A bright, shiny shellac manicure that lasts on your nails for at least two weeks can be done at home, without resorting to the help of specialists in expensive salons and without paying a tidy sum for this procedure each time.

The shellac application procedure is done in stages, including nail preparation, varnish application, protection and drying. Let's look at them in more detail.

Step-by-step instructions for applying shellac gel at home

1. Removing old polish and shaping nails

Before the procedure, you need to remove old nail polish and give them the desired shape using a nail file. At the same time, try not to steam your hands before the procedure so that your nails do not peel off. Also, if possible, avoid using scissors.

• If you need to shorten your nail to a small length, buy special sapphire or sand files for strong nails and fine abrasive files for thin and weak ones. Metal files, fortunately, are a thing of the past.
• Hold the file at an angle, filing from edge to edge of the nail, without touching the periungual skin. The free edge can be left long enough, as shellac will strengthen the nail plate. If the edge of the nail remains rough after the procedure, treat it with a finely abrasive file.

2. Cuticle treatment

3. Nail polishing

• Gently remove the shine from the nail with the soft side of the sander, but try not to file the nail. Brush off the dust with a stiff brush.

4. Degreasing

• Wipe the nail plate with a special degreasing agent, paying special attention to the end - the area near the nail folds and the inside of the free edge of the nail.
• Degreasing will allow shellac to stay on your nails for a long time.

5. First (base) coating

• Apply a thin layer of base nail protection. For example, bluesky gel polishes are very popular today. This is a special product that can protect your nails from shellac pigments and improve the adhesion of the polish to the nail. The base should not get on the side rollers and cuticle.
• After application, dry this layer under a special ultraviolet lamp (power = 36 watts) for approximately 10 minutes.

6. Applying shellac

The technology for applying colored Shellac gel polish is simple.

• Roll the bottle several times in your palms.
• Cover the nail in two thin layers, dry each of them under a lamp for 2 minutes.
• Do not seal the sides and ends. The layers should be thin so that the coating does not swell.
• To experiment with colors, you can apply different layers of Shellac - the first with one color, the second with another. When mixed, unexpected results are obtained.

7. Applying a sticky layer

• After the color is applied, the nail is “sealed” with a thick layer of topcoat. In this case, be sure to seal the free edge, the cuticle area and the area of ​​the side ridges. The color remains between the base and the topcoat.
• And after this procedure - ultraviolet light again.

8. Removing the sticky layer and moisturizing

• Using a lint-free cloth and degreaser, remove the last sticky layer and apply a special moisturizer (for example, oil) to the periungual skin.

Remember that shellac must be stored at room temperature with the jar tightly closed. So, your manicure and nail brightness will last up to two weeks.

The image of a beautiful, well-groomed woman consists of many components: hairstyle, clothes, shoes, face. It often happens that nails are somewhere at the end of the list - and this is wrong.

A neat manicure and well-groomed hands are the calling card of any woman. Peeling nail polish looks simply terrible, and there is simply no time to refresh it. Today this problem can be solved quite simply: shellac has become the most popular procedure in nail care salons.

But what to do if you don’t have enough time or money to go to the salon? Of course, there is a way out - this is to make shellac at home. For beginners, here are step-by-step instructions for this now popular manicure.

A beautiful word, by the way, does not conceal anything mysterious. Shellac is a waste product (in other words, excrement) of scale insects that feed on tree sap. This digested resinous substance is collected, dried and crushed, then the varnish mass is melted and cast into molds. The end result is a great manicure product.

Shellac - features, terms and principles

Manicure has never been a special procedure, but the use of shellac has its own distinctive features. Firstly, the need for nail extensions disappears; secondly, the coating is quite durable and lasts much longer; thirdly, chic appearance and rich colors.

The disadvantage of shellac is primarily its cost.

The life of a manicure, no matter how elegant it may be, is very short. Housework is the responsibility of any woman; very few have au pairs. Daily cooking, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning - all this leads to the fact that nail polish quickly fades, cracks and loses its appearance.

Shellac is a different matter: a symbiosis of gel and varnish (even done at home by beginners in accordance with step-by-step instructions) lasts quite a long time, and during this period it becomes possible to further strengthen the nail plate.

Advantages and disadvantages of shellac

Shellac, as you may have guessed, has many advantages:

• Shellac manicure looks great on any nails: both long and short. At the same time, the painting method gives you a chance to grow your nails to the desired length.
• Since shellac is a natural product, it can strengthen thin and brittle nails.
• Shellac stays on nails for a long time: some fashionistas manage to keep their manicure for up to three weeks.
• To remove shellac from nails, special products are needed, which means that household chemical products are not harmful to it.
• Shellac gives your nails a dazzling shine that lasts incredibly long and does not fade.
• Manufacturers closely follow fashion and the color palette of shellac is constantly expanding. On sale you can find not only classic tones for manicure, but also bright avant-garde paints.
• Perhaps the most important advantage of shellac is that it is absolutely harmless. Dangerous formaldehydes are not included in its composition, therefore women prone to allergies and pregnant women can safely do a shellac manicure.

If for some reason the coating suddenly becomes boring, then shellac can be removed at home. To do this, you need to buy special products, liquid and film at the salon, carefully study the step-by-step instructions for beginners and clean the nail plates yourself.

Everything in the world has its downside - and shellac is no exception:

• First of all, this concerns the high price of the procedure itself, and if there is a need for correction, then this is also quite expensive. So, if your nails grow too quickly, you will have to put up with additional costs.
• The second negative factor is more significant. Shellac, as the manufacturer assures, is indeed a very durable coating. But nails tend to expand under the influence of high temperatures, and then shrink again, taking on their original size. So washing dishes in hot water or taking a bath that is too warm contributes to nail deformation and causes microscopic cracks in the coating.

Through these microscopic holes, dirt can get under the varnish layer, and dirt creates greenhouse conditions for many bacteria and microorganisms. Shellac lasts a long time, which means the bacilli have enough time to damage the nail. So fungus is not the most dangerous disease.

To avoid sad consequences, it is better to do all dirty housework with gloves.

What tools and equipment will be required?

Shellac is a very complex procedure, and it is best to do it in a salon, with an experienced specialist. But “it’s not the gods who burn the pots,” so if you have certain skills, you can do it yourself at home. To do this, you need to know step-by-step instructions for beginners and have special tools and ultraviolet lamp for drying manicure.

To apply shellac at home you will need some tools and supplies.

First of all you will need: basis for applying the base coat, shellac coating and sealer. Professionals recommend using the main and base coats from the same shellac category, preferably from the same manufacturer. Otherwise, there is a risk that the desired result will not be achieved.

In addition, you must have:

• antibacterial agent;
• orange wood spatula or stick;
• nail file;
• manicure scissors;
• bondex, a product for improved adhesion;
• cuticle cleaner;
• sanding file.

Preparing nails for shellac

So, having all the necessary tools for shellac at home (read about step-by-step application for beginners below), you can start preparing your nails.

Before applying gel polish, you need to prepare your nails, treating the cuticle in particular.

The preliminary operation includes:

• processing of the cuticle and formation of the nail plate;
• grinding is a mandatory procedure that improves the adhesion of shellac directly to the nail;
• disinfection with an antibacterial liquid, which additionally degreases the nail and ensures uniform coverage;
• applying the base layer;
• heating with an ultraviolet lamp to fix the gel, at least 25-30 seconds for each nail.

How to make shellac at home. Step-by-step instructions for beginners

Now that the nails are ready, you can proceed to the actual applying shellac:

When making shellac at home according to step-by-step instructions for beginners on your own, you should know that There is no need to remove the sticky layer after the first and base coat, as this will enhance adhesion.

After applying each layer of shellac, the nails should be dried in a UV lamp.

What will happen to your nails after applying shellac?

No matter how safe the shellac procedure is for nails, restorative measures are still necessary. After all, everyone changes their underwear every day, but the nail remains in a kind of shell for a long time. So, if yellowish spots appear on the surface of the nail plate or the nail is somewhat deformed, then urgent measures should be taken.

You can revive your nail in the master's salon or use home remedies, which is generally preferable because they are inexpensive and available:

1. Make lotions from heated olive oil throughout the week. Nails will receive additional nutrition and hydration, which means they will maintain a healthy appearance.
2. A piece of lemon, which should be rubbed daily on the surface of the nail, can work wonders. Essential oils and vitamin C will restore shine and eliminate flaking and brittleness.
3. A bath with sea salt will get rid of a possible fungal infection. It is advisable to do the procedure every day, for 10-15 minutes.

Sea salt baths are recommended for restoring the nail plate after shellac

Secrets of applying shellac at home

By making shellac at home yourself, following the step-by-step application technology for beginners, you can save a little. So, what means and tools can be replaced and with what:

1. Manicurists use special products to remove cuticles, which are quite expensive. But if the cuticle is not too noticeable, then in this case you can use an orange stick to simply push it back.
2. The grinder is completely replaced by a regular polishing file: the end result will be the same.
3. A small bottle of salon disinfectant, which can cost about a thousand, is easily replaced with nail polish remover or acetone.
4. The base coating cannot be replaced, but in cosmetics stores you can find a suitable product that, among other things, also has a healing effect.

Take a couple more secrets of applying shellac at home.

Cuticle oil should be used morning and evening every day

Useful tips from professionals:

• When purchasing an ultraviolet lamp, you should pay attention to its power; the most optimal result is achieved when using a 36-watt lamp. In this case, the coating dries quite quickly.
• Before starting your manicure, roll the coated jar in your hands. This little trick will significantly improve the properties of the varnish, which will lie smoothly without much effort.
• To prevent shellac from thickening, it should be stored at room temperature, carefully closing the bottle after each use.
• Any corrective treatment should be carried out only under the obligatory condition: the nail must be dry. No soft file will protect a wet nail plate from damage.
• Use cuticle oil daily: morning and evening. Only in this case will you be able to avoid the appearance of sloppy hangnails.
• Before going to the salon to get your hands beautiful, you should treat your nails if necessary. Shellac can only aggravate the problem of brittleness and splitting of the nail plate.
• Do not apply hand cream immediately before a shellac manicure.

How to remove shellac gel correctly

To remove shellac manicure yourself at home(for beginners, step-by-step application is described above), you need to prepare:

• cotton pads or special sponges;
• 10 pieces of foil so that you can wrap your fingers;
• isopropyl alcohol or a special solution for dissolving shellac.

Before removing shellac, hands should be washed with warm water and soap and dried thoroughly.

Shellac removal procedure

Now you can start removing the shellac:

1. Cut the cotton pads in half.
2. Soak a piece of the disc in alcohol and apply it to the nail, secure with metal foil. Try to avoid getting alcohol on your skin to avoid causing irritation. Foil is used to prevent the alcohol from evaporating too quickly. You will have to wait about 15 minutes for the result, during which time you can lightly massage your fingertips for better penetration of the alcohol.
3. In some cases, shellac is removed with a film; if this does not work, then it can be removed with an ordinary plastic spatula. It happens that, due to inexperience, the coating was applied in too thick a layer and the shellac cannot be removed. This means that you will have to repeat the procedure with alcohol or simply cut off the shellac.
4. Finally, you should lubricate the nail with cuticle oil to avoid drying out the skin and nail surface.

Shellac is a wonderful product for manicure both in the salon and at home (you have already read the step-by-step instructions for beginners), your nails look neat, elegant and, most importantly, natural.

Over time, experience and proper dexterity will come, and the whole procedure will not take too much time. As a result, your hands will look very attractive, and your nails will receive additional protection.

Shellac "Cat's Eye"

Cat eye nail design is very popular and looks very impressive. Using gel polish with the addition of a metal base and a magnet, you can get a pattern that really looks like a cat's eye.

For such a design you need to prepare green gel polish and special magnet. However, if there is no special one, then any ordinary one will do.

Manicure "Cat's eye" can be done in any color scheme

First, a base coat is applied to the nails., which must be dried in an ultraviolet lamp. The next layer is green, which is also dried. The magnet is not yet used.

But now a magnetic plate is brought to the second coating: metal particles of varnish are folded into an elegant pattern. If the magnet is held upside down, a stripe will form on the nails; but if you scroll it over the surface of the nail, the image will come out intricate, similar to a drawing of a cat's eye. Now all that remains is to complete the usual procedure.

It is not at all necessary to use only a green color palette: after all, a cat’s eyes can be yellow or even blue.

If you like the cat design, then you should buy a special magnet, with which you can get a spectacular pattern.

As you can see, shellac at home (for beginners, see step-by-step instructions above) is quite feasible. The main thing is to follow the instructions and not be afraid to fantasize.

Shellac is a new nail coating that combines the qualities of gel and varnish at the same time. Due to its ease of application and removal, its popularity is growing. But not everyone still knows all the intricacies of coating. How to apply shellac correctly so that it lasts as long as possible and pleases you with perfect smoothness and bright color?

Shellac is one of the most wearable coatings. Its durability has been tested more than once or twice in a variety of conditions. Shellac withstands endless women's troubles, while remaining in perfect condition. And changing the polish is only necessary because the nails are growing. What else attracts the fair sex in this coating?

• Applying and removing polish does not involve damaging the top layer of the nail plate, that is, the use of rough abrasive tools, especially for removing gel polish from nails, is excluded.
• Modern materials are used to apply the coating, which do not harm the nails and do not cause allergies.
• Shellac protects nails from damage, allows them to strengthen, become stronger and healthier.
• Shellac is a long-lasting coating not only for fingernails, but also for toenails.
• Gel polish can be applied not only in a salon, but also at home.
• The opportunity to save your money and have impeccable hands, since one manicure set will last for a long time if you use the shellac technique at home.
• The opportunity to master the shellac technique to perfection and offer your services to friends and acquaintances, compensating for the costs of materials.
• The ability to look natural, since the coating eliminates the use of artificial nails.
• A wide range of colors - from delicate and shimmering shades to defiantly bright tones.
• The varnish is applied quickly, since all layers are fixed under a UV lamp, which means you can immediately get involved in active everyday activities without fear of ruining your manicure.
• The gel polish is removed using special liquids; this procedure does not take much time.
• After removing the coating, you can immediately apply a new one.

If the coating application technology is strictly followed, it will delight you with its impeccable appearance for a long time. But in order to achieve the best result, you need to know some of the subtleties of manicure, which became known with the acquisition of experience, both from salon masters and at home. Let's look at the sequence of working with gel polish.

• Before applying shellac, a trim manicure is done. Many masters soften the cuticle with a special cream and move it to the base of the nail. Using a file, the nail is given the desired shape.
• Using a buff, light, gentle movements remove the shine from the nail plate. This is necessary for good adhesion of the materials to the surface of the nails. In places that are difficult to reach for the buff (on the sides of the nails and near the cuticle), the treatment is carried out with a finely abrasive file. The surface of the nail must not be filed down under any circumstances! It is lightly sanded until it acquires a matte tone.
• Use a cotton swab or small brush to carefully remove dust after treatment.
• Nail plates are degreased with special liquids.
• To avoid further peeling of the coating (especially for those whose nails do not hold artificial coatings well), you should apply a primer to your nails and dry it without a lamp for 1-2 minutes.
• A thin layer of base is applied to the nails. It is necessary to grasp the edge of the nail (sealing). The base is fixed (dried) under a UV lamp for 2 minutes. The nail must be sealed with a wrung out brush.
• Next, the first color layer is applied. It should be thin and cover all areas of the nail. With a pressed brush, grab the edge of the nail. The shellac is cured under a UV lamp for 2 minutes.
• A second layer of shellac is applied. The application technology repeats the application of the first layer.
• The finishing coat (top) is applied. Its thickness should be slightly thicker than the color layer. But you should not get carried away, otherwise divorces may appear. The top should lie flat, neatly and cover all areas of the nail, including their edges. The top is cured under a UV lamp for 2 minutes.
• The top sticky layer of the coating is removed using a special liquid.
• A caring oil is applied to the cuticle.

As can be seen from all of the above, there is nothing complicated when performing shellac technology. But there are some nuances, which we will talk about in the next section.

Comments on applying shellac coating

Everyone who practices shellac has their own experience, which they willingly share with everyone. There are no special difficulties. But if you know all the intricacies of applying shellac, then you can avoid failures even at home during your first experience.

Comment #1. The varnish quickly begins to peel off if all materials are applied in a thick layer. Sometimes this happens if, in order to save money, the color layer is applied only once.

Gel polish has long revolutionized the beauty industry. This unique material combines the best qualities of varnish and gel. The technology of simple application with a varnish brush is combined with the strength and durability of the polymer, and the base coat will provide evenness and good adhesion. But not many people know how to apply shellac correctly, so first you need to familiarize yourself with all the rules of this procedure.

Any salon technician can easily create an excellent manicure using shellac. But what to do if you don’t have enough money to regularly visit the salon, but you always want beautiful nails? The solution is to do a manicure with gel polish at home.

At first glance, it seems that a salon procedure is much cheaper than purchasing the necessary materials and tools, but this is not so. The coating lasts an average of two weeks, the bottle consumption is very small, so a manicure at home will pay for itself after just two or three uses.

There are, of course, other options to make your nails beautiful, for example, doing extensions that are harmful to your nails for four hours, or painting them with regular polish, redoing it every day. With gel polish everything is much easier and faster.

What you need for a shellac manicure at home

By choosing a shellac coating, a fashionista gets a two-week manicure in one hour that does not lose its gloss, does not chip or crack. But such a result is only possible if you know all the subtleties of application. Otherwise, the end of the wear will come in just a few days.

To make your hands beautiful you need to stock up on time, patience and the necessary materials:

• File with abrasiveness 230 grit
• File for natural nails
• Polishing buff
• Degreaser
• Lint-free wipes
• Cuticle remover
• Pusher or orange stick
• Primer
• Bonder
• Base coat
• Pigmented gel polish
• Finish coating
• Dispersion remover
• Cuticle oil
• UV or LED lamp

To ensure that your manicure at home does not disappoint, you need to pay attention to the base and top coat. It is best to choose proven, well-known companies, since in pursuit of profit you may come across low-quality material. The consequences of such savings can be not only in a short-lived manicure, but also in harm to shellac nails. The finish and base should be of a uniform consistency, without lumps or foreign substances. When purchasing, be sure to check the expiration date of the material.

This is necessary for the nail plate to rest and recover. During this period, it is better to treat it with various strengthening agents at home.

To properly remove a manicure at home, you will need a gel polish remover and foil sponges. To save money at home, you can take regular cotton pads and food foil. Before removing the nail top, you should file it down, so the coating will come off faster.

Secrets of applying shellac at home

A trip to the salon pleases any female person. Everyone will be pleased to relax in the hands of a master and trust his experience. Often this amenity is relatively expensive, given that this procedure needs to be done twice a month. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford it, some don’t have enough money, some don’t have enough time. The optimal solution could be a manicure at home, the main thing is to know how to go through these stages correctly.

After preparing the tools, a very important moment comes in preparing the hands and nails. How long the coating will not peel off depends on this stage:

• The first thing you need to do is clean your nails of the old coating, even if it is clear varnish.

It is best to do a cleansing manicure with soaking a few days before applying shellac.

• Even in advance, you can remove the cuticle at home by cutting. This will allow you to save money at home on a special product that softens the cuticle.
• If you already have such a product, you need to apply it to the cuticle area, smoothing it with an orange stick, and leave it for a few minutes to soften.

It is important to remove all dead tissue from the nail, otherwise early detachments cannot be avoided.

• There is no need to apply various oils, masks and other products before applying gel polish; the surface of the nail must be absolutely clean and dry
• Next, you need to file off the shiny layer of the natural nail plate with an abrasive file and sand it with a buff.

To avoid unnecessary harm to your nails, you need to read the instructions for shellac, as some brands do not require filing and sanding.

• Remove the resulting dust with a soft brush, degreaser or cotton wool moistened with water. Be sure to wait until it dries
• If your nails are naturally wet, or your hands were exposed to water before applying, it is better to use a dehydrant. It deeply dehydrates the surface. But if everything is fine with the nail plate, you can do without it.

Further, at home, many make the mistake of skipping the application of primer and bonder, or replacing them interchangeably. Of course, at home it is difficult to do everything correctly, but, nevertheless, you need to try to do it. First the primer is applied. It protects the natural nail plate from harmful effects and pigmentation, removes moisture and degreases. It dries in a couple of minutes in the air. When using a primer, you do not need to use a degreaser.

After the primer, just before painting the base coat for the nails, you need to cover the surface with a bonder. It serves for better adhesion of coatings. Of course, it is not always possible to use it at home, so you can get by with just the base, but the wear time of such a manicure will not be so long. After thorough preparation, you can begin applying gel coatings. This technique is simple:

• The base coat is applied in a very thin layer. It smoothes the nail plate and promotes adhesion.

If you paint with too thick a layer, it may simply not dry under the lamp.

There will also be problems when removing manicure, since it will take more time to destroy the layer, therefore, there will be more harm from the remover

• Colored shellac also needs to be painted thinly, otherwise the coating will not only not dry out, but will also shrink and bubble. Usually, for brightness and good coloring, it is simply applied in a couple of layers, polymerizing each one. There is no need to remove the sticky layer; it serves as an additional adhesion
• The finish can be painted in a denser layer than the first two. The final coating will serve as a shield throughout the entire wear of the coating. It will protect against tarnishing, scratches and minor damage. Despite the fact that this is the most durable layer, you should not once again test the finish for strength by picking anything or using your nails as bottle openers.

Each layer needs to be dried for a couple of minutes in a UV lamp, and 30-40 seconds in an LED lamp. Upon completion of drying of the last layer, a dispersion is formed, which is removed with nail polish remover, a special liquid or degreaser. After removing the sticky layer, the finish will shine with gloss, which means the manicure is ready.

Before you start manicure, you need to find out the nuances of the work. Even self-taught beginners should know some subtleties that will help them do a manicure correctly. After all, everyone knows that mastery lies in the details.

• Be sure to apply moisturizing oil to the skin around the nails and cuticles. At home, you can use regular vegetable oil
• If at home during the application of any layer the substance gets on the skin, you need to carefully remove it. To avoid such troubles, you need to paint your nails one millimeter away from the skin.
• When lubricating, you can twist your finger to even out the gel. As a last resort, you can remove the uncured coating with a lint-free cloth and degreaser.
• After the preparatory stage, you should not touch your nails with your fingers, otherwise the sebum will return to the surface
• When applying each layer, you need to brush along the edge of the nail, and a little from below, especially if it is a finish.

Having familiarized yourself with the basics of applying shellac, you can safely begin to practice. After proper application, a manicure can become not only a visual addition to your image, but also a source of pride. This covering will definitely please any fashionista and will take a worthy place on the dressing table.

Decorating your nails yourself attracts many women.

Some people are passionate about this procedure, but for others it’s an opportunity to save time and money on going to the salon.

In any case, women who always have well-groomed hands periodically resort to manicure at home.

Conventional varnishes, although easy to work with, quickly lose their attractiveness.

Today, many fashionistas prefer a new trend in manicure - shellac manicure. What is it and how to paint your nails with shellac yourself?

Shellac is a combination of varnish and gel. Thanks to its structure, it is as easy to work with as with ordinary varnish.

And at the same time, it has all the advantages of gel over regular varnish, such as:

• beautiful glossy shine;
• coating strength;
• longevity of manicure.

Shellac, unlike gel, also has its advantages:

• does not require removing the top layer of the nail plate, but only a little sanding for better adhesion;
• it is easy to remove by yourself;
• shellac is applied to your nails;
• weak and thin nail plates become stronger;
• is a harmless coating;
• easy to do on your own even for a beginner.

Before you paint your nails with shellac yourself, you need to purchase a UV lamp.

If funds allow, then a 36 W lamp is the best choice. It allows you to dry all your nails at the same time.

With a 9 W lamp power, drying nails takes longer and allows you to do this separately for each nail or 4 on each hand and 2 thumbs separately.

Shellac is available in three different coatings:

• basic;
• main;
• fixing.

These coatings are applied in a certain sequence and have differences in technology. Each of them is dried separately in a UV lamp.

A wide range of shellac colors will allow you to create a variety of nail designs. Its thin and flexible structure works well in designs such as gradient manicure. Thanks to these properties of shellac, you can get the perfect color transition.

Due to the durability of the coating, it is convenient to do a shellac manicure before going on vacation. It also reduces the overall time for nail care, as it is done once every two or even three weeks. After the nails grow out, the shellac is removed using a special liquid.

Many salons offer shellac as a decorative coating. To do this manicure at home, you need to know how to properly paint your nails with shellac. Having carefully studied the technology of applying shellac and made all the necessary purchases, you can start manicure. However, in order for everything to work out the first time, a trip to the salon is inevitable. Only by watching a professional work can you see all the subtleties of working with gel polish.

When purchasing shellac manicure products for the first time, you can save a lot by purchasing a shellac kit. Separately, gel polish and products for working with it are more expensive. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of a UV lamp in the kit, since their configuration may vary.

What you will need for a shellac manicure:

• Files for working with nail plates; you can use a buffer (polisher) to remove shine.
• Tools and products for working with cuticles, depending on the method of processing.
• Disinfectant and degreasing liquids (alcohol or alcohol tincture may be used).
• Shellac base.
• Shellac base (colored).
• Shellac top (fixer).
• A liquid that removes the sticky layer.
• Shellac remover or acetone, if it is not available.
• Manicure brush.
• Special lint-free manicure wipes.

After the workplace is ready and all the tools and products are arranged in the order of use, you can begin manicure using gel polish. The technology for applying shellac is not complicated, but requires step-by-step implementation.

Briefly about how to properly paint nails with shellac:

1. At the first stage, you need to prepare your nails for coating with gel polish. To do this, do the usual manicure by removing the cuticle and shaping the free edge of the nail. Next, use a nail file or buff to polish the nail plates to remove shine. Use a brush to brush off dust from your nails. Wipe them with an antiseptic and degrease them with a special liquid. For this purpose, you can use ordinary alcohol.
2. After the nails are ready to apply the coating, you need to make sure that they are dry. Apply a base clear coat and cure in a lamp for about 1-2 minutes. At this stage, the sticky layer is not removed.
3. Next, apply the main (color) coating. It is applied in a thin layer and for a rich color this is done two or three times. Each layer is dried separately in a UV lamp for about 2 minutes. Do not remove the sticky layer.
4. The next layer is the top layer. When applying it, you need to be careful not to get it on the skin around the nail or cuticle. Otherwise, the integrity of the coating will be compromised. After drying in a UV lamp (2 minutes), remove the sticky layer using a lint-free cloth and a special liquid. Rub the oil into the cuticle. Shellac manicure is ready.

Worth noting

The drying time for gel polish may vary depending on the power of the lamp and the manufacturer’s recommendations, so to clarify this indicator, you must read the instructions for the manicure products.

You can paint your nails with shellac not only on your hands, but also on your feet. A pedicure with gel polish lasts even longer than a manicure. This is due to the fact that toenails grow more slowly, and therefore this coating will last longer.

You need to know not only how to properly paint your nails with shellac, but also how to remove it.

For this you will need:

• cotton swabs or manicure wipes;
• shellac remover or acetone;
• shellac remover pads or foil;
• wooden stick.

Soak cotton swabs in acetone or shellac remover. Place them on your nails and wrap them in foil to prevent the liquid from evaporating. After 10 minutes, remove the foil with tampons and use a wooden stick to remove the layer of shellac.