I’ve always been into the pedicure thing, especially during the summer, but ever since I started my new job, I’ve been getting quite a few manicures. Let’s just say that most of my colleagues are very nicely manicured, and since I’m dealing with clients more in my new role, I want to “look” the part. The problem is, most manicures only look fresh for a couple of days. After three days, the polish starts to peel and my nails just start looking drab. My mom recommended Shellac to me last year but I never really had the desire to spend more on my nails. It’s quite a difference – depending on the salon (I usually go to the Asian ones), a regular manicure costs $15 whereas Shellac costs $35.
I recently decided to take the plunge. My nail place offers a fairly large selection of colours (maybe 25?), I usually go for OPI Bubble Bath so luckily found a similar colour available with Shellac. The process is a little long but the results last a long time. Beyond the regular grooming/trimming/filing, nail polish application is quickly followed by drying time under a UV light. The polish/UV cycle is repeated three times, at which point your nails are dry! So a slightly longer nail application process, but once you’re done, you’re ready to go. No further drying required.
On my first trial, the Shellac polish peeled off of one nail; I think that is unusual. I went in to repair the one nail, but the minimum charge was fairly substantial (as was my nail growth) that it made sense just to re-do all of my nails.
One beef I have is that the removal process is rough on your nails. They douse a cotton ball in nail polish remover, wrap your nail in foil so that it can soak, then after a few minutes they literally scrape the polish off with a metal instrument. I highly doubt that this is healthy for your nails! In fact, the whole thing isn’t healthy – how does your nail breathe under this thick armour? I guess that’s the point…
According to Wikipedia, Shellac is a “resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand”. It acts like a primer, sealer, varnish. Interesting…good enough for furniture and your nails!
All in all, Shellac is well worth it. My Shellac nails are going on over a week and they still look great. Extremely minimal wearing on the nail tips. The only thing is, I will certainly give my nails a break to breathe and grow naturally, so Shellac won’t be a constant thing. But I’ll definitely be back for more!
