What is the difference between gels and shellac

The finished look errs on the natural side. On the other hand, gel nails are made with—you guessed it—liquid gel. It's not exclusive to one polish distributor. Gel polishes are made with a mix of acrylic monomers and oligomers that harden under UV light to create a hard, glossy coat. If you're looking for a long-lasting manicure, you can't go wrong with either shellac or gel nails. Both manicure variations last between 10 and 14 days. But shellac nails are partially made with standard polish, so they're more vulnerable to chipping than gel nails.

Where shellac nails lost a half-point for chipping, they earn extra points back for a breezy removal process. Shellac nails can be removed with by a manicurist within five to fifteen minutes— without scraping , thanks to a special acetone-based remover made specifically for shellac polishes.

Gel nails aren't known for stress-free removal. Peeling off a gel manicure can do serious damage to the surface of your nails—so it's more common to have gel nails removed at the salon via a good, long acetone soak and scrupulous filing. If you can't make it into the salon for a professional removal, there are some at-home hacks for taking off a gel manicure. These DIY strategies, however, lose to shellac nails in a polish removal race.

But for you, this is probably the main reason to consider shellac over gel. The nail technician will take care to dissolve the shellac and remove it carefully, without the need to use harsh techniques. Removing gel nails will take considerably longer, and may involve buffering processes which leave your nails weaker and damaged.

For many of us, the fun element of having your nails done is the chance to choose different colours to suit our mood or plans. Gel is available in nearly three times as many colours as shellac. If removal is included, then yes, gel nails typically cost more to remove because of their more complex process.

However, in terms of application, the costs are usually the same. Both shellac and gel nails involve the UV curing process. Both can be completed as part of a manicure, making you feel pampered and indulged. Choosing to have your manicure or pedicure done at home in London is a sure fire way to make sure you definitely feel relaxed and spoilt. You can buy gel polishes and have a go doing them at home.

The official CND Shellac treatment is in-salon only. However, at Secret Spa we bring the salon to you. As such, you may not be able to do the treatment yourself — and why would you want to when we can pamper you?!

We really do recommend having a professional nail technician do this, especially as it is so low cost.

Take care of your nails between treatments too. We think so! Not only have we tried it for ourselves, but we also spoke with Jan Arnold , co-founder and style director of Creative Nail Design CND , to get the lowdown on this popular salon service.

So, if you're always on the hunt for your next nail venture, you may just find that a shellac manicure is everything you've been looking for. Read on to learn all there is to know about shellac nails, including how it differs from a gel mani. Meet the Expert. Jan Arnold is co-founder and style director of CND and has been with the company for over 30 years. She is a self-confessed nail fanatic and fashion addict who influenced the change from bare nails to elaborate, fashion-forward manicures on the runway.

Her roster of clients includes Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu. What is shellac? It's a patented system that includes a branded base coat, color coat, and top coat. With over shades, there's something for everyone, from ethereal pinks to dark metallics. The manicure is cured with a special LED lamp made exclusively for shellac, so there's virtually no drying time , according to Arnold. This is when ultraviolet UV wavelengths hit molecules called photoinitiators in the gel formula and activate them.

Let's tackle the shellac vs. The fact is, the differences between these two nail types are slim, but it does have an effect on your overall manicure experience. Essentially gel nails use a semi-permanent gel to color your nails, whereas shellac nails use semi-permanent polish. There are also nearly triple the amount of color options for gel nails as there are for shellac nails, but there are still plenty of shades to choose from for either.

Arnold says the removal process is one of the biggest things that sets a shellac manicure apart from other gels or gel polish. She explains, "When acetone-based remover is applied, the coating actually breaks into tiny pieces and releases from the nail," allowing for a seamless removal more on that later. We can attest, the finish is very durable and rarely chips or peels.

This manicure does stand up to most household chores like washing dishes. While this finish is known for its durability, some chemicals can damage your manicure , so you should still be careful and wear gloves when cleaning and doing other harsh tasks.

As with most beauty procedures, the cost of a shellac manicure can vary. It might be tempting, but you should never attempt to peel off a shellac manicure, as you can do a lot of damage to the top layers of your nails if you do. It's best to go back to the salon for proper removal.