Shellac vs calgel nails?

[PinkChampagneandStrawberries]

Can anyone tell me the difference? Thanks

Anybody??

they are 2 different things: cal gel is a gel applied with a paint brush, is harder and a bit thicker, shellac is a hybrid, so a cross between gel and varnish, it is applied like a varnish, is thinner, but not as hard as gel.

I use to have gels, now I do my own shellac type thing because gel is hard to apply to yourself, it still last longer than varnish, about 2-3 weeks, but I change it more often because my nails grow fast and if I use a dark colour UI don't like the growth space at the base of the nail.

Either way, have not used normal nail varnish for about 3 years!

Thanks I always have shellac but have just noticed my salon to calgel too! Does the calgel last longer?

I had calgel twice.

Looks amazing but sadly wrecks your nails. Mine were peeling and splitting for months afterwards. Calgel lasts up to 3 weeks

Shellac wrecks your nails too so they appear to have that in common.

they do not damage nails if applied and removed propertly, I've had both for 3 years and never had an issue, I take mine off and my nails are intact underneath, i suspect they were taken off badly and top layer of nail along with it!

those that had bad experiences, are you sure they weren't acrylics disguised as gels? I ask because a lot of salons say gel when in fact they are acrylic, my friend was duped in an upmarket salon in Essex, ruined her nails, took 6 months to grow back, has had proper gel/hybrid since and no problems

I've had Shellac and Gelicure applied and removed in a number of different salons both here and in the USA. I suspect that the first time, they were badly removed but all other occasions were correctly soaked off and my nails were left dry and brittle each time. It takes months for them to recover.

I was having a normal manicure last week and was offered 'Icon' which I believe is the same as Shellac etc. I explained that my nails had been damaged by similar products in the past and the woman agreed that, although they're not as bad as gel, they do tend to leave nails dry and a bit flaky. Such a shame as I love how they look...just not the period of horrible brittle nails afterwards.

Thank everybody I have been Getting shellac for years and my nails are perfectly fine but I just wondered if there was a difference

I had horrible bitten down nails and they were impossible to grow. Been having calgel since November...only supposed to be for over xmas...lol. But Im hooked now, my nails are in better condition than i ever thought they could be. Personally i cannot fault it, so long as u have a good technician, and make sure that it IS actually CalGel products being used :-)

Posted wrong picture.... oO oO o_O

I have had both. Calgel is thicker and definitely noticeable as it grows out due to a little ridge. I could never get three weeks out of it as my nails grew too quickly and it looked silly growing out. It did leave my nails damaged underneath. I love Shellac and didn't notice any nail damage with it. I only stopped having it done due to the cost.