wide range of colors includes 140 shades from cold to warm and pearlescent. The only negative is the price: about 1,000 rubles per tube.

How much shellac lasts

By default, everyone thinks that shellac lasts for about a month. And this is to some extent true. But the timing directly depends on many factors. First, the quality of the materials used. The higher it is, the longer the shellac wears. Secondly, compliance with all coating rules. For example, if suddenly a degreaser was not used, then the gel polish will peel off in the coming days.

Constant contact of nails with water or temperature changes can form wet cracks on the surface of the nail, which subsequently appear in the form of chips. The latter are also often formed on thin and weakened nails. Professionals have long noticed that the stronger and healthier the nails are, the longer shellac lasts.

If all the above factors are absent and all the rules for preparing and applying gel polish are followed, then such a manicure will last up to three weeks on the nails. At the same time, it will retain all its aesthetic qualities until the very moment of its removal.

The timing is deadline, but it must be borne in mind that when the nail grows back, the shellac already does not look so attractive when the plate of a clean nail peeps out from under the coating. So if the nails grow back quickly, then the change of varnish will have to be done much faster than expected.

Is it possible to make shellac at home

Modern nail art has stepped far forward and now, salon manicure has become even more accessible. We can say with all confidence - yes, the shellac procedure can be done at home, by your own efforts.

Of course, you will have to get used to the new manicure tool and perhaps not everything will work out the first time, but you should not stop. All comes with experience. Purchase quality materials, tools and a lamp, stock up on optimism and patience, follow the manicure technique and you will definitely succeed!

How shellac differs from conventional varnishes and gels

At first glance, shellac and gel are no different, but there is still a difference and a very significant one for the health of nails.

Before applying regular gel polish, the nail plate is strongly grinded. Thus, the surface of the nail is very much damaged and thinned. The same goes for the withdrawal procedure. There is an aggressive effect on the surface.

But before applying shellac, it is enough to polish and degrease the nail plate. This is much more gentle than the previous option. To remove the composition from the nails, you just need to use a special shellac remover.

Given this seemingly insignificant nuance, shellac coating greatly benefits over gels. In addition, his terms of wearing are in no way inferior to the latter.

Pros and cons of shellac

Everywhere has its pros and cons, including shellac. The abbot recommends that you familiarize yourself with each of the points before applying the coating and only then decide on the procedure.

Shellac advantages

• A huge advantage of shellac is its "shelf life". By applying it to your nails once, you will forget what a manicure is for two or even three weeks. At the same time, all the original aesthetic qualities will remain unchanged: there will be no chips or loss of shine. But you can still damage it during "wearing", for example, if you purposefully act on the nail with cutting and prickly objects.
• Due to the absence of formaldehyde, toluene and other harmful drugs in the composition, shellac is absolutely harmless to nails. The fact that you can walk with a wonderful manicure for such a long time is undoubtedly a huge plus in his piggy bank.
• For owners of brittle nails, shellac will be a real salvation. The coating with this varnish is so dense that it keeps the nail in its original state, preventing it from breaking and exfoliating. It is thanks to shellac that many girls still managed to grow long beautiful nails.
• A wide range of shellac colors will allow you to create a real masterpiece on your nails. At the same time, due to drying in a UV lamp, the color remains sparkling and saturated.
• A manicure with shellac can be carried out independently, just like removing it from the nail plate. To do this, you do not need to have any unique skills or take courses, it is enough to know the sequence of applying funds and buy the necessary equipment.

Disadvantages of shellac

And now about the cons, which are also available.

• Yes, you can grow long nails thanks to shellac, but this will be temporary. It is not a medicinal product, but fulfills purely aesthetic qualities. Therefore, one should not expect special miracles.
• Incorrect application of shellac or ignoring the rules for working with it will not give the full effect of the procedure. Chips may appear on the second day, or the coating will completely peel off by itself.
• It is possible that it will be inconvenient for someone to work with shellac, since some of them are very fluid, which will create serious problems during application.
• When nails with "old" shellac grow back, it looks completely ugly, even if the shine of the coating itself looks fresh. This is especially inconvenient for those whose nails grow back very quickly.
• Shellac is not suitable for those with fungal nail diseases.
• Several factors can affect the durability of shellac. For example, the thinner the nail, the less the coating will hold. Also, with constant and prolonged contact of hands with water, shellac can begin to fall off.
• The coating does not like temperature extremes. Even hardened shellac begins to exfoliate, creating microcracks, which, of course, will not be visible to the naked eye. However, it is through them that microorganisms (dust, dirt, etc.) will have access to the nail, which in turn can cause fungal diseases.
• Another, albeit not a very significant disadvantage, can be called the cost of shellac, which is much higher than the prices for simple varnishes.
• Some shellacs can make nails look yellow, which, in principle, goes away after a few sessions of healing and restoration.

In what cases shellac should not be done

In principle, shellac has no contraindications as such, except for one - nail fungus. In this case, it is better to undergo a course of treatment, and then, when the nails are already healthy, enjoy all the delights of shellac.

There are also recommendations for when you should refrain from such a manicure. Whether or not to follow them is up to you. This is more advice than a plan of action.

It is better to postpone the shellac procedure if you are taking any medications, especially antibiotics. The connection is not clear, but this is the opinion of experts. It is also not advised to work with the coating on weakened nails. It is advisable to carry out a course of recovery and strengthening, and only then apply shellac.

If the nails are strong and healthy, this is the key to a high-quality and beautiful manicure!

Nails after shellac

Proper use of shellac does not harm your nails as much as many people think, but the reaction of each organism is individual. If some do not notice anything, then the health of the marigolds may be shaken for others. The coating will make them even more brittle and flakey. This can be quickly eliminated by organizing proper nail care, which will quickly restore their health. Below are 9 helpful tips to help strengthen your nail plate after shellac.

• Olive oil. This oil has proven itself to be an excellent tonic. Before use, it should be slightly warmed up in a water bath. Then the tips of the fingers are lowered into a bowl of oil, and in this position they are fixed for 10 minutes. The procedure should be done every day for at least one week.
• Vitamins A, C, D and E are your allies in the fight for beautiful, strong nails. Saturate your daily diet with foods rich in these vitamins and the result will appear very soon.
• Rub fresh lemon juice into your nails for two minutes daily, then rinse with water.
• The sour berry mask will perfectly restore the surface of the nail, strengthen it and add shine. For recovery, cranberries, red currants or lingonberries are well suited. Take a handful of fruit and chop it. Apply the gruel to your nails for 15 minutes and then remove with water.
• Regular iodine, which is rubbed into the nail plate with a cotton swab, remarkably restores nails. It does not need to be washed off, it will disappear by itself, over time.
• The salons provide a service for sealing nails. A special composition is rubbed into the latter, which includes beeswax and honey. All this is covered with a film that reliably protects the nail from damage.
• A 10 minute sea salt bath can breathe life into tired nails. Just dilute a tablespoon of salt in a small amount of warm liquid and hold your feet for the specified amount of time. Regularity of the procedure: 2-3 times every seven days.
• Apply 25 minute paraffin baths, which, by the way, will be useful not only for nails, but also for the skin of the hands in general.
• Use in the care of special medicinal preparations for nails, which are sold at the pharmacy. They are applied like a regular varnish, which makes them as easy to use as possible.

Can shellac be made for pregnant women?

As mentioned a little above, shellac contains no harmful chemical ingredients, which makes it an absolutely safe coating even for expectant mothers. On the contrary, it will significantly save time on manicure and pedicure, and you will be able to pay more attention to useful self-care and preparation for the birth of the long-awaited baby.

Shellac photo

As already mentioned a little above, outwardly shellac is very difficult to distinguish from ordinary and familiar to everyone nail polish. But there is one peculiarity - shellac is almost always sold in closed tubes. That is, you will not see the true color of the varnish through the glass, like with a conventional product. This is roughly what shellac looks like. Preparations may differ depending on the brand and series.