Everyone keeps talking about the new trend in nails and most are still trying to understand what a gel manicure is really all about. If you haven’t tried this type of manicure and are debating whether or not you should, or if you had a negative first experience with it then this blog is for you.

First, you should know that a CND Shellac™ Manicure is the only non-gel manicure on the market which makes it less damaging to nails. If you have ever received a gel manicure your experience was probably troublesome when it came to the removal of the polish. It is difficult to take off and it ruins your nails, leaving them cracked, thin and frail.

Results of a CND Shellac™ Manicure should last about two weeks or longer — no chipping or fading. There are over 70 shades of lacquer that can be layered for endless possibilities. Your your nail salon should be savvy enough to know how to pair the colors together to create new ones that satisfy your style.

The process goes like this: after a dry manicure—pushing back cuticles, shaping nails etc, the technician prepares the nail surface with ScrubFresh, a product that helps the polish adhere better. She then layers on a base coat and has you place your hands under a CND (UV) lamp for 10 seconds. Next comes two layers of color after each, you “cure” the nails in the lamp for two minutes and apply layer of top coat which is cured for two minutes again. Nails are dry at this point which becomes more apparent when the technician wipes the tops of them with alcohol to remove the sticky layer. The final step: a swipe of CND SolarOil on cuticles to moisturize them.

The manicure should last two to three weeks depending on your level of activity with your hands and how delicate you are in your daily activities. When you return to get another manicure, the salon will us acetone nail polish remover to take the polish off. They wrap nails in cotton soaked acetone secured with foil. The actual removal of the polish should not be painful or difficult. If your technician is having a hard time removing the polish, chances are he/she either didn’t allow them to soak long enough (10-15 minutes) or you didn’t use certified Shellac product to begin with.

Thinking of having Shellac™ for your next manicure or pedicure at Chez Ashton Spa? Just book for our Spa Manicure or Spa Pedicure. Book online or check out our service menu!

^{Written by: Renee Woodruff (https://www.shape.com)}