How to use shellac at home. Shellac application technique (step by step)

Shellac instantly established itself in the fashion world, and therefore women still do not stop asking questions about what it is and how to properly cover their nails. This is a durable composition that guarantees that your nails will retain their original color and shine for several weeks; using it is not at all difficult if you have the skill. The growth of the nail plate is the only inconvenience that forces you to remove shellac, otherwise you could wear it throughout your life, it is so tightly fixed on the surface of the nail.

Instant application of shellac, which can be done step by step at home, is another unconditional convenience that attracts women. Now painting your nails won't seem like a problem like before, because you've found a way to deal with chipped nail polish! Try working with shellac to make your manicure enjoyable. Step-by-step instructions and useful advice from the master are the best training in this matter, you will find all this in the article below.

What you need: tools, materials

The description presented specific materials for applying shellac, and the photo shows a complete set that every woman should have.

• Shellac. A simple application technology will allow you to do a manicure yourself very quickly, and a large color palette will meet the requirements of the most demanding fashionistas. A combination of two or more colors in one manicure will look especially impressive.
• Base coat. Protects nails and promotes their high-quality adhesion to colored varnish.
• Top coating. Gives nails a healthy shine and ensures that the coating lasts for two weeks without cracks or chips.
• UV lamp. Allows any gel-based composition to dry instantly. Recommended power is at least 36 watts.
• Buff. Eliminates micro-cracks and allows excess skin to come off freely.
• Degreaser. Eliminates excess oil from nails. After applying this composition, it is strictly forbidden to touch it with your hands, otherwise applying shellac at home will be useless.

That's all you need for homemade shellac!

How to properly prepare your nails

Sometimes nail preparation takes much longer than the polish application steps themselves. A woman who takes care of her hands every week will complete the preparatory steps with pleasure.

If you are wondering where to start, it is important to know that before each manicure you should steam the skin of your hands, which is done in warm water with the addition of any soap-based cosmetic product. The addition of any strengthening oil that protects the nail plate and stimulates its growth is welcome.

Push back the cuticles with an orange stick or a metal pusher. Preference should be given to wooden tools that scratch the nail plate less. After this, the steamed cuticle can be easily cut with tongs and does not spoil the appearance of the nails.

Give your nails the same shape. The varnish looks good on both square and rounded shapes.

Try to avoid clippers and scissors and use a nail file to avoid damaging the nail plate.

Polish your nails. All irregularities can be eliminated with a soft nail file. The buff, by the way, helps remove excess fat and makes the nail plate matte. By following this order, you will prepare your nails for high-quality shellac, which will last on your nails for at least two weeks.

Also see a very good video about preparation, the steps here are slightly different from the ones above, and they complement each other:

Proper application of shellac at home in 5 steps

The application technology is a simple procedure, but very important, because if you skip at least one step, the manicure can be considered spoiled. Shellac is applied at home to prepared nails of equal length, with as little free edge as possible. A visual photo will demonstrate how to make shellac, and the detailed description below will tell you about all the nuances.

5 stages of application. Click to enlarge photo instructions.

Step 1: Apply degreaser to your nails using a cotton pad. If you do not have a special composition available, you can get by with alcohol, which has a similar property.

Step 2: Cover your nails with base coat. As a rule, it is applied in one thin layer and fixed in a UV lamp for 10-20 seconds. It is important to “seal” each layer of the next coating, that is, paint over the top of the nail so that the manicure lasts longer.

Step 3: Apply shellac color coat. One layer for a bright and rich manicure will not be enough, but you should not overuse and apply more than three layers, otherwise the coating will seem unnaturally thick. Each coating is dried in a UV lamp for 2 minutes.

Step 4: Apply top coat. One layer will be enough for the varnish to retain its deep color and give the nail a natural shine that will not disappear under the influence of water and sun.

Step 5: Apply cuticle oil. It strengthens nails and stimulates their growth.

As you can see, the step-by-step procedure is much easier to complete than you thought. If the description was not enough for you, in the video you can learn how to properly learn how to make shellac yourself and remove it without leaving your home:

Secrets of the master

Advantages of shellac over other coatings

Shellac, of course, has a significant advantage over other products due to its long-lasting and rich color, but this is not its only advantage. If you decide that shellac is just what you need, read the full characteristics of this product, which will answer the most important question - “how to make the coating more durable?”

• Protects nails and prevents them from peeling, allowing them to grow back in a few weeks. This is the perfect way to maintain your natural length.
• Does not react with chemicals. Having applied shellac to your nails, you can do any work with your hands for the entire time, including hand washing, because the unique coating technique will allow your nails to last as long as possible.
• Does not contain formaldehyde. Shellac consists exclusively of harmless products, which means it can be used by women with a high level of sensitivity, including pregnant women.
• Easy to apply. With this coating you can once and for all forget the problems associated with careful application. Shellac resembles a gel, so you can make any movements on the nail with a brush - the product will not dry out.
• You can remove it yourself. If you are tired of manicures or your nails are already quite old, you can remove the coating at home without spending money on a trip to the salon.

Parting words

Shellac has received the best properties of ordinary polish and gel polish, and in order to appreciate this coating, you should experiment and create a bright design on your nails.

In order to get a unique color, you can apply multi-colored layers and dry each of them in a UV lamp, and also experiment with rhinestones and other decorations. At the same time, it is important not to overdo it with the number of layers, otherwise the shellac will last less on your nails than you want. Experts have found that this way you can create hundreds of unique color combinations!

If you still think that three-phase shellac, which involves the use of three products (base, color coating and top) is too long a procedure, try purchasing single-phase shellac so that the perfect manicure is ready in 20 minutes, while the sequence of application is disrupted. As you can see, even an inexperienced craftswoman can apply shellac manicure at home, since working with it is much more pleasant than with regular varnish! Use our recommendations and step-by-step photos - we make the shellac application procedure easier for you!

Another video on how to properly apply shellac!

In contact with

All women dream of beautiful, well-groomed hands and bright manicure. They also dream of going to the salon every week. But in fact, the most that can be done is a minimal hygienic manicure; there is often simply not enough time for nails.

Not long ago, a technology was created that will keep your manicure in perfect condition for several weeks. Shellac is a hybrid of gel and ordinary varnish. It is shiny and easy to apply, like a varnish, and long-lasting - like a gel.

Before applying shellac at home, it will be useful to know that such a coating is absolutely harmless to natural nails. The fact is that in this case the nail plate is not cut down and does not need pre-treatment. Shellac allows even soft and flexible nails to become strong and tough.

Before applying shellac at home, you need to wash your hands and treat the cuticles. Then the nail plates are polished using a special file.

After this, using a special liquid, you need to degrease your nails.

It is worth noting

If the fat remains, the shellac will begin to peel off, since it creates a dense continuous film, similar to a false nail.

The fat-free nail is covered with a thin layer of base, while you need to retreat a couple of millimeters from the cuticle. The entire surface must be painted. The nail is dried in a lamp; if a burning sensation is felt during the process, it means the layer of varnish is too greasy or it has gotten on the skin. In order to get rid of excess, you should use an orange stick.

The next stage is applying and drying the color coating. In this case, you must strictly follow the instructions. For the best effect, the edge of the nail must be painted over. The second layer of coating is also dried in a lamp. The edge must also be sealed.

After this, using liquid to remove the sticky layer, you should wipe your nails. There is no need to worry about the coating - only the sticky layer that appears after drying in the lamp will be removed. This completes the application of shellac.

What you need for shellac at home

Many women ask the question: “What do you need for shellac at home?”

Let's take a closer look at what is needed to create a beautiful and durable shellac manicure.

This procedure will require the purchase of a whole set: a special lamp, a base coat, multi-colored varnish, a fixing coat and a special remover.

You should choose a lamp very seriously, because without it the shellac will not dry.

They come in many different types:

1. UV lamp 9 watt. It is inexpensive and compact. However, it will take about four minutes to dry one layer of shellac. In addition, all fingers may not fit into the lamp, so there is a risk that the coating will smear. Pedicures can also cause problems.
2. UV lamp 36 watt. Convenient to use at home, including for pedicures. It costs a little more than a 9 W lamp, and the drying time is halved.
3. LED lamp. This device is quite durable. It will take half a minute to dry the coating. In addition, this lamp does not contain mercury, so it is safer.

Attention

Any lamps are safe for the body, as they have low radiation power.

Various companies are engaged in the production of coatings and varnish, but the very first was CND(USA). This shellac is considered the best; over time, the range of its colors has become quite wide. Ruler Gelish features a huge number of shades. And the varnishes In'Garden differ in deep and rich color. Thanks to this feature, the coating can be applied in one layer. However, the difficulty lies in removing the coating - for the final coating you will have to use sawing. The line has the same problem. RuNail: The top coat is too thick.

It is worth noting

The degreaser can be replaced with alcohol or vodka, but it is believed that this negatively affects the quality of the manicure.

What else do you need for shellac at home? Optional, but you can purchase a cuticle remover as well as orange sticks. To polish the nail plates, you will need a polishing block; if the nails are split, you will need a file for natural nails 240-500 grit to easily file off the top layer. You can use a buff for polishing. And, of course, you cannot do without lint-free wipes, with which you need to remove the sticky layer.

How to apply shellac correctly

In order for the coating to be perfect, professionals suggest tricks on how to apply shellac correctly.

First of all, you should not use an abrasive file to polish the nail plate, as it will damage both the future manicure and the top layer of the nail.

To remove the coating, you should not use rough mechanical methods; it must be soaked using a special liquid. For the final result to be perfect, the layer of both base and varnish must be thin.

The colored layer should not be on the cuticle, as the manicure will look sloppy.

If you know how to apply shellac correctly, the coating will be strong and durable. In addition, it cannot be chipped or scratched, and damage will require rough physical force.

Important

Shellac has another significant advantage: it does not contain formaldehyde and toluene, so there will be no harm to the nails. In addition, even pregnant women and allergy sufferers can use it.

The film that is formed thanks to shellac protects the nail, which does not flake or crack. This makes it much easier to grow long nails.

Thanks to the huge palette, shellac can be used to create a variety of designs and patterns.

However, in order for shellac to work properly, it must be stored correctly. If you neglect the rules, it can thicken. For storage, you should choose a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight, away from a working UV lamp.

As with regular varnish, you should wipe the neck after using shellac, otherwise the remaining product on it will dry out and prevent the cap from being screwed on tightly.

Many have already encountered various products whose names contain the word “shellac”. Eg, Bluesky Shellac is made in China, and the brand's products CND Shellac- in USA. And the Chinese line is not a copy, but an independent brand that develops and produces gel polishes. Both lines have good durability, up to two weeks. In addition, Chinese products are several times cheaper.

How to make shellac at home and how to remove it

Many women have already been able to appreciate lunar manicure, because it is not without reason that it is so popular. To apply it, varnishes, paints and even shellac are used. Shellac can be applied in different ways, let's consider one of them, the fastest and easiest.

Before making shellac at home, you need to process the nail plates to give them the required shape.

The most beautiful look is the moon manicure on oval nails. After this, you need to degrease the nail plates using a special product.

The first layer of shellac is applied in the color chosen for the lunula. It can be both transparent and contrasting. After applying the varnish, it must be dried in a lamp.

For those who do not know how to paint on their nails with a brush, you can use special stencils. You can buy a stencil for a moon manicure, or you can make it yourself. It is laid in such a way that the lunula area is covered.

Important

The shellac on which the strips are glued must be completely dry.

Then the rest of the nail is painted with a different color of varnish. The stencil is removed and the nails are dried in a lamp. If shellac is applied in several layers, each of them must be dried.

After applying all layers of shellac, a fixative is applied, which must also be dried. That's all, a beautiful manicure at home is ready.

But it is important to know not only how to make shellac at home, but also how to properly get rid of it. First of all, your hands should be washed and disinfected, for which you can use formic alcohol. To get rid of gloss on nails, use nail polish remover.

It is necessary to prepare cotton pads and foil. The disks are cut into two parts, and the foil is cut into squares with a side of approximately seven centimeters. Five halves of the discs need to be dipped into the remover and applied to the nails on one hand, with foil secured on top. Foil in this case is used to speed up the reaction and prevent evaporation of the product.

After seven minutes, you can remove the discs and foil one by one. After this, you need to remove the soft material from the nails, for which you should use orange sticks. If shellac removal fails, you need to re-attach the disk with foil to the nail.

For the final treatment of nails, a buff or file is used for grinding. With their help, the remaining shellac is removed, the nails become smooth and matte.

The last stage is strengthening the nail plates. You can make a restorative bath or mask and apply oil to the cuticle.

Disadvantages of shellac application technology

As with other coatings, shellac application technology has some disadvantages. First of all, you need to follow the instructions very carefully. Let's look at the main problems that arise when applying shellac.

Shellac peels off prematurely due to insufficient polymerization. It should be taken into account that the bulbs in the lamp need to be changed every six months. The nail must be sealed, but for this purpose it is not colored gel polish that is used, but a base coat and top coat.

The nail plate must be degreased, and cuticle treatment products must also be wiped off.

Incomplete polymerization can also cause the top coat to turn from glossy to matte after drying. There is only one solution - checking the lamp itself.

Important

Sometimes gel polish is applied with small air bubbles. As a result, after polymerization is completed, the varnish “shrinks.” In order to avoid this, you need to ensure that the first layer of shellac is thin. In addition, before using colored gel polish, roll the bottle between your palms for thirty seconds. You also need to ensure that shellac is stored correctly and does not thicken.

Not only the technology of applying shellac has its secrets, there are also secrets in its removal. Professionals note that it is much more difficult to get rid of shellac in a room with low temperatures or on clients with cold hands. In this case, the fingers wrapped in foil are slightly warmed up using a lamp or hair dryer.

When removing some gel polishes, to simplify the process, the top layer is removed using a file or buff. And after this, the usual wrapping procedure is carried out. Thanks to this method, soaking is faster.

In order for acetone to have less impact on the skin, Vaseline is applied to the side rollers and cuticles before wrapping. To prevent acetone from getting into the pores, Vaseline is lightly rubbed. For the same purposes, you can use oils or special preparations.

Important

The remover wrapper is removed from the fingers one at a time, otherwise the material may re-harden.

Each woman decides for herself how best to apply shellac: at home or in the salon. In the salon, this service costs approximately 1000-1500 rubles, in addition, you will need to pay about 300 rubles for withdrawal.

At home, you will initially need to spend money on consumables:

1. buff (120 - 270 rubles);
2. disinfector (from 400 rubles);
3. primer (from 180 rubles);
4. base coat (500 - 1200 rubles, depending on the manufacturer);
5. color gel polish (450 - 900 rubles);
6. top coating (520 - 1200 rubles);
7. special removal liquid (from 400 rubles);
8. sponges (1000 rub/100 pcs);
9. UV lamp (from 1600 rubles).

Wherever shellac is applied, if the procedure is performed correctly, your nails will look perfect for up to two weeks.

Shellac has gained wild popularity around the world over the past few years. Almost every girl has already tried what it is. A glossy finish for almost a month is a reality. Shellac has very good durability; it does not wash off, even if you regularly wash dishes and do other household chores. Every beauty salon provides this service. But is it necessary to go to specialists? Not at all. You can do a shellac manicure at home. You just need to master the main rules and follow some tips.

How to distinguish fake shellac from the original

In order to do a shellac manicure at home, you need to have some tools and materials with you. It is worth saying that for this procedure you need to purchase certified products. When buying shellac, be sure to check the number and index that are indicated on the packaging and the bottom of the bottle: they must be the same. If you find them missing, then it is clearly a fake. This varnish can harm the nail plate. When choosing other materials for manicure, pay attention to the composition and expiration date.

Important! All gel polishes used for manicure must be original, from one company - CND. If you put a fake on top of the base coat, the shellac will quickly flake off. This happens due to the difference in composition. One layer does not adhere to the second and eventually peels off.

Photo gallery: how to distinguish fake shellac from the original

Necessary tools and materials for manicure at home

Let's look at the list of things you need for a shellac manicure:

1. Degreaser. This product is needed to remove the sticky layer after the shellac has dried. Any alcohol solution can serve as a replacement.
2. Shellac. The color coating itself is the tone you chose. Buy only original products. They are made in the USA and marketed under the CND brand. Due to its incredible popularity, other manufacturers have begun to produce many counterfeits, so be careful.
3. Finish coating. It is necessary in order to consolidate the result, give additional gloss and extend the life of the manicure.
4. Base coat. It is applied to the nail plate at the very beginning. The base provides good adhesion to the surface of the nail, as well as to subsequent layers of colored shellac. Due to this, the manicure lasts for several weeks.
5. Cuticle oil. Designed to restore skin after the procedure. Sometimes the cuticle becomes inflamed due to the impact of a hardware cutter or forceps, and the oil relieves discomfort and heals the damaged areas. Varieties such as jojoba, grape seed or olive are suitable.
6. Ultraviolet lamp. This is a device without which it is impossible to perform a shellac manicure. The coating polymerizes due to the ultraviolet rays emitted by the lamp. Its optimal power should be 36 watts. Models of 9 and 24 Watts are available, but you should not purchase them, since you will spend a lot of time drying one layer with such a device. The best lamps that quickly polymerize gel polish are those whose power is 48 watts. They are more expensive than their analogues. Such lamps are used mainly in salons, where the time to complete the procedure is limited.
7. Orange sticks. This device is universal: you can use it to push back the cuticle, distribute the coating in some hard-to-reach areas, remove shellac that has flowed into the side rollers, attach rhinestones and create patterns.
8. Lint-free wipes. They are needed to remove the sticky layer. Cotton pads are not suitable because they leave small fibers that stick to the coating. They are very difficult to get rid of, and when the shellac hardens, the manicure takes on a very sloppy appearance.
9. A small container filled with 1 liter of warm water and 2 tbsp. l. table salt. This is necessary in order to make a bath. Thanks to it, the cuticle will soften and the nails will become a little stronger.
10. Buff. Large file with low abrasiveness. Typically its value is 120 grit. With this tool, the nail plate is processed before applying shellac.
11. Manicure tweezers. This tool does an excellent job with overgrown cuticles, and also helps to quickly and painlessly remove hangnails near the side ridges. They must be very sharp.
12. Brush. With its help, all dust formed as a result of filing is removed from the nail plates.
13. Nail file with abrasiveness from 180 to 230 grit. It will help achieve the desired shape of the free edge of the plate.

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After making sure that you have all the listed tools and materials, you can begin the shellac application procedure itself.

Photo gallery: necessary materials and tools

Pilki-dlya-nogtey.jpg Files with different abrasiveness will help shape and polish your nails baf.jpg Using a buff, prepare the nail surface for application olivkovoe-maslo.jpg Instead of a special cuticle care product, you can use regular olive oil

Shellac manicure at home: step-by-step instructions

Making a manicure with shellac is quite simple. Let's look at the process step by step:

1. First, get rid of the old coating: your nails should be absolutely clean.
2. Then shape the free edge. It can be different and depends only on your preferences. Square, semi-square or oval - it's up to you. Make sure that all nails are the same length, otherwise the manicure will look unprofessional.
3. Start working on the cuticles. Place one of your hands in the salt bath. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wipe dry. Use an orange stick to push back the softened cuticle. If there are any hard areas left, you can deal with them using nail clippers. Use them to remove burrs along the side rollers. Do the same with the second hand.
4. When you are happy with the shape of your nails and are confident that the cuticles are properly treated, apply a small amount of degreaser to a lint-free cloth and run it over all nail plates. This way you will get rid of any fat particles.
5. Then use a buff to buff each nail. This action will allow the base coat to better adhere to the plates.
6. Proceed with the first coat. Apply CND base coat using gentle movements from the cuticle to the free edge. Then paint the right and left sides, which are located close to the side bolsters. Be careful not to let the product flow into them. If suddenly this happens, remove the excess with an orange stick. Place a small amount of base on the brush: this manipulation will help to avoid the product from flowing beyond the borders.
7. Dry the layer in a UV lamp for 120 seconds (for 36 Watt). The exact time depends on how powerful your device is. If you polymerize the coating with a 48-watt lamp, the drying time will be reduced by 2 times.
8. Apply color coat. Using the same movements that you used to distribute the base, carefully apply the shellac. To avoid going overboard, first apply a drop a few millimeters below the cuticle line, then slowly smooth out the edge. Don't worry if things get out of control: you can remove the layer with alcohol if you didn't cure it in a UV lamp and reapply.
9. Dry your nails for 2 minutes. Be careful: the time directly depends on the power of your lamp. Before doing a manicure, read the instructions for it.
10. After the first has dried, apply a second coat. Do the same with him. Next is the third. This number of layers provides a deep and rich color.
11. Next, you need to consolidate the result. This is done using a top coat. Apply it according to the same principle as in previous times: from the cuticle towards the free edge. Some novice masters neglect this point, and in vain, because the durability of the manicure depends on the top.
12. The final stage: remove the sticky layer with a lint-free cloth soaked in alcohol or a special liquid, and also apply caring oil to the cuticle.

Video: master class on shellac manicure

The effect of coating on nails: pros and cons

Now there is a lot of debate about whether shellac is harmful for nails. Some claim that the coating dries out and thins the plates, others say the opposite. It is worth looking into this issue.

So, among the advantages of shellac the following can be noted:

• protection of nails from harmful environmental influences. In fact, the coating does not dry them out, as many people think. If you remove shellac correctly and do not damage the plates, no negative aspects will arise;
• durability and aesthetics of manicure. You don't need to worry about the beauty of your hands for several weeks. This did not happen with ordinary varnish, even the most durable one. The glossy shine will delight you until your nails grow long and start to look ugly;
• extra thickness. Shellac is ideal for those who have naturally thin nail plates. Such an unpleasant moment can also arise due to improper care or bad varnish that you used previously. Layers of base, color and top will increase your nails' thickness by almost 2 times. They will no longer bend and thus cause discomfort;
• easy removal at home. Unlike other gel polishes, shellac is extremely easy to remove on your own. The procedure is practically no different, only a special liquid is used to soften the coating, which dissolves the components of shellac without leaving any solid particles. After this, they can be easily removed using an orange stick. It is worth noting that this product is not suitable for removing gel polish from any other company;
• Huge selection of colors and types. You can choose something of your own from a variety of shades. There are both plain coatings and pearlescent ones with large sparkles.

The palette of CND shellacs is truly rich

Shellac has only one significant drawback, which is why most girls do not use it - its price. A bottle of the original CND will cost about 1 thousand rubles. And you need at least three of these: base, top and color coating. And every time you want something new, so you can’t limit yourself to one bottle. It's also worth noting that special remover also costs more than regular remover. Its price is about 650 rubles. As a result, the entire manicure will cost quite a round sum. In the salon, the procedure is also very expensive, so not everyone can afford a shellac manicure.

Read also: Chinese alternative to Pinocchio: 78-year-old grandmother carves sculptures from wood

It is worth saying that, due to its harmlessness, shellac can be done regularly. But only on the condition that its removal will be done carefully, without causing damage to the nail plate. Also, in between procedures, it is worth strengthening your nails: taking nourishing baths, rubbing in cosmetic oils and vitamin A in liquid form. This will keep them strong and healthy.

French manicure with shellac

French manicure is a classic that will never go out of style. White, clearly defined tips and a base color as close to natural as possible - these are the two basic rules of the French style. It is appropriate absolutely everywhere and is suitable for creating a discreet office style, a delicate wedding look, or simply for improving the appearance of nails that are not naturally very beautiful. Over time, creative artists slightly diversified the usual picture: instead of pastel powdery shades, it was decided to use bright and colorful ones, combining them with each other. It is worth saying that this idea won the attention of many representatives of the fair sex: some began to paint the free edge with different colors, others began to do the opposite. In general, a lot of creative design solutions arose from this soil. Is it possible to do a French manicure at home? Of course, yes, and there is nothing complicated about it.

In order to perform a French-style manicure, we will need all the same tools as for a regular one, only we need to add adhesive stencils to them, with which we will separate the free edge. If you don’t have them on hand, and the procedure needs to be carried out urgently, you can use paper tape: cut out semicircles to fit the shape of your nails and stick them on.

Stencils for French manicure will help you create the perfect smile line

Let's look at the procedure step by step:

1. First, we process the nails: remove the cuticle, give them the necessary shape. A French jacket with a half-square looks very elegant: such a free edge visually lengthens the fingers.
2. Then we polish the plates with a buff.
3. Let's start applying the base coat. Gently distribute it over the entire surface of the nails, without going beyond the boundaries. Dry it in a UV lamp.
4. Then we apply the color coating. It can be either delicate shades or bright ones if you have chosen a non-standard manicure option. We paint in 3 layers, each of which is dried in a UV lamp.
5. Wipe your nails with a lint-free cloth soaked in degreaser (alcohol) to remove the sticky layer. If this is not done, it will be very difficult to continue working.
6. Now carefully attach the stencils. Make sure that each of them lies flat relative to the top of the nail. We press them well to the surface to prevent the shellac from flowing.
7. Paint the free edge with the color of your choice. Dry it in a UV lamp. At this stage we also make 3 layers. You can add rhinestones, sparkles or decorative stickers if you are planning a manicure with a similar design.
8. The last step is to apply the top coat. We fix the result and remove the sticky layer.

What girl or woman doesn’t dream of a long-lasting manicure that is resistant to various influences, from water to active sports? So let’s talk about what homemade shellac is:

• Thanks to a video review of coatings and bases, we will learn how to choose the best;
• let's do nail design - we'll go through the step-by-step procedure for correctly applying the products;
• We will learn several ways to remove gel polish.

The long-awaited expectations were met, and we received gel polish for nail design! With the advent of the new product, life, if not radically changed, certainly became easier. Modern women appreciate the role of a new manicure in creating the image of a successful lady.

What is homemade shellac

Shellac or gel polish is a durable nail coating based on the resin of some tropical and subtropical plants, combining the properties of varnish and gel. It was first produced by American manufacturers of the Shellac brand. It has successfully traveled thousands of kilometers and has become the favorite nail art medium around the world. It has the following properties:

• resistance to external influences - does not smudge, does not scratch;
• excellent variety of colors;
• retains original shine;
• optimal density without chipping;
• absence of harmful impurities (hypoallergenic);
• protection of nails from fragility and brittleness;
• duration of action - lasts up to 3 weeks.

Master makeup artists warn that it is best to use the pioneer among high-quality long-lasting varnishes - CND (Creative Nail Design) brand products. Thanks to them, the word shellac has become synonymous with long-lasting manicure - up to 2-3 weeks. This is just a dream! And the most popular bases in the world are rubber ones.

Video advice from experts with an overview of primers, tops, and bases will help you choose the right and correct manicure products.

In beauty salons, a master will do a wonderful manicure, exactly according to the rules. But when you don’t have the time or desire to sit around waiting for cosmetic procedures to be performed, you can create homemade shellac in 20-30 minutes. Today you can even buy home manicure kits with LED lamps on the Internet.

What do you need for shellac?

Check out the list of materials and tools needed for manicure:

1. Lamp with ultraviolet light.
2. Shellac set, which includes a gel base, color and top coat (fixer).
3. Sponges.
4. Napkins.
5. Orange stick (the density of its wood is similar to the density of nails, so it does not spoil them).
6. Manicure set.

How to apply shellac - step by step instructions

Consider homemade shellac for beginners. If you have to work with it for the first time, you should know that it is slightly different in structure from a regular manicure - it is slightly sticky (if such a definition fits). So you will need to adapt, but it happens quickly and easily. Actions are performed in several stages.

Nail preparation

The procedure includes:

1. Removing the old coating.
2. Cuticle treatment.
3. Correcting the shape of nails with a nail file.
4. Polish the nail plate with a volumetric buff file to level its surface and remove excess gloss and layering.
5. Degreasing and disinfection using a sticky layer remover.

Particular attention should be paid to the last two processes: grinding is necessary for high-quality application of the coating, and degreasing is necessary to eliminate foreign stains interspersed.

Applying the base layer

The base evens out nails and hides their defects thanks to its thick consistency.

1. Apply it in a thin layer so that it does not get on the cuticle and skin around the nail, otherwise the coating will soon peel off.
2. Then we apply a thicker layer: place a drop in the middle of the nail plate, extend it to the end of the nail, making sure to cover the end, and distribute the residue over the entire surface. The base will level itself evenly (see the first video).
3. Examine the nail - the glare of light on it should be even. If they are distorted, then it is necessary to make a thicker layer of base coat.
4. After applying the base, you should bring your hand to the UV lamp and dry the nails.

A minute is enough. Although some experts advise keeping them under the rays for up to 2 minutes. As you gain experience, the technology will be perfected, and you will be able to determine the time of radiation exposure yourself.

Color layer

Next, a colored product is applied to the nails. Work with it in the same way as with regular varnish - covering the nail with a thin layer away from the cuticle, being sure to paint the end well.

How to apply nail polish under the cuticle? I know 2 ways:

1. The skin roll must be lifted with a pusher (or pulled off with a finger) and varnish applied, finishing the first layer.
2. Or you can use a very thin brush and paint the surface down to the cuticle in a neat strip.

If there is a need to make the color more saturated, the varnish can be applied in several layers. In this case, the next layer will itself spread evenly over the previous one, thanks to its thick consistency. After each manipulation, nails must be dried under a lamp. You can apply no more than 3 layers, because the coating will simply wrinkle.

Applying the top (top) layer

Its purpose is to fix the varnish. Therefore, after drying, the top coat is applied in one layer (and under the cuticle, as described above), completely covering the entire colored part and the end of the nail. Then it is dried under a UV lamp for 2 minutes.

After this, it is recommended to blot the surface of the coating with a lint-free cloth containing alcohol (or nail polish remover) to remove stickiness. This must be done extremely carefully so as not to ruin all your work. Afterwards, treat your fingers with nourishing cream.

If something is not clear, watch a video demonstrating all the steps. You will also learn how to professionally remove shellac and attach rhinestones.

How to remove gel polish correctly

The most gentle and fastest way to remove the coating at home, according to experts, is the following. Need to:

1. Dip cotton pads in nail polish remover, which must contain acetone.
2. Apply them to each nail
3. Wrap in pre-prepared pieces of foil (you can use it for baking food or for chocolate).
4. After 10 minutes, massage your fingers and remove the “winding” - all the shellac will remain on the cotton wool.
5. The remains are scraped off with an orange or plastic stick so as not to damage the nail plates.

But rubber bases do not soak well, so they are first removed with a machine or thinned by sawing. To do this, use a 150 grit file or various cutters from manicure sets.

See 5 more ways to remove shellac at home yourself.

Having mastered the technique of working with shellac, you can safely use proven technology, which is useful, convenient and meets the requirements of the modern business woman. What tricks do you have in your kit for creating a chic manicure?

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: