Shellac is a gel nail polish that allows you to create a natural, neat, and most importantly durable manicure. It got its name thanks to the CND Shellac brand, which first introduced this type of varnish to the market. Today, many campaigns and varnish manufacturers include this term in their products.

Accordingly, a shellac manicure is a manicure performed using long-lasting gel polish that combines the best properties of regular polish and gel for nail extensions.

The first and main sign of a fake is the low price. When purchasing any cosmetic product, cheapness is a sign of savings on product components. For example, cheap gel polishes have fewer components that help protect the nail. They are more harmful and also less durable.

Another indicator is smell. Almost all good cosmetics stores should have a sample next to each product. Which needs to be examined not only for color, but also for smell. Real shellac should not emit a sharp, unpleasant chemical aroma.

Next, using the same probe, you need to study the consistency of the drug. Its density should be medium: not too liquid, but not thick either. The first indicator will indicate that the gel polish was diluted with acetone (or any other similar product) to increase the volume of the batch. The second will indicate an expired expiration date or incorrect storage principle.

The most important thing when buying gel polish is to use only professional stores and purchase exclusively familiar brands.

Otherwise, you can allegedly save time and money, but not achieve the desired result (loss of money), or even ruin the appearance of the nail (wasting a lot of time on restoration).

Pros and cons of shellac compared to regular varnish

When creating shellac, the main goal was to create a nail coating that had durability (from gel) and color variety (varnish). To an inexperienced consumer, it may seem that gel polish and regular polish do not have significant differences: an identical application technique combined with the same appearance of the materials.

However, upon closer examination, the following differences can be deduced:

• Regular polish can dry in the fresh air, while gel polish requires exposure to a special lamp with ultraviolet rays. This technology has both positive and negative sides. The latter involves the need to purchase a specialized lamp, the price of which can reach up to 7 thousand rubles, and in some cases more. However, this equipment will eliminate long minutes of waiting and the fear of ruining the monolith of work done with simple hand movements.
• Shellac is somewhat limited in color palette than regular varnish.
• The cost of shellac is higher than the price of regular nail polish.
• The main difference between these coatings is the wear time: shellac stays on the nail without visible damage for up to 3 weeks.
• To remove nail polish, you just need to wipe the nail plate with nail polish remover. In the case of shellac, everything is not so simple: such a composition can only be removed using special mixtures.

Obviously, there should be differences between shellac and nail gel. Initially, the difference could be found in the presence or absence of color in the coating, but today gels with color are produced. Thus, there remains only one, but very significant difference - the purpose of applying these compositions to the nails.

The gel is intended for extension of the nail plate, which implies further manicure procedures. In this regard, the application techniques for shellac and gel are also different.

How does shellac affect nails?

The debate about the dangers of shellac for the nail plate has been going on for a long time: many complain that after removing the coating, their nails do not look their best. Of course, any impact on the nails can negatively affect their condition, causing deformation, layering and thinning. And the use of shellac is no exception.

However, by strictly following the technology of applying and removing the coating, you can avoid the consequences.

That’s why it’s so important to apply and remove shellac, for beginners, at home, step by step and following simple rules:

How often can shellac be applied?

You can often hear from manicurists that shellac can be applied an unlimited number of times. And this is not at all strange, because such procedures are their “bread”, a way to make a living.

But responsible professionals who are not trying to get rich at the expense of their clients argue that: although in the hands of experts who know what they are doing, shellac cannot cause much harm to the nails, it is still worth giving the nail plate a rest.

No matter how wonderful and harmless this remedy may be, it still contains components that can deplete the nail, deprive it of essential microelements and vitamins. For example, to absorb calcium, nails need vitamin D, which is produced by the sun.

However, under the coating layer, the nails are unable to absorb the required dose of the vitamin.

Thus, the frequency of applying shellac has no clear restrictions. However, it is recommended that after each 3 procedure you give your nails a rest for at least 14 days, and in winter the period increases to 3 weeks.

How long does it take on average to apply shellac?

If you have step-by-step instructions, any beginner can do a shellac manicure at home. However, for beginners this may take significantly longer than for professionals. Compared to applying conventional varnish, the shellac coating procedure has many nuances, new devices, tools and materials.

Therefore, it is very difficult to voice a specific part of the time: everything depends on the dexterity and adaptability to new conditions of the person who is going to perform the procedure. In addition, an important factor is the condition and quality of the nails themselves.

However, if we exclude the human factor and determine only the time of the procedures and the properties of the preparations (what to hold for how long, how long it will take to dry, etc.), then the whole process should not take more than 30-50 minutes.

Tools needed to apply shellac

Most of the tools needed for step-by-step application of shellac at home will also be available to beginners, since are mandatory for every lady:

Materials required for applying shellac

Materials include products and solutions that the procedure cannot do without:

• Cuticle remover;
• degreaser;
• base coating (base);
• tonic coating;
• finishing coating;
• de-sticking agent;
• shellac remover.

Preparing nails for shellac application

Not only the appearance of the manicure, but also the duration of its wear will depend on the correct preparation of the nail.

At this stage, you need to complete the following steps:

Applying the base layer

This layer is designed to protect against the negative effects of the tinting layer, as well as improve its adhesion to the nail.

The application of each layer is divided into several points:

1. Painting the left edge of the nail;
2. Coloring the right edge;
3. The final stroke in the center of the plate;
4. Before performing the remaining steps, you need to make sure that the edges of the nail are thoroughly sealed with a coating.

This technique allows you to evenly distribute the coating over the surface of the nail without clinging to the skin.

The entire application process includes the following steps:

1. The jar of varnish must be scrolled several times along the base of the palms. This will allow the shellac to warm up and settle evenly on the nail.
2. Directly applying the foundation itself. The layer should not be thick, otherwise it will take longer to dry, which will lead to unwanted spots in the final result.
3. Drying the coating. You need to dry it in a special lamp for about 13 seconds.

Applying shellac

This tonic layer gives the nails color and is applied according to the following instructions:

It is worth considering that the layers must be incredibly thin, almost transparent. Otherwise, the varnish may swell and form unpleasant bubbles.

Before applying the varnish, you need to check its condition: it should not be too thick. Damage to the coating can occur due to improper storage or purchasing a low-quality product, which will have a bad effect on the condition of the nails. It must be stored with the cap tightly screwed on and at room temperature. Also, do not leave it in areas exposed to sunlight.

Applying decor

The scheme and technology for decorating nails with shellac is practically no different from decorating with regular varnish, however, here after decorating the nails you need to apply another layer of varnish.

Decor can be done using:

• Ribbons and strips;
• drawings;
• patterns;
• pictures;
• coloring technique, using multiple colors;
• sequins and rhinestones, etc.

Applying top coat

Finishing painting consists of only 3 steps:

1. Direct application of the mixture, which has several nuances:

• it should be applied in a fairly thick layer;
• Using this coating, it is necessary to seal all the free edges of the nail (thus the colored base will remain, as it were, in an entomological vessel).

1. Drying. The exposure time of hands under the lamp is no more than 130 seconds.
2. Removing the sticky layer using a special product in which you need to moisten a lint-free cloth. It costs quite a lot, so in extreme cases you can use acetone or alcohol. However, these substances can slightly damage the manicure, so they should be used with caution.

How to make French shellac yourself?

French shellac, for beginners at home, can be done step by step quite simply, The main thing is to follow the following technology:

How to remove shellac correctly?

Instructions for removing shellac, for beginners at home, step by step are as follows:

Nail care after shellac removal

To restore nails and protect them from further damage, it is necessary to carry out cosmetic procedures.

These include:

If the nails are excessively weakened and peeling, more complex cosmetic procedures should be performed:

• Sealing a nail with wax in a salon. With its help, the nails, covered with a thin film, will be protected from further damage and will also acquire a healthier appearance.
• You can buy a special medicinal varnish at any pharmacy. The base of such a varnish must include calcium, many vitamins, and keratin. With regular use, the polish will heal your nails, making them stronger. And from the very first use, making the nails thicker due to the coating, the varnish will relieve discomfort and the fear of breaking the nail.

Applying shellac at home is quite simple even for beginners, especially if you use step-by-step instructions. However, so that the beautiful appearance of your nails does not become a fleeting pleasure, the plates must be looked after both before and after the procedure.

Video on how to make shellac for beginners at home step by step

How to make shellac at home, watch the video:

Basic set for shellac:

A neat, beautiful and long-lasting manicure is the dream of modern girls. It is impossible to achieve a similar effect with ordinary varnish. Even with the most careful application and gentle handling of nails, peeling is inevitable. Fortunately for the young ladies of the 21st century, shellac and all the necessary accompanying materials appeared on store shelves. And you don’t even have to turn to nail service professionals, as is the case with extensions. You can do a manicure with shell polish at home. The savings will be significant. The article is devoted to the benefits of shellac and the features of creating a manicure. We'll look at each step in detail and give useful tips that will help you get your nails in order and make the coating as durable as possible.

What is shellac

Shellac is a product for creating an expressive and long-lasting manicure that came to us from the USA. Today, shellac is used by women from all over the world, both in salon practice and at home.

10 years ago, the only way to ensure durability was through the acrylic technique. The manicure looked beautiful and acquired a glossy shine, but after removal, the structure of the nail plate deteriorated and became thinner. Shellac has become a real salvation. The color does not fade, the top coat gives a luxurious radiant effect and lasts up to 4 weeks. And what’s important is that the materials are easy to use. Let's consider all the advantages in more detail.

Benefits of shellac:

• Easy to apply like regular polish. Shellac is a typical bottle with varnish and a standard brush. It is evenly distributed over the nail, lays down in a thin layer, without streaks or lumps. No special skills or training required. Accompanying products that ensure the durability of the manicure are also easy to use. It is enough to carefully spread it over the nail with a brush and dry it in a UV or LED lamp.
• Removable safely, without cutting or damaging the top layer of the nail plate. In order to remove shellac, you will need a special liquid, cotton pads and foil. The technique is simple. The cotton wool is soaked in the product, applied to the nail and wrapped in foil. Let stand for 15 minutes and remove. Shellac will peel off easily on its own.
• Promotes nail growth. If acrylic spoils the structure, then shellac, on the contrary, helps strengthen and protect from harmful environmental influences. Marigolds feel comfortable under a layer of shell polish. Experts recommend giving preference to luxury and mid-price products that contain vitamins, minerals, and healthy herbal supplements. Women who constantly use shellac notice intensive nail growth. Layers of varnish, top coat, and base coat become a reliable barrier to mechanical damage, chips, cracks, and peeling.
• Dries quickly. Under a UV lamp - 2 minutes, under LED - 30 seconds. Unlike acrylic techniques, the procedure is much faster. In general, complete coverage takes about one hour. And this is once every three to four weeks, which is very important for modern women who feel a lack of free time.

Shellac retains its brightness and expressiveness for a long time. The coating does not fade, does not fade, shines and pleases with a rich color for a full cycle - about a month. And this happens while actively washing dishes, cleaning the house, cooking, and playing sports. You don't have to limit yourself from familiar and important things - they won't interfere with your manicure.

• Rich palette of shades. The variety of shades available to any buyer makes one's eyes wide open. The main thing to take care of the quality of the purchased shellac is to make purchases in professional markets. Pay attention to new items, consult with sellers. First, talk to your nail specialist, who will give advice on choosing specific brands.
• Safe for health. The most important point in choosing a beauty product. Shellac is hypoallergenic and does not harm the body or structure of the nail. Pregnant and lactating women can be calm about the possible risks - there are none.

Along with an extensive list of advantages, there are also disadvantages. But there are significantly fewer of them. Nail specialists distinguish only two:

• Price. Shellac is more expensive than regular varnish. Plus, you need to buy other components: top, base, primer, degreaser, files, remover, UV or LED lamp, etc. But this set is completed once, and then gradually supplemented with a color palette. Funds are spent economically. If you are planning to do a shellac manicure for yourself, you will be guaranteed to use it for a year.

• Durability of the coating. It’s a paradox, but this aspect is both an advantage and, in some cases, a disadvantage. It happens that you get tired of the color, you want a different design, but the manicure still pleases you with its impeccable appearance.

If you want to always have a flawless manicure without resorting to the services of beauty salons, buy a shellac kit and do the procedure at home. There is nothing complicated about it. The main thing is to understand the order of the stages and have all the necessary tools and materials at hand.

What you need to apply shellac at home

Durability and aesthetic effect directly depend on the correct, consistent technique. Each product in the set depends on each other, complements each other with properties and together allows you to achieve the expected beauty result. So, what should be on your table during the procedure:

How to apply shellac

Now let’s take a closer look at each of the stages and delve into the details of working with shellac. By following our advice, you can make an even and durable coating.

Step 1. Preparing nails for the procedure. Of course, you need to start coating on well-groomed nails - with a beautiful shape, without protruding cuticles and hangnails, or dry ridges on the sides. Correct the edges, go through a polishing file, which will smooth the surface and thereby prepare it for high-quality adhesion to the base coat.

Step 2. Disinfection and degreasing. We treat fingers and nails with antibacterial compounds and then degrease. This gives the surface an ideal texture, removes dirt, dust, traces of sebum and cosmetics. Dry it - without exposure to a lamp, naturally.

Step 3. Primer layer. This nail material is responsible for durability, protects against delamination, and provides ideal adhesion between the nail plate and the base coat. It is applied in a thin layer and dries quickly without stimulation by UV rays.

Step 4. Base coat. It is best to buy the base, top and colored shellac of the same brand - they will work better together. We try to apply the product in a thin layer, carefully removing excess drops back into the bottle. Make sure that the base does not spread around the edges - it will harden in this position. Let dry under LED lamp for one minute, UV lamp for 2-3 minutes. Under no circumstances do we remove the sticky layer, otherwise the very meaning of the base will be lost, and the varnish will not last even three days.

Step 5. Color application. We take a shade of varnish that suits our mood or stylistic goals and carefully apply it to the nail. One layer is usually not enough. In order for the manicure to look rich and impressive, you need to do a double coating. An important point: dry each layer under a lamp. The first one was applied under UV rays for 2-3 minutes (depending on the power), and the second one was applied according to the same scenario.

Step 6. Top coating. The final stage, responsible for the luxurious glossy shine of the gel polish, is the application of the finishing agent. The principle of operation is the same as with the base. The consistency is thick, and therefore you need to try not to overdo it: spread evenly in a thin layer, without going over the edges. Dry the top on the nails in a lamp.

Step 7 Removing the dispersion layer. After the topcoat has dried, it is necessary to remove the sticky layer. To do this, you will need the degreaser you used to treat your nails at the very beginning of the procedure. Wipe with a lint-free cloth until it feels smooth.

Shan 8. Applying oil to the cuticle. Don't forget about this final step. Under the influence of UV rays, the skin dries out, loses moisture, becomes rough and soon begins to crack.

Special oil formulations help restore hydrobalance and replenish vitamins and minerals. Apply the brush to the cuticle area and side edges and wait until the product is completely absorbed.

These 8 steps are not at all difficult to complete at home. This way you will save significantly on beauty salon services and will be able to remove the coating at any time and get a manicure with a different color, depending on the occasion or mood. A one-time salon shellac coating costs from 1,000 rubles. A set with a lamp will cost you about 3,000, and this investment will soon pay off.

Nowadays, getting a stylish manicure at home is not difficult. The stores offer a large assortment of special devices for performing manicures: varnishes, gel coatings, stencils, etc. Until recently, home manicures were distinguished by their fragility, the reason for this was the weak durability of the varnish. But now everything has changed, it has become publicly available gel polish or shellac. The main feature of this material is that it stays on the nails for more than two weeks.

What is gel polish coating in manicure?

The procedure for performing a manicure using gel polish is offered in almost every beauty salon. There are also a huge number of manicurists working at home. Recently, many girls began to buy all the necessary equipment to perform a manicure using a gel coating and, accordingly, do it at home. But nevertheless, when all the necessary materials have already been purchased, the question arises: “How to do a manicure?” We will answer this question by talking in detail about the technology for properly applying gel polish at home. Before you start creating a manicure, you need to understand what coating your nails with gel polish (shellac) is. The gel polish itself is a porous polymer that allows air to pass through. It has a number of advantages:

• Lasts up to 4 weeks, which saves time on manicure, because even the best varnish does not last more than 5 days.
• Does not require any special skills, application is quite simple.
• Variety of color options. Every girl can choose a gel according to her mood.
• Gel polish perfectly levels the surface of the nail plate.
• Does not spoil the structure of the nail itself.

However, this manicure also has its drawbacks, which generally do not spoil the overall picture of its advantages. For example:

• The procedure is expensive, especially if you get a manicure in a salon from a good specialist. Applying gel polish yourself at home also requires expenses for tools and materials (UV lamp, special acetone-containing liquids, etc.)
• Wearing a manicure using shellac for a long time is harmful. Therefore, after 4-5 times of application, nails must be given time to rest and recover.
• Difficulty in removing gel polish. Regular nail polish remover will not work for this. It is necessary to use only acetone-containing liquids and spend a sufficient amount of time on the procedure for removing the gel.

What is needed to create a manicure

To make a durable, high-quality shellac manicure, you need to have a certain set of tools and materials. Before covering your nails with shellac, they must be well treated; for this you will need the following tools:

• . They are used to process the free edge of nails and give them the required shape.
• . Necessary for getting rid of overgrown skin at the base of the nails.
• . It is used for polishing the surface of the nail plate, as well as for removing the keratin layer.
• . Used to align the free edge of the nail plate.
• . Used to remove excess cuticle.
• . With their help, you can easily lift and push back the cuticle.

After treating your nails with the above set of tools, you will need the following materials directly to perform a manicure: bonds, (acidic, acid-free), dehydrators. All these products are necessary to degrease and remove excess moisture from the nail plate. In addition, these products provide better adhesion of the nail to the gel coating.

• . Used to disinfect nails and prevent the occurrence of various fungal diseases.
• . Designed to level the surface of the nail plate, protect against penetration of gel polish into the nail structure, and provide good adhesion to artificial materials.
• . Used directly to create colored manicure.
• . The finishing coat, used to secure the color coating, ensures the durability of the manicure, preventing it from damage and chips.

And the main important tool, without which it is impossible to create a high-quality manicure using shellac, is. Used for polymerization (drying) of the gel coating. The quality and power of such a lamp will determine how well the gel polish dries and, accordingly, the durability of your manicure. A 36-watt lamp is perfect for home use.

UV lamp for drying nails

How to do a manicure using gel polish

The technology for performing the work includes several points:

1. First you need to, to soften it, you can first use warm baths. Then you need to give your nails the desired shape, the one that the girl considers the most harmonious.

   

   Stage 1 - Soften the cuticle

2. Then take a buff and polish the nail plate, carefully working around the base of the nail and at the edge. Remove excess particles under the nails. This procedure will subsequently help the gel polish to better “adhere” to the nail.

   

   Stage 2 - Grinding the plate

   Important! We do not treat natural nails with a file, even a finely abrasive one.

3. Wipe the surface of the nail plate with a cotton pad previously soaked in a degreaser.

   

   Stage 3 - Degrease the nail surface

4. Applying the base (gel polish base). It is important not to overdo it with the quantity, that is, you need to cover the nail plate with a thin layer, paying special attention to the edges of the nail, which will ensure that the manicure remains presentable for a longer period of time. Then place your nails under a UV or LED lamp for 30–60 seconds.

   

   Step 4 - Apply base coat to the nail

   Important! By leaving the nail too long, you can create a fragile coating that will collapse after 2 days.

5. Applying gel polish of the desired color. The coating layer should be thin. If the gel gets on the cuticle, then you need to use an orange stick to remove it. Having carefully distributed the material over the nail, the girl can place it under the lamp for 1–2 minutes.

   

   Stage 5 - Apply the first thin layer of gel polish

   

   It is important to know how to apply gel polish correctly. Apply as shown in the picture. In the center, at the base of the nail, place a dot of polish, then, with a sharp but gentle movement, pull it to the free edge of the nail plate, and then run the brush along the sides of the nail in the same direction (from top to bottom). Next, carefully pass the brush along the free edge, sealing it (this will extend the life of the manicure). So, the nail is completely painted over.

6. Applying another layer of gel polish, but a little thicker. This will give the manicure greater saturation and make the color deeper. Then, similarly to the first layer, it must be polymerized under an ultraviolet lamp.

   

   Stage 6 - Apply the second layer of gel polish

7. Using a top coat involves applying the product over the gel. Place your nails in the lamp for 40–60 seconds. Its main purpose is to create a protective layer, prevent chipping, in addition, the top makes the manicure glossy, neat, and more beautiful.

   

   Stage 7 - Apply top coat

8. Repeating the action already done earlier: treating the nail with a degreasing liquid. It is performed in order to remove the sticky layer.

   

   Step 8 - Remove the sticky layer with a cotton pad

9. At the end of the procedure, it is advisable to soften the skin at the base of the nail using cuticle oil.

Possible mistakes when applying gel polish

Covering nails with gel polish is famous for its strength and durability, in theory this is true if you know all the intricacies of applying gel polish. However, in practice, due to lack of knowledge in this area, girls doing manicures at home make a number of mistakes, which can subsequently shorten the life of the manicure and lead to cracks and chips of the coating. To avoid these unpleasant consequences, we will tell you about the mistakes that should not be made when applying shellac:

1. Before treating the cuticles, some masters soak their nails using a bath, so, it is important not to overdo it, otherwise this can lead to excessive moisture in the nail plate, and you will have to resort to the help of a dehydrator.
2. If you do not properly treat the cuticle and do not thoroughly clean the nail from the pterygium, then air can get under the gel polish, which will subsequently lead to peeling of the artificial coating.
3. If you do not sand the nail plate well enough before applying shellac, especially in the cuticle area and free edge, this can also lead to premature peeling of the polish.
4. Insufficient degreasing of the nail plate using special means also shortens the life of the manicure.
5. Neglect of treating the end and sides of the nail with special products (primer, ultrabond) that ensure good adhesion of the gel coating to the nail plate.
6. Applying too thick a layer of gel polish. Each layer should be thin to avoid insufficient drying.
7. It is also important to seal the cut (end) of the nail with each subsequent layer. This way the manicure will last longer.
8. If your nails are thin and often break, then it is better not to neglect the use of strengthening gel and leveling the nail plate with a base. It is better to use a soluble gel to avoid cutting off when removing the manicure.
9. It is very important to take seriously the choice of products such as base and top, because they are responsible for the quality of your manicure and ensure its durability. Under no circumstances should you skimp on these materials.
10. The use of single-phase coatings is also undesirable. Use three-phase gel polishes, then it will be much easier to avoid premature peeling and chipping.
11. Avoid using gel polishes, which can only be removed by filing. This procedure can often result in damage to the nail plate. Use coatings that require soaking.

If you follow these simple rules for applying shellac, you will be able to please yourself and those around you with your beautiful nails much longer.

Is it possible to remove gel nail polish at home?

Nails coated with gel polish do not require any specific care or maintenance rules. However, getting rid of an “overgrown” manicure is more difficult than getting rid of regular polish. You need to purchase gel polish remover (Shellac) from a specialized cosmetic store.

Removing gel polish from nails at home

So, they need to moisten cut cotton pads (Fig. 2), apply them to the nail plate and wrap each nail with foil so that the product does not evaporate (Fig. 3). After waiting about 20 minutes, remove the foil and cotton pads, the gel will come off with them (Fig. 4), its remnants can be removed using an orange stick and filing with a sanding file (Fig. 5).

You can read more about removing gel polish, including using a device, in the article:

Using gel polish for manicure is the most reasonable solution. In order for it to please you for a long time, you need to use rubber gloves during prolonged contact with water and household chemicals.

Video: Technique for applying gel polish at home

Shellac is a breakthrough of the 21st century in the field of beauty and femininity. The coating quickly won the hearts of fashionistas with its durability and practicality, and after a few years, literally 90 percent of women began to use the coating constantly. Let's talk about how to paint your nails with shellac at home, because not every one of us can afford monthly salon procedures, the cost of which is quite high.

Pros of shellac

The advantages of shellac are obvious literally after the first acquaintance with this coating. The gel significantly strengthens brittle and bending nails, allowing women not to worry about changing their manicure for a long time. The coverage lasts from 3 to 5 weeks, after which, as a rule, correction is recommended. If the material is of high quality, the manicure remains “like new” even after a month, but correction is necessary because the growth line of your own nails becomes clearly visible.

With shellac, you can safely go on vacation and be sure that your hands will look well-groomed and beautiful until you return home. You can also freely engage in traditionally female responsibilities around the house - washing, cleaning and cooking.

Stores selling manicure materials offer fashionistas a huge palette of coating colors, as well as various rhinestones, sparkles and sliders.

The most popular design and design options

The eternal women's question “what kind of nails should I do?” causes a lot of inconvenience, but only when a woman does not follow fashion trends.

This coming season, fashionistas are advised to pay attention to tenderness. Yes, pastel colors are called tenderness, the most popular among which are lilac, mint, peach and pink. The classic French style is not losing ground either, although the options for its execution have become the most unimaginable. All kinds of sliders with animal images, floral prints and reptiles are literally the leaders of the last few years.

Also, defiant red and natural beige colors will never go out of fashion.

If your own imagination is at a standstill, you can find a million beautiful and stylish designs on the Internet.

What do you need to make shellac at home?

In order to explore new horizons and try yourself as a manicurist, you need to purchase a minimum set of materials and tools. These include:

Some girls are fans of hardware manicure; in this case, it is worth purchasing a special device for cutting off old material and removing cuticles. The purchase will be justified if you plan to do manicure art constantly; if the desire is “one-time”, you can get by with the manicure devices at hand.

Do you already have everything you need? It's time to start the exciting process.

Steps for proper application

Before applying gel polish, it is very important to properly prepare the surface for work. If your nails are already manicured, carefully remove any signs of it.

First of all, you need to give your nail the desired shape. A hard-coated file will help with this. Don't forget about the cuticle, which is removed or moved as close to the skin as possible. Lastly, take a soft file and sand the surface of the nail until it shines. If all the steps are over, treat the nail with a degreasing surface - this is necessary so that the gel polish sticks well and there are no rough spots left on the nails. After degreasing, do not touch your nails under any circumstances. The preparation phase is completed.

Then the most interesting and exciting part begins, especially for those who are doing such a manicure for the first time - a thin film of base liquid is applied to the nails. It is important that the coating lies flat. Fingers are placed in the lamp for 15 seconds. The base is a very important intermediary between your nail and shellac, because how long you can wear this manicure depends on its quality.

After the base has dried, the same colored varnish that you chose for the design is applied. To achieve a rich color, apply several layers, the main thing is not to overdo it. The scheme is simple - “apply a layer + dry in a lamp”, just repeat the procedure twice on each nail. Carefully ensure that the coating is applied evenly, that all sorts of dust and lint do not get into it, so that the product does not get on the skin of your fingers or come into contact with the cuticle.

Several coats applied and dried? Cover the manicure with top coat, dry it again in the lamp, wipe with a degreasing cloth and you're done!

We are convinced that a home “salon” manicure is quite possible and absolutely every woman can do it. Don’t be afraid to explore new horizons and delight yourself with well-groomed, beautiful hands.

Video on the topic of the article:

Shellac nail coating has become very popular lately.

It makes it possible to create long lasting manicure, which will delight the owner for at least two weeks, allows you to experiment with design and simply looks amazing.

You can go to a salon or see a specialist, or you can make shellac at home.

To cover your nails with shellac, you need to prepare a fairly impressive list of necessary tools and materials, which you will need for this:

• Special set to make hygienic manicure. Typically includes files, tweezers, a cuticle remover, a spatula, a buff, a pusher, a stick, and a brush for removing dirt from the nails.
• Products intended for disinfection.
• Primer (nail degreasing agent).
• Gel polishes – base, color and top coat.
• Ultraviolet lamp with a power of at least 36 W.
• Soaking liquid.
• A special product that removes the sticky layer from nails.
• Napkins (they should not have lint).
• Foil and sponges.

If you plan to do a manicure with nail design, you will need at least two or three color coatings.

Sequins, stones and other decorative elements will also come in handy.

If you plan a manicure with a pattern, consider the rules for color combinations. It is better not to combine warm and cold tones side by side, and a delicate, almost transparent coating should not be complemented with a dense one.

Preparing nails for manicure

For the coating to be durable and attractive, you need. It includes the following measures:

• The cuticle is trimmed and the nails are given the desired length and shape;
• Using a special file, the surface is polished - this helps remove excess shine from the surface of the nails;
• The marigolds are treated, for which any antibacterial drug can be used;
• Nail surface treated with alcohol.

Applying shellac

• First, the prepared nails need to be thinned cover with a base coat. Afterwards, you need to hold the marigolds in an ultraviolet lamp. After the nails are coated, you need to dry them for two minutes each time, and there is no need to remove the sticky layer that may remain.

The drying lamp should ideally have power 36 W. The good thing about using it is that all nails can be dried in just one use of the device, which saves time. A 9W lamp will also dry your nails, but then you won't be able to dry everything at once.

• Apply on top of the base layer with a brush from the bottle. shellac base color. It is recommended to cover your nails in two layers, a third is also acceptable. Dry each layer for two minutes.
• At the end of the procedure, you need to apply a fixing finishing coat. Its thickness will be greater than the previous layers. You need to apply it cleanly and without streaks, and then brush the edge of the nail over its entire area with a pressed brush. The coating should cover the entire nail.
• The last layer is also needed Withsuture for two minutes. Be careful that the finishing base does not affect the cuticle and area near the nails, as this will damage the integrity of the coating.
• Using a lint-free cloth pre-moistened with isopropyl alcohol, remove excess layer from the sealer.
• Apply nourishing oil to the cuticle. You can also do a gentle massage in the area around the nail.

Drawing on shellac

First you need to figure out how to apply a design using shellac on nails that are covered with the same material. This quite a simple way, and it is also suitable for those whose artistic talents are small, but, nevertheless, they want to transform their nails with the help of an original design.

After applying the gel polish and drying it with a lamp, a slightly sticky layer will remain on the nails. If we talk about the drawing, there is no need to remove this layer, since it can provide the correct smooth brush strokes.

You will need a kolinsky brush and a dots (a small manicure stick with a tip). Consider that the main color is good combined with the shades of the picture. Do not combine two dark and light colors, otherwise the manicure will be faded.

To get beautiful patterns and swirls, initially apply dots using dots. Then use a brush to pull the polish away from the point in the direction you want.

We must also not forget that the gel polish itself has a fairly liquid consistency, and in order for the strokes to be clear and look attractive, certain practical skills are needed.

It wouldn’t hurt to first practice applying the pattern with gel polishes on plastic tips. The completed drawing needs to be dried in a lamp and apply topcoat, then dry again.

Drawings on shellac with acrylic paints

Painting with acrylic paints differs in that it requires a surface which has no fat. Therefore, after the base coating has dried, remove the sticky layer with acetone or a liquid specially designed for this purpose. Then you can start drawing.

Make sure that the paints are not excessively diluted with water, as otherwise the excess moisture will prevent the finish from drying properly.

Also, you don’t need to put a lot of paint on the brush, because otherwise under the finishing coat it may appear. cracks and chips.

There are materials that cannot be used to apply designs to gel polish. These are gouache and watercolor paints, as well as regular nail polishes. They are incompatible with the structure of gel polish, in which case your time and materials will be wasted.

Drawing is not so difficult. Even if you don’t have much imagination, it’s not a big deal, because on the Internet you can find a lot of ideas for shellac nail designs and even special training videos.

Features of removing shellac

In order to remove the applied coating, you will need such materials:

• 10 special patches or sponges;
• orange or wooden stick;
• a special product that dissolves manicure - gel polish remover, varnish with acetone or isopropyl alcohol.

You need to wrap each nail with a sponge well soaked in liquid. The finger can be sealed, so to speak, prepared foil.