If you’ve been in a similar situation and are wondering “what in the world can I do to keep my nails looking beautiful without ruining them,” then keep reading!
The solution? SHELLAC!
Shellac is a special type of nail polish that is chip, nick, and smudge resistant. Unlike typical polishes that can get ruined and take way too long to dry, Shellac is a super resilient, gel-like polish that dries instantly.
Here’s how it works
Step 1 : Apply the base coat (the foundation of the Shellac system), and let it dry under UV light for ten seconds.
Step 2 : Apply the color coat and let it dry under UV light for ten seconds. Like any other polish, apply a second coat, and let it dry.
Step 3 : Apply the top coat (provides a durable, mirror-like finish), and let it dry under UV light for ten seconds.
Once the final coat is applied and dry you are ready to go. Put your hand in a glove, knock it up against a desk, or run it through your hair, and your nails will still look absolutely flawless.
I know this sounds too good to be true, but I kid you not! I recently had Shellac applied and was thrilled at the results. The best part about it all is that the polish stays on for two whole weeks. You will literally see your nails growing out before you notice a single chip in your polish.
So if you can’t wait any longer and are dying to give Shellac a shot, the good news is that many nail salons and spas are integrating Shellac into their services. A basic application usually only costs about $2o, which is pretty much the same price as your typical manicure. To view a list of salons that offer Shellac, click here!
The not-so-good news is that a Shellac application is not really something you can do yourself. The polish and UV lamp are quite expensive, so I would definitely leave it to a professional if you are considering. Attempting to apply this yourself may be the equivalent of applying acrylics yourself… you don’t want to go there.
Once you decide that you want to change your polish color, or just go bare, Shellac can be removed very easily with an acetone soak. Because there are multiple layers of polish you will have to soak your nails longer than you would with a typical polish. For those who don’t want to soak their nails in acetone, you will notice your polish chipping after two weeks, in which case you can literally peel it off.
So with summer, graduation, and outdoor activities right around the corner, don’t wait to get the manicure of your dreams!