SHELLAC NAILS

beauty by muse

So the secret with Shellac is that the varnish is secured under a UV lamp and dries within seconds. After that it stays and stays, so you only need to have your nails done every 20 days or so, depending on how fast they grow (nails grow on average 0.1 mm per day, but quicker in the summer and also quicker when you're pregnant). Shellac doesn't damage the nails (unless you start picking, which you won’t because you won’t be tempted to pick something that is perfect), rather on the contrary, Shellac strengthens them from underneath. It sets in a base coat (in other words: no harmful buffing involved, like most of the competitive brands choose to do) and applies like a nail polish. This is simply a color that stays on your own natural nail perfectly until it grows out or you decide to remove it.

WHAT IF I WANT TO WEAR A DIFFERENT COLOUR ONE DAY

You can put any regular nail polish on top, but make sure you use a non-acetone remover when you want it off again - as long as there's no acetone it has no effect on the Shellac underneath. If you just want to strengthen your nails, try a clear Shellac colour. That way it is easier to apply sheer colours and your gorgeous nudes.

HOW DO I REMOVE SHELLAC

Have your Shellac removed in the salon, or buy acetone, soak a cotton pad with it and press on the nail for a couple of minutes. Gentle rubbing with a nail brush or cuticle stick can speed up the process.

MAINTENANCE

For easy maintenance you can touch up the cuticles of your nails by using a similarly coloured nail varnish as the nails grow. But remember that base coat should always come first!

FOR YOU NAILBITERS

Try Shellac for two months and your nails are long and strong and healthy. You don't want to put them in your mouth ever again.

article by beauty books