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Original poster

Am thinking of having a shellac nail polish, anyone had it?

23 replies

madammecholet · 07/05/2011 17:14

It goes on like a polish, but acts like a gel. It lasts 2-3weeks and does not chip.

So my local nail beautician claims. She's charging £20 for a polish, but I can see on amazon its only £20 a pot?

Do you need acetone remove to get it off? As I already have some....

Do you need to use the shellac base coat and shellac top coat for it to work properly? if not, is their any reason why i shouldn't skip the beautician and do it myself??

OP posts:

Meglet · 07/05/2011 17:16

marking my place, I am obsessed with wanting this done.

Have read really good reviews about it. Apparently it just grows out because it's so hard-wearing. I don't wear polish on my finger nails these days as I know it won't last 30 seconds.

McDreamy · 07/05/2011 17:17

I used to have this done when I lived in Cyprus. Much nicer than false nails. Lasts for ages and grows out.

MadameCastafiore · 07/05/2011 17:17

Have had it done recently and an infil - is fab, super shiney and hsn;t chipped at all had just grown out a little.

Not sure though if it was Shellac - thought was a Jessica one that was the sanme sort of thing.

dexter73 · 07/05/2011 17:18

My friend had this done and it looked nice and was very hard wearing. She had to back to the salon to get it removed and her nails were very dry afterwards, so she decided not to get it done again and stick with regular nail varnish.

Original poster

madammecholet · 07/05/2011 17:24

Thanks all. I'm thinking I could just buy the stuff and do it myself..

madamecastafiore do you soak the nails in acetone to get them off? Does your technician use the base and top coat too?

Off out, will check in again later.....

OP posts:

McDreamy · 07/05/2011 18:31

I remember having to put my hand under a special (UV I think) light between applications.

LadyGrace · 07/05/2011 18:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ruddynorah · 07/05/2011 18:41

It's wonderful. It just grows out, doesn't chip. You do need the uv base and top coat though.

teahouse · 07/05/2011 20:51

I loved my Shellac nails but it has ruined them having it taken off and I'd never had it done again because of this, but acetone has always made my nails dry and this stuff has to be soaked off in the stuff so they didn't stand a chance.

But, if you are OK with Acetone, then go for it. Shellac nails looks amazing - really shiny and they last for weeks

Fayrazzled · 07/05/2011 20:58

I had it done and they only lasted a few days before they started to chip, so for me, it wasn't worth it. I spoke to another beautician about it and apparently if you have weak nails it doesn't take as well.

PiaThreeTimes · 07/05/2011 21:02

Is this shellac as in shellac in which insects are killed to harvest it?

Yuck! Vile! Yuck again!

MadameCastafiore · 07/05/2011 21:44

Yes had top coat and base coat and the UV mumble.

Have lovely bright red toe nails which are evry shiney.

Haven;t had it taken off yet just had it infilled - glad to know there is a nice neutral camel though - can;t deal with having dofferent toes and fingers and wouldn't wear red finger nail polish.

LadyAlex · 07/05/2011 22:05

I has shellac too and loved it. A really high shine, wet look and it grew out considerabley with no chips. Im a gardening, dog walking horsey girl so it was put through its paces! I paid £25 and she comes to my home which is bliss!

They do it in layers and set each layer under UV light to 'cure it'.

Yes it left my nails dry too but i got a free almond oil product begins with S but name escapes me right now!

I would highly recomend it.

LadyAlex · 07/05/2011 22:06

Solar Oil! I knew i'd get it eventually!

ivykaty44 · 07/05/2011 22:13

what is the difference between minx and shellac

Original poster

madammecholet · 07/05/2011 23:31

Oooh I want it done now.. thanks all. Will get beautician to do it though as sounds complicated!

OP posts:

topsi · 08/05/2011 08:50

I have jessica gell nails. They need to be set with a UV lamp and taken off with acetone. I think Minx nails are a kind of foil that gets bonded to the nail and you can get them in all sorts of wierd patterns, personally find them a bit chav.
Jessica gells are pretty good they last me about 2 weeks with very little wear and are still glossy after this time. The only draw back is that you need to use the acetone to take them off which usually involves a trip back to the salon. You can have them re filled at this point to cover up the re growth. They are worth the money as they are not much more than a normal manacure but last longer.

tulpe · 08/05/2011 11:43

I have had these done. My fingernails were left very dry and brittle afterwards and have taken about 2 months to be anywhere near healthy. I also found it chipped after a week.

However, I recently tried it again but this time in a pedicure (my toenails are probably stronger than my fingernails) and I am loving it. Has been on for 2 weeks now and still looks freshly applied.

Having said all that, my friend who does this for me does such a brilliant job of manis/pedis anyway that her regular pedis last for 2 weeks and manis for 1 week. So perhaps the key is having a regular treatment but finding a brilliant nail technician?

Original poster

madammecholet · 08/05/2011 11:47

I am a little worried about my nails, as they are not the strongest in the world. Had Gels put on last year and it wrecked my nails for a couple of months. I was hoping this was kinder yet as effective?

Am looking for a colour like Rouge Noir...anyone recommend anything? Am thinking about this one:

fedora

OP posts:

Original poster

madammecholet · 08/05/2011 11:48

Thanks tulpe & topsi, it seems it may depend on the strength of your own nails to start with..

Like the idea of a pedi for holidays too....

Oh blimey, this forum costs me so much.

OP posts:

tulpe · 08/05/2011 11:51

Have never had gels put on but I couldn't, in all honesty, recommend the shellac system for anyone with weak nails other than for a pedi as I said before.

I am fairly certain that I have Fedora on my toes now, Madame. It is beautiful and very similar to Rouge Noir.

Original poster

madammecholet · 08/05/2011 12:04

Brilliant, thanks tuple, I thought that would be the best colour for moi aussi..

OP posts:

ivykaty44 · 09/05/2011 18:55

Have booked for tow nails to be done on Thursday with shellac!

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