A new kind of nail polish, Shellac nail polish, lasts 2 weeks or even longer if taken proper care. It is a UV nail polish similar to gel. Shellac is available online and can be easily done at home, however it is strongly recommended that the nails are done through a proper salon or spa to ensure best results and reducing any side effects. The base and top coats have to be done in the correct manner otherwise the polish may not sustain for longer period. To do the process a Ultra-Violet (UV) lamp is required to embed the polish perfectly in the nails. Shellac colours are gorgeously glossy and are available in a wide range of colors, including beautiful and attractive designs. Some of the professional beauticians can actually create a new design as per your own requirements, especially during various special events like birthday, wedding, Halloween, Christmas etc. However it is essential to take protection of your nails when doing household work like washing utensils or gardening, since the Shellac nails are usually longer they may not be very comfortable doing your household stuff. Shellac colours are porous, therefore it is highly recommended to refrain from swimming due of presence of chlorine in the water, this would result in peeling or chipping shellac nails.
How to get Shellac nails
- After the nails and cuticles are prepared a layer of Shellac base coat is applied to the nails. The base coat is applied about a millimetre from your cuticles and use even strokes to brush out so you cover the tips of your nails.
- Next the UV/ LED nail lamp is used to treat the nail polish
- The first coat of Shellac color is applied starting a millimetre or so inside the base coat at the cuticle and brushing evenly out, stopping a millimetre shy of the tip. Leave a millimeter of base coat untouched by the colour around the edges. The process of UV curing is repeated again after a second coat of colour is applied.
- The final step is to apply the Shellac topcoat. The edges are matched to the shellac base coat. This top coat protects the manicure and so it should be done carefully. The UV lamp is used to dry the nails.
To remove Shellac Nail polish
- Rub the cuticles with cuticle oil. This will act as a protection against the harsh, drying acetone used to remove the polish
- Pour out acetone in a big shallow bowl. Partially ball up your hand so that all five nails gets soaked in the acetone. Hold it there for 10mins before the nail polish starts flaking off.
- Take out your hands and scrape the flaking shellac off with an orange stick or manicure stick. Wash your hands and apply moisturizer and cuticle oil. 24
- Now is the time for wrapping. Sterile cotton pads cut into small squares that are just large enough to cover the nail bed of each finger . Cut a sheet of aluminum foil in 3-inch (7.6-cm) squares The aluminum foil squares should be large enough to be wrapped around each fingertip.
- Massage the cuticles with cuticle oil.
- Soak cotton in acetone and place the cotton onto your nail.
- Wrap the foil around your nails and wait for 2-10mins. The shellac will begin to peel away after 2 minutes
- Scrape or wipe away the shellac nail polish with an orange stick or manicure tool. Buff the nails if necessary.
- Wash your hands. Apply lotion or cuticle oil.
