What is the difference between gel polish and shellac - advantages and differences - useful information

How do the means differ?

This can be understood by formulating a definition. Thus, a gel base is a product developed by combining it with a varnish component. And shellac is a hybrid of varnish and the first option. It turns out that in essence they are the same thing, it’s just that the second variety is produced by the CND company, which gave it the name “shellac”. However, products from other brands still have some differences. The main competitors are companies such as Kodi, Perfect Match and others.

What is gel coating

It is important to note that both types are varnish layers containing a gel-like component in different volumes. It is this ingredient that provides ample opportunities for nail design:

• bright and rich shades;
• shine;
• strength and durability.

Varieties have a plastic, instant composition. They are applied in the same way as the classic one, but a special ultraviolet lamp is used to dry them. The advantage of the products is their longevity. Having had a manicure, a woman can admire it for up to 3 weeks.

Gel layering: a miracle product

The recently developed hybrid of gel and varnish is easily dissolved with a special liquid. It is applied as simply as a classic coating, but dries only under the influence of UV rays, which affects its durability - from 14 days. At the same time, the shade retains its freshness and shine throughout the entire wear period.

This is a real salvation for brittle nails. The layers have a strengthening effect and protect them from damage. Therefore, it will not be difficult for girls to grow long nails and maintain their health and integrity.

Removal is also not accompanied by difficulties. There is no need to use a nail file, which will damage the plate. It is enough to take a solution that softens the product. After this, you can remove the old manicure with an orange stick.

Consequences of applying and removing shellac

To remove gel polish, there is a special liquid without acetone.
Having become familiar with all the advantages of this coating, we can conclude that it is durable and pleasing to the eye .

However, there is one point that can lead to serious illness. This is its susceptibility to temperature effects. When cleaning an apartment with rubber gloves, taking a bath, or washing dishes, the nail receives a large amount of moist heat and expands under its influence. When these procedures are completed, the heat goes away and the nail narrows. He takes on his natural form.

The deformation that occurs with the nail can produce a small crack in the coating.

It will be invisible to the eye, but can cause a lot of trouble. Dirt and liquid get through it. Excellent conditions are created for the appearance of bacteria. They can live and reproduce unnoticed by anyone, because shellac can last quite a long time. The health of the nail is undermined. The simplest disease that can arise is called a fungus.

Shellac: what is the difference from gel polish

In fact, these two means do not differ from each other. Many nail masters adhere to this exact opinion. And to a certain extent, they are right.

The product was developed about 3 years ago by CND. This was an innovation in the cosmetics industry that quickly gained popularity. The company patented its creation, but competitors did not want to stand aside and also began to produce their own lines. But since Shellac has already managed to win everyone’s love, most experts today call any varnish tube this way, regardless of the manufacturer.

The difference between gel polish and shellac can be understood by their composition, structure and texture. So, the last option does not require the application of a primer. It is also much easier to remove from the nail, which is a big plus for those who are overly concerned about the health and safety of their fingers, and also do not neglect the issue of comfort. But it also has disadvantages. When using it, severe drying of the nails was noticed, which leads to their separation. This was not observed with products of other brands.

Advantages and disadvantages of coating

So, gel or shellac: which is better to choose?

During application, varnishes do not smear on the surface of the nail, because they are characterized by rapid polymerization. They are easy to use. Gel polish differs from shellac and comes in a variety of colors. With its help, craftsmen create any design that is complemented with various effects.

Among the disadvantages is nail polishing. This harms their structure and gradually leads to fragility. Some substances used in such varnishes cause an allergic reaction.

The CND product line called Shellac consists of only 61 tones, but manicure products are distinguished by deeper, more saturated shades.

When hardened, they do not lose elasticity like acrylic and are evenly distributed over the plate. They do not require an acidic primer, which greatly dries out the surface. The product, on the contrary, strengthens brittle nails. The coating of this type of varnish is characterized by high resistance to mechanical damage. If necessary, shellac can be easily removed without disturbing the integrity of the nail itself.

Its main disadvantage is the high cost of both the varnish and the remover.

Similarity of means

Both varieties perfectly cover the nail plate, giving it rich color, shine and strength. The variety of the palette allows you to create any design and admire it for up to 3 weeks.

The products are also united by the presence of a gel base and varnish in the composition, but the ratio of the components is known only to the manufacturers. The application process is also no different: first the base is applied, and then the shade. A special UV lamp is required for fixation.

Shellac manicure ideas: photos

Today it is fashionable to paint your nails one color or apply a light design using gel polish. The trend is glitter, cobwebs, sequins, stickers, stripes, triangles and dots.

Share with your friends!

more

Read us in the Zen channel

What is the difference between CND shellac and gel from other brands?

The list is related to patent law and trade secrets. As a result, it turns out that products have different characteristics. Among them:

• Tube volume. Can be from 7 to 15 milliliters.
• Basic kit. The names included in the set along with the varnish also vary.
• Persistence. Basically, manicure lasts for 2 weeks for the “pioneer”, and for some competitors - up to 3.
• Coating and removal methods. Each company offers its own subtleties and nuances.
• Color spectrum. Its volume is also different. Shellac has about 60 shades, while Gelish has 90. Less well-known manufacturers offer a palette of 20-30 colors.

We also note that the contents of all positions do not contain harmful ingredients.

Differences

This includes technical indicators.

Compound

Each brand has an individual “zest”. But the main point is the ratio of the gel component and the varnish in the bottle. And to be more precise, their concentration. So, there is less gel in shellac than in other products. But its components include acetone, which greatly dries the nail surface with prolonged use of the coating.

On the other hand, alternative varnish names include other harmful substances: formaldehyde, toluene, etc. But we note that the positions of leading brands are absolutely harmless.

Application method

First, we put the nails in order: we file them, treat them if necessary. The process takes place in different ways. Using shellac does not require the application of a primer, and to remove old layers it is enough to use a special liquid.

For gel, a degreasing layer is necessary, otherwise the color will not stick to the surface. To remove it, it is better to contact an experienced nail specialist. The procedure carried out independently may damage the record.

Polymerization period

Drying time depends on several factors:

• number of layers;
• type of lamp: LED dries 2 times faster;
• the presence of decorative ornaments;
• percentage of gel component: shellac is fixed better.

As a result, it takes about half an hour to work with shellac, and much longer with other types.

Duration of wearing

The gel retains shine and freshness of color for 2 weeks. CND products have amazing durability - up to 3 or more. For example, some coatings last up to 28 days, demonstrating resistance to external influences, scratches and chips.

The criterion depends on several factors: proper application of products, contact with household chemicals and water. Also, overgrown nails look unpresentable, so the best option is about three weeks.

Withdrawal procedure

Shellac has a gentle layer removal procedure. It does not require filing or stripping of the design. The process is performed using a special solvent, covered with foil for 10 minutes to soften the coating. The CND set includes lint-free wipes and orange sticks that do not damage the surface.

Despite this, the gel still has a lot of fans. Nail experts assure that with the right approach and the use of high-quality tools, it is impossible to damage your nails.

Color palette

Gel products have a wide range, allowing you to create a design to suit every taste. But in shellac, brightness and saturation predominate, as well as innovative thermal positions that change shade at different air temperatures.

Price

Each individual brand sets its own price and, depending on this, it can be several times higher or lower. For example, the founder company has the most expensive line. The analogue from Gelish sets the same price tag, but the bottle is twice as large. And Kodi releases items that are 3 or even 4 times cheaper.

Correction

The advantage of gel polish is that the manicure can be adjusted. In this case, the design is preserved for several more weeks. Shellac cannot be restored. Therefore, after the end of its service life, the old layer is removed and a new one is applied.

Consistency

The “brainchild” of CND contains a larger amount of varnish component, which means it is as liquid as the classic product. It is applied to the nail quite thinly and is practically not felt. And the gel variety is thicker.

What is shellac?

Creative Nail Design, CND or as everyone is more familiar with “shellac” is a type of decorative nail coating that combines the properties of regular colored varnish and gel. Thanks to this combination, the result is a beautiful and, most importantly, durable manicure that lasts about 2 weeks on the nails. Shellac also has other advantages.

Shellac

• The ability to adjust the design without fear of rapid drying, since shellac hardens exclusively in a special UV or LED lamp.
• Significantly strengthens nails, smoothes them, and also gives them a glossy shine.
• Shellac is a fairly light coating that does not weigh down the nail plates and thus does not cause discomfort.
• It takes no more than 40 minutes to create a manicure.
• It does not streak or flow under the cuticle, which makes it possible for even an inexperienced person to use this coating.
• Suitable for creating not only manicures, but also pedicures.

Interesting: Marble manicure: beautiful options

Delicate design made with shellac

Important! The top of the latest nail trends was occupied by the design of manicure and pedicure, made in the same style and the same color palette.

Single-color coating will be in demand again in 2022

• It is a non-toxic coating that can be used by allergy sufferers and pregnant women.
• A very wide palette, which makes it possible to create a wide variety of designs.
• It looks impressive not only on long nails, but also on short ones.

Shellac on short nails

Important! The only significant drawback of CND coating is its considerable cost in relation to other decorative means.

Both shellac and gel polish are used by pedicurists

Shellac should be applied to a previously prepared and degreased plate using a brush, and then polymerized in a lamp for 30-60 seconds. At the end, everything is fixed with a finish.

Primer for shellac

Interesting! Nail art masters in their numerous reviews recommend that before applying a decorative coating in the form of shellac or gel polish, the plate must first be coated with a special primer or primer. These products increase the tenacity between the nail and the decorative product, thereby extending the “life” of the manicure for another 1-2 weeks.

Shellac on long nails

General principles of application and removal

Despite the fact that both varieties have some differences, this does not affect the manicure technique at all. First, remove the old layer with a solvent liquid. To do this, apply a disc moistened with the solution to each nail and wrap it in foil. After 10-15 minutes, the layering is removed with an orange stick.

It is imperative to put your fingers in order: trim the cuticle and use a nail file to create a shape. Degrease the surface and apply the base. Dry in a lamp for 2 minutes.

Apply the color with a brush, drying it each time. The total duration depends on the number of coatings and brand. So, gel polishes take a little longer. Finally, apply the top. And after drying, remove stickiness with a degreaser.

Are the funds beneficial?

The answer depends on personal feelings, so you can find it by trying both methods.

Useful qualities also include strengthening nails and protecting them from environmental influences. But you should not use products to treat the surface, since these are decorative products that do not have such effects.

Cons of products

The main disadvantage is that the layers prevent the penetration of oxygen to the plate, since it is tightly closed. Therefore, in order to reduce harm, it is necessary to take breaks between successive procedures and give the nails a rest. It is important to use caring elements, such as cuticle oil. The negative effect of shellac is excessive drying. Its cause was the presence of acetone in the composition.

The gel base also has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, before applying it, it is necessary to remove the top layer of the plate, which causes it to become thinner. Secondly, it is more often exposed to temperature changes, which provokes the appearance of microcracks and chips.

So, we looked at what it is: gel polish or shellac and what is their difference. Despite the differences in some criteria, the coatings provide unsurpassed hand aesthetics: it is impossible to overestimate the beauty and well-groomed nature of manicured fingers.

Shellac application method

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QueWKL578bk

This procedure seems simple, but it is carried out in stages and takes a lot of time. The external beauty of a nail lies in its beautiful design. When the varnish is applied evenly and carefully, the nails shimmer, captivating with their well-groomed appearance. Difficulties in application occur in the cuticle area. It is this place, when it is poorly painted, that can ruin everything.

What are the subtleties of application?

1. First of all, the nails are prepared . They are polished from above, all irregularities are removed, and the cuticle is processed. Then grinding . There are villi on the surface of the nail. As you sand, they lift up, allowing the shellac to lie firmly on the nail. Disinfection is carried out to degrease the nail plate and allow the shellac to spread evenly over the surface.
2. Next, apply the base gel . This is done in one layer using special technology. This way the foundation is made. It is fixed with an ultraviolet lamp .
3. Then a single layer of color is applied . Drying again .
4. The third layer of shellac is the final one. The edges are . Drying takes place again .
5. When there are stains around the nails , they are removed .
6. Oil is applied to the cuticles : the skin dries out under the lamp, the purpose of the oil is to soften it.

As can be seen from the above, the manipulation is quite complex. Therefore, it is better not to undertake its implementation at home without appropriate preparation.