How to apply shellac correctly: main mistakes and recommendations

To get a stylish manicure, such as a cat eye, you don’t have to visit a professional nail technician. Using an innovative shellac coating, you can cope with a similar procedure at home. Moreover, using sparkles and other decorative elements, you can create unusual nail designs. Let's look at how to apply shellac correctly and what nuances need to be taken into account when using the gel.

Correct application of shellac

Shellac (shilak) - features, terms and principles

This type of manicure is a combination of varnish and gel, which gives the coating durability. It holds firmly enough to the nail plate, so a woman can easily do household chores without worrying about her manicure.

This type of nail art is beneficial on long business trips or at a resort, because it will make you forget about frequently updating your manicure and pedicure. Since each layer is cured with a UV lamp, the beauty of the nails can last for more than two weeks. You can master shilak yourself. Step-by-step application at home will help you cope with this task.

Shellac makes your manicure a work of art

Note! With such a coating, nails are almost impossible to break, and there is no risk of delamination of the nail plate. In addition, shellac does not crumble, is durable and holds the shape of the nails perfectly.

Despite the fact that, as mentioned above, shellac has a durable coating, the time it takes to wear it depends on some features:

• quality of the product (the higher quality it is, the longer the pristine manicure will remain);
• strict adherence to the rules (the use of a degreaser increases the durability of the gel polish);
• beautiful and durable nails will retain their coating longer, unlike weakened nail plates, which can develop cracks and chips;
• if the physiological characteristics of the body are such that the rate of nail growth is high, then the removal of gel polish can occur ahead of schedule: a clean nail plate peeking out from under the colored coating will ruin the entire look.

This beautiful and fashionable manicure will delight its owner for about 3 weeks.

However, this type of manicure should not be used if your nails are infected with fungus. Experts also recommend holding off on shellac for the period of antibiotic treatment. And, of course, the condition of the nails is important.

Before using shilak, follow the step-by-step application at home and conduct a series of restorative and strengthening sessions.

Useful article about: Gel polish and shellac: what is the difference?

Common mistakes when applying shellac

The coating is too thick or uneven.
When dried in a UV lamp, it shrinks or does not dry out. Therefore, layers of shellac also harden poorly and soon crumble. Many women taking their first steps in a shellac manicure on their own feel that there are almost no differences between gel polish and regular nail polish: both are applied with a brush and washed off using a special product.

In fact, in order for shellac to stay on your nails as long as it should and to delight you with the shine and evenness of the coating, it is important to avoid the following mistakes when applying to your nails:

• is too thick or for some reason uneven . The consequence is that when dried in a UV lamp, it shrinks or does not dry out. Therefore, the following layers of shellac also harden poorly and soon crumble;
• sealing the end of the nail with a colored coating . The result is that the polish chips off the tip of the nail. You only need to seal the nail twice – with a base coat and a top coat;
• applying too thick a layer of top coat to the end of the nail will lead to the consequences described above - the tip of the nail will lose part of the shellac;
• shellac getting on the cuticle . The consequence is that the coating will begin to peel off at the base of the nail and will soon fall off;
• any of the coatings has expired The consequence is that shellac comes off the nail in whole pieces;
• shaking the bottle of varnish before applying. The result is a bubbling coating that cannot be straightened.

Advantages and disadvantages of shellac (shilac)

All processes in cosmetology have both pros and cons. Before deciding on the shellac procedure, you should carefully study the positive and negative aspects of this type of manicure.

Benefits of shellac:

• Long-lasting and stable coating. A manicure made with gel polish can last up to three weeks, without losing its shine or changing for the worse.
• Shellac does not contain toluene and formaldehyde, which are harmful to the body, which makes it completely harmless to the nail plate.
• Shellac literally saves fragile nails that are prone to splitting. Thanks to its dense coating, it secures the overgrown part of the nail, giving it greater strength. So lovers of long nails can confidently wear just such a “predatory” manicure.

Variation of manicure with shellac

• You can learn the correct technique for using shellac at home. There is nothing complicated, you just need to thoroughly study the procedure for applying the product and purchase the tools.
• Shellac manufacturers continue to expand its color range, so any woman will find a shade to her liking. And treatment with a UV lamp gives the manicure a precious shine and richness.

Disadvantages of shellac:

• If the rules are not followed, unsightly chips may occur the next day, or the coating may be completely removed from the nail.
• Shellac allows you to grow your nails to the desired length, although this effect is temporary.

Shellac decorates, but does not heal fragile nails.

And the general situation will not be corrected; medical procedures will be needed.

• The durability of shellac is undeniable, but even it can peel off the nail if it is thin and weak. And if your hands are in constant contact with water, the coating also quickly deteriorates.
• If shellac suddenly becomes covered with microcracks, it should be removed, as dust and dirt will get on the nail, which can cause a fungal disease.
• Another drawback, albeit a minor one, is the price of the product. It is much higher than the cost of conventional varnishes.

Shellac gel polish

• Some gel polishes, especially low-quality ones, can leave behind an unsightly yellow discoloration on the nails. However, it can be easily removed with the help of restorative and healing procedures.

How exactly should shellac be applied?

When using Shellac by CND gel coating, the listed operations can be neglected, but when manicure with any other gel polish, this must be done.
Application of gel polish includes 4 stages:

Poor execution of the first stage is most often the reason why shellac does not stick to the nails. It includes preliminary leveling of the nail plate with a buff and degreasing it with a special product.

When using Shellac by CND gel coating, the listed operations can be neglected, but when manicure with any other gel polish, this must be done.

Applying gel polish includes 4 stages.

The base coat is applied to the prepared nail in a thin layer - this will allow the shellac to stay on the nails for as long as possible. Then it is dried in a UV or LED lamp for the required amount of time. The sticky layer is not removed. If for some reason it is damaged, this will lead to the fact that all subsequent layers will be fragile.

Colored shellac is applied two to three times, each layer is dried in a lamp, there is no need to remove the sticky coating. The layers should also not be made too thick, otherwise they will not polymerize well.

It is better to add another layer for brightness and dry it properly. However, too many coats of color will make the nail stiff , which can cause the shellac to chip quickly.

The last stage is coating with a top coat and sealing the tip of the nail with a thin layer. After drying in the device, the sticky layer is removed with an alcohol-containing substance, which makes the nail appear delightfully smooth and shiny. The shellac manicure is completed and is ready to delight its owner with durability and beauty.

What tools and equipment are needed?

To make shilak at home, you need to know its step-by-step application.

You need to purchase the necessary tools:

• manicure: wooden stick, nippers, file, spatula, buff to polish the surface of the nail;
• a cuticle softener or oil that will remove it;
• a brush that removes dirt from nails;
• surface degreasing agent;
• UV lamp (36 W);
• base;
• shellac;
• top product;
• smooth napkins so that lint does not spoil the whole process;
• a preparation to remove stickiness (replaceable with acetone or alcohol, but these substances should be tested on shellac to ensure they do not remove shine).

The quality of a manicure using shellac depends on the quality of the materials. First of all, attention should be paid not to the price, but to the proven brand of the product.

Shellac, base coat and top coat must be made under the same brand

Then they will fit together perfectly.

To avoid making a mistake in your choice, you should buy shilak kits, which contain everything you need, including a UV lamp.

You might be interested in learning about: How to make shellac at home for beginners step by step

Preparing nails for shellac

It is not difficult to master shilak at home.

You just need to study its step-by-step application.

• First, you should get rid of the skin near the nail hole. Gently push it away with a stick and apply the substance to eliminate it. Then dip your hands in warm water and wait 5 minutes.
• Treat the nail coating to give the desired look.

Shaping your nails

• Prepare the nail by sanding it with a soft nail file.
• Carefully remove fat from the nail, as well as from the skin around it, using a degreasing agent or nail polish remover.

How to make shellac (shilak) at home (instructions for beginners)

The process of covering nails with shellac is almost no different from the manicure procedure using regular varnish.

The main difference between this type of nail art is the use of a UV lamp, which must be used to dry each applied layer. Only with well-dried shellac will the manicure be even, smooth and durable.

Let's look at the shilak technique step by step. Step-by-step application at home will help you quickly master this practical type of manicure.

Applying the base

The most important procedure. Without a basic product, you won’t get a beautiful and even manicure. It is important that the base product is of excellent quality, then it will not harm the nail, but will strengthen it and protect it from the harmful effects of external factors. The base is applied in a thin layer twice, thoroughly drying each layer in a lamp for about 10 seconds.

Shellac

Before application, twist the bottle, holding it with your palms, for half a minute. But shaking is not recommended due to possible damage to the structure of the gel polish. Cover the nail with shellac, making sure that it does not stain the skin (if it gets on, wipe it off with a smooth cloth).

Covering prepared nails

The initial layer should be almost transparent. After applying it, the nail is placed under a lamp, where it polymerizes for 2 minutes. After this time, a second layer is applied, thicker, and also dried under the lamp for the same amount of time.

Final action

Apply top coat, dry thoroughly under lamp for 2 minutes. An ordinary fixer will not work; it is the special coating that guarantees a stable and long-lasting result.

After all procedures, wipe the nails with a liquid to remove stickiness applied to a smooth napkin . You can also use alcohol, but you should check the shellac’s reaction to it in advance so that the alcohol does not “eat away” the mirror shine.

Interesting fact! To protect the skin of your hands from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation, you need to apply sunscreen to your hands before the manicure procedure.

Read an interesting article: Methods for removing shellac. How manicurists remove shellac

Preparing to create a manicure using gel polish

In order for the coating to adhere to your nails efficiently and last as long as possible, you will need to carefully prepare their surface. This is done as follows:

• The nail plate is carefully filed to the desired shape and length. The cuticle is removed, which for better and safe elimination is first covered with a nourishing cream.
• It’s worth taking a closer look at the shellac instructions. Some manufacturers recommend sanding the nail surface before applying the composition. This procedure should be carried out using a fine-grained file.
• You also need to coat your nails with a special degreasing compound. This is required for more reliable adhesion of shellac to the surface of the nail plate. If there is no such remedy, then you can use ordinary alcohol.
• At the final stage of preparation, a base product is used, which must be dried under an ultraviolet lamp for 10-60 seconds.

What will happen to nails after applying shellac (shilac)

If shilak is applied correctly at home and its step-by-step application is strictly followed, then it will not harm the health of the nails.

Taking care of your nails makes it possible to strengthen them

However, you should remember the individuality of each organism. Some people's nails will not react in any way to fashionable nail art, while for others they will lose strength and begin to flake. In this case, health procedures will come to the rescue that can restore your nails to their former strength.

To improve the health of the nail plate, use:

• vegetable oil. Place your fingers in slightly warmed oil, poured into a hand bath, and wait a few minutes. The procedure takes place daily for approximately 7 days.
• foods rich in vitamins D, C, E, A are required in the diet. Then the process of healing your marigolds will go faster.
• iodine, which is applied to the nails in the form of a mesh (it is not worth covering the nails heavily with iodine, in this case it turns from an ally into an enemy, severely drying out the nail surface).
• Lemon juice, rubbed into the nail surface, will whiten and strengthen the nails.
• sea ​​salt, which is used for healing baths, makes nails strong and eliminates delamination.

Sea salt is known for its healing properties

• Paraffin baths heal your nails and have a beneficial effect on the skin of your hands (you can do the baths yourself, or you can pamper yourself by entrusting this procedure to the masters in the salon).
• medicated varnishes restore the surface of nails well.

Tips for applying shellac that will last a long time

Dry the layers in a UV lamp, do not make them too thick.
To ensure that the coating lasts a long time, does not break or peel , follow these recommendations:

• degrease the nail well and use a drying primer - this will strengthen the bond between its surface and the base layer;
• dry the layers in a UV lamp, do not make them too thick;
• Do not shake the bottle of shellac before application - air bubbles, due to its viscosity, cannot quickly float to the surface and will certainly settle on your nails. It is better to roll the bottle of varnish between your palms to warm it and make it less thick;
• choose branded gel polishes with a good reputation;
• be careful when carrying out water procedures and cleaning without protective gloves;
• get rid of the habit of drumming your nails on the table surface - this destroys the integrity of the gel coating;
• do not apply shellac during pregnancy or menstrual periods - at this time the body’s hormonal levels change greatly, including the condition of the nail plate;
• use funds from one company;
• do not forget to seal the cut of the nail plate with a thin layer of top coat.

Follow these simple rules, and your shellac-painted nails will always be well-groomed and beautiful.

Decorate your hands and nails!

Secrets of applying shellac (shilac) at home

Those who decide to master fashionable nail art on their own need to know about the nuances of applying a manicure called shilak.

Step-by-step application at home will allow you to quickly and efficiently carry out this procedure.

• The cuticle and skin near the nail must be moisturized with oil (you can use vegetable oil) before starting work.
• Upon completion of application, the stickiness is removed with a special product applied to a smooth cloth. Between the base and the color layer, stickiness must remain so that the layers adhere firmly to each other.
• If during application one of the substances gets on the skin of the finger, immediately wipe it off carefully.

You should not leave the polish on the skin; it is better to remove it immediately

• After applying the base, do not touch your nails with your fingers so as not to leave sebum on them. The surface of the nails should remain dry and clean.
• To keep your nails strong and healthy, you need to give them a 14-day rest after wearing shellac twice. Any healing procedures aimed at restoring and nourishing the marigolds will have a positive effect.

Features of short nail design

Of course, long nails allow you to experiment more with design. But short length is becoming more and more popular because it is convenient in everyday life and looks neat. When working with this length, you need to consider the following features:

• There is no need to make the drawing too large.
• Do not use bulky jewelry.
• Vertical patterns and light shades will visually make the nail longer.
• It is not recommended to use more than 2-3 shades of varnish.
• It is best to have almond-shaped nails.

A shellac manicure on short nails made using the ombre technique looks beautiful. Light shades should be at the base, and dark shades should be closer to the protruding edge of the nail. Then you will get a beautiful and stylish manicure.

How to properly remove gel polish (shellac)

Since this type of varnish is different from the usual one, the removal procedure is a little more complicated than usual.

It is necessary to carefully file the surface of the shellac with a nail file. After this, wrap each nail with cotton pads and nail polish remover, and wrap the top with foil. After 10 minutes, everything is removed along with the shellac. If there are any painted areas, carefully scrape off the gel polish with a stick.

Create conditions using foil to make shellac removal easier

The procedure for creating nail art using shilak at home is complicated only at first glance. Strict step-by-step application, observing all the subtleties, guarantees a fashionable and durable manicure without harm to the health of the nails.

How to properly apply shellac at home? Watch this helpful video:

Step-by-step technology for applying shellac yourself at home. Watch video instructions:

How to properly remove and apply shellac at home? Find out from the video:

Shellac cons

• Removing such a coating will require more time than regular varnish;
• Not suitable for all categories of people. Due to the peculiarity of the nail plate (for some, the nail plate simply rejects such a coating, and it lasts no more than 2 days, while for others, after removing the gel polish, the plate is severely destroyed, and it will take a long time to restore it; it is worth noting that this occurs in only 10% of people);
• A non-professional may not get the perfect coating the first time.

There are a lot of gel polish manufacturers: Shellac (CND), Gelish (Harmony), GelColor (OPI), Geleration (Jessica), etc. If you want your coating to last at least 2 weeks, and your nails to remain intact after removing the polish, then be sure to read this article. I will tell you point by point about the basic rules for preparing nails, applying and removing gel polish. The main thing is to have everything you need. It is not difficult!