Let’s face it, one of life’s true joys is taking an hour out of your day to sit in a fancy salon and have your hands preened and nails polished. Throw a cup of tea into the mix and it quickly shifts to my second favourite life activity (trips to Nandos at number one, obviously). But, there are rumours about – shellac manicures are damaging our nails. We did a little digging (because being nosy is #3 most fun activity), to find out the truth. Shellac, we love you, but should we leave you?
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Your natural nails matter
You’ve heard that saying – a poor workman blames his tools. For a shellac mani that lasts (and doesn’t damage the nail beds beneath), we’ve got to make sure our natural nails are in great nick (not just for an easier application of polish). Using a strengthening nail oil before your manicure and regularly topping up with cuticle oil between appointments is the best way to do so. They usually smell pretty good too. Dreams.
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2 We were on a break
But you don’t need to be. It’s more important to provide your nail beds with heaps of hydration in between appointments, and ensure your polish is removed properly. There’s no reason to break between manis (remember, they can’t breathe). As tempting as it may be, peeling polish is a terrible move. Don’t do it. Ever. Keep your nails nourished and your shellac will last longer too.
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3 The removal process is kinder
Shellac is a hybrid UV gel polish, that means there are solvents in the formula just like regular polish. What does that mean for us non-technical folk? It’s much thinner in texture, which makes it quick to remove. Same high-gloss finish, but less filing required to get rid once your three weeks is up.
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4 What’s the verdict?
So long as you’re providing your natural nails with tender love and care, they’ll be more than ready to take on shellac. In fact, if you’re a nail biter, heading for a long-term mani (like shellac) is actually a very good idea. Biting and peeling will damage the natural nail bed – they’ll go weak and brittle in no time – two coats of shellac with a little UV curing, and they’ll be protected from your biting ways. Save your fingertips, book shellac.
See, you can go shellac without the worry. With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover amazing salons in your area.