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Everything you need for shellac. Ordinary soft nail file. Shellac manicure step by step

Preparations

Shellac coating is considered one of the most durable nail coatings. Properly unapplied composition allows you not to renew the nails for two or even three weeks. If you are tired of spending money on a nail salon, and you decide to get a home nail corner, we will teach you how to properly apply shellac at home. Step-by-step instructions will not let you get confused in the technology of creating a durable and beautiful manicure.

What is Shellac


Shellacmodern material for the perfect manicure. It consists of safe components and has no contraindications: allowed during pregnancy and lactation. Does not cause allergies, which pleases women prone to seasonal and chronic allergic manifestations.

easily removable: the use of a special nail file eliminates damage to the nails. Nail plates during the entire wear grow under a reliable coating.

What you need to make shellac at home


To make a long-term coating at home, you need to acquire a whole and consumables. Below we list what to buy, for personal use:

  • Buff and file. The buff is needed to remove the glossy layer from the nail plates, the nail file is to trim the nail plates.
  • Nail surface degreaser. To save money, you can replace with acetone solvent.
  • Base coat, which serves as the basis for adhesion of the surface of the nail and shellac.
  • Decorative varnish. It can be tailored to individual preferences or current trends.
  • Finish coat topcoat for soldering manicure.
  • Lint-free wipes and liquid for erasing sticky fragments from the nail.
  • LED lamp
  • Special overlays to remove the cover.
  • Solution to remove stubborn nail polish.

How to make Shellac


If you are new to the field of permanent manicure, read the instructions to help you get it right. carry out the procedure without being disappointed with the result.

  1. Start the procedure from the preparatory stage: clean the nails from the old coating, do the usual hygienic manicure. If you accompanied the manicure with water procedures, wait a few hours before applying a resistant coating.
  2. Treat the surface of the nail plates with a buff: Peel off the top glossy layer for better adhesion.
  3. Degrease your nails lint-free wipe. Do not use cotton pads for this purpose: the remaining cotton wool will make the application of shellac uncomfortable. In addition, sticky particles form air pockets, which will significantly shorten the period of wearing a beautiful manicure.
  4. Prime the keratinized plates. To do this, with pressing movements, from the cuticle to the tip of the nail, apply the base layer. Be sure to leave a gap of at least 2 millimeters between the skin and the nail plate.
  5. Dry primed nails in a lamp. Exposure time - 30 seconds.
  6. Apply colored polish, leaving, as in the case of priming, a few millimeters of gaps. Dry for 180 seconds under a lamp.
  7. Apply a second coat colored decorative coating: paint over the nail completely, avoiding contact of the shellac with the cuticle. Entering the skin of the finger will shorten the life of the manicure.
  8. Seal free edge of the nail. Dry under the lamp for 120 seconds.
  9. Apply drawings or stick stickers, if provided by the design of the manicure.
  10. Use a top coat to complete your manicure. Apply it gently on the surface nail plate and from the end of the nail. Dry in UV lamp 180 seconds.
  11. Dampen lint-free wipes in liquid to remove the sticky layer. Wipe all nails to complete the manicure. If you don't have the indicated liquid on hand, use a mixture of water and alcohol in a ratio of 70:30 percent.

Reasons for not being able to apply and wear Shellac


At this point, we are unlikely to tell something new for those who have already read the article about the durability of gel polish. If suddenly you missed this information, you can find it

Anticipating questions, we note - the reasons for which shellac is prone to delamination are identical to the reasons inherent in gel polishes. That's why consider all points, which you will study in the next tab.


Apply shellac- half the job. The second half is to competently and correctly remove the resistant coating without damaging the nail plates. How to do it find out below:

  1. Prepare all necessary material immediately, so that during the process of removing the coating you do not have to be distracted.
  2. Take regular cotton swab: when removing a manicure, the type of napkins or cotton pads used does not matter. Bathe the swab generously in a container of acetone.
  3. Place the cotton swabs on your nails, adjusting to fit . Acetone should not affect the skin of the hands, so do not wrap the swab around your fingers.
  4. Secure with special clothespins for manicure or wrap with ordinary food foil. Leave composition work on the resistant coating for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove the foil. You will see that several layers of shellac have bulged out from the nail.
  6. Remove remedy from the nails finally with the help of an orange stick. She quickly and painlessly removes unnecessary crusts.

Where and for how much to buy


Before you get emotional and spend your hard earned money on a shellac kit, get acquainted with this coverage closer. This can be done by visiting the salon: three or four procedures performed by an experienced master, let you understand Is this cover right for you?

Buy tools and materials for shellac can be together and separately. If you want to buy an inexpensive UV lamp for your first workouts, take a look at Aliexpress. The price of an inexpensive device fluctuates from 800 to 1300 rubles. For this price, you will get a lamp of acceptable quality, which is ideal for personal use. If you decide to do a manicure professionally, consider lamps from 3000 rubles.

Purchase complete set materials in various nail-shops will cost from 4000 to 15 thousand rubles. The difference in price is due to brand differences and quality characteristics. For the first workouts, it is more logical to purchase expendable materials in a collapsible form: experiment with cheap and expensive base and top coats, choosing the option that suits you personally.

Is there a fake Shellac?


From the joy of shopping, you may not immediately notice what you have purchased fake product. To prevent this from happening, follow a few rules and pay attention to detail:

  • A quality certified product cannot cost cheap: there are lower and upper limits on the cost of shellac, but none of the limits can be called low.
  • Be sure to pay attention to have a batch number: without this, the product cannot be considered real. The batch number is printed on the bottom of the vial: the method of application is not typographical and repeats the material of the vial.
  • After you have verified that the batch number is present, compare it with the same barcode number. They must be the same.
  • Look at the bottom: the original varnishes are completely even. If you notice that the bottom of the varnish is ribbed, put it back in place - it's a fake.

When choosing varnishes for long-term coverage, always ask for certificates of conformity from the seller. So you can protect yourself from a possible counterfeit product.

How to make a new shellac color


Despite the fact that the shellac palette is quite diverse, the soul requires constant creativity and never-before-seen shades. You don't have to be a magician to get them, you just need to watch a video in which manicure masters explain correct sequence actions.

UPD: shellac application reviews


We often receive feedback from women on beauty issues. With their permission, we will publish comments about the amazing shellac coating for female nails.

Anna, 22 years old, Vladikavkaz

I have been wearing shellac for several years. At first I made it from a private master, then my friends gave me a simple lamp, bought a cheap base and finish, and away we go. To say that I learned how to cover right away is to lie: the path was long and painful, I constantly forgot the sequence of actions. But now I know absolutely all the reasons why the varnish exfoliates, and most often they are the mistake of the master. Now switched to expensive equipment, buyshellac in foreign online stores, and sometimes I do paid application. Very happy with what I learned.

Ekaterina, 31 years old, Yekaterinburg

It's scary to imagine how much money I threw away on cheap fakes! Girls! Nails completely collapsed from poor quality composition. This article caught my eye, and for the first time I learned how to distinguish a fake from a real shellac. I'm sorry I didn't see the article earlier. I will treat my nails, and then I will buy an expensive nail product.

Alexandra, 26 years old, Moscow

Thanks for the informative article. I bought a lamp on Aliexpress, in a store near the house all the other accessories. It turned out about 6000 rubles. I already did a manicure twice: the first time I ruined everything, the second time it turned out more or less tolerably. I'm not going to stop: a manicure is still cheaper than in the salon.

Zhanna, 23 years old, Moscow

Very cool article! Thank you! I have not tried to do a manicure myself yet, but now, at least, I can imagine how it is done. Interesting video about mixing varnishes. I didn't know shellac could be blended in such a way that it felt like real color. As for me, I do covershellac for a long time: I just found out that shellac can be made at home. That's how unmodern I am)

It is possible to make a durable shellac coating at home, but you need to be prepared for a high initial investment. Also keep in mind: the higher the skill level, the more requests there will be for the quality of materials. The costs will pay off if you take the path of a professional manicurist, otherwise, shellac at home will simply be an expensive entertainment. Whatever you do next, it is important that now you know how to properly apply shellac at home, and the step-by-step instructions in your head will allow you to perform the procedure efficiently.

The image of a beautiful well-groomed woman consists of many components: hairstyle, clothes, shoes, face. It often happens that the nails are somewhere at the end of the list - and this is wrong.

A neat manicure, well-groomed hands are the visiting card of any woman. Peeling nail polish looks just awful, and there is simply no time to refresh it. Today this problem is solved quite simply: shellac has become the most popular treatment in nail salons.

But what if there is not enough time or money to go to the salon? Of course, there is a way out - this is to make shellac at home. For beginners, we give step by step instructions for this now popular manicure.

A beautiful word, by the way, is not fraught with anything mysterious. Shellac is a waste product (in other words, excrement) of worm insects that feed on tree sap. This digested resinous substance is collected, dried and crushed, then the lacquer mass is melted and cast into molds. The end result is a great nail polish.

Shellac - features, terms and principles

Manicure has never been any special procedure, but the use of shellac has its own distinctive features. Firstly, the need for nail extensions disappears; secondly, the coating is quite durable and lasts much longer; third, awesome appearance and rich color range.


The disadvantage of shellac is primarily its cost.

The life of a manicure, no matter how exquisite it may be, is very short. Housework is the duty of any woman; very few have housewives. Daily cooking, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning - all this leads to the fact that the nail polish quickly fades, cracks and loses its appearance.

Shellac is another matter: a symbiosis of gel and varnish (even done at home by beginners in accordance with step by step instructions) holding on enough long time , and during this period there is an opportunity to further strengthen the nail plate.

Advantages and disadvantages of shellac

Shellac you guessed it has many advantages:

  • Shellac manicure looks great on any nails: both long and short. At the same time, the method of painting gives a chance to grow nails to the desired length.
  • Because shellac natural remedy, it allows you to strengthen thin and breaking nails.
  • shellac stays on nails for a long time: some women of fashion manage to keep manicure up to three weeks.
  • To wipe shellac from nails, special tools are needed, which means that products household chemicals he is not afraid.
  • Shellac gives nails a dazzling shine that lasts incredibly long and does not fade.
  • Manufacturers are closely following fashion and the color palette of shellac is constantly expanding. On sale you can find not only classic tones for manicure, but also bright avant-garde colors.
  • Perhaps the most important advantage of shellac is that it is absolutely harmless. Dangerous formaldehydes are not included in its composition, therefore, women prone to allergies and pregnant women can safely do shellac manicure.

If for some reason the coating suddenly bothers, then shellac can be removed at home. To do this, you need to buy special products, liquid and film in the salon, carefully study the step-by-step instructions for beginners and clean the nail plates yourself.

Everything in the world has its downside - and shellac is no exception:

  • First of all, this concerns the high price of the procedure itself, and if there is a need for correction, then this is also quite expensive. So, if the nails grow too fast, then you have to put up with additional costs.
  • The second negative factor is more significant. Shellac, according to the manufacturer, is really a very resistant coating. But nails tend to expand under the influence of high temperatures, and then decrease again, taking on their original dimensions. So washing dishes in hot water or too warm a bath contributes to the deformation of the nail and causes microscopic cracks in the coating.

Through these microscopic holes, dirt can enter under the varnish layer, and dirt creates greenhouse conditions for many bacteria and microorganisms. Shellac lasts for a long time, which means that bacilli have enough time to damage the nail. So the fungus is not the most dangerous disease.

To avoid sad consequences, all the dirty homework best done with gloves.

What resources and tools will be required

Shellac is a very complex procedure, and it is best to do it in the salon, with an experienced master. But after all, “it’s not the gods who burn the pots,” so if you have certain skills, you can do it at home on your own. To do this, you need to know step-by-step instructions for beginners and have special tools and UV lamp for drying manicure.


To apply shellac at home, you will need some tools and tools.

First of all, you will need: basis for applying the base coat, shellac coating and fixer. Professionals recommend using the main and base coats from the same shellac category, preferably from the same manufacturer. Otherwise, there is a risk that the desired result will not be achieved.

In addition, you must have:

  • antibacterial agent;
  • a spatula or stick from an orange tree;
  • nail file;
  • scissors for manicure;
  • bondex, a means for improved adhesion;
  • cuticle agent;
  • grinding saw.

Preparing nails for shellac

So, having everything necessary tools for shellac at home (read more about step-by-step application for beginners below), you can start preparing your nails.


Before applying gel polish, you need to prepare your nails by treating the cuticle in particular.

The preliminary operation includes:

  • processing of the cuticle and the formation of the nail plate;
  • grinding is a mandatory procedure that improves the adhesion of shellac directly to the nail;
  • disinfection with an antibacterial liquid, which additionally degreases the nail and provides a uniform coating;
  • applying the base layer;
  • heating with an ultraviolet lamp to fix the gel, at least 25-30 seconds for each nail.

How to make shellac at home. Step by step instructions for beginners

Now that the nails are ready, you can proceed to the direct applying shellac:


When making shellac at home according to step-by-step instructions for beginners on your own, you should know that it is not necessary to remove the sticky layer after the first and base coat, as this will increase adhesion.


After applying each layer of shellac, the nails should be dried in a UV lamp.

What will happen to the nails after applying shellac

No matter how safe the shellac procedure is for nails, restoration measures are still necessary. In the end, after all, everyone changes their underwear daily, and the nail remains in a kind of shell for a long time. So, if yellowish spots appear on the surface of the nail plate or the nail is somewhat deformed, then urgent measures should be taken.

Can you revive your nails? in the salon of the master or use home remedies, which is generally preferable because they are inexpensive and readily available:

  1. Make lotions from warmed olive oil for a week. Nails will receive additional nutrition and hydration, which means they will retain a healthy appearance.
  2. A piece of lemon, which should be wiped daily on the surface of the nail, can work wonders. Essential oils and vitamin C will restore shine and relieve delamination and brittleness.
  3. A bath of sea salt will get rid of a possible fungal infection. It is advisable to do the procedure every day, for 10-15 minutes.

Sea salt baths are recommended for restoring the nail plate after shellac

Secrets of applying shellac at home

Making shellac at home on your own, following the step-by-step application technology for beginners, you can save a little. So, what means and tools can be replaced and with what:

  1. Manicurists use special tools to remove the cuticle, which are quite expensive. But if the cuticle is not too noticeable, then in this case you can use an orange stick to simply push it back.
  2. The grinder completely replaces the usual polishing nail file: the end result will be the same.
  3. A small bottle of salon disinfectant, which can cost up to a thousand, is easily replaced with nail polish remover or acetone.
  4. The base coat cannot be replaced, but in cosmetics stores you can find a suitable product, which, among other things, also has a healing effect.

Take on board a couple more secrets of applying shellac at home.


Cuticle oil should be used morning and evening every day

Helpful Hints from professionals:

  • When purchasing an ultraviolet lamp, you should pay attention to its power, the most optimal result is achieved when using a lamp with a power of 36 watts. In this case, the coating dries fairly quickly.
  • Before starting a manicure, roll the coated jar in your hands. This little trick will significantly improve the properties of the varnish, which will lie flat without much effort.
  • To prevent thickening of shellac, it should be stored at room temperature, carefully closing the bottle after each use.
  • Any corrective treatment should be carried out only when obligatory condition: The nail must be dry. No soft nail file will protect the wet nail plate from damage.
  • Use cuticle oil daily, morning and evening. Only in this case you can avoid the appearance of sloppy burrs.
  • Before you go to the salon for the beauty of your hands, you should treat your nails, if necessary. Shellac can only exacerbate the problem of brittleness and delamination of the nail plate.
  • Do not apply hand cream immediately before a shellac manicure.

How to remove gel shellac

How to remove shellac manicure at home(for beginners, step-by-step application is described above), you need to prepare:

  • cotton pads or special sponges;
  • 10 pieces of foil so that you can wrap your fingers;
  • isopropyl alcohol or special remedy to dissolve shellac.

Before removing shellac, hands should be washed with warm soapy water and dried thoroughly.


Shellac removal procedure

Now you can start removing shellac:

  1. Cut the cotton pads in half.
  2. Moisten a piece of disk in alcohol and attach it to the nail, fix it with metal foil. Try to avoid contact with alcohol on the skin, so as not to cause irritation. The foil is used to keep the alcohol from evaporating too quickly. You will have to wait about 15 minutes for the result, at this time you can lightly massage your fingertips for better penetration of alcohol.
  3. In some cases, shellac is removed with a film, if this does not work, then it can be removed with an ordinary plastic spatula. It happens that, due to inexperience, the coating was applied too thick and the shellac is not removed. This means that the procedure will have to be repeated with alcohol, or just cut off the shellac.
  4. Finally, lubricate the nail with cuticle oil to avoid overdrying the skin and nail surface.

Shellac is a wonderful tool for manicure both in the salon and at home (you have already read the step-by-step instructions for beginners), the nails look neat, elegant and, most importantly, natural.

So time will come experience and due skill and the whole procedure will not take too much time. As a result, the hands will look very attractive, and the nails will receive additional protection.

Shellac "Cat's eye"

Cat-eye nail design is very popular and looks very impressive. Using gel polish in your work, with the addition of a metal base and a magnet, you can get a pattern that really looks like a cat's eye.

For such a design, it is necessary to prepare green gel polish and a special magnet. However, if there is no special, then any, the most ordinary, will do.


Manicure "Cat's eye" can be performed in any color scheme

First, a base coat is applied to the nails. to be dried in an ultraviolet lamp. The next layer is green, which is also dried. The magnet has not yet been used.

And now a magnetic plate is brought to the second coating: metal particles of varnish are folded into an elegant pattern. If the magnet is brought edgewise, then a strip will form on the nails; but if you scroll it over the surface of the nail, then the image will come out intricate, similar to the drawing of a cat's eye. Now it remains only to complete the usual procedure.

It is not at all necessary to use only a green color palette: after all, a cat's eyes can be yellow or even blue.

If you like the cat design, then you should buy a special magnet., with which you can get a spectacular pattern.

As you can see, shellac at home (for beginners, see step-by-step execution above) is quite feasible. The main thing is to follow the instructions and at the same time not be afraid to fantasize.

Manicure should always be perfect. That is why many ladies perform it on their own. Everything for shellac is easy to get. In return, the young lady will receive perfect nails, which, as you know, are the hallmark of the image.

What tools and tools are needed for shellac?

So, what is included in the list of necessary tools and tools? To carry out this procedure, remarkable in terms of durability and aesthetic effect, you will need to prepare the three most important components. It:

  • basis or base;
  • directly the SHELLAC coating itself;
  • fixer, without which the implementation of the event will not be completed.

Professional nail artists recommend using a base and top coat, also related to the shellac system. Can products from other manufacturers be used? Yes, but you should be prepared for the fact that they may not give the desired result.

By itself, the procedure for using SHELLAC is almost identical to simple nail art. However, there are still significant differences. Drying of the product occurs in a non-standard way. For this, special tools are used. That is why it is necessary to prepare a UV lamp to cover shellac. In order for the procedure to pass according to all the rules, it is also necessary to use:

  • antibacterial agent;
  • spatula or orange stick;
  • nail file;
  • manicure scissors or hatchet;
  • bondex;
  • cuticle oil
  • grinder.

The use of gel polish has some features. In order for the coating to turn out perfect, not to crack, not to swell, not to deform, you will need to take into account the subtleties that the SHELLAC technology prescribes. Covering the nail plate occurs in several steps. In this case, it should be borne in mind that the coloristic base is applied, as a rule, in one layer. If the product is used excessively thickly, this can lead to the formation of an unsightly surface of the marigold. One layer allows you to get a unique, feminine and elegant translucent shade. A deeper and more saturated tone is obtained if shellac is used in two approaches. However, each of them must be dried in a special UV lamp.

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Read also: How to degrease nails before shellac

Subtleties of SHELLAC technology

The first thing you need to do before applying the product is to properly prepare the nails. For this, professional nail service masters do everything the same as before standard nail extension. The first step is to do a dry manicure. Then you should treat the surface of the handles with a special antibacterial agent. It is not recommended to use alcohol for this purpose, as it dries very strongly. skin covering. The next step involves the use of an orange stick or spatula. With the help of these tools, the cuticle is pushed back. Then those parts of it that turned out to be keratinized, having served their time, must be removed. The easiest way to do this is with a hatchet or simple nail scissors.

What do you need to cover your nails with shellac? Miraculous means and tools are definitely not required. After a dry manicure, nail masters recommend giving the nail plates the required length and adjusting the shape.

The next step is to eliminate the nail shine. How to achieve this? Use a grinder. In this case, it is necessary to process the entire surface of the plates. Why is this required? Masters say that with this technique you can achieve perfect strong adhesion of the nail plate and innovative gel polish.

Then, with the help of a simple manicure brush, all the dust that has formed is brushed off, which always remains from grinding and filing nails.

After that, you will need to once again treat your hands with an antibacterial drug. Only then comes the turn of applying bondex. With it, you can easily and effectively degrease the surface of the nail plates. This will ensure optimal adhesion of shellac and nails. This drug is applied in a very thin layer. If after its application the nail looks glossy, wet, then it is recommended to soak the excess liquid. Otherwise, delamination will occur.

The next step is to treat the plates with a base shellac gel. After that, the fingers are placed in a UV lamp for 40-60 seconds. Now you can use the color tool. For this, a brush is used, which usually comes with SHELLAC itself.

Persistent manicure, made with the help of "shellac", is practical and convenient. And most importantly - it does not wear off for a long time. That is why many girls are wondering how to apply shellac correctly: they want to learn how to perform this procedure on their own, and not pay substantial amounts in the salon.

What is Shellac

Before telling you how to properly apply Shellac varnish, let me say a few words about what kind of coating it is. This is a hybrid of nail polish and gel developed by an American company. And this material has absorbed all the best properties of both. Firstly, - we will discuss below) stays on the nails for up to 4-6 weeks. Then you need to change the coating. Secondly, it is applied just as easily as varnish. Thirdly, you can remove the coating with a liquid, and not cut it off, like a gel for building. Fourthly, a large range of colors allows you to choose any suitable shade. Fifthly, shellac allows you to make the perfect manicure, since the material dries only under a UV lamp, which means that the master will be able to work slowly, carefully and carefully, correcting the slightest flaws. Do you want to know how to apply shellac step by step? Follow the simple instructions below.

Tools and materials

Before applying "shellac" at home, you need to prepare everything you need. What is required for such a manicure? First of all, the base, the bottle of colored gel polish itself and the top coat. But this is not enough. It is necessary to prepare a special lamp - it can be a UV device or an LED dryer. It is worth remembering right away that it dries gel polish much longer. But LED-drying is much more expensive. Depending on the frequency of use, it is necessary to choose a suitable device. Additionally you will need:

  • file for;
  • buff for grinding and polishing;
  • gel polish remover;
  • degreaser;
  • orange sticks for manicure.

Nail preparation

When all the necessary set of tools and materials are at hand, you can proceed with the procedure. So, how to apply shellac correctly? First of all, you need to prepare your nails. Fortunately, this process is much easier and safer for the nail plates than preparation before building. By the way, many girls, not wanting to expose their nails to aggressive procedures, choose shellac gel. How to apply it according to all the rules? First, push back the cuticles with the help. Then, file the nails, giving them a symmetrical shape. The nail plates are aligned with a buff (movements strictly from the cuticle to the free edge). With the help of a degreaser, shine is removed from the nails. After that, you can start applying the product. Sometimes, when preparing nails, the masters do not file them and do not grind them. But only if Shellac from CND is used, and not gel polishes from other manufacturers.

Stage One: Base for Shellac

Before using a resistant shellac, it does not require too thorough polishing of the nails, which exudes them somewhat. And it is also not necessary to apply the base in a thick layer, as some people are used to doing before painting the plates with varnish. The base for Shellac is applied in a thin film, dried thoroughly in the apparatus, according to the instructions. We do not remove the sticky layer - it is necessary in order for the best adhesion of the material to occur. It depends on how long the manicure will last in perfect condition.

Stage two: color layer

A colored layer of gel polish is applied to the base. Slim and tidy. When wondering how to properly apply shellac, you should immediately remember that the material should not fall on the cuticle or side rollers. If this happens, then the coating will begin to chip off and lag behind the nails. There can be no more than two colored layers. Each is dried in the lamp exactly as long as the instructions require. Only after the first layer has completely dried, the second layer is applied. This is required in order to make the manicure brighter. If there are more layers, the nails will become too dense and thick. Firstly, it is not too aesthetically pleasing, and secondly, the quality suffers. The thicker the coating, the faster the manicure is chipped, cracked and does not hold well.

Stage three: finishing layer

After the colored layers are dried, it is necessary to apply a top fixer for gel polish. It is transparent, protects and adds shine to the manicure. It is applied in one thin layer, dries in the apparatus, according to the instructions. There is a special top finish from CND that gives Shellac a very high shine (ultra gloss). It is applied in the same way as a regular top coat.

About design

Before applying Shellac gel polish, it is worth considering the design. Dry sequins, rhinestones, sand and other decorative elements for nail art are attached exclusively to the color layer, before the finish is applied. Painting can be done on both color and topcoat (subject to its repetition). Acrylic paints tend to spread over a glossy smooth surface. To prevent this from happening, you just need to take a thicker paint, diluting it less with water. Re-finishing layer is applied only when the pattern is completely dry.

French with Shellac

Considering the question of how to properly apply "shellac", it is impossible to ignore the French manicure. This is a classic. So, we need white gel polish and Pink colour, base and top. When the base dries in the lamp, it is applied (in one layer). It is dried thoroughly. After that, a smile line is drawn with white gel polish (you cannot use special stencils, only by hand). If there is such a need, the action is repeated after drying. The last step is the final layer of gel polish and drying it. The beauty!

Removing Shellac

Well, how to apply Shellac gel polish is, in principle, understandable. Let's talk about how and with what to shoot it. The advantage of this material is that it does not cut off like a gel. So, the nails are not injured. Shellac is removed with a special liquid called a remover. Apply it in the same way as a regular nail polish remover. That is, a certain amount of liquid is applied to a napkin or cotton pad, then the gel polish is removed from the nail plates.

Material advantages

Shellac's biggest advantage lies in its practicality. There is no need to refresh your manicure often, as it always looks flawless. Another plus is that the nails are significantly compacted. That is, the risk of accidentally damaging them is practically reduced to zero. There is no need to worry about the nail cracking or breaking along the growth line. The third advantage of gel polish is its versatility. You can choose any suitable color coatings and design. Even if the nails are too short, it makes sense to try a manicure with gel polish. In 4-5 weeks, the length of the nails will increase, which means there will be more room for imagination. Gel polish is one of the best ways to grow your nails!

Disadvantages of Shellac

Shellac's biggest downside is its price. Yes, the original CND coating costs a lot. On the other hand, for home use you can purchase a starter kit for two, formed with a friend or acquaintance. And then do a manicure to each other.

Another downside is durability. Yes, this is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Many simply get tired of the monotony for a whole month, wanting something new. If a manicure is performed at home, then there are no problems: the old coating is removed, a new one is applied.

Conclusion

Unlike extensions, the Shellac procedure can be performed at home on your own. There should be no problems with preparation, especially if real American material is used. After degreasing the nail plates, you can immediately start applying gel polish according to the instructions. Removing the coating is also not difficult if you have a "remover" on hand.

Common mistakes and problems

Shellac varnish (we discussed in detail how to apply the product) is a fairly simple material, but sometimes it also causes difficulties in application. So, for example, some are faced with such a problem as the consistency of gel polish is too thick. This usually happens if the tool has been idle for a long time. It is necessary to put the bottle in the refrigerator for 5-20 minutes, then twist it between the palms for a couple of minutes. The consistency will become normal, and the color will be uniform.

If during application the gel polish gets on the cuticle or side rollers, then the excess is carefully removed cotton swab, which is dipped in the "remover". There is no need to completely wash the coating, because until the hands are placed in a lamp or dryer, the material will not harden.

Most busy girls, as well as young mothers, due to lack of time for regular visits to beauty salons, get acquainted with such a type of manicure as shellac. The fact that for about three weeks on the nails a strong, lasting color that does not disappear shine delights everyone. And many people think that it is quite possible to purchase all the necessary material and do a manicure at home that is in no way inferior to a professional one, but, as always, only after purchasing varnishes and all the components, “pitfalls” are discovered.

  1. A minimum of 3 color coats is required. On average, their price is 750 rubles.
  2. The top, like the base, each cost 1250 rubles.
  3. Drying lamp (UV) worth 1000 rubles.
  4. To remove the sticky layer, you need a special liquid, its cost is about 700 rubles.
  5. Means for removal, on average, 850 rubles. There is no way without it, because there should be the possibility of removing the coating if it is tired or for other reasons.
  6. Considering that salon shellac costs at least 1,500 rubles, the benefits become obvious.

Many do manicures that are not always convenient at home in salons, but paint them at home.

Brief description of the procedure itself:

  • First, you should degrease your nails.
  • Apply base.
  • Dry for forty seconds in a lamp
  • Apply color, dry in a lamp. So do it twice.
  • Next comes the top, which, for the best result, is better to dry in the same way.
  • Remove the sticky top layer with a special tool or alcohol. Enjoy a few weeks of beautiful and well-groomed fingers. However, many face problems when trying to apply on their own. And now, in more detail.

Unusual consistency

Before placing the hand in the UV lamp, it is necessary to make a perfectly even application. If the top, base, as well as pastel shades, this is still half the trouble, then working with bright colors brings a lot of trouble. You have to be focused, careful and very precise. You should stop being distracted by anything and even try not to talk, as qualified specialists do.

As for the moment when you have to repaint gel polish. It's an unimaginable "pleasure". Sometimes, in salons they are interested in what color the client will paint the nails. If these are shades of red or other bright colors, then. according to the rules, it is not advisable to carry weights in the evening and load the hands of the masters. Otherwise, an unpleasant tremor appears in the hands, which can overshadow the entire procedure for applying gel polish to the nail plate.

elapsed time

To apply shellac with high quality, even qualified craftsmen spend about forty minutes, and, in some cases, about an hour. Since most lovers home manicure do not have the proper skills, then this time will increase several times, and the result may not be very pleasing.


Resistant coating

One of the most controversial points is the opinion of how long shellac actually lasts. Some claim that the coating can remain on the nail in good condition for up to a month. However, it depends, most likely, on the color. Indeed, if it is a delicate shade, for example, mother-of-pearl, then neither chips nor broken pieces, as well as borders along the marigold, will be visible.

The more time passes, the more people begin to argue and express an opinion about the durability of shellac. Someone once said that in the summer sometimes its resistance increases, and in winter, on the contrary, it greatly decreases. There is an opinion that with constant use, the structure of the nail gets used to shellac or, on the contrary, rejects it, which determines the duration of how long the coating lasts.

Spoiled nails

As the saying goes, trust but verify. This also applies to fairly common statements that shellac strengthens nails. Unfortunately, a large number of girls are assured that the look of the marigolds becomes completely unmarketable and they have to be treated periodically. The good news is that they recover pretty quickly.

Inconvenient removal of shellac

To remove shellac, you will need to have acetone or a special liquid with you. The most common way is to use foil. For this you need:

Divide the cotton pad into two disks, then cut each of them into halves. Moisten each of them with liquid, press against the nail so that the drops do not fall on the cuticle and the skin around the nail, this can adversely affect the skin. Then wrap a small piece of foil around the fingertip with a nail and wait about twenty minutes.

You can lightly massage, only gently so as not to injure the nail plate. Then remove using an orange stick or a special spatula. At first glance, there is absolutely nothing complicated and every action is available to absolutely any girl.

The trouble is that it will not be possible to remove completely and immediately all the coverage. There will be tiny bits of polish leftovers. Whole stripes of bright colors can remain on the sides. You have to treat the nail again with acetone or liquid to completely erase all the pieces, carefully polishing the nail plate. Sometimes you have to treat the area with acetone several times. It takes about an hour to work with each hand.

You need to have a spare varnish

Everything happens in life. And, of course, no matter what anyone says, but chipping off a piece of varnish or accidentally touching something and leaving a scratch is an everyday thing. If this trouble happened with only one nail, then it makes no sense to completely repaint and carry out all the procedures. You can use a lacquer doubler. This will help solve the current problem, but, unfortunately, not for long.

There are pluses

Yes, shellac has many disadvantages. But only if you do it at home and do not have special skills. What about the benefits then?

  • A wide range of colors, both neutral and delicate, as well as aggressive, bright.
  • Coating durability. This polish will last at least two weeks. However, it may take longer. Everything will depend on what kind of work the handles are subject to.
  • This is the perfect cover for moms with babies. They did it once and forgot, they go beautiful.
  • For those who go on vacation or a business trip, this is simply an indispensable procedure! Of course, on vacation or at work, it’s not that there is not enough time for a manicure, there, in order to do it, you will have to spend time, as well as additional funds, which, especially on vacation, oh, how necessary.

There is only one conclusion: you won’t know until you try it, which means you need to try this wonderful type of manicure, which made a splash in the fashion world. Stylish, bright, beautiful, what else is needed for the nails to take on beautiful outlines, look well-groomed, and their owner saves a lot of time on trips to professionals for classic manicures.

And if we talk about the minuses, then they all have. But in this particular case, the pros clearly outweigh the scales with pros and cons. Despite the season, shellac will delight the owner of beautiful nails for a long time. bright color and tenacity.

shellac at home

For those who are not a fan of extended nails, as well as lengthy procedures in a beauty salon, tired of constantly visiting a manicure room to renew worn-out nail polish, an unusual hybrid of gel and nail polish has been created, which has unique durability and even, perfect coated. This is the most successful option for women who prefer naturalness and value their time.

Shellac for everyone

Just a few years ago, this new nail polish appeared. Initially, there were quite a few shades, but time goes by and designers come up with and release new colors, thanks to the variety of which any fantasy can be realized.

A manicure created using this technology will last on hands in excellent condition, fresh and bright, not losing its luster, for at least two weeks. It will be most suitable for those who:

  • Goes on vacation. Practical, bright, durable.
  • She is a young mother. No need to waste time at a beauty salon, but you can spend it with your baby.
  • Leaving for a long business trip. Women who value their time, doing business or anything else, are difficult to please with new fashion, but this one was to the taste of almost everyone.

Tip: When you're on vacation, it's best to try out shellac beforehand to make sure it fits and looks great on your nails. Also, thanks to such a check, you can make sure how durable the coating is, whether it will peel off with such a rhythm of life in the first week. This will help avoid some misunderstandings in the future.

Two in one: health and beauty

According to many professionals, gel polish is not only able to turn simple nails into a work of art, but also strengthen the natural nail plate. This is especially true in cases where a girl has problems such as:

  • dullness of nails;
  • fragility;
  • peeling nails.

The shiny top layer of the gel not only looks natural, but also saves nails from possible negative external influences.

In addition to the advantages, there are also disadvantages. For example, applying nail polish at home is an extremely complex and stressful procedure, which may well not work out the first time. You will have to be patient, as well as get rid of all kinds of causes of trembling in the hands, which can greatly harm when painting with gel polish, because one wrong move - everything will have to be redone from the beginning. To prevent this from happening, you can simply contact the qualified nail service masters of one of the beauty salons.

Continuing the theme of shellac at home, it is worth paying attention to such a fact as a certain sequence of actions:

  • First you need to clean the surface of the nail plate. This is done in order to avoid the penetration of any infection. And in general, before carrying out any procedure with marigolds, they should be treated with an antiseptic.
  • The next step is to give the desired shape to the nails, using a nail file, preferably a professional one. If there are exfoliating nails, their edges should be treated with a special brush.
  • Now the most interesting. You need to cover the nail with a base. This is a special layer that is used when coating shellac.
  • You should place your hand under an ultraviolet lamp, where the base can polymerize. Ten seconds will be enough.
  • You should choose the most suitable brush, as well as choose the best way applying gel polish, because there are several types of them. For the experiment, and also, perhaps, just out of interest, you can try them all and choose the most suitable one for yourself. Having applied the first colored layer of varnish, it is necessary to place it under the lamp. Carry out this procedure twice. A certain period of time should be observed so as not to harm the nail, but only to dry the gel polish. Usually, it's two minutes.
  • The pre-final stage will be the application of the product, which will fix the result, as well as give shine and durability to the nail. It is also fixed under an ultraviolet lamp for two minutes.
  • And finally, the final step is the treatment of the nail with a tool that will remove the sticky top layer.

The whole procedure, at first glance, seems extremely simple and accessible to absolutely any girl who wants to do such a manicure at home. But it was not there…

Shellac Disadvantages

This tool has both a number of advantages and a number of disadvantages. Here they are:

  1. The most simple and convenient application of shellac in a beauty salon. And that's why. It requires an ultraviolet lamp, which is rarely suitable for anything other than shellac. In addition, replacing its light bulbs is not cheap, but from time to time you still have to do it. Manicure materials - base, fixative, bright varnishes, at least three pieces (yellow, red and blue). They are considered the main ones, from which you can later create different other colors by mixing. However, at home, this is not for everyone. Many people have been learning this for years. In addition, the shelf life of varnishes is limited. Usually, it's three years. And use all varnishes that have enough big price, for this period of time alone is perhaps impossible. Having calculated all the costs of materials and about, it turns out to be a rather round sum - seven thousand rubles. In addition, no one can guarantee a good result, because you need to have many qualities and be aware of many pitfalls when using shellac. After all, masters learn this, gaining everyday experience and new knowledge. It is worth considering, but is it profitable?
  2. There are many problems not only with the application of shellac, but also with its removal. In addition to the fact that it is necessary to have special expensive tools in your arsenal, there is also a certain skill. For example, one of famous ways, which can be called sparing, use the following: acetone (but not technical!) Or a special tool, an orange stick, cotton wool or cotton pads, as well as foil. You should divide the cotton pads into halves to make crescents. Moisten each with liquid, apply to the nail, trying not to get on the skin, tightly cover with foil, wrapping the tip of your finger. After fifteen minutes, remove and use acetone or the same liquid, as well as an orange stick, to remove the remnants of the gel polish. The nails after such a procedure do not look at all aesthetically pleasing. And, as many argue, they still need additional nutrition. Therefore, you should not forget to sometimes use a special oil for cuticles and nails, as well as use a nourishing and moisturizing hand cream.
  3. Shellac is not suitable for those whose hands spend a lot of time in the water element, as well as for those who spend enough time at the computer. In such cases, it rarely lasts longer than a week.

Perhaps these are all the shortcomings of shellac.

The right combination: pleasant with useful

And now a little more about the advantages of this wonderful procedure.

  1. Oddly enough, but throughout all the actions, they are accompanied by quite pleasant sensations. A distinctive feature of manicure at home and in the salon is also hand massage. Yes, of course, it can be done at home, but professionals will do it better, and the sensations will be completely different. It occurs after applying nourishing creams, oils, which make the skin of the hands and cuticles more tender, and the appearance of the pens is transformed, becoming younger, well-groomed and more beautiful.
  2. Shellac is universal. This coating fits perfectly both on sufficiently long and on short nails. Moreover, due to some components in the composition of the gel polish, it has a beneficial effect on the growth of the nail plate. Strengthens and nourishes it. Why gradually disappear such problems as delamination, as well as unhealthy color and fragility, which, unfortunately, affects a huge number of girls.
  3. Its durability can also be attributed to huge pluses. As for everyday life, not a single average household chemical agent unable to harm this wonderful coating. Of course, there is a small chance of scratches and chips during cooking and, for example, being hit by a knife blade. In addition, turning again to the topic of durability, it must be mentioned that even after two or three weeks, the manicure will look fresh, bright, as if it had just been done in the salon. Glossy shine not only looks good on the nails, but also pleases the eye, charging good mood, both its owner and those around him.
  4. The range of colors that increases with each new season. It's included like pastel shades, and trendy saturated.
  5. This is perhaps one of the most harmless types of manicure, because the content of formaldehyde is completely absent. People who have any allergies or girls who are in an interesting position can make shellac without fear. None side effects will not follow.
  6. Another undoubted plus is the fact that shellac and design are completely compatible things. It can be anything! French, both classic and in its other manifestation, for example, the millennium. Lunar manicure, known for its variety of color and geometric solutions. The combination of these two design manicure solutions will also be excellent. As practice shows, everything will be appropriate - from sparkles to large rhinestones.
  7. To learn how to make shellac yourself at home, you will have to spend a lot of money. However, in the event that a decision has been made and there is no turning back, you can start studying with special educational literature or video clips on the Internet, where professionals tell and show how to make shellac correctly, where to start and where to end. Fortunately, more modern bloggers often post soy videos with a ton of “before” and “after” results, which greatly facilitates the work of both beginner lovers of manicure development and specialists in this field, because it never hurts to improve and hone your skills.

Outcome. Shellac: for or against

What can be summed up? Of course, no one can give an exact answer. The above are given as positive sides such a convenient and newfangled "chip" as shellac, as well as all its negative aspects, especially regarding the use and creation in unsuitable home conditions.

Of course, shellac - worthy alternative, for example, the same nail extension. No, of course, nails will not grow with it (although, as mentioned above, it still contributes to nutrition and growth), but the appearance and presentability are just on top!

Any type of manicure should be handled with care. Just shellac requires less time, effort and cost for this. Although, it is more convenient for someone to visit a manicurist once a week to change the color and pattern of nails according to their condition and mood. Others love stability - that's what this gel coat was made for. I did it once and forgot for a few weeks.

As for financial costs, this is a different story. As you know, the average shellac procedure costs one and a half thousand rubles. On the one hand, this is a lot of money, but if you calculate how much money is spent on weekly lacquer painting procedures and other things in a beauty salon, then maybe it will work out.

In addition, one should take into account such a factor as nail growth. Fast-growing nails can spoil the appearance of shellac, from which you will have to correct it yourself or with the help of professionals, which will also require a financial investment. But anyway, it's very interesting.

New items always attract attention and give rise to a lot of rumors and reviews, both positive and negative. Probably, to dispel the myths and form your own opinion, it's just worth a try. And to crank out an adventure at home or make shellac in the salon is the decision of each individual girl.