Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Gel vs. shellac nails

30 replies

MyFairyKing · 01/08/2014 20:12

Is there any difference? Some of what I've read says that shellac is better for your nails as sometimes the gel makes your nails dry.

I had gel done for the first time and I'm happy enough but I've found a new manicurist who offers both gel and shellac, so wondered what I'd go for next time. Any thoughts please? :)

OP posts:
Crutchlow35 · 01/08/2014 21:12

Gel is better on my nails. Much harder wearing. Shellac just peels off me.

Original poster
MyFairyKing · 01/08/2014 21:51

Thanks for the reply.

Gel has been pretty good so far. After nearly 3 weeks, it looks perfect, my nails have just grown.

OP posts:
Toomanyhouseguests · 01/08/2014 21:53

In my area gel is slightly cheaper...about £5 less on the price of a mani or pedi. Gel is considered to be less drying on your nails, but less hard wearing. I've been satisfied with gels.

carrie74 · 02/08/2014 08:22

I wore Gelish for years, but my manicurist now offers both, and I have to say I now prefer Shellac. There's not much difference, but I found the Gelish, when it did start to come away, made me want to peel it off, which is terrible for your nails. The Shellac, after about 2 weeks or so starts to bubble a bit on me, but not peel away, and I've never been tempted to peel it off. I also find the Gelish was a bit thicker on my nails than the Shellac. But there wasn't much difference between them TBH, and if she didn't offer Shellac, I'd still be happy with the Gelish.

sooperdooper · 02/08/2014 08:28

Both completely ruined my nails, I wouldn't recommend either, it looks lovely but my nails took a good 6 months to recover :(

carrie74 · 02/08/2014 08:33

I find if I've removed the gel correctly, then use Nail Envy and some cuticle cream, my nails are fine within a week of taking the gel off. But it looks so much better on, I prefer to go back for more!

LouisaJF · 02/08/2014 08:41

None of the products mentioned dry your nails, poor removal does.

Shellac and Gelish are applied like polish with some curing. They are designed to act more like polish but last up to a couple of weeks. They have to be removed each time as they can't be in filled.

Gel tends to be stronger, can last longer and can be in-filled. However, the application and removal can take longer.

I think it really depends how you use your nails and what you want them for. If it's just for an occasion then I would probably go for Shellac/Gelish. I'm very heavy handed so I prefer gel as it's more hard wearing.

I'm an editor of a beauty magazine so if you want any advice just ask.

WilburIsSomePig · 02/08/2014 08:57

Can I hijack a little and show my ignorance here please? I use bog standard nail polish and a really good topcoat so I don't even know what gelish and shellac are can someone please explain? I am not allowed coloured nail polish for work so its a weekend/night out thing for me so I'm not sure if it would be a wasted expense for me.

Crutchlow35 · 02/08/2014 09:08

It would be wasted. Jessica geleration which I use and shellac mentioned are 2 week manicures where the polish lasts for that time. You need accetone to take it off as well. Definitely not a weekend thing.

If you were wanting a weekend polish, I'd look at shellac vinalux which is made by the same people as the shellac 2 week manicure but will lst your weekend and comes off with normal polish remover.

LouisaJF · 02/08/2014 09:08

Shellac etc are nail enhancements which are harder wearing than normal polish. There is no preparation to the nail plate so it is applied like a polish with each layer being cured under a UV light. They can last up to two weeks without chipping and then need to be soaked off, which takes around 10 minutes.

itsbetterthanabox · 02/08/2014 09:16

Gel nails are hard gels. These can be sculpted into an extension or are strong enough to hold a plastic tip. If you want extension you need gel.
Gels can be Infilled so you keep them on much longer (indefinitely!) and most people just have clear or French. You can paint normal polish on top. A gel overlay can be good for strengthening the natural nail as it is a hard rigid shield that sits over it.
Gel polish (brand names shellac, gelish etc) are power polishes. These are in many different colours so you pick the nail polish colour you want and then it will last on your nail for 2-3 weeks. It means you have a perfect manicure for a long time no chips. They do slightly protect the nail too as the polish is thick and hard.
They are not Infilled. When you go back the gel polish is removed and reapplied in whatever colour you want again.
So it really depends whether you want long hard nails or a polish that gives a manicured look that lasts|.

burnishedsilver · 02/08/2014 09:28

Ive never had gel but shellac totally destroyed my nails. Ive had It done 3 times, at 3 different reputable salons and had it properly removed.....same results each time despite assurances that it doesnt damage the nails.

burnishedsilver · 02/08/2014 09:29

Ive never had gel but shellac totally destroyed my nails. Ive had It done 3 times, at 3 different reputable salons and had it properly removed.....same results each time despite assurances that it doesnt damage the nails.

umiaisha · 02/08/2014 09:35

I find shellac lasts longer than any of the others I have tried (Jessica and gellish)

My nails are still very strong underneath, think there is definitely a case for only having them removed properly and if you have them done in the Vietnamese shops ask them to go easy on the drill.

Original poster
MyFairyKing · 02/08/2014 11:02

Thanks for all the advice. It was really helpful. :)

From what I can see of the bottom part of my nails, they look the same as they do normally. Perhaps I can decided what to go for once the manicurist has removed my current nail polish?

I'm not after long nails, I like mine fairly short as otherwise, they bother me when typing otherwise. I just like the pretty names look without the chips!

OP posts:
Dumpylump · 02/08/2014 11:15

I used to have gel nails done (the brand of choice at salon was BioSculpture), but have been having shellac regularly for a good couple of years now. I much prefer it, I didn't like the thickness of gel, and the "bump" you'd get when your nail grew a little. I never have French or clear, always colour, and I didn't like either that when you had gel infill the colour needed to be the same or darker than your original one, as otherwise it would show through.
I keep my nails short, and just want colour that doesn't chip and looks super shiny - I found gel colours used to dull and look slightly matte.
I get my nails done every fortnight and use solar oil and a cuticle cream every evening before bed, and they're fine. Possibly because they're kept so short?

LouisaJF · 02/08/2014 19:51

A cuticle oil like solar oil and cuticle cream will work wonders for the health of the nails.

While we're on the subject, don't let anyone tell you to remove nail enhancements so the nails can breathe, it's a myth. Nails develop with keratin and grow from an area you cannot see. Nails do not need and cannot absorb oxygen.

LouisaJF · 02/08/2014 19:51

A cuticle oil like solar oil and cuticle cream will work wonders for the health of the nails.

While we're on the subject, don't let anyone tell you to remove nail enhancements so the nails can breathe, it's a myth. Nails develop with keratin and grow from an area you cannot see. Nails do not need and cannot absorb oxygen.

NewName123 · 03/08/2014 09:42

I love gels

Madcatgirl · 03/08/2014 09:46

I prefer shellac, it lasts me really well and my hands and nails take a beating because of my job. I like to have longish nails and without shellac they break as soon as they grow past the tip of my finger, with shellac it gives them more rigidity. I have mine changed every two weeks.

My mum can't keep shellac on though, at all. It always peels really fast and she's had it done by two different salons.

LouisaJF · 04/08/2014 00:10

Just out of curiosity, when you say you visit a "reputable" salon, what is it that makes you feel it is reputable? Is it reputation or something else? I ask this purely from professional curiosity.

itsbetterthanabox · 04/08/2014 09:28

Louisa. Checking they have safety and training certificates up. That they don't use drills on the natural nail. That the place looks clean and equipment is sterilised after every client.

Dumpylump · 04/08/2014 09:48

Well word of mouth goes a long way....if your friends regularly go to a particular place, and are happy with it, then its probably going to be fine.
The salon I go to is owned by friends. They are CND (the company that makes shellac and Vinylux polish) training ambassadors, attend frequent CND training events themselves, teach courses locally, and have exceptionally high standards for themselves and their staff.
They research new products carefully before deciding to use them in the salon - I had several free spray tans when they decided to change to a different brand, was great!

itsbetterthanabox · 04/08/2014 10:16

The only thing is a lot of people can be happy with a place but if it's the only place they have been they don't know the good from the bad. Until they get their enhancements removed and see the damage drilling the natural nail has done.

Dumpylump · 04/08/2014 10:20

I've only heard about drilling nails from threads on here. Obviously it must happen, but I don't think it's a practice in any of the salons in the town where I live.