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Original poster

Shellac!

30 replies

WentworthMillerMad · 05/03/2012 17:17

Had my first every shellac manicure 10 days ago and it looks fabulous.
I am a mum of 3 and a home ec teacher so hands in water all day. Would really recommend this.
Any one else tried it?

OP posts:
Mummyisamonster · 05/03/2012 17:24

Ooh yes, I'm a recent convert too and am now addicted. I also had my toe nails done (and it lasts for ages), and my fingernails have never looked so good. The gel also protects my nails so they've grown too. Wonderful stuff

balancingfigure · 05/03/2012 17:25

Yes I agree. I have had 2 or 3 shellac's and its great. The best wear is if you go for a paleish colour as it starts to wear of the ends with me and this isn't so noticable with a pale colour. Also I really like that it is dry instantly - when I've had manicures before I have quite often dented or chipped it in the first few hours when the polish is still soft!

Bit of a pain to get it off though, but worth it!

cuddlymanatee · 05/03/2012 17:27

I have shellac with foil overlay ATM which I am, being honest, unable to carry off. But I love the concept - wish there were more colours though!

Original poster
WentworthMillerMad · 05/03/2012 18:42

Had mine done in Eire - she had about 27 colours.
My friend has just bought the starter pack from
Groupon for £99. - base / top coats, oil, 4 colours, light, acetone. It's called 14 day manicure but am sure they changed name to shellac due to the potentially mis leading article.
Must buy acetone to remove it!

OP posts:
BearlyThere · 05/03/2012 18:51

i like the idea but am worried ill go away and it will chip and i wont ve avle to remove it

SardineJam · 05/03/2012 18:54

I really want to try this but have heard it can wreck your nails so am now a bit reluctant...

frankie76 · 05/03/2012 20:53

I have Hadith 3times in a row now and I love the effect - but technition advised now to have a break as it wrecks them
Agree they grow but when I am on a break like now they are so brittle they just snap cause they are so dried out
Is yours the same?
Should I just not carry on and not have a break

frankie76 · 05/03/2012 20:57

Sorry for rubbish spelling on my phone!

shopalot · 05/03/2012 21:03

I have just bought the groupon kit, thanks wentworth. I have been thinking about it for ages as I get mine done every three weeks which is really adding up.

mrsmartin · 05/03/2012 21:12

if it is put on properly and removed properly it won't wreck your nails. frankie on your time off make sure you are using a nail treatment to stengthen and seal the nails - if you have bare nails they will just dry out further from where you have your hands in and out of water.

I have plenty of friends who have shellac and they love it .I now just look after my nails and imo they look better than my friends but I am constantly looking after them. That said, my hands were in bleach and other chemicals (moving house) all day yesterday and you wouldn't know it.

uggmum · 05/03/2012 21:17

I tried it and my nails looked lovely. However, I bashed my finger really hard. Without shellac the nail would have flexed. But it didn't. Instead my nail snapped further up, bled and was really sore.

When I had the shellac removed my nails became really soft. It's been off for 4 weeks now and my nails are as soft as butter.

lashingsofbingeinghere · 05/03/2012 21:19

Shellac has wrecked my nails. After three lots, they are thin and flakey and look awful. I am not sure why - the salon used base coat, 2 coats of colour, then top coat. Soaked them off with acetone and scraped off residue with a metal tool. I am now wearing Hansen Nail Strengthener to try and protect and strengthen them.

I am not sure I can bring myself to do it ever again!

rightchoice · 05/03/2012 21:21

I uses Gelleration from JESSICA. Same thing i.e. uv cured system. I purchased all the kit, the uv lights and do them myself every three weeks and do my toes every month. I keep my nails short and to be honest they are in the same condition now as they were before. I have been using it for 18 months!!! Before my nails split and they never grow long successfully but now they always look gorgeous!!

mrsmartin · 05/03/2012 21:28

Just in case - NEVER LET A NAIN TECHNICIAN NEAR YOUR NATURAL NAIL WITH AN ELECTRIC FILEING TOOL. EVER

That is all Blush

Brodders72 · 10/03/2012 00:40

Hi there. I just wondered if anyone had received their 14 day manicure starter kit yet. Mine hasn't come and I'm not sure if I should be worried as their website is down and I can't get hold of them, although I've given all my payment details.

It would be great to hear if people have received what they've paid for for peace of mind!

Thank you x

QuinnFabray · 10/03/2012 07:58

Boots have just started doing a SensatioNail 14 day manicure kit. I'm just waiting for them to have more colours in before I purchase.

Jackstini · 10/03/2012 08:31

Lashings it's the metal tool - ouch.
Best way to remove gel polish is to put 100% acetone on some lint, place on top of nail then wrap nails in foil. Leave for 15 mins and most will just come off, if you need to push a bit use a wooden cuticle stick.

Quinn 12 Sensationail colours will be on Boots.com in about 3 weeks time. (I live in Notts - everyone here know people at Boots! Wink)
I love Sensationail - got it when it came out in the US 2 months ago and am on my 4th manicure. Toes lasted 7 weeks!!

If you spend over 70 quid at Boots you can get a tenner off with voucher code here

QuinnFabray · 10/03/2012 08:41

Oh great, thanks Jackstini!

spottymoo · 11/03/2012 16:52

No proper shellac kit will ever be sold on groupon you need to be a qualified tech and buy from either sweet squared or ellisons they don't sell to the general public as it's a professional product

Chewbecca · 11/03/2012 17:58

I have used on fingers and toes, always applied in salon and removed properly by soaking in acetone.

My toenails are fine but my fingernails were so weak and flakey after my last application I won't be having it again. I last had it removed just after Christmas and my nails have only recovered this last week or two.

It's such a shame as I loved it when it was on :(

MrsCampbellBlack · 11/03/2012 18:22

I love the look of it but the re-growth annoyed me.

I'd have it done on my toes again but not fingernails.

Intrigued by the boots stuff though - will wait and see what reviews on here say Smile

Jackstini · 12/03/2012 09:24

Mrs CB - there are a few reviews on Boots.com now - think some went on over the weekend

EvenBetter · 12/03/2012 09:35

I had shellac done a few times around my wedding, I liked it but it grew out superfast and the times I had to get it removed and replaced (at £25) took 2-3 hours, which, for a non girly person who does not enjoy time at beauticians, was torturous!
Also the last time I got it done the beautician didn't bother properly removing the old stuff, painted on new stuff over it+bits of cotton wool, didn't do my whole nail and did crappy wonky white tips! I won't be bothering again, though when done properly it does last longer than nail varnish

itdidntworkout · 12/03/2012 12:15

Quick question; does Shellac file the top surface of the nail, like other gel applications?

Sparklegeek · 12/03/2012 12:26

itdidn'tworkout no, the surface wasn't filed when mine were done, they were just filed to shape them as in a normal manicure.