Does anyone do their own CND Shellac gel nails?

skypie123_2

From what I understand this is like a nail varnish that lasts 2 weeks with no chipping but needs curing under a UV lamp.
Looks relatively simple so I wondered if anyone did their own at home?

Amanita_2

I haven't heard anything good about these. If you do try it I'd be interested to see how you get on.

skypie123_2

Hi Amanita have you heard bad things then? xx

Amanita_2

I'm told it doesn't last terribly well and looking at the costs of the products- even on eBay they are high. My nail tech is Creative and after the feedback she found she cancelled her order for the products.

The base and top coats are £20 a bottle and that's before buying the coloured varnish at another £20 a bottle:eek: + of course a lamp!

The one and only person I know who had one ( at a salon but not the one I use) was delighted the first time she had it done and said it lasted. However second and third time it didn't last at all and she went back to the regular manicure.

skypie123_2

Ah I see back to the drawing board then. I love having manicures (my nails grow really well) but the varnish never lasts. I was hoping for a nail varnish type thing that lasts 2 weeks (aren't we all?) Come on modern science! Invent one!!

alipops1986

I have gel nails regularly, every 4 sometimes 5 weeks.
I have the french manicure style, so plain gel underneath with the white gel over the top.
It has made me nails much stronger and they look the part too. I've had it done on and off for about 4 years now, costs £25, altho i don't have any extensions, just on top of my natural nail. I'd imagine it's a bit fiddly to do your own.

Amanita_2

skypie123 wrote: »

Ah I see back to the drawing board then. I love having manicures (my nails grow really well) but the varnish never lasts. I was hoping for a nail varnish type thing that lasts 2 weeks (aren't we all?) Come on modern science! Invent one!!

Why don't you try a salon one then and see how you get on? If it does work for you the cost of the products might be worth it.

I would probably try it myself once if I didn't have gel nails. I love how well the polish lasts on them! Otherwise I'm lucky if it last 48 hours.

ps if you do - report back!!!

skypie123_2

So is the gel nails (i am new to this so forgive me if these are daft questions!) like a nail varnish or like false nails? My nails grow well but they do get quite long then break so would the gel damage them? xx

freyasmum

skypie123 wrote: »

So is the gel nails (i am new to this so forgive me if these are daft questions!) like a nail varnish or like false nails? My nails grow well but they do get quite long then break so would the gel damage them? xx

Gel nails are enhancements.

Applied properly, no nail enhancements damage the natural nail. The technician dehydrates the nail before applying product. This shouldn't remove any nail plate. Less scrupulous salons can, and do, damage nails. This gives ALL techs a bad name


And yes, the products may be costly but for a busy salon, the money is made back in no time. I'm guessing a minimum of 10 treatments per bottle? And again, guessing the recommended treatment price is £20-25? At £60 for the base, colour and top coats, that's £140 worth of gross profit minimum.

I wouldn't recommend that you do it at home, btw

Amanita_2

skypie123 wrote: »

So is the gel nails (i am new to this so forgive me if these are daft questions!) like a nail varnish or like false nails? My nails grow well but they do get quite long then break so would the gel damage them? xx

Shellac shouldn't damage your nails. It goes on like nail varnish I understand but has to be soaked off in acetone which is drying.

Full artificial nails like mine can be done so they don't cause much damage but some filing has to be done of the nail plate to provide a key for the gel or acrylic to stick to- just enough to roughen it though. If too much is removed the nail is left very thin or even with holes in it.

This is down to the skill of your nail tech and mine is excellent. I can have the gels removed and my nails are very little damaged. They will hold their length quite happily. Most damaging are the sort of salon where they use the electric files for the filing. I personally would never let an electric file anywhere near my nails.

Saint_Chris

Most damaging are the sort of salon where they use the electric files for the filing. I personally would never let an electric file anywhere near my nails.

I've just removed my acrylic nails myself tonight, i didn't want to go to the salon, as they use the electric files.

I've used quite a few salons, but i've never been happy with them, i used to have sculputred but they always broke and chipped.

I now to go the chinese in our town, and they have done the best job for me, i have tips put on, then a few weeks later i have them infilled, then i remove them myself with acetone.

I'm thinking of trying gel this time, but with tips, as i like the white look.

Is gel better for your nails than the acrylic.

thanks