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Original poster

Shellac Nails anyone?

12 replies

IslaValargeone · 12/03/2011 15:53

Anyone had this done? I didn't have much luck with Nails Inc 3 week manicure, so I'm 'umming and 'ahhing about this.

OP posts:
nicole333 · 12/03/2011 18:41

Yeah I had the french manicure look done. That allowed it to not look so bad when it was growing out. I can't afford to keep this sort of thing up, so it was a one off experiment/treat for me.

You will see many, many reviews saying that it simply will not chip. Well, mine did after a couple of days on the white edge, so probably product build up on application. Mine was done by a top nail person, so no excuses there.

My nails were also rock hard after it was removed and snapped off easily (has never happened before). I was not advised to use any kind of solar oil every day, but I would if I had it done again, just to see if it made my nails return to a decent state afterwards.

PipCarrier · 12/03/2011 19:28

Hi Isla, I had the french manicure done for my wedding and had my toes done in a coral colour too. I have a mixed review of it really. I had mine done by a top nail tech, who is actually also a trainer, but the french did look gloopy and thick and after a few days the tips started to look 'cracked' iyswim? They chipped after about a week and I took it off. Nightmare to get off - found the best way was to soak each nail in a cotton wool pad soaked in acetone for 15 minute and then push it off with a hoof stick but still left a kind of 'film' on my nails until it grew out. Left my nail surface very uneven looking as well which showed through other polishes for a while. Overall I probably wouldn't get it done on my fingers again.

Pedicure was a lot better though, didn't chip or crack and I would go for that again. HTH.

Shhhh · 12/03/2011 20:05

imo its the same as the 3 week manicure from nails inc. I am yet to be proved wrong !

pipcarrier,that sounds about right for removing the product. It will take around 15 mins of soaking.
A tip is to dampen a small piece of cotton wool, place it on the nail only and then wrap finger in tin foil. Leave for 15 mins then peel off with a nail stick and gently buff.

hellsbelles · 12/03/2011 20:11

I've had the shellec twice - first time great, 2nd time it chipped after a few days. Not sure why I got such different results! But I really do think they've damaged my nails...they break very easily now.

I wouldn't do it again (except perhaps for holiday)

Spangers · 12/03/2011 20:42

I had it once a few months ago, loved the results at first but after 1 week started to chip, one nail came off without me noticing so I peeled the rest off and was surprised how easily they came off, just like normal nail varnish. My nails underneath were fine, would like to try it again but had good success recently with rimmel 60 second polish and having my nails super short, lasted about 10 days.

Granard · 12/03/2011 21:09

Had it done twice. It lasted up to 3 weeks both times and looked fantastic.

When salon removed it last time, they advised I give it a break for a few weeks.

My nails are wrecked - really dry and they keep splitting and breaking at that really sore point high up the nail.

Never again!

amistillsexy · 12/03/2011 21:17

Oh no! [SAD]

The last time I used nail polish was ten years ago at my wedding, and last week my salon persuaded me to have shellac as I went in for a manicure because my nails were breaking off!

Now I have shellac on them and it looks as though they'll be in a worse state when i have it removed than they were before!

And I was soooo haaapppy! Sad

nicole333...what is solar oil? What does it do and why shoud I use it every day?

planestrainsautomobiles · 12/03/2011 21:28

I've had it done once, and thought it was amazing. It dried instantly and didn't chip at all, had to go back to have it removed after about 4 weeks because of growth.

Agree that my nails did seem quite dry afterwards. Solar Oil would be a good idea - you can buy it at any nail salon, you just need a drop on each nail and rub it in.

nicole333 · 13/03/2011 06:46

Hi amistillsexy Solar oil is a conditioning oil that you can apply once a day, or as many times as you like! I only mentioned that one because it's made by CND, the same as Shellac. I've read that if you use that every day it can help keep up the condition of your nails as it even seeps through any polish to nourish the nail underneath.
Personally, I've always used the OPI one (Avoplex). I try to use mine everyday and it can help with the nasty dry skin around my nails, but not as much (I've found) as keeping properly hydrated!

amistillsexy · 13/03/2011 09:49

Thanks Nicole. I googled it last night (glad to find it was something on MN I could google safely!), and found what it was.

I'm a bit Hmm that my salon didn't warn me it was a good idea to add extra nourishment to my nails!

Luckily, I make my own balm for DS2's eczema, which is full of Vit E oil, avocado oil, coconut and beeswax, amongst others, so I have that on my hands all the time and I'm hoping it'll be enough!

Thanks for getting back to me.
Smile

nicole333 · 13/03/2011 19:30

That sounds perfect! Smile

Original poster
IslaValargeone · 14/03/2011 14:27

Thanks for the advice everyone, I think I might give it a miss then. I had really mixed results with the Nail Inc one, and it's pricey at £50 a go. Doesn't currently fit in with the family's tightening our belt philosophy unfortunately.

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