Artificial manicure has been in demand among women for a long time. This is not surprising; shellac-coated nails are beautiful, durable and do not require extra time, other than visiting a specialist. On average, this procedure takes no more than an hour, and the resulting effect lasts for up to a month.
The whole problem lies in the desire of some fashionistas to change the overall appearance of their nails more often, but this requires an appointment with a specialist, allocation of time for the procedure and, of course, money. Therefore, many representatives of the fair sex are thinking about applying shellac or gel polish on their own. And in this case, you have to think about which lamp to choose for drying shellac.
Tools for manicure using shellac
Applying shellac is not such an easy procedure. To perform it well, you will need a decent list of tools and special substances. Substances include:
- Degreaser;
- Base for applying shellac;
- Selected shellac color;
- A product to cover the finished result.
Tools include:
- Standard manicure set;
- Various set of nail files;
- Collection of brushes;
- Special lamp for drying.
And if the tools can be replaced with improvised means, and the substances for performing a manicure can be bought as a set, then without a lamp for drying shellac it is impossible to complete the procedure. Without it, it simply will not dry and will look like thickened jelly on the nails.
Manicure procedure using shellac
If the desire to do an artificial manicure is great and all the necessary conditions are available, including time, then you should adhere to the following conditions for a quality result:
- Shaping nails. At this stage, the nails are simply tidied up using a nail file. The cuticle is also processed.
- Degreasing. Applying a degreaser will allow the shellac to lie flat and last for a long time.
- Applying the base. It is better to apply the base layer with a special brush in an extremely thin layer. First, it is better to treat all fingers except the thumb, this way it is more convenient to dry this layer. You need to dry the base under a special lamp for 1 minute.
- Applying shellac. After the base has dried, shellac is applied directly. Drying nails in a lamp is carried out according to the time indicated on the packaging, layer by layer.
- Finish coating. The finishing coat makes the nails shiny, but also requires drying under a lamp.
- Degreasing. After all the manipulations, the resulting manicure must be degreased again. This will remove stickiness and add extra shine to the nail plate.
- At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to treat the cuticle with oil or a special cream.
As can be seen from the description of the procedure, you cannot do without a special lamp when performing a manicure procedure with shellac coating. Next, we’ll look at what types of lamps there are and how to choose the right device for your personal needs.
Advice from professionals
The quality and type of device affect how the manicure turns out. In addition, the cost of the device is quite high.
Therefore, when buying a lamp, you need to consider the following professional advice:
- It is recommended to buy the device only in specialized stores. In ordinary stores and on the market, the goods are inexpensive, however, when shopping in such places, you can run into a fake. It is also not recommended to buy goods in an online store, since the quality and characteristics of the delivered goods may differ greatly from what is indicated on the website.
- When purchasing a lamp, you should check it. The lights should not blink, and the device should not smoke or buzz during operation. If there is even the slightest deviation from the norm, it is better to refuse the purchase.
- From time to time the device needs to be cleaned; to do this, use a dry soft cloth. The pull-out panel can be washed in warm running water.
- Once a year, the bulbs in UV devices need to be changed, so the device will last much longer.
- It is forbidden to place any objects on the device; it is also advisable to keep it away from heating appliances, gas, and microwave ovens. It is not recommended to leave the dryer in direct sunlight, as the effects of heat will shorten its service life.
- If a breakdown is detected, you must immediately stop using the device. A breakdown is indicated by an unpleasant odor, blinking lights, dimming of light, etc.
- You need to buy only high-quality varnishes.
- In order to do a manicure at home, you will need to purchase a lamp, since in poor lighting the coating may turn out uneven.
The most important thing is to buy a lamp from an official representative
Attention! A burning sensation in the nails when the polish dries is not a sign of failure. Typically, girls with thin and weak nails feel a burning sensation when drying.
In order for the device to work for a long time, you must follow these rules. If you treat the device carelessly, it will work for less than a year.
You can grow and strengthen your nails using shellac. You can do this manicure at home, but only with a special lamp. Which lamp is best for shellac is one of the most common questions, since the final result depends on the quality of the lamp and its type.
There are several types of such devices, but ultraviolet lamps are more suitable for home use. If you operate the device carefully and follow the instructions for use, this lamp will last quite a long time.
Types of manicure lamps with shellac coating
There are many types of lamps. They differ in color, shape, power, design and general technical characteristics. But the main types can be divided into three categories:
- Ultraviolet lamps;
- LED bulbs;
- Gas light lamps;
- Combined type lamps.
Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so the choice of lamp should be made taking into account all the wishes of the housewife.
Ultraviolet lamps
An ultraviolet-powered lamp became the founder of artificial manicure. Therefore, it can still be seen in most masters providing cosmetic services. Over time, many options for such lamps appeared in color, type of body, color and design. However, all these characteristics, in fact, are not very important; the power of the device is much more important, because the rate of shellac polymerization depends on it.
The lamps of the device are available with power from 9 to 54 W. One lamp is equal to 9 W and the number of lamps included in the device is the amount of power it produces. The optimal solution is considered to be a device with 4 light bulbs, whose total power is 36W. Drying under such a lamp takes 2 minutes.
Particularly useful in lamps of this type is the timer. Cheap models have a timer already set for 1 - 2 minutes, more expensive ones have a special button to turn on the time countdown or a second timer.
The size of the lamp is also important. In a salon setting, it is advisable to purchase a lamp for drying both hands at the same time, but for home use, a device for one hand is quite suitable. This will help save time, work space and energy.
A distinctive feature of a quick light bulb failure is their alternating switching on, blinking or complete absence of light on one of the lamps of the device. In this case, an increase in drying time may be observed due to loss of power. Or even rapid cracking of the nail surface or delamination. But this is a completely solvable problem; the lamps in such devices are easily replaceable and commercially available.
Such lamps have some disadvantages, including:
- Ultraviolet rays are harmful to the eyes;
- This radiation can dry out the skin;
- Light bulbs in the device may burn out and require replacement.
UV lamp test overview
LED bulbs
LED devices, or LED lamps as they are also called, appeared relatively recently. The advantage of such lamps is that under their influence shellac dries much faster. The 6 W lamp is designed for one drying session from 10 to 30 seconds. This version of the device is convenient for craftsmen who travel to the client’s address; it is light, miniature and easy to use. Another advantage of an LED device is that it continues to work even when one or two diodes burn out. Unfortunately, they cannot be replaced.
When choosing a device, it is better if the diodes are located over the entire surface of the device, and not just on top. This will give the advantage of drying the shellac completely and evenly on all sides, and not just on top. In LED models, the timer can be touch-controlled and turn on when the hand is in the lamp. The main models of LED lamps are designed to dry one hand according to the 4 +1 scheme. But in the line of various manufacturers you can find models for two hands, but they differ in size and cost.
Important! LED rays are not harmful to health, but may not cope with some gel polishes, so if you choose a lamp of this type, you should carefully read the instructions for the coating.
LED lamp review
Gas light lamps
Shellac drying lamps that are equipped with a cold cathode are called gas light lamps or CCFLs. To date, this type of device has not yet come into active use among craftsmen, due to its high cost. But those craftsmen who already work with such lamps claim the following advantages of the device:
- Possibility of drying any type of coating;
- Complete safety for skin and eyes;
- Great durability and low wear resistance;
- Low power consumption.
There is no clear option for drying time; it differs in different models, but an average period can be distinguished, which ranges from half a minute to two. Gas lighting equipment is still very expensive, so there is no point in purchasing such a device for individual use.
Hybrid lamps
The device combines gas light and LED lamp technologies. This combination allows you to work with various types of gels, while the coating is fixed in a short period of time, about 20 seconds.
The advantages of such devices are versatility, long service life, energy efficiency and fast polymerizing effect.
Video review of a hybrid lamp
Which is better: UV or LED
Shave on the face: what is it?
Many girls who have started doing manicures at home are interested in the question: which lamp is best for UV or LED shellac. At the moment, LED lamps are considered the best, as they are safe and economical. But an ultraviolet lamp is more suitable for shellac manicure, which is done at home, since ice devices have been used for quite a long time. For the LED device you will have to select special coatings.
Types of lamps for shellac
Advantages of shellac nail extensions
A manicure done independently guarantees protection against infections and poorly processed tools by the master. In addition, this is an opportunity to get a manicure without being tied to a specialist and in your free time. And developing your own nail design and bringing it to life is a manifestation of creativity and imagination.
If you get the hang of it, the procedure for nail extensions with shellac will not take much time. Of course, applying shellac will require more diligence than a regular manicure, but this procedure will allow you to have well-groomed hands for a period of 3 to 4 weeks, freely go to the pool and wash dishes.
In addition, nail extensions can bring a good income, provided that the procedure is followed correctly, high-quality equipment and close friends. However, reaching a professional level does not require the use of all types of devices, that is, compact models with an extended layer curing period will have to be left in the past and choose a powerful professional lamp. Fortunately, the market for shellac drying lamps today offers a wide selection of units that differ in drying principle, power, dimensions and design. The choice is yours!
Ice lamp for gel polish reviews
If we talk about reviews, the girls always leave only good things. Except for those cases when they initially purchase a low-quality lamp from Chinese manufacturers. It is better to purchase only European or domestic analogues, they are an order of magnitude higher in quality.
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Remember that if the lamp breaks, it can be replaced. The main thing is to decide which lamp to buy for shellac, and to find only one for which you can subsequently find components. In general, if we talk about the price of Chinese lamps for gel polish, then the average cost for them is only 1,500 rubles, and this is at a huge dollar exchange rate.
