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Original poster

Shellac/ gel manicures - any wisdom?

19 replies

NotVictoriaBeckham · 25/04/2012 11:42

Planning to get a shellac manicure later today. Do they really last 2-3 weeks? Do they damage the condition of your nails? Anyone tried any o the alternative brands eg Jessica Geleration?

OP posts:

Aworryingtrend · 25/04/2012 12:00

They do last 2-3 weeks and are completely chip-proof, whilst on they look amazing. BUT they are an absolute bugger to remove (even when done by the beautician)- it takes twice as long to get them removed as to put on. I had mine done 3 or 4 time so 10-12 weeks in total and I would say my nails were worse afterwards but are fine now (approx 2 months later).

Karbea · 25/04/2012 12:17

Hi,

I hav ethe Jessica ones. Mine last about 2 weeks, they don't fall off just grow out.
The beautician wraps accetone, cotton wool and silver foil around my fingers and I wait for about 10mins then they scrape off easily.
I would say my nails are fine, I go through stages of having them on all the time, or having my own nails (when I miss painting them).
I've sexy siren on at the mo, which is my fav jessica gel colour.

patchi · 25/04/2012 12:26

had shellac and gelish.
My nails were good and strong before like paper now and all broken off.
would not get again tbh despite the fact they look great when done

Original poster

NotVictoriaBeckham · 25/04/2012 13:02

Thanks for advice everyone, have had it done now so will jut have to wait and see whether my nails can hack it or not! Will enjoy in the short term though as they look great . Slate grey sort of colour

OP posts:

AnEcumenicalMatter · 25/04/2012 13:11

I've had Shellac and Gelish. Both Looked fab while they were on but my nails were damaged by them (despite using the recommended Solar Oil conditioner) and I'd only have them done again for a really special occasion.

campbelly · 25/04/2012 13:23

I have a shellac kit at home, I use it every fortnight.
It genuinely lasts the two weeks, even under the abuse I give my nails. I find my nails grow better with it, as it gives them a bit extra protection.
As it happens, I have naked nails today, and they're just as healthy as ever, after 6 months of constant shellacing. If you try to peel it off then it definitely will damage, as it'll take the top layer of nail off with it.
I use the cotton wool and foil method to remove them, which requires ten minutes of sitting with my fingers wrapped up, and then a quick rub off - maybe 15 minutes in total?

I've used Gelish too, but I find it doesn't last as well, more like 10 - 14 days.

PoppyWearer · 25/04/2012 13:35

Fabulous for a pedicure - mine last ages!

You do need to have a rest from them. I was told to have them put on 2-3 weeks before a big event, then refreshed just before, to give nails a chance to grow.

My local salon stocks lovely colours in Jessica, the Shellac ones didn't seem as nice.

My own nails did fall apart a bit after removal, but they are bad anyway. On the plus side, I don't nibble them as much, as gel nails help me to kick the habit.

theplumfairy · 25/04/2012 13:40

My friends and I have a shellac 'syndicate' - we bought all the stuff between us and will keep buying a colour each every now and again. Much cheaper than professional manicures, I just couldn't justify getting it done every couple of weeks.I really don't believe the marketing hype about it needing to be done in a salon, it is pretty much the same as a normal mani but with a lamp. I am careful when I remove shellac and find it comes off easily.

I have weak nails already but shellac makes them properly strong and helps them grow. Last time I took the shellac off with the foil technique I found they have started to flake but I think that's because they were unhealthy to start with. I'm going to take a break from shellac when I next take them off and treat my nails to a couple of months of nail envy.

I reckon if you have poor nails to start with, shellac will make them worse but if you have good nails you won't have a problem. My friend has excellent nails and has been using shellac/gellish constantly for a couple of years!

Having said that, I LOVE how shiny and strong it makes my nails look, so once I've had a couple of months of nail envy I will be back on the shellac.

dowhat · 25/04/2012 13:42

They really do last 2-3 weeks and look amazing. My nails take a good battering and it was only the new nail growth that ruined the look after a couple of weeks, not the polish itself. I was so impressed that after the gel manicure I had done in time for Christmas I had another one done for NYE. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's taken up until 3-4 weeks ago to get my natural nails looking anything like acceptable again. Can't remember the name of the gel but it wasn't the Shellac stuff. I'm not getting them done again though!

AnEcumenicalMatter · 25/04/2012 16:04

My nails are normally good - really strong and healthy. The only time they've ever been flaky and brittle is after having Shellac or Gelish manicures. It takes a couple of months for them to fully recover.

chandellina · 25/04/2012 19:44

I had this 3 weeks ago. Within a week the shellac had peeled off half the nails and the rest shortly followed suit. Fortunately it came off cleanly and didn't damage my nails. My toes have fared better and still look great.

anniewoo · 25/04/2012 20:39

What's the digference betwen shellac and gelac? Also how much does it cost in U.K.? In Ireland can be €45 !! or €35 and € 10 to remove if you're not getting it redone!

anniewoo · 25/04/2012 20:39

Oops Gelish not gelac

MummyWeatherwax · 28/04/2012 18:06

anniewoo Shellac and Gelish are just different brands, they're almost identical, both paint on like a regular varnish (+base coat, top coat etc) and use a UV lamp to set them, then last around 2 weeks. It costs about the same in the UK as you are paying, which is why I just bought the stuff and do my own - it'd not difficult

beanandspud · 28/04/2012 23:21

I had a gelish manicure just before Christmas and my nails looked really lovely. They lasted about two weeks despite getting a bit of a battering. I have had them done two or three times since and each time they seem to get chipped more quickly (last time they looked awful after just over a week).

My nails are now really weak and peeling and I'm going to give them a rest. Have bought Nail Envy and OPI cuticle oil (after recommendations on here) and I'm trying to get them back to their original state.

I love having shiny 'perfect' nails but I'm not sure that it's worth wrecking my own nails for.

smugmumofboys · 28/04/2012 23:35

I've had shellac on my toes in the summer and it looked great and lasted well but the condition of my nails was terrible afterwards.

anniewoo · 29/04/2012 10:14

Mummyweather thank you.

Sparklegeek · 29/04/2012 10:48

Yep, agree with just about every post on here. Look fab on, absolutely couldn't stop looking at my nails & sighing with pleasure! Lasted just short of 3 weeks, then I removed it with the acetone/cotton wool/foil method. Then realised that my nails were shot to pieces again, just the same as when I had Bio Sculpture ones done :(

I would have it done again for something special, a holiday or something, but with the knowledge that I'd probably regret it after!

MariahScary · 29/04/2012 10:51

I don't bother for my nails - I prefer acrylics - but Shellac is bloody brilliant for a pedicure, especially if you are going on holiday and want it to last the whole time.

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