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Original poster

Best 'false' nail manicure that won't knacker your own nails underneath

21 replies

TracyK · 09/11/2011 13:29

Is it gel nails? or Shellac - or are they one and the same?
I'd like some nice painted, shortish nails to do me from mid to end of Dec please. But then want my underneath nails to be ok once falsies removed.

OP posts:

tefal · 09/11/2011 13:32

I prefer Shellac. Nicer finish IMO. Have had both but wouldn't go back to gell as I found they peeled and the colour was a bit dull.

2blessed2bstressed · 09/11/2011 13:56

I'd recommend shellac. They both are "cured" under uv lamp, but shellac is a hybrid gel/polish, and (imo) much less likely to damage your own nail. Two weeks is about the max it's reckoned to last, and the finish is much glossier than gel, which (again, only imo) goes quite dull looking.

spottymoo · 09/11/2011 13:59

you could with shellac - gelsih - gelac all are of a gel finish polish and cured under a lamp. just check when the technician applies the product that she caps the free edge as this helps it last longer you should get on average 2 weeks out of the above some people more depends on how you look after nails.

Original poster

TracyK · 09/11/2011 14:12

Oh is it only 2 weeks you get? Drat - I thought it was bout 4. I'll maybe not do it till the week before Xmas.

OP posts:

2blessed2bstressed · 09/11/2011 14:51

yes,, really only about 2 weeks - and the other thing to consider is how quickly your nails grow....I like mine really short, amd always a bright colour, and even if they still look in good nick after a fortnight, there is quite noticeably a crescent of regrown bare nail showing at my cuticles - which bugs my happiness!
Would also add, bearing in mind the time of year, I'd make your mind up and book an appointment sharpish - the salon I go to is already fully booked right up til New Year!

Original poster

TracyK · 09/11/2011 15:31

thanks 2b!

OP posts:

Finallygotaroundtoit · 09/11/2011 15:53

Is it possible to do a french manicure in shellac?

2blessed2bstressed · 09/11/2011 18:07

Yes, no problem with french manicure - I never go for it though, I prefer the bright or really dark colours...safe in the knowledge it won't chip!

Original poster

TracyK · 09/11/2011 18:18

What do you do then 2b? Do you get the nails removed and redone - or just fill in the cuticle bit?

OP posts:

2blessed2bstressed · 09/11/2011 18:24

With shellac they're totally removed every time, with gel they file it down, almost like sanding down a bit of wood (!) and go over it - filling in the space at the cuticle as they cover the whole nail. It's called an infill, and I don't really like it because it makes the coating thicker all over, iyswim?
But that doesn't matter, because you're gonna take my advice and go with shellac, aren't you?!

QueenOfAllBiscuitsandMuffins · 09/11/2011 18:36

I recommend bio sculpture gel, I think it lasts longer and whilst I don't think it dulls if u do then just apply a normal top coat polish.

2blessed2bstressed · 09/11/2011 18:42

It was always biosculpture gel I used to have, it does last longer (in one way - although I never used to leave it for much longer, because of the regrowth), but I swear, I couldn't believe the difference in the shine when I had shellac - the black especially is amazing!

SleepyFergus · 09/11/2011 18:56

Definitely Shellac. If you go for a neutral colour like the base pink of a French manicure and if your nails don't grow super fast, then you can eek it out to 3/4 weeks. Yes you will start to gave a slight gap between the bottom of the Shellac and your cuticle towards the end, but in the buff pink you don't notice so much.

It's super shiney and very resistant. Thoroughly recommend.

Mumelie · 09/11/2011 19:30

reading with interest
I'd love to have nice nails. What would you recommend for covering pitted short nails? I dont want long talons, just short glossy colour.

SleepyFergus · 09/11/2011 20:21

Just on my experience, Shellac. It looks good on short nails, and gives your nails a chance to grow if you want to get them a wee bit longer (not talon length)

The colours are lovely, and really glossy. Enjoy!

Original poster

TracyK · 10/11/2011 12:30

I'm off to source a local Shellac girl then!!

Tis a pity as my own nails are looking in quite good nick recently - but even a proper manicure from a salon only lasts 3 days for me.

OP posts:

Geordieminx · 10/11/2011 12:46

I asked at the salon I go to about French manicure in shellac, they said it was ok for a few days but after a week the white goes yellowy and looks shite.

JinxAndFluff · 10/11/2011 12:54

Geordieminx - how wierd. I don't have french as I like the colours. But it is something I allow my 13yo during hols as it is the one form of varnish she can get away with going back to school. They stay short, neat, very white and classy looking on her, and she's playing netball 6 days a week!

bigkidsdidit · 10/11/2011 12:57

Just to check - with shellac they don't file your nails down? I had that oncwe and hated it.

KWL51 · 10/11/2011 14:05

I used to always have cnd uv gel nails and shellac colours but was finding that they broke off and would lift. I moved and tried a local salon and they use acrylic and its been fab, my only problem now is that the infills need doing every 2 weeks as my nails are growing fast.
you can have french manicure look for about 30 for a complete new set. i like to have american manicure which is more natural looking tip rather than white and then i paint them myself but have lovely manicured nails for the days i dont want to paint them.
Ive found the best salons are those run generally by asian men and women, nearly every town has one, even our small town has one now.

SleepyFergus · 11/11/2011 07:57

With Shellac they usually do a basic manicure first, so they'll file and shape your nails and do the cuticles. They don't need to file your nails down, just to whatever length you want them too.

I've had French with shellac but I found it a bit bright/ obvious because it's a tippex bright White and i wasn't used to it. So i just get the base pink and it looks nice and natural.

Shellac is applied and is just like nail varnish. The only diff is that it needs to set under a UV lamp which makes it really tough and resilient.

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