CND Shellac
Let me preface this entire review with two things.
1. I paid for this out of pocket.
2. I don't know their cruelty free status. I have a call into them waiting to hear back.
On Monday I had my nails Shellac-d at a salon near my work. CND makes a special polish that you have a professional apply and last two weeks! It is not acrylics or gels it is a new technology entirely. It is hard like acrylics and gels but not as thick and removes easily with no damage. I knew someone who had it done and raved about it so I did some research and got it done myself. To remove it you either can have it done at the salon or basically do my tinfoil trick. Seriously the company sells little things that are basically what my tinfoil deal is. I have not removed them yet so I will report back on that.
I had Fedora done which is a deep red brown kinda like Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI. It cost $25 and it took an hour from start to finish but much of that was the soaking and manicure part.
This is what they looked like immediately upon leaving the salon.
(those are rain drops not bubbles in polish)
First she prepped my nails as she would any manicure, soak, clean cuticles, buff and file nails and arm and hand massage. Application was interesting. She cleaned my nails off one last time and applied a clear base coat and than you stick your hand in a lamp machine for 2 minutes. Immediately upon taking them out she wipes all that base coat off. Next she applies a layer of color, 2 min in lamp, layer of color, 2 min in lamp, top coat, 2 min in lamp. Then she wipes them all off again! It was stressful I was convinced she was going to wipe it all off but it was just a sticky film she wipes off. That's it! They are nice and hard.
This is day 3.
This is day 4. Today.
So far no chips, no wear on the tips, no scratches or dents. A quick rub on your shirt or pants and they are instantly shiny again! I have never had 4 full days with no chips with any polish ever. I have had acrylics in the past and they trashed my nails. I am hoping this doesn't do anything to them. I have heard from a few that they were removed with absolutely no damage. I will let you know.
Possible Pros
Possible Cons
When I used to have acrylics I would just have my nails acryliced I wouldn't get tips or anything put on. I have to say my nails looked SO GOOD they'd be about as short as they are now but my polish was never chipped. I used to do it when I worked in a fancy office and I was an assistant and delivered mail to people on three floors so people were looking at my hands all day.
1. I paid for this out of pocket.
2. I don't know their cruelty free status. I have a call into them waiting to hear back.
On Monday I had my nails Shellac-d at a salon near my work. CND makes a special polish that you have a professional apply and last two weeks! It is not acrylics or gels it is a new technology entirely. It is hard like acrylics and gels but not as thick and removes easily with no damage. I knew someone who had it done and raved about it so I did some research and got it done myself. To remove it you either can have it done at the salon or basically do my tinfoil trick. Seriously the company sells little things that are basically what my tinfoil deal is. I have not removed them yet so I will report back on that.
I had Fedora done which is a deep red brown kinda like Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI. It cost $25 and it took an hour from start to finish but much of that was the soaking and manicure part.
This is what they looked like immediately upon leaving the salon.
(those are rain drops not bubbles in polish)
First she prepped my nails as she would any manicure, soak, clean cuticles, buff and file nails and arm and hand massage. Application was interesting. She cleaned my nails off one last time and applied a clear base coat and than you stick your hand in a lamp machine for 2 minutes. Immediately upon taking them out she wipes all that base coat off. Next she applies a layer of color, 2 min in lamp, layer of color, 2 min in lamp, top coat, 2 min in lamp. Then she wipes them all off again! It was stressful I was convinced she was going to wipe it all off but it was just a sticky film she wipes off. That's it! They are nice and hard.
This is day 3.
This is day 4. Today.
So far no chips, no wear on the tips, no scratches or dents. A quick rub on your shirt or pants and they are instantly shiny again! I have never had 4 full days with no chips with any polish ever. I have had acrylics in the past and they trashed my nails. I am hoping this doesn't do anything to them. I have heard from a few that they were removed with absolutely no damage. I will let you know.
Possible Pros
- 2 weeks no chips
- Cheaper than a manicure if you figure cost vs longevity
- No need to reapply
- Nails become hard with layers on so this would be a good way to grow out your nails. (as long as they remove without issues)
- NO CHIPS
- oh and no chips!
Possible Cons
- Cost? I didn't think it was unreasonable.
- Might get bored with color?
- Access? It is still fairly new so it might be harder for people to have access to it in some areas.
When I used to have acrylics I would just have my nails acryliced I wouldn't get tips or anything put on. I have to say my nails looked SO GOOD they'd be about as short as they are now but my polish was never chipped. I used to do it when I worked in a fancy office and I was an assistant and delivered mail to people on three floors so people were looking at my hands all day.
Comments
xoxo-
Abbe
My Leather Jacket
i would be interested to hear your update about the removal process and the effect it has on the condition of your nails. if it doesnt ravage them, i may look into this process in my area!
Best part- you can FILE them and they don't chip. I'm the one who works at a library and regular manicures last 2-3 days with the wear and tear.
The second time I had a french manicure. It was very pretty but boring. It solved the growth problem but was yawnworthy. I took it off myself the 2nd time and thought it made my nails slightly weak but not too bad.
I'd do it again for a vacation easily. I'm interested to see how you feel about yours!
Honestly now that I've been using the Salon Effects, I don't think I'll ever get a "long-lasting" salon manicure again, like Axxium or Shellac. Salon Effects doesn't last as long, but it's a lot cheaper and I don't have to leave my house for it. So for me it's worth it.
http://www.dressesandcake.com/2009/10/please-take-note.html
I had the acrylic nails for my wedding and then for a business trip and they weakend my nails - however I do get them done once a year for a really long business trip I take , so it-s not that bad.