My New Year’s Resolution this year has been to not have Ashy Larry hands and I’ve been holding up very well to it. Before this year, I’d have my makeup done but my hands? They would basically look like I was boxing in enriched flour. So sad. *smh*
So I’ve been trying different types of manicures and about a month ago tested out the CND Shellac Gel Manicure. CND Shellac is a hot, relatively new manicure that boasts no chipping, no smudging, and near salon fresh nails for up to 2 weeks. The only thing you’ll notice is the demarcation line when your nails grow. Sounded too sweet for me to pass up!
So I sashayed down to the Spa at Nordstrom and handed over $45 plus tip in exchange for my new manicure.
At the Spa at Nordstrom, I was greeted immediately by the reception area and then shortly after taken into a private room for my manicure. I was amazed at how quick the process was. First your nails are buffed, filed, and cuticles are pushed back. You don’t get all the treatments you would during a manicure (I imagine because it would interfere with the Shellac). The manicurist told me to make sure I use cuticle oil and/or tons of hand cream on my hands and nails because Shellac can be very drying on the cuticles. A lot of alcohol was used on the nails prior to applying the Shellac–again I assume so that the treatment applies better.
After each coat of base, color, and top coat, your hands are placed under a UV lamp for about 2 minutes. There aren’t many colors to choose from (I think I saw a total of maybe 8-10) so I picked the brightest one in the bunch. I really wanted to try a darker color, but the manicurist said the lamp they have doesn’t work well with the darker colors but they should have one that does by my next visit. The darker colors had a very deep blue-red, a dark vampy burgundy, and I believe I saw navy blue.
So how do it hold up?
(click images to enlarge)
After week 1:
After week 2:
After week 3:
My verdict?
CND Shellac is definitely worth the money if you want a long-lasting manicure that doesn’t smudge nor chip and don’t mind committing to the same color for about 3 weeks. I can’t begin to tell you how much I was CRAVING for a new color while wearing this yet still amazed at how long my manicure lasted.
So how do you take this stuff off?
Simply file the nail surface down just a smidge where the CND Shellac is, dip a cotton ball in acetone, apply it to the nail and wrap in foil for about 1-2 minutes and it comes right off easily with a cuticle stick. You can also use an orange stick to remove it after you apply some acetone. But it literally comes off like a breeze. Niiiice.
No damage other than some dryness was done to my nails. I keep them super short, but the nails were still as hard as they usually are. I’d do it again but maybe when they get more colors.
To find a salon near you that offers CND Shellac in the US or Canada, go here.
Would you try this manicure?
~Danielle
September 21, 2010 12:27 pm
intresting i love short natural nails and i usually put acrilic over my regular nails and they never seem to make it short and natural looking enough PLUS
September 21, 2010 12:27 pm
it damagages my real nails maybe ill give it a try
September 21, 2010 2:00 pm
Ashy Larry…hahaha. Can a sistah get a version of this that can be done at home? That’d be nice. A little too pricey for me.
September 21, 2010 4:09 pm
Danielle, do you know any place in NYC where you can get a WAH manicure or something similar? I understand that the Topshop there doesn’t do them. Booo!!! :(
September 21, 2010 4:10 pm
Danielle,
Thank you for this post. LOL @ ashy larry hands. That is so me ;) I recently stopped wearing acrylics because my nail bed was damaged (thin and brittle). Also, my dermatologist highly recommends natural nails only so this post is just what I need. I will definitely try it. Thx again!
September 21, 2010 4:15 pm
I have tried these long-lasting manis 2ce. One was with BioSculpture Gel, and the other was OPI Axxium. Both destroyed my nails. I have very strong nails and I usually wear them natural with plain nail polish. Although there is no mechanical buffing like with a gel mani, your nails get no oxygen, and when you get a refill they buff down your real nail with the old polish – just like a gel mani. All this = damage, IMO. I really wanted the convenience, but long-term this stuff isn’t good for your nails.
September 21, 2010 4:52 pm
Hey ladies!
@naijamodel hey–CND isn’t done as a refill. You take it off with acetone and an orange stick and reapply if you want it done again. I couldn’t imagine doing this long term because of the limited range of colors….lol.
@Monie I haven’t heard of any places that do that cool Wah manicure Claire got while in London, but the second I hear of any, I’ll post :)
September 21, 2010 5:05 pm
@Ebony hey, hun! You need a UV lamp with this type of manicure and other special instruments. It’s actually cheaper to get it done in a salon for one-off situations than it is to buy all the equipment. But I’m sure some time down the line they’ll have something similar but may not last as long.
Sally Hansen No Chip Age Correct Base and Top Coat helps your manicure last a full week though. I’ve been using it the last few months and absolutely love how it makes even $1 polish last a week :)
September 21, 2010 8:55 pm
Ive done the gel thing & just like what most of the other ladies said… it damages your nails- I did the same thing for years & one day changed to none chemical nail care- it took a yr for my nails to grow stronger naturally- thing you have to get use to is natural nails chip easily- but I found a way- get a mani once a mth- tell them no oil- polish use base coat & a good name polish – and use sally’s Mega shine*** then poof natural nail problems over!!!
September 21, 2010 9:23 pm
I heard about this awhile ago. A lot of celebs use it. Look interesting.
September 22, 2010 12:48 pm
Thanks Dani…(Can I call you that? LOL)
September 23, 2010 8:54 am
I have trie the gel mani and I like the fact that it last it is the taking off I can’t take..I do not like exposing nails or cuticle to acetone if I can help it. (I use acetone free remover) the Longest lasting nail polish for natural nails is Zoya I discovered at the Red Door Spa in NYC on 5th Ave Reasonable priced, formaldehyde free, huge color selection and made by a woman manicurist. I am not big on product endorsements but this stuff is out of the world… http://www.zoya.com
February 23, 2011 3:07 am
Gels reportedly don’t chip as easily and are often called a “more natural” alternative to acrylics, but Consumer Reports warns these new gel treatments can carry a serious health risk.
March 1, 2011 10:30 am
hi, i need to buy shellac and received in Spain. somebody cand sell me??
Thanks