Do I have to remove shellac?

8 replies

TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad · 19/08/2015 20:53

I had my first ever shellac (and pedicure!) a few weeks ago, before going on holiday. I love it!

Now the nail growth is starting to show. Not too badly, only a mm or so on the big toe nails. Would it look dreadful if I tried to fill in with a similar varnish? I won't find anything identical.

Can I varnish over shellac? Will ordinary nail varnish remover spoil the shellac?

I dread trimming my nails because I don't want to spoil the shellac. Can I just cut through it with my nail scissors?

Do I have to remove the shellac for the health of my nails?

OP posts:

SakuraSakura · 19/08/2015 21:02

Marking my place because I'm in exactly the same position! Isn't shellac so lovely? I'm hooked!

Penfold007 · 19/08/2015 21:14

Shellac and other gel polishes should be removed with pure acetone. Filling it with ordinary polish will show. Its only meant to last for a few weeks. You can soak cotton wool in acetone and wrap your nail in foil until the varnish softens and comes off or go to your nail salon and have it removed by them.

kiwidreamer · 19/08/2015 21:18

I've been doing gel nails for over a year now, on my toes I have continuos colour - one colour comes off and a new one goes on every 4/6 weeks. I only do my fingernails for special occasions as it does seem to weaken my nails.

kiwidreamer · 19/08/2015 21:19

My friend put regular polish over top of a gel colour she didn't like, looked fine.

Katie2001 · 19/08/2015 21:22

I have painted small chipped bits on Shellac (mostly by buying the same polish). I also have Geleration which is similar but which they can buff up and do infills to the grown out area for cheaper.

FritzyMousey · 19/08/2015 21:24

I've painted over them before - the whole nail, not just infill, it looks rubbish close up but you will get a few more weeks out of them (on toes) I've also trimmed them with clippers and it works fine unless they are starting to come off.

Original poster

TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad · 20/08/2015 11:51

So acetone-free nail varnish remover should be OK? I'll try regular nail varnish on top of the shellac if I can safely remove the varnish if it looks grim.

Wish I could justify the cost of shellac on my toenails all year round!

OP posts:

notapizzaeater · 20/08/2015 11:55

I've painted over it before and added some glitter to hide the ridge.

Flip