Shellac Nails Vs Gel Manicure

CND Shellac nail polish combines gel and traditional nail varnish in one step for professional removal, unlike its regular equivalent which must be done using an acetone soak.

Gel nails come in an impressive array of colors and last much longer than regular manicures; but is the former actually superior?

Cost

Both gel and shellac provide excellent manicures, but there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each option. Shellac is an innovative hybrid formula of gel polish that doesn’t require as intensive soaking sessions like traditional polish does, potentially less damaging to nails overall.

However, to remove shellac polish properly it still requires professional services from a nail tech. Picking at shellac manicure can cause severe damage to nails that peel or break while harboring bacteria and fungus; so the nail tech will soak them in acetone to dissolve any remaining polish on them.

Cost of Shellac manicures will depend on where you live and the quality of salon you visit (Mayfair salons tend to be more costly), however you should expect to pay between PS20-PS35 per treatment; comparable with gel manicures which range between PS25 and PS35 depending on brand used.

Longevity

Shellac and gel nail polish trends remain popular choices when it comes to choosing nail polishes for fashion trends. Both styles look glossy and luxurious while withstanding wear and tear well; yet each has unique qualities which set it apart.

Shellac is a hybrid nail product consisting of half regular polish and half gel. As such, it applies like regular nail polish but cures under an LED light to form a hard, glossy finish. In addition, Shellac comes in various colors for maximum choice while being easy to remove with acetone wraps.

Shellac nails tend to last 14 days before showing signs of wear, while gel manicures may last three weeks with proper care. Gel polish is thicker and more resilient, but its application requires longer acetone soak times as well as careful filing upon removal compared with its counterpart, so these manicures may be more suitable for clients seeking longer-lasting manicures that cause less damage to natural nails.

Durability

No matter your style preference – whether it’s sleek and natural or bright colors – both Shellac and gel nails provide long-term and flawless nail enhancement solutions. Both require applying a base coat, two layers of color, and topcoat and curing under UV or LED light before being worn to your appointment. However, there are some key distinctions between them that could influence your decision when it comes time to choose between these enhancements.

Shellac is a specific product from CND; gels are an umbrella category of products from various brands that come in multiple formulations to make finding something suitable easier and providing you with more length extension possibilities.

Shellac and gels both provide durable and eye-catching looks, yet differ significantly in several key ways. Shellac tends to chip less frequently and peel less easily, while gels tend to require professional removal processes that are as gentle as possible for application and removal processes. If considering either option for your nails, visit a professional for each treatment to ensure proper care is taken during application and removal processes.

Removal

Picking at aged polish, base coat or gel polish itself, can cause serious long-term damage. Not only will this strip away the layer that holds onto colour on your nails, but it could lead to delamination of natural ones as well.

Since manicures can leave nails weak and vulnerable to breakage, professional removal services at a nail salon may be more beneficial in protecting them than trying to soak or file away on your own at home.

Your manicurist will be able to remove Shellac nails quickly, without scraping, using specially-formulated acetone nail polish remover. That means you’ll be prepared for every event on your calendar without fear of chipping or wearing off of your nails!