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Recommendation

I apologize if I'm just super late to the party on this one. It just seemed like a good thing to recommend, especially given the number of you that are recently engaged! :)

I recently tried Shellac by CND, and I love it. I normally get a mani, and within 3 days it looks like garbage. Where I work, combined with my lifestyle means that I am not able to be "careful" with my nails. Generally they chip right away, my nails break because they're brittle, etc. It has now been 2 weeks, and besides the "roots" of my nail growing, and one chip (I'm a clutz and smacked my hand off the door of the washing machine) they still look awesome. I liked that they were dry right away too, I went right to the gym after my mani. :) The only downside is that it doesn't come off with normal nail polish remover, so you have to go back to the salon to get it taken off.

**I do not have any connections to CND or Shellac**
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Re: Recommendation

  • MLekathLEENMLekathLEEN member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You can take it off with 100% pure acetone. Just soak a cotton ball, put it on your nail then wrap your finger in tin foil for 10 minutes. You should easily be able to scratch what's left off with your nail. If not, put the cotton ball on for a few more seconds. I've had mine done 3 times and took it off myself each time. I second the recommendation and I am not associated with the company.
  • SopChickSopChick member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    That's so awesome, thanks for the tip! :)
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  • PaigeMcCPaigeMcC member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Realllllllly?

    Hm...

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  • SopChickSopChick member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    Oh, one other thing... When I was looking around for somewhere to get it done, some places told me they still drill/grind your nails before applying it (like for fake nails). They should not do this with Shellac, so make sure you check before getting it done! :)
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  • SKP82SKP82 member
    2500 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Shellac is great.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work as well for me as it does some other people.  Mine usually lasts a couple of days before any small chips and about 5 days at the longest before I have to take it off.  But, that is way better than the less than 24 hours that a normal mani stays chipless for me!

    Shellac has just a few colors.  There is another brand called Gelish that is sold at the salon I go to.  They have a ton of fun colors and it's the same thing as Shellac (gel/nail color hybrid).

    SopChick is right - they should NOT drill or grind your nails before applying this product.  Maybe a light buffing to even the surface, but that is it.

    I think the best part is leaving with completelydry nails.  It is a little more expensive than a regular mani (they charge $25 for Shellac/Gelish and $15 for a mani at my place).

    Also, some places do not give the full mani (massage, lotion, all that) with this type of manicure, so make sure you check and get your money's worth!
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  • leia1979leia1979 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I kind of want to try something like that. I'm allergic to acrylic nails, so I was thinking of trying a gel manicure instead. But I've heard about the Shellac stuff in a few places recently, and it sounds interesting.

    Anyone know if you can get a French manicure with that stuff?
  • edited December 2011
    I have had the OPI one that is similar. She grinded my nails like you do with acrylics. When I took them off my nails were very damaged like I had jus taken acrylics off. or sure make sure they don't grind your nails. I had it done at another place and all they did was buff them a bit. It lasted for two weeks and was great!
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  • SopChickSopChick member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    leia - I don't see why not? They have a white-ish colour, and a sheer pink-ish colour. I don't know for sure though.
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  • SKP82SKP82 member
    2500 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Leia - you can get it done.  I had it done before our cruise in November and it looked great!

    Bakes - the OPI brand is different than the Shellac and Gelish. OPI Axxium is a gel while Shellac and Gelish are polish/gel hybrids. 

    This website has tons of information on all of these.  CLICK

    I just read on there that Shellac is not good for nails that have a tendency to peel, which may explain why it didn't stay on long for me.  Maybe I'll try the Axxium next time!
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  • edited December 2011
    Thanks for sharing! I was actually thinking about getting my nails done this week since we're going to New Orleans for a weekend trip-- I'll definitely have to try this out!
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