Shellac/gellish - what's the difference?

[daimbardiva]

I want to get a friend a voucher to get her nails done but I don't know which to go for. I've heard shellac can damage your nails - are gels less harsh? And will she have to pay to get them taken off again?

Any input welcome - I'm clueless!!

I had a gelish done 2 weeks ago and if I could, I'd wave my fingers gleefully in your face, like a recently engaged WAG.

I love love love it. It is a lifechanger, a gamechanger, a miracle etc etc.

My manicurist (Emily at nail bliss? on the Mickelgate in York) was v straight and honest with me. She said there's no difference at all between the brands of gel manicure, just different colours. I chose the colour I wanted and it happened to be gelish.

Can't remember the name but it includes the word 'vampire', and is like a very very shiny Rouge Noir.

Bella's Vampire - I've got it on my toes

I've only had Gelish - from what I can gather, there's not much difference, although I believe Shellac is slightly thinner (when I've got the Gelish on, my nails look thicker). It doesn't damage your nails, and in fact, mine grow really long while the Gelish is on (I can keep it for up to 3 weeks, but then the regrowth looks v silly. Having said that, I had my toes done nearly 5 weeks ago and they still look perfect).

I have taken it off myself, but it's a long process, involving lots of time and foil, and for my first time, I had it taken off at the salon to see what they did.

I've had Shellac done a few times and loved it. It last so long and stays looking really good and shiney.
It is a pain to get off and i would recommend having it done in the salon the first time (i took mine off myself after the first one and my nails seemed fine).