Everything you need to achieve an at-home shellac manicure at home
Beautiful well-groomed nails with an interesting design are not just a tribute to fashion. It’s also a way of self-expression. Today it’s not necessary to go to salons, because you can give yourself a perfect manicure at home. Among other varieties of gel, shellac is very popular. Thank to it, you can create unique designs that may look differently each time. The main thing is to choose everything you need to do a high-quality shellac manicure at home.
To do a shellac manicure at home, you need to choose it first. It’s worth starting with the definition of shellac. It should be noted that it is a well-promoted brand of gel polish. It is a substance that combines ultra-strong properties for nail extensions and a pigment for nail decorations. The agent can change from a liquid to a solid state under the action of a specialised lamp.
There are such types of shellac:
• UV/LED: An option that cures well regardless of the lamp selected. Ultraviolet wavelengths of 350 to 400 nm are needed for the solid state transition;
• UV: the polymer is designed for medium and short range lamps in 280-370 nm. This includes fluorescent and CCFL devices, but there is an uneven thickening or a lack of this process at all in the LED device;
• LED: is designed for devices equipped with LEDs emitting light with a wavelength of 380-400 nm. The polymerisation time in such devices is from 30 seconds to a minute, but in fluorescent and CCFL lamps it takes 2-8 minutes to cure.
The next criteria of a coating choice is the application method. This is represented by such as: one-, two- and three-phase polish. The first one is combined, so it is enough to apply one or several layers without a base and top coat, and cure them. A two-phase one needs a top or a base cose either, and a three-phase one needs both elements at once. And although a single-phase polish is handy to use, however, a three-phase one is most often used. This is due to the pricing policy.
Which shellac polishes and how many are needed for an at-home shellac manicure depends strictly on the purpose. If you are going to design exclusively for yourself, a few basic shades or favourite ones will do the job. If you also plan to do a manicure for someone else or even start making money – obviously you’ll need a lot more.
In addition to the color palettes, there are types of shellac manicure with different effects:
• neon flatters and enhances your look for different parties, summer season, outrageous outfits;
• matte is perfect for creating a discreet or vice versa dark nail design, emphasizing the depth of color and beautiful pattern lines on the nails;
• cat’s eye is a very interesting effect that will make you stand out from the crowd and emphasize your character;
• thermal polish is able to change a colour at different temperatures;
• stained glass is perfect for a nail design with a broken glass effect;
• mirror gives the nails an interesting metallic shine;
• chameleon is another type of polish that can change color at different angles of view.
The main characteristics of shellac are durability and intense pigmentation. If you follow all the rules, your manicure lasts for up to three weeks without correction. The polish is removed using a special remover, which greatly ease the work with it and speeds up the time for correction.
The list must also include a special polymerisation lamp to get your shellac nails done.
They are:
• UV;
• LED;
• CFFL;
• UV LED
Based on the above-mentioned material types, you should choose a curing equipment. Today you can find whole sets with or without lamp for beginners and professionals. In the first case the advantage of this kit is that the materials, equipment and all accessories are carefully selected. But if you want a lamp of a different brand and not the one offered in a ready-made kit, it is worth completing it yourself and choosing the items separately.
The second list you need for an at-home shellac manicure:
• nail files: a need of tools of different hardness for natural plates that are also used for removing polish. Each type/structure of file has its own effect. Pay attention to the material of the product. It is better to choose nail files that can be disinfected in any methods;
• cuticle removal devices: include orange sticks, silicone applicators (also used for nail decorating), nippers, tweezers for a classic manicure or a milling machine with cutters of different hardness, of course, if you are looking for a professional device;
• buffer: for polishing and making nails shiny;
• brushes of different thickness: for coatings and creating designs.
Without a doubt, your set needs to be equipped with a thin brush. It is used for high-quality painting of the nail free edge.
You also need to have various shellac polish removers. They are usually in sets, so it is better for beginners to pay attention to the ready-made kits, and then get the missing items. And don’t forget about care products. You will certainly need a special moisturizing oil.
To do a shellac manicure at home, make sure you prepare a list of supplies, materials and accessories:
• lint-free wipes: are used for fixing mistakes, degreasing, removing the sticky layer. Due to the lack of lint, they do not leave traces on the nails, and the nail design looks neat;
• stencils: ease the work of creating patterns. These are special strips that are glued to a place that should not be painted over. For example, they are used to achieve a moon or French manicure or apply various geometric shapes etc.;
• nail decoration: it can be anything you like. Choose foil, powders, mica, beads, rhinestones, stamps. They aren’t on the basic set, but they allow to create a great variety of designs. If you paint your nails in more than one colour, you definitely couldn’t do without them.
If you are going to paint your nails, make sure you have a gel paint in your kit. It has a higher density than polish, which makes it suitable for creating patterns.
If you are looking for all the necessary tools for DIY-ing shellac, check out the GLOSS COMPANY catalog. Here you will find the best products from leading manufacturers. The assortment also includes ready-made kits for beginners and experienced nail technicians. It is also possible to buy any accessories and coats separately. If you want to buy products at a discount, register on the website and take advantage of the loyalty program.
