Shellac Nails

Shellac is the invention of US nail brand Creative Nail Design (CND) and is a hybrid between a Nail Polish and a gel. Gels (not to be confused with acrylics) are polymer resins that are painted on your nail in gel form then hardened under UV light.

They last about 2–3 weeks but in my experience the damage to the nail makes them almost not worth doing: every time you have them removed, the nail technician soaks your nails in acetone and then buffs them senseless. I tried them several times and ended up with shabby little stumps.

Shellac, on the other hand, is painted on and cured with UV in the same way but, because of its molecular structure, it sets with tiny invisible holes in it. You still have to soak them off but the holes allow the acetone to penetrate to the base layers, making it much easier to remove. Your nail technician just flakes away the residue with a cuticle pusher — no buffing required.

Beauty therapist Jocelyn Petroni, from The Facial Room in Sydney’s Woollahra, believes it’s the next generation of Nail Polish: “It’s like the nail is protected with a plastic seal that helps them grow without breaking but lets them breathe and absorb moisture at the same time.”

The application process takes about an hour and is similar to a normal manicure, except that between coats you put your hand into a UV lamp for two minutes.

When they’re completed they look like normal nail polish (not thick like acrylics) and they even stay glossy for longer. And the best bit? When it’s finished, they’re absolutely 100 per cent dry.

You can expect Sns Nails to range from $35 at Monstera Nails & Spa St Kilda. Please visit here.