A few years ago, a new nail beauty product appeared in the fashion world, which has unique durability and an even, shiny finish. Shellak is just a godsend for young mothers, business women and all women who save time but want to look perfect. This coating lasts on the nails for almost two weeks, maintaining attractiveness and freshness. However, in beauty salons this type of manicure is quite expensive. Therefore, many people wonder whether it is possible to apply or remove Shi nail polish at home. This is quite possible if you have the right tools and resources. Everything you need can be bought in specialized stores.

Benefits of shea varnish

Shea polish is a cross between regular nail polish and extension gel, and includes the best qualities of both:

1. Durability. A manicure with such a coating not only lasts for at least 2-3 weeks, but also looks fresh and bright. Shi varnish has high resistance to mechanical stress. It does not scratch or wear off.
2. Harmlessness. Gel polish does not contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde. Therefore, it can be used without fear by both allergy sufferers and women in an interesting position.
3. Color spectrum. Manufacturers of shea polish offer simply a huge selection of colors and shades, from delicate nude to bright and even acidic. In addition, gel polish looks much brighter on nails than regular polish, even when choosing a modest, discreet design.

Tools and tools

To apply shea varnish at home you should have on hand:

1. Everything for hygienic manicure:

• for trimming: hand bath and soap, wooden stick or cuticle spatula, nail file, manicure tweezers;
• for unedged: a product for softening and removing cuticles, a nail file for shaping nails, an orange stick.

1. A file with a soft cloth for polishing nails (buff).

1. Means for degreasing the nail plate.

1. Base coat for shee varnish.

1. LED drying lamp, preferably with a timer. A device with a power of at least 36 W is best suited.

1. Colored shea varnish.

1. Product for final, top coating.

1. Shea nail polish remover.

Application instructions
Covering nails with shea varnish is a fairly lengthy procedure that includes several mandatory steps:

Stage 1

Hygienic. It is advisable to do a trim manicure in advance. In the process of cutting the cuticle by a non-professional, mechanical damage to the periungual surface and small cuts are possible. You need to give them time to heal so that you don’t experience an unpleasant burning sensation during the coating process. An unedged manicure can be done immediately before painting.

Stage 2

Polishing nails. Use a buff or a soft file to remove all roughness and unevenness from the surface of the nail. This is necessary not only for better adhesion to the coating. Few people know, but the top layer of the nail sweats just like the skin. This can lead to peeling of the varnish and the appearance of fungi in a humid environment. But it is important not to overdo it during the polishing process, otherwise you can damage the nail plate.

Stage 3

Degreasing the nail. This can be done using a special tool. Or you can use regular medical alcohol or acetone. But frequent use of unprofessional products is undesirable; this can lead to depletion and splitting of the nail. After the degreasing procedure, you should not touch the surface of the nail with your hands.

Stage 4

Applying the base. The base coat is applied in a thin layer and dried in an LED lamp for 1.5-2 minutes. A mandatory requirement when using it is to “seal” the edge of the nail plate. To do this, you need to run the brush with the product horizontally directly along the tip of the nail.

Stage 5

Application of colored varnish. Painting with the selected shade occurs in several layers (maximum 3), each of which is dried in a lamp for 2 minutes. The layers must be thin, otherwise the polish will not dry and will not adhere well to the nail.

Stage 6

Top coating. It also needs to be dried in a lamp for 1.5-2 minutes. After this, use a cotton pad soaked in a special product or acetone to remove the sticky layer from the surface of the nail.

Stage 7

Final. The cuticle needs to be lubricated with a special oil, since during the treatment of the varnish with ultraviolet light it becomes very dry. Typically, shea butter, tea tree butter or peach butter are used for this.

How to remove shea polish?

The tired or overgrown coating is removed using a special product (usually instructions are included with it). But this can also be done using acetone. A cotton pad is generously moistened with the liquid and applied to the nail. All this needs to be wrapped in a piece of food foil and kept for at least 5 minutes. Then the foil is removed, the remaining varnish is removed with a wooden stick. You should remember about the dangers of acetone for nails, and use it as little as possible.

Well-groomed women's hands with a beautiful manicure have always been and remain in fashion. But the ways of decorating them are constantly changing. Today, when extended and unnatural nails are out of fashion, the trend is a more natural manicure made with shellac. Therefore, the procedure for covering nails in this way is now one of the most popular.

From this article you will learn more information about this product, its advantages and disadvantages. So, if you don’t know whether you should get a shellac manicure, and which design option to choose, then read on.

What it is

Manicure using the shellac technique is not at all new in the world of the fashion industry. This word itself already tells us that for such nail art a mixture of gel and varnish is used. This is a more gentle way to decorate your nails.

The application procedure for this product is different from others. But at the same time, it is quite simple and can be done not only in the salon, but also at home. This simple technology makes it possible to get a beautiful and fairly durable manicure in a fairly short time. It can last on your palms for up to several weeks.

The point here is that it combines the advantages of varnish and gel. The main advantage of the gel is its durability. Therefore, shellac lasts no less than acrylic nails. And this product has a rich color palette from varnish. You can find many interesting shades, both matte and glossy or neon. Therefore, with the help of shellac, you can turn all your creative ideas into reality - from an original French manicure to a beautiful moon manicure.

Home application technology

Most often, this type of manicure is done in a salon. But you can easily repeat this procedure at home if you know how to apply the mixture correctly and buy yourself all the necessary tools, including an ultraviolet lamp.

• To make your manicure really beautiful, you will need appropriate preparation. You may not be able to paint your nails beautifully the first time. It is also important to remember that a shellac manicure takes longer than a simple coloring. But at the same time, complex patterns, drawings and just plain varnish of a beautiful color will hold up much better. This manicure can be applied to both short and long nails.

In general, this process is quite easy to carry out. First you need to wash your hands, file your nails, polish them - in general, give your hands a well-groomed appearance. Remember that you cannot skip polishing your nails, because the shellac should lie in a dense layer on the nails, in contact with them.

• After this, you can proceed to applying shellac. Apply the base coat first. It must be cured using a UV lamp. You will need to hold your nails under its rays for only 25-30 seconds. Next, you can move on to adding color to your nails. The color layer is applied twice. Before applying a new one, the previous one must be thoroughly dried.

• If your manicure turns out a little sloppy, the remaining varnish must be removed using a special product. Soak a cotton pad in it and carefully remove any excess color that has spilled beyond the nail bed. It is advisable to complete this manicure by moisturizing your fingers with a special oil.

The process of removing shellac also deserves special attention.

• Regardless of whether you did your manicure at home or in a salon, you can do it yourself. To do this, you need the same special liquid that removes imperfections when performing a manicure. It consists of acetone or special alcohol.

Removing the varnish layer is very easy. Wet cotton pads with this liquid, apply to the nail, and secure with foil on top. Nails should remain in this state for ten minutes. After this, the softened layer of gel must be carefully removed from the nail plate using a soft orange stick. When the shellac is removed, the nails also need to be well moisturized. This will protect them and make them stronger and better.

How to make shellac at home, see the following video.

Using shellac you can create interesting design options. Today, both plain and patterned nails are popular. When creating such a manicure, you can create long-lasting and beautiful pictures on your nails.

• The easiest option is to have nails of the same color.. Pastel shades and classics are popular today. Depending on your desire, you can safely paint your nails red, black or neon yellow. It all depends entirely on your personal preferences. So be guided not only by fashion trends, but also by your own taste.

• Combined coating is also popular. The step-by-step instructions for creating such patterns are very simple. You can combine two or more shades to create interesting color combinations. To create an interesting manicure, you can use the ombre technique, make smooth transitions, or vice versa, sharp and clear contours.

The so-called “moon” manicure is also becoming popular again. In this case, the holes are emphasized with a lighter color. At the same time, the base of the nail remains darker, which looks very good in contrast.

• The classic – a simple French jacket – does not lose its relevance. But it can be done not only with neutral colors, but also with brighter ones. The edge of the nail does not have to be white or even light. You can choose a dark or very bright tone, creating an unusual manicure option.

How long does it last?

Shellac is considered a permanent manicure option, but it lasts a different amount of time for everyone. Some girls are even disappointed, because their nails did not last even the stated two weeks. Let's look at what reasons affect the durability of manicure.

• Firstly, it depends on the characteristics of your body. So, if you have any disorders related to hormones or vitamins, and also if you are currently taking any medications, then you should avoid the manicure procedure for a while.

• It is also not advisable to apply shellac if your nails are very flaky. On such a nail plate the coating will last much less. Therefore, it is always worth polishing your nails well before the procedure, and if everything is really bad, then it is better to treat them first.

• Incorrect execution technology also shortens the life of a manicure. This applies to both home and salon procedures. Make sure that before a manicure your nails are not only disinfected, but also degreased. If there is moisture between the layers of shellac and the nail plate, the colored layer will lie unevenly. In addition, it will also last less.

In general, shellac lasts about two weeks. However, it is worth remembering that the thicker the layer of product, the faster it will begin to peel off the nails. Especially if you are actively involved in household chores.

Advantages and disadvantages

Shellac has both its advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the set of pros and cons of this product.

• First of all, shellac differs from regular varnish in that it can be used to treat nails. It is often used as a restorative varnish after extensions or other procedures. If your nails are naturally too thin or brittle, then under the protection of such a layer they will grow faster. The coating will protect the nail plate from external negative influences, so the nails under it grow strong and long.

• Shellac itself nourishes the nails well. Therefore, even after removing the colored layer, your nails will be stronger than before. Especially if you moisturize your fingertips after applying and removing shellac.

• Another positive point is that nails of this type look as natural as possible. This is how they compare favorably with extensions. Even if you look carefully, you still won’t notice a clear transition between the nail plate and the beginning of the color layer.

• The good thing is that this manicure is very practical.. If you have an active life or do a lot of housework, then this will be important for you. Shellac manicure will withstand regular cleaning, cooking and washing. Whatever you do, you won't have to worry about the condition of your nails - they will still be neat and bright.

• If you like glossy nails, this is especially important. Indeed, unlike simple varnish, such a coating does not fade over time, no matter how often you come into contact with household chemicals or water.

The last but very important advantage is that shellac is absolutely harmless. It contains no harmful ingredients. When creating this base, soft, gentle components are used that do not destroy the structure of the nail plate. Shellac can be applied even to teenagers or pregnant girls.

As for the shortcomings, they are quite insignificant. And if you get a manicure in a salon, then they don’t exist at all. The point here is that a manicure kit using shellac is quite expensive, as is an ultraviolet lamp. But by investing money in its purchase, you will still save significantly, because you will not have to regularly spend money on salon procedures.

Although the process of creating a manicure using this technology is quite complicated, the result is worth it. After all, you will receive a beautiful and natural manicure, while your nails will remain healthy and strong.

Beautiful, well-groomed nails give a woman charm and attractiveness. It’s completely unpleasant to look at short, chewed nails with peeling varnish.

Therefore, a woman who loves herself does not allow her nails to be unkempt. Now, even if nature has not endowed you with good, strong nails, you can resort to cosmetic procedures for nail extensions.

With its help, you can give your nails any shape and length. But lately, coating nails with shellac has become more and more popular.

Shellac is a resin obtained from tropical plants, widely used in the production of plastics and varnish. In cosmetology, shellac is a special coating for nails that combines varnish and gel at the same time. That is, shellac is a varnish with the properties of a gel.

Shellac is used to cover only natural nails. It looks like a good professional polish on your nails. But at the same time has gel properties. The coating does not fade, does not fade, does not lose shine, or cracks.

Extensions negatively affect the structure of the nail, damaging them and thinning them. Shellac, in turn, allows the nail to grow freely, while saving it from delamination and cracks. Long extended nails are quite inconvenient.

How many pairs of tights has each woman torn with artificial nails? In addition to all of the above, long nails today are vulgar and unnatural. Therefore, you can safely make a choice in favor of shellac rather than acrylic extensions.

The coating has a lot of positive qualities. Gel polish has remarkable properties - it lasts a long time on the nails compared to a regular manicure, and has a beautiful glossy shine that lasts a long time.

Shellac is very easy to remove from nails and it does not take much time. Shellac, like all coatings, also has its disadvantages.

Pros of shellac

• can be used on any nail length. And due to the fact that the coating strengthens the nail, it begins to grow faster.
• lasts about 2-3 weeks, At the same time, no chips or scratches are formed on the surface. The coating is smooth, shiny and uniform. Household chemicals do not affect the wear time of the coating.
• easy and quick to remove even without visiting the salon. You just need to buy a special liquid.
• no harm. No formaldehyde is used in its production. Therefore, shellac can be used by pregnant women and those who are susceptible to allergies.
• large palette of colors. There are about 250 shades of gel polishes.

Cons of shellac

• If the application technique is not followed, it can lead to illness.
• Quite expensive coverage. The salon procedure will cost the same as extensions. Corrections must be made every 2 weeks.

You can make shellac at home yourself. It is much easier, of course, to contact a specialist. But if you do everything carefully and correctly, you can do a shellac manicure yourself.

What do you need for a shellac manicure?

First of all, you will definitely need a special Ultraviolet lamp, which is used for gel nail extensions. It is not at all necessary that the lamp be of the same brand as the rest of the necessary liquids and gel polishes.

It is better when the lamp power is 36 watts. Then the coating will dry quickly.

You will also need degreaser and remover sticky layer. Instead, you can use nail polish remover with acetone or alcohol.

Base and top coat It won’t be possible to replace it with anything, since the quality of the manicure will partially depend on this coating. And the most important component of manicure is shellac coating the color you like. They exist from different companies and manufacturers.

It's up to you to decide which coating to choose. But it’s better to read reviews about each gel polish before you start working with it.

To remove shellac you will need special liquid and sponges. Instead of a special liquid, you can use acetone solvent. And instead of special sponges, you can take simple cotton swabs and wrap them on top with foil.

The application procedure requires care, otherwise you can ruin not only the entire manicure, but also the nail plate.

How to apply shellac correctly?

• The first step is to prepare the nail and cuticle, shape the nail plate, process and trim the cuticle.
• Next, the nail is polished either with a special grinder or with a special file. Those villi that rise above the surface of the nail and give the nail adhesion to the gel polish. Therefore, how long the coating on the nails will last depends on proper sanding.
• After sanding, be sure to disinfect and degrease the nail. This is necessary for an even coating of the nail.
• Base layer. It is necessary to strengthen the nail bed and prevent the harmful effects of using shellac. When applying the base you need paints and seals well with it the free edge of the nail. The base layer should be thin and applied once. Dry the base layer in a lamp for 30 seconds.
• A layer of gel that needs to be dried in a lamp.
• Second layer of gel polish. Also audible in a lamp. The second layer can be used to seal the tips of the nail, applying the coating along the very edge.
• Top coat applied in one layer and cured in a lamp.
• After applying all layers to the nails, you need to remove the polish around the nail.
• And the final stage. To soften the cuticle, which dries too much under the lamp, you need put oil on it.

You can remove shellac either in a salon or on your own. To do this at home yourself, you need to have a special liquid. To do this, you can use regular nail polish remover with acetone, cotton swabs and foil.

Apply liquid generously to a cotton pad cut in half. Wrap the disc around your nail and finger and place foil on top. Leave for 15 minutes to act. After the cotton swabs with solvent are removed from the fingers, there will still be gel polish on the nails, but it will soften well.

This soft gel can be removed with an orange or plastic stick. Afterwards the surface is polished with a polisher.

How to care for your nails after shellac?

Although shellac, compared to extensions, is a fairly harmless product, if used incorrectly, nails can begin to break and peel. To prevent this from happening, it is better to remove shellac using special means and non-metallic sticks.

It doesn't take much effort to restore your nails.

To do this you can do salt and oil baths, masks with lemon, iodine network. It is important to do this regularly, not once a month.

To do this, take a teaspoon of salt per glass of water. Soak your nails in water for 15 minutes. You can add vegetable and essential oils and lemon juice to such baths. After the bath, lubricate your hands well with nourishing cream. After this you can get a massage using vegetable oil, which will nourish the nail well.

If the nail needs to be put in order urgently and there is not a lot of time, you can make an iodine grid. At night you need to apply a small amount of iodine to your nails. By morning, the iodine will be absorbed and will not leave yellow spots on the nails.

Manicure ideas

You can create different types of manicure using shellac.

To make your manicure beautiful, you need to choose colors that will harmonize with each other. You should not choose glossy and matte varnishes at the same time.

It is better to take coatings of the same texture. It is better to draw a smile by hand without using stencils, because they can remove the previous layer. Each applied layer must be dried thoroughly.

You can make designs on your nails, glue rhinestones, and stickers. Ombre manicures and moonlight manicures have become especially popular lately.

Ombre manicure- This is a smooth transition of colors along the nail plate. Moon manicure is something similar to a French manicure, but the smile is located at the base of the nail.

A good manicure is an important component of every woman’s image. Sometimes it reflects the girl’s inner world and her perception of reality.

When creating a manicure, each of us secretly hopes that it will last a long time on our nails. But as practice shows, any manicure , created at home, is doomed to a short, albeit bright, life. Constant contact with water, housework, cooking in the kitchen, playing sports, playing with children are not easy tests. As a result, the polish will crack and chip, despite the use of a protective coating or nail sealing technique.

Whatever beauty industry professionals have come up with in order to create a lasting and, most importantly, long-lasting manicure. Acrylic nails were promoted to us as the main panacea for beautiful nails, then gel extension .

Modern manufacturers have recently begun to promote a miracle invention - shellac. Essentially, it's gel and polish in one bottle. During the procedure, you do not get nail extensions, but just a colored coating that not only lasts a long time, but also strengthens your own nails.

For several years now, shellac has been at the top of the most popular nail procedures, and is slowly starting to move the extensions that all girls love from the pedestal..

What is shellac and how is it made?

Shellac looks much richer on nails than any varnish, even if you do French . The palette offered by the manufacturer includes all the colors of the rainbow; shades that are fashionable this season .

Shellac is a salon procedure; it can be done at home only with certain education, tools and a special lamp. After all, the coating hardens only under the influence of UV rays.

The procedure for applying shellac seems simple in appearance, but it takes time and takes place in several stages, one after another:

• Nail preparation, which includes shape modeling and cuticle processing.
• Grinding necessary for this type of manicure. The villi that rise on the surface of the nail plate during the sanding process allow the shellac to adhere tightly to the nail.
• Disinfection. The antibacterial agent will not only disinfect the surface of the nails, but also degrease them so that the shellac lies evenly on the surface.
• Applying base gel in one layer using a special technique.
• Curing the layer with a UV lamp- it is necessary for the gel to adhere to the surface of the nail. This process takes 25 seconds for each finger.

Shellac for nails: pros and cons

• Application of colored elastic varnish using a special technique, in one layer.
• Repeated drying with a UV lamp.
• Applying the final layer of shellac. In this case, the edge of the nail is sealed (the varnish is applied along the edge of the nail).
• Fixing the last layer with a UV lamp.
• Removing excess varnish around the nails, if any.
• Applying oil to the cuticle. Under the influence of UV rays, the skin dries, the oil softens it.

As you can see, the procedure is quite complicated, so if you are not confident in your abilities, do not try to make shellac yourself.

Pros of shellac

Allows you to grow your nails

Shellac is perfect for those with short and long nails. It solves several main problems at once: if your nails are thin and brittle, it strengthens them and makes it possible to grow them. After all, the nail under the coating does not delaminate or crack.

Stays on nails for a long time

Shellac cannot be removed without special products, which means it is not afraid of household chemicals. This gel polish can be worn for up to 3 weeks.

Gives a bright glossy shine

Shellac is the only product that gives incredible shine to nails that does not fade over time.

Pleases with the variety of palettes

Today, shellac manufacturers have developed many color options - from classic pink tones to bright, rich shades. The palette is constantly updated with fashionable seasonal colors.

Shellac for nails: pros and cons / shutterstock.com

Shellac is harmless

Shellac does not contain dangerous substances such as formaldehyde. This means that pregnant girls can also get a shellac manicure. It will not cause damage to health, since gentle substances are used in its production.

The coating can be removed by yourself

If you do not want to make a correction, and you are tired of wearing shellac on your nails, you can purchase a special liquid and film at the salon, with which the coating can be easily removed. Instructions included.

Cons of shellac

Not for the sake of rhetoric and not out of fear of competition, many manicurists started talking about the harm that shellac can cause.

Since ancient times, people have tried to decorate the world around them and themselves. Today everyone knows such concepts as “nail polish” and “extensions”, but despite the prosperity of the nail industry, not everyone knows what shellac is. Many years before our era, people began to monitor the condition of their nails.

Thus, during archaeological excavations, a tomb was discovered with the retinue of the ancient pharaoh Nuser, who was responsible for his nails, that is, the first manicurists in history. The famous Cleopatra carefully looked after her appearance and used henna to give her nails color. Depending on the shade, it was possible to determine which class the Egyptian belonged to; noble people painted their nails with red flowers, simple ones with green, and the lower ones were allowed to use pale tones.

The ancient Chinese believed that long nails promoted a connection with the gods and signified the wisdom of the person wearing them. The emperor's nails were painted with a special composition consisting of wax and fruit tree sap. Later, metal tips appeared that served as protection for nails. It was considered a shame if such an attribute was lost, since the older the tip, the more decent the person. The first moisture-resistant varnish coating was invented by Charles Revson.

In 1933, he presented his first collection of varnishes for sale. It was he who suggested using nail polish and lipstick of the same color, and introduced the fashion for red lips and nails.

Later, one dentist accidentally came up with nail extensions. Fred Slack damaged his nail, which greatly interfered with the dentist's work, then he repaired the nail with the help of foil and filling compound. Realizing the significance of the discovery, he began to move towards the nail industry, promoting and improving the composition. At the same time, several more dentists came to this discovery and began selling their innovations to nail shops.

Regular polish and extensions have become the main materials for decorating nails, but each has its own drawback:

• The varnish coating is not stable, which leads to chips, scratches and loss of the original glossy shine after a day or two
• Extensions are harmful to natural nail plates, especially when removed. In addition, the process itself takes a lot of time; not everyone dares to spend half a day in the salon

Understanding the imperfections of these coatings, in 2010 the CND company released an innovative shellac coating, which instantly made a splash in the nail industry. Other companies did not stand aside and also began to produce similar products.

Gel polish is a special polymer that hardens under the influence of UV or LED rays, creating a durable glossy coating.

Benefits of shellac:

• Lasts 10-15 days
• Glossy shine does not fade
• Easy to apply and go on
• Does not chip or scratch
• Removal does not damage the nail plate
• The surface of the nail is absolutely smooth
• Helps grow strong natural nails

In fact, this is not such a new composition. About fifteen years ago, such well-known brands as OPI and NSI tried to create something similar, but at that time acrylic and gel were at the peak of popularity, development was stopped. Shellac nail polish is a coating that combines varnish and gel.

At first glance, a bottle of gel polish is no different from regular nail polish, but they are different in composition and method of action. The varnish of this product has a convenient brush for application and a runny consistency, while the gel has strength and wear resistance. Since the first product was called shellac, gel polish acquired many consonant names, such as shellac, shilak and even shea lacquer.

Despite the similarity, the initial composition of the CND product differs from subsequent gel polishes. The fact is that shellac has more of a varnish component, and not a gel, as in the others, it is not even called gel polish, but gel polish. The name of this brand itself comes from schellak, which translated from Dutch means natural resin, which is obtained as a result of the digestion of tree sap by tropical insects.

That is, CND uses a biological polymer, not a chemical one.

Otherwise, in terms of application method and properties, it is not particularly different from other gel polishes.

The main components that make up the gel polish are:

• A film-forming substance that forms a hard surface under UV rays, which protects the coating from fading and chipping, gives it strength and elasticity
• The photoinitiator absorbs UV rays, creating a chemical reaction inside the substance, releasing free radicals, which in turn react with the first substance
• Thinners are included to maintain the required consistency
• Color pigments that determine the color of the product
• Due to the content of oligomers, shellac does not evaporate if the bottle is left open and does not dry out in the air when applied

Each manufacturer's composition is slightly different from the other, but, nevertheless, the main characteristics remain unchanged.

Having understood a little about what shellac nails are, you can start using it. Applying gel polish is very simple if you have all the necessary materials:

• The primer degreases and dehydrates the surface
• Bonder protects against pigmentation and harmful substances, promotes better adhesion
• The base evens out the nail
• Colored gel polish
• Finish (top) creates a top protective coating
• Liquid for removing sticky layer
• Lint-free wipes
• UV lama
• Manicure tools

Before applying these products, nails go through a preparation stage. You need to do a regular classic manicure without resorting to tools that can damage the skin.

You should not keep your hands in water before applying shellac, otherwise the manicure will come off quickly.

Then you need to apply a primer and air dry it, then a bonder, which can be dried in a UV lamp.

Applying the base must be done responsibly; this is the first and important layer. A layer that is too thin will allow pigmentation, while a thick layer will not dry out and will damage the coating in the future.

You need to paint the base layer, retreating about a millimeter from the skin so as not to touch it.

If this happens, you need to carefully remove the substance from the skin. The same applies to the next two layers. Usually this substance has a transparent color.

Pigmented shellac must be applied in a thin layer, otherwise the coating will shrink and bubble when drying. If the resulting color is not satisfactory, or the surface is not painted over, you need to apply a second layer after the first has polymerized.

There is no need to remove the dispersion from the base and color, as it promotes adhesion of the layers.

After this, you can apply drawings, glitter and other materials for decoration.

The last finishing layer can be applied a little thicker than the first two, but the main thing is not to overdo it. The top can be glossy or matte, which gives more options, regardless of color. After drying, the sticky layer is removed and the oil is applied to the skin and cuticle. That's all, nothing complicated. On average, this procedure takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the experience of the specialist and the conditions, home or salon.

This manicure can be removed in 20 minutes. You need to moisten a cotton swab with gel polish remover, apply it to the nail and wrap it in foil. After waiting, you need to unfold each finger sequentially and remove the remaining shellac. If you unroll all the fingers at once, the destructive agent will evaporate and the composition will become solid again.

First of all, gel polish differs in the method of application, or rather in phases. The difference lies in the use of all or several of the provided materials:

• Three-phase manicure is used by professionals; this manicure is very strong and durable. This is a manicure, as they say, according to all the rules, using separately the base, color and top
• Two-phase provides colored shellac and a two-in-one product, which is both a base and a top. This is not entirely the correct approach, since these substances have different purposes
• Single-phase is the shortest, but at the same time the easiest to use. This is a combined composition that can be applied in a couple of layers

Most salons, and even for home manicures, use UV lamps, but this is not the only option for curing the composition. There are only two types of gel polishes: photosensitive and non-photosensitive. Those polymerized in UV or LED lamps belong to the first type; they are the most common, as they are easier to use. The second option involves applying a catalyst, which, acting on the composition, reacts with the gel polish, and drying occurs. There are also shellacs that just need to be immersed in cold water for a few minutes, but they last relatively less than regular ones, no more than 10 days.

Another type of shellac is biogel. The application and removal of this substance is no different from ordinary gel polish; it’s all about its composition. It is enriched with a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals and is of natural origin.

Thanks to this biogel, you can quickly grow healthy natural nails.

Who should not use shellac

There is a lot of debate about whether gel polish is more beneficial or harmful. In this matter, everything is learned individually; first of all, you need to understand what a nail is. The nail plate, like the skin, is formed from keratin, only of a different type. It consists of three layers:

• The top is solid, onto which the gel coating is directly applied.
• The middle one is softer and looser, it is from this that peeling occurs at the tips of the nail
• The last layer is responsible for adhesion to the connective tissue of the nail plate

Each layer is like bricks connected by special lipids; the appearance of nails depends on them. When shellac is applied, an impenetrable layer is formed on the nail plate, the so-called occlusive coating. It creates a greenhouse effect, and the keratin layers are saturated with moisture, which has a beneficial effect on their condition.

Since the nail is reliably protected with gel polish, it is not damaged, coupled with hydration, this provides rapid growth and healing.

But there is also a downside. You can often hear fashionistas complaining about dryness, peeling and peeling of natural nails after removing the coating. The fact is that everything is good in moderation, including hydration. Experienced professionals recommend not wearing the coating for more than two weeks. When excess moisture begins in the keratin layers, it begins to have a detrimental effect on lipids, the connection between the keratin bricks collapses, hence the delamination of the nail. After removing the gel polish, moisture begins to evaporate intensively, which manifests itself in peeling and dryness.

Before applying gel polish, it is advisable to perform a manicure with hot oil.

It will have a beneficial effect on lipid bonds and strengthen them. The same procedure can be carried out after removing shellac.

Contraindications to applying shellac:

• Pregnant ladies also want to look good, and gel polish is an excellent option, but the question arises about safety for the baby. It is not recommended to do this procedure in the first three to four months, then at the discretion of the expectant mother, but it is better, of course, to refrain from applying
• The deplorable condition of the nail plate does not allow the application of shellac, as this will completely destroy the damaged nails. First you need to conduct a recovery course
• Allergy sufferers can use special hypoallergenic gel polishes. But it is important not to forget about safety measures, such as a ventilated room and protecting the skin from the product. There are cases of allergies to the sticky layer, so it is better to choose a coating without the formation of dispersion

Summing up, we can conclude that shellac has established itself as an ideal option for maintaining the beauty of nails. Whether to do a manicure at home or in a salon is up to everyone to decide for themselves, the main thing is that everything is done correctly. Such a manicure will give the image a complete look, will delight the owner and attract the attention of others.