Shellac Mani

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Jan 26, 2012

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After six glorious years, I finally said good-bye to my acrylic nails *sniff* I knew that my nails would be pretty beat up and very weak, so I asked my nail tech what she would suggest and... we decided on a Shellac manicure (in Rock Royalty - a dark purple).

This is my first time with Shellac, and I have to say the process is a bit tedious. You first get buffed and filed, then a UV base coat to help the polish stick. 1 minute under the UV lamp, then your color is applied, and another minute under the lamp. Another coat of color and lamp, then finally the Top coat, and you guessed it, another minute under the lamp.

It's been 9 days and I'm still kind of impressed with the Shellac. I've noticed where it's starting to lift up and a couple chips here and there, but I'm usually pretty hard on my nails (hence the acrylics to keep them from breaking), so I still think that they look pretty decent. Much better than they would if I were just wearing normal polish.

However, I do think that 2 weeks is a long time to go before a color change. My nails grow pretty quickly, so I'm already starting to get new growth at the bottom and it's making me want to take the color off and get something different so they look fresh.

Anyone else ever tried Shellac? Thoughts??

xoxo Jessie

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Comments (21)

If you decide Shellac isn't for you, I recommend this nail hardener. It got me through the rough patch of growing out acrylic-damaged nails. http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/nail-hardener-and-strengthener-that-actually-works-without-harsh-chemicals Report Spam Posted by triplyksis at 5:59 PM on 01/26/12
I love french manis in shellac! But I can't keep one color on for two weeks, it's just too long for me so I've never done a solid color in shellac. You have to be careful with the removal process too, soaking in acetone can be really harsh on your nails. Report Spam Posted by sweeetkristen at 6:10 PM on 01/26/12
I, too, had a rough patch while growing out my acrylic nails a while back. My nails are pretty fast-growing, too. I never tried shellac but it sounds to me like if you get too much nail growth between trips, it's a good opportunity to try out some fun two-color manicures. @triplyksis has a bunch on her blog that are great to try. Report Spam Posted by alicatstrut at 6:12 PM on 01/26/12
I haven't tried it yet, but you went with an amazing shade on the first go! Report Spam Posted by sweans at 6:25 PM on 01/26/12
I adore Shellac!! it doesn't chip and looks sooo shiny - plus it helped my nails to grow but warning, make sure if you decide to stop shellac at any point, you have it professionally removed so you don't ick up your real nails - they look gorgeous Report Spam Posted by sweetshorty at 6:49 PM on 01/26/12
I don't get what Shellac is. Is it a brand of nail polish that just takes a lot of extra time to dry? Whatever it is, your nails look fantastic! Report Spam Posted by sorapandora at 7:34 PM on 01/26/12
great color. Report Spam Posted by markblemish at 8:50 PM on 01/26/12
Oh, my male pov, acrylic nails have always kinda creeped me out, prefer polish. Report Spam Posted by markblemish at 8:51 PM on 01/26/12
To @sorapandor's question. I believe shellac originally came from some kind of beetle but I could be wrong and it was like varnish for wood, so I wonder if this is the same or similar. Report Spam Posted by markblemish at 8:52 PM on 01/26/12
I will take a wile for sure. In the mean time the color is pretty!!! : } Report Spam Posted by kelsjax at 10:08 PM on 01/26/12
don't think I could go that long with the same color, but they look great. Report Spam Posted by ftw at 3:28 AM on 01/27/12
It is a total change for you!! But I love the look, and how much more natural it is! I like @sweeetkristen idea about doing the french, that way when they grow out it wont be as noticeable and you could do your own polish changes in between! or towards the end of the life in your shellac! Either way, it looks awesome! :) Report Spam Posted by ellie989 at 7:22 AM on 01/27/12
Wow this is a great concept! I love the purple Report Spam Posted by luv2kreate at 8:03 AM on 01/27/12
@sorapandora - Shellac is a 14-day wear polish. During those 14 days you're not supposed to experience chips, snags, or scratches in the polish, like you would with just a normal polish. I made it 9 days before I had a chip. Report Spam Posted by jessiej287 at 11:18 AM on 01/27/12
Love that color! Report Spam Posted by doubleletterlady at 6:31 PM on 01/27/12
I want to try Shellac, is it expensive? Your nails look great. I love that shade!!! Report Spam Posted by her_arsenic_kiss at 10:01 PM on 01/27/12
Looks good very pretty, never tried it before though. Report Spam Posted by xjoliexgreenx at 9:07 AM on 01/28/12
a good vitamin for the nails is folic acid It works from the inside out and strenthens the nail bed and nail. Report Spam Posted by lissln at 11:00 AM on 01/28/12
I started getting shellac manicures after deciding acrylics were not worth the pain and hassle. I usually stay neutral with a french manicure or a nude shade, but this is a really fun color! Report Spam Posted by southerncharm at 8:49 AM on 01/29/12
Looks like great stuff! But it seems like the regular nail polish is good cause you can change it a lot like you say. Report Spam Posted by dreapuff at 10:21 PM on 02/05/12
Never tried shellac, but I love that color <3 Report Spam Posted by cimino68 at 3:23 PM on 02/07/12