Shellac nail polish has been all the rage for a few years now and still going strong down the nail salons.
I still haven’t tried it and feel like I’m probably in that bottom 2% or something like that.
The appeal
Well shellac nails look more natural than acrylics, and the super shiny finish is enviable against everyday polish.
The colour is long lasting and seems more vibrant than a normal nail varnish – never fading or getting dull.
The Doubts
Despite the selling points, a few things are still holding me back.
- I don’t like the idea of being stuck with one nail colour and not being able to change it without the rigamarole of having to keep going back to a nail salon for a long winded session.
- I just don’t like the sound of anything that requires deliberate exposure to UV rays – the rays we try our hardest to protect ourselves from when out in the sun. Is it just me?
- There seem to be quite a few gel polishes on the market that pose as an alternative to shellac, surely one of these must have near enough the same results!
- Gel manicure products have been shown to contain cancer causing ingredients (as I think many nail polishes do).
- The spread of hepatitis C is a real problem where salons do not sterilise implements properly – implements that have traces of blood on them – though not specific to shellac treatments, this does make me feel a bit wearier about trips to the local nail salon.
- I hear its a real pain when your shellac manicure chips or flakes
The whole habit of acrylics and shellac nails, with all their toxic glory has definitely cast a different light on this indulgence – perhaps less toxic Zoya Nail polish and similar  products are the way to go….😷
Amanda Carter
Yes i would use Shellac. It makes life so much easier. Stays on for holidays etc
Cherryl
Yes, a lot of people get it done for going on holiday 😊💅
Maddy
#nailcare I had my nails shellaced in a dark purple to protect my nails from chemotherapy, (You can lose your nails as well as your hair :/ ) I loved the smooth finish and how they lasted, but I didn’t like what a faff it was to have them removed,
Cherryl
Yes – I like to be able to change my nail colour whenever I like 😊💅 without having to go through a whole load of palaver
P Phillips
I had my nails done with shellac for the first time 3 weeks ago. I had it done for a special occasion as wouldn’t normally do it. It is still looking good and I am very impressed with it. I hadn’t read anything about shellac before having them done so I’m hoping this will come off easily and leave no damage.
Cherryl
I think you have to go back to the salon to have it removed 😊💅
Jennifer Toal
I like them much shiner better quality
Helen
Nope
Cherryl
Short answer, lol 😊💅
Sheila Sloan
I haven’t tried it, but would like to.
Elodie ladlow
i’ve never tried but would love to #nailcare
Kristin Burdsall
Iv never had it done for the many points you have mentioned. I have a friend who has just started doing cal gel nails that are apparently much better. Not sure if i want to give them a go or not yet though!
Cherryl
I think once you do it once and see how nice it looks, it might be hard to go back to not having them done 😊💅
Susan Hoggett (@susanhoggett)
I’ve not had it done before and I’m still not really sure about it in case it damages my nails
Cherryl
Best leave it alone – I think it will definitely do some damage over time especially if you do it often 😊💅
Ruth Harwood
Wow, I love the look of these varnish, have yet to try them, but looking forward to doing so #nailcare
Hannah Irish
#nailcare I have never had it done but would like to, the only thing putting me off is normal nail polish you can take off at home easily. I know from friends that gel is a pain to get off
Cherryl
Yep – removal of shellac is a pain – also cracked shellac means a trip back to the salon to mend it too 😊💅
Anonymous
Ive never had them done tbf, my nails are quite long as they are, i would try it thought regardless of the bad reviews as id have to see for m slf
#nailcare
Cherryl
It would be great to hear your review of shellac after you’ve tried it 😊💅
kathcake2017
I would rather do my own to be honest!!
Cherryl
This is often the best way (and saves you a lot of time and money ) 😊💅
Paula gwynne
I have never wanted to try as have heard how it can cause lasting damage to nails. They look lovely but don’t want to ruin my nails
Cherryl
Yes, I think you’re right, and they do look lovely….
Debbie Winstanley
I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle, to be honest. I’m sure they would look amazing but I’m happy doing my own with gel-look polishes. Maybe for a really special occasion I’d bother. The health issues aren’t a biggie for me anyway as it would be a rare thing for me, certainly not regular.
Cherryl
Fair enough – and I agree, it does seem a lot of hassle.
Sheena Batey
#nailcare the upside is it does look really good and lasts forever on me. However it definitely damaged my nails if I have it done a few times a year and that is even when I allow it to grow out naturally which looks a bit strange
Cherryl
I’m not sure of the damage is worth it…..hopefully your nails have recovered.
Robert Price
#nailcare My Grand Daughter would love to try this
Hazel Rea
I don’t like the idea of it at all. I think we need to be more aware of what is in the products we use generally. I do wear nail polish but not all the time – I used to work with a girl who used nail polish all the time and she came in one day without it on and her nails were in very poor condition. #nailcare
Cherryl
These things always do some sort of damage – just like acrylics etc 😊💅
Hazel Rea
I don’t like the idea of it at all. I think we need to be more aware of what is in the products we use generally. I do wear nail polish but not all the time – I used to work with a girl who used nail polish all the time and she came in one day without it on and her nails were in very poor condition.
Hazel Rea
Please delete this comment as I forgot to use the hashtag. Sorry about that!
Cherryl
No worries.
Cherryl
Good points – I must admit. I don’t like my nails bare – but tend to go for the less toxic nail polishes now (even though they cost more).
Marylyn Hammersley
I love the finish that shellac and gel nail polish gives to my nails, so glossy. I have tried both and I think gel lasts longer. But I only use for special occasions, because it is such a nightmare to remove, or it costs a fortune to maintain at the salon.
Cherryl
Yes, cost and the aggro of removing/redoing it are a real putt off.
kayleigh watkins
I am in the bottom 2% like you, I haven’t even heard of it let alone tried it, I don’t like the negatives either, they do sound like a long wearing good quality polish though #nailcare
Cherryl
The shiny finish and non-chipping are supposed to be the main appeal….but the negatives seem to be outweighing this for me!
katesds
I’ve had it once and it did last longer than normal nail polish. It didn’t last as long as I was expecting though (maybe I had too high expectations?!) and I’m always wary of the toxins in any nail polish.
Cherryl
Maybe it’s a lot of effort for something that might not last very long.
Cherryl
I do wear nail polish but I’ve thrown a lot away recently after becoming a bit more aware of the toxic chemicals. Sally Hansen and Zoya are some of a handful of brands that are supposed to be free from the more harmful chemicals – they’re a bit pricier so I have fewer bottles now.
I find myself admiring other people’s gel nails, but have decided not to try them myself. Fake nails are also ver bad for nails, even though they allow your nails to grow out, mine are always weaker and end up breaking once I remove them – so I think I’m done with them now.
Thanks for reading – sorry for the late response x
da-AL
coincidentally, I just had gel nail polish for 1st time about a month ago – very damaging to nails to remove – do you wear nail polish at all?