Which is better – shellac or gel polish: professional opinion

What is better shellac or gel polish: main criteria?

If we talk about which is better, shellac or gel polish, you need to pay attention to the main characteristics of the compositions, since they are quite similar in use and initial functions.

Also keep in mind that gel polish is most often used, so only some salons can offer you a choice of using one of the pigments.

Risks of wearing

Despite the beauty of gel polish and shellac coating, you need to remember the possible risks of wearing:

• stripes, tubercles, and roughness form on the surface of the nails;
• the color of the plate may acquire a yellowish or gray tint;
• nails (your own) completely lose their shine;
• delaminations appear on the protruding section of the plate;
• the cuticle and periungual area of ​​the skin become covered with hangnails and roughness.

Nails after removing gel polish

Compound

The main myth that used to frighten girls when using any pigment is their danger. It is connected with the fact that almost all formulations previously contained one of three dangerous components:

1. Formaldehyde.
2. Toluene.
3. Dibutyl phthalate.

The substances are dangerous for the girl’s entire body, as they affect the condition of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and disrupt blood circulation and normal metabolism. Because of this, even a one-time wear of the design led to negative consequences.

However, now most packages of the formulations contain the inscription “3/5/7 FREE”, which indicates the absence of major harmful additives and their derivatives.

The composition of the dyes itself is standardly the same:

• Pigment. The saturation of the shade when applied to the nail bed depends on its quality and quantity;
• Thinners. Provides adhesion of the dye to the nail and ease of removal;
• Photoinitiators. Polymers and monomers, which are responsible for the polymerization of the decorative coating in an ultraviolet lamp;
• Film formers. Ensure the density of the manicure and prevent its deterioration under the influence of external factors;
• Fragrances, fillers to increase the elasticity of the composition.

Most shellacs and gels are now made hypoallergenic, so an allergic reaction to them is rare.

As a standard, more thinners are added to shellac, so it has a longer shelf life.

Application method

There are several features of the application of the composition that should be taken into account, however, their saturation depends on the amount of pigment added by the manufacturer. The number of layers that need to be applied to the nail depends on this.

The basic technology for using solutions is followed, but shellac does not require the use of a primer, since it itself has high adhesion to the surface.

The method of applying pigments is similar:

1. Performing nail treatment. When working with gel, it is not necessary to completely sand the plate, since the composition is self-leveling.
2. Applying dehydrator.
3. Apply and dry the top.
4. Distribution of 1-3 layers of pigment, which depends on its density.
5. Fixing the work with topcoat and drying it.

Also keep in mind that shellac most often does not have a sticky layer, and at the end of working with gel polish you need to use a special product to remove it.

Duration of wearing

Since the compositions and methods of drying the coating are the same, there are no significant differences in the duration of wear of the work. It depends on the length of the nail, as well as the quality of the manipulations performed by the nail service technician.

The minimum period for wearing shellac and gel is 2 weeks. During this period, the marigolds remain in the same condition even in the presence of mechanical stress on them. However, most often both decorative coatings last up to a month or more if the client handles his hands carefully during this period.

The optimal time to perform manicure correction is 3 weeks, but not all girls take this parameter into account.

The only differences are in the type of coating damage:

• Due to the high adhesion of shellac, it can chip and scratch along with a woman’s nail bed if there is strong pressure on it;
• Gel polish is most often subject to peeling, it moves away from the surface, which is why a void appears underneath it.

Gel polish: advantages and disadvantages

Gel polish is a plastic gel that can dissolve quickly.

Pros of gel polish:

• Durability – gel polish can last on nails for 2-3 weeks.
• Resistance to external factors - household chores cannot harm the gel coating.
• Variety of color palette - unlike regular varnish, gel has rich and rich colors. The difference when painting on nails with regular and gel polish is obvious.
• No unpleasant odor.

Gel and shellac

Despite the numerous advantages of using gel polish, there are also quite objective disadvantages:

• A large number of available tools for manicure - you need to have with you not only the gel, but also a base for fixing, a degreaser and a lamp with ultraviolet light.
• Learning how to manicure – for a good result using gel you need a lot of effort and time, because the difference in applying gel polish and regular polish is great.

Gel polish is ideal for girls who value time and do not skimp on their beauty.

Gel polish is at the peak of popularity in tandem with shellac. When asked what the difference is between gel polish and shellac and what they have in common, the advantages and disadvantages of the latter will answer.

Shellac: advantages and disadvantages

Nails coated with shellac look very attractive due to numerous advantages:

• Durability – manicure can last up to 3 weeks.
• Perfectly smooth coating.
• Faster nail growth.

Whatever advantages shellac has, it cannot be used if the nails are in poor condition.

Disadvantages of using shellac:

• The nail plate under a layer of shellac does not breathe.
• Removing shellac is only possible with special solvents.
• Susceptibility to temperature influences.

The advantages and disadvantages of gel polish and shellac are similar, and even experienced manicurists are sometimes confused in determining them. What's the difference between them? What are the differences?

Differences between gel polish and shellac

No matter how similar these means are to each other, you can find the difference between them. Confusion in these concepts occurred with the birth of shellac produced by the American brand CND. The composition of the product was a gel polish, but it was called Shellac.

Thus, the product, beloved by fashionistas, was taken as the basis for the creation of gel polishes by other manufacturers. However, 100% repetition of the composition was not possible. Shellac is a gel polish, but not every gel polish is shellac.

The difference between gel polish and shellac is also observed in the method of application. Gel polish is applied to the nails, while filing off the top layer of the nail; shellac does not require such a procedure. In this regard, shellac is a more gentle product for nails.

Gel polish and shellac can be purchased at any cosmetics store, however, finding a high-quality and durable option can be difficult.

Withdrawal procedure

To remove gel polish, you can use two removal options:

1. Hardware. It involves the use of manicure cutters and attachments that quickly cut off pigment.
2. Maceration. Cover the nails with remover and fix them with foil and clothespins for 10 minutes. After this, the softened excess is removed with a pusher or an orange stick.

It is difficult to remove shellac using a device, since the hard coating adheres tightly to the nail, which increases the risk of accidental damage. Because of this, specialists prefer to use a remover to carefully remove the product.

Color palette

A large number of shades and possible designs is one of the most important criteria for girls, because everyone wants their manicure or pedicure to look unique and unusual.

Shellac is just a type of gel coating, which is why it has a much smaller range of shades and designs than gel polish. In addition, the second option has many fillers and unusual effects that transform the monochromatic layer of pigment:

• Sequins;
• Chameleon;
• "Cat's Eye";
• Matte or glossy top;
• Volumetric coatings;
• Gradients;
• Magnetic compounds, etc.

Because of this, you need to be careful when applying gel polishes, since a combination of different designs and decor options can make the work sloppy and unkempt.

Amazing coverage

Which woman would probably not want to have well-groomed nails and do routine household chores, sports and even gardening work, without the slightest fear of ruining her manicure? Just five years ago, women of any age could only dream of a long-lasting and durable manicure. The new Shellac product was able to make the fairy tale come true.

By 2016, shellac nail polish gradually replaced the extension service from the beauty pedestal. Agree, yes, there are girls who can deftly manage everyday affairs, having nails of unimaginable length on their hands. But, in fact, there are only a few of them. And there are plenty of disadvantages to such nails, take at least the restoration of the nail plate after the manicure removal procedure.

The bio-gel included in the composition creates a gentle, long-lasting coating that will last at least two to three weeks; you don’t have to grow your own giant nails or stick tips. Regular length or even short nails are enough; such a manicure will look great on them too.

And the second component of shellac, the varnish itself, which has a rich collection of colors, and skillful hands and the imagination of the master, where without this, will allow you to create an endless variety of original nail art. Moreover, it is not at all necessary that it will be a classic manicure, such as a French one; it is possible that the emphasis will be placed on just one nail or all the fingers will be exquisitely painted.

Popular designs

In addition to the standard white, a colored version of the French jacket will be relevant in 2016. It is proposed to cover the free edge of the nail not with the usual white varnish, but with a different color, even an acid-bright one. Today, the red tip of the nail is gaining popularity; it looks stylish on nails of any length, even short ones.

A decor such as this is also possible when all the tips of the nails are covered with different colors of varnish, and this will also look stylish. Therefore, feel free to choose from the master’s collection those colors that seem interesting to you.

The imagination of a skilled specialist has no limits; in addition to the usual smooth color coating, it is possible to apply any image to the nail, both on its outer part and on the entire nail plate. Shellac will make your nails unique, because you can create appropriate decor on them, be it a special occasion, such as a wedding, or something themed, such as New Year.

Any of your decorative wishes can be reflected in the design using shellac. In 2016, to stay on trend, it is better to opt for geometric patterns.

There is also an ombre style, in other words, a gradient. It consists of a smooth transition from one color to another. Despite the fact that this is not a new product, in 2016 such a manicure still remains in demand. The advantage of this style is its versatility. Today, with a similar manicure, you can appear at a business dinner or go to a nightclub.

For this style, as a rule, from two to five shades are taken and, using a special tapping technique, a complete blur between the colors is achieved. This can be either a smooth transition or a more contrasting one, to suit your taste. Another interesting nuance: the gradient can be either vertical, that is, the transition of tones goes from the growth point of the nail to the edge of the nail plate, or horizontal, from the thumb to the little finger.

Some people prefer a more intricate gradient along the diagonal of the nail plate. Reviews claim that this option is difficult to achieve at home with gel polish, but with a regular decorative coating it is as easy as shelling pears.

Appropriate on medium and long nails, according to experts, another style will look good in 2016 - French millennium. This is an exquisite combination of classic French manicure and polish with sparkles or rhinestones on the free edge of the nail. In this way it is possible to achieve a shimmering effect. As a rule, every master’s collection contains similar gel polishes, so performing such nail art is not a problem.

Unusual but attractive, in 2016 a manicure in the form of a funnel-smile on the edge of the nail plate will look. This option is called a chevron; it helps to visually elongate the nail bed, giving the nail the correct shape. The color of the edge of the nail of this manicure can be any color: from white to black. It is also possible to use rhinestones and other decorations along the free edge of the plate.

Another more sophisticated 2016 manicure style that meets the requirements of sophisticated fashionistas is the fan-french manicure. Any materials can be used in decoration, even small real feathers, beads, and pebbles.

A type of classic French manicure that does not lose its relevance in 2016 is the lunar manicure, or as it is also called, the Hollywood French manicure. This is when the traditionally white “smile” from the tip is turned towards the nail bed. Classic white or other colored varnish is located near the cuticle of the nail, filling the hole.