We create our own designs on our nails using shellac

The nail industry is constantly improving, so the fair sex will be able to try new solutions and ideas to create a flawless manicure. Drawings on shellac add variety to the usual nail coating. Girls are given unlimited opportunities to experiment.

Shellac is the varnish of the American brand CND, which released the original Shellac collection. They have a gel texture and increased resistance to damage. The product is odorless and dries quickly in a special ultraviolet lamp. Nail art shimmers beautifully in daylight and looks great in photos.

Thanks to the wide color palette, girls will be able to choose a polish for any look and special event. The coating will last for several weeks and will delight you with its impeccable appearance. It is necessary to apply the drawing only after the base layer has thoroughly dried.

Materials for design

Shellac coating does not involve applying just one tone. In fact, shellac manicure can be almost as complex and varied as one done with ordinary varnish. Let's talk about how and with what to draw drawings on shellac, such as those presented in the video. Most often, two types of material are used to apply the pattern.

• Directly shellac. It has a fairly thick and viscous consistency. Therefore, not all drawings can be done independently. However, for example, stamping is as easy to do with it as with regular varnish. In addition, this consistency helps to create interesting abstractions using the needle;
• Acrylic paints. After the shellac nail coating has completely dried, as the video tutorials show, you can begin painting with acrylic. It is performed in the same way as with any other varnish. Covering it with a shellac fixative will allow the manicure to last a long time.

When making drawings with shellac, it is worth remembering that each new element must be polymerized under a lamp before applying the next one, overlapping it. On the contrary, when working with acrylic paints, by mixing colors and shades on a plate and adding water, you can achieve an interesting “watercolor” effect. Our instructional video will tell you how to draw designs with shellac on nails.

Advantages and disadvantages, features

The color palette of varnishes allows you to choose any shade to create beautiful designs on your nails with shellac. Representatives of the fair sex can combine different colors and textures. The following features of shellac can be distinguished:

• durable coating;
• no chipping, cracking or peeling;
• safety;
• no pungent odor.

Shellac paintings do not cause allergic reactions and do not harm natural nails. Even when worn for a long time, they do not deplete and remain healthy.

The coating has virtually no disadvantages, except for some listed below:

1. Expensive. If you do a manicure at home, you need to buy a basic set and an ultraviolet lamp.
2. Duration and complexity of the procedure. To remove the old coating you will need to use special products and film.
3. Using sanding after removing shellac.

Tools for drawing

Before presenting to your attention the master class on , presented in the video, we will discuss what tools are needed to complete the drawing. Their set depends on what kind of design you want to execute. Depending on this, you may need the following tools:

1. Dots;
2. Needle;
3. Toothpick;
4. Thin brush;
5. Stamping kit (needed only for painting with shellac).

With the help of dots you can create a pretty look using shellac, for example, such as in the photo. By varying the diameters of the resulting dots, you can create hearts, stylized flowers, clouds and other patterns. You may also need a tool when working with acrylic to create small elements, such as flower cores.

Using a simple needle or toothpick, shellac coating can be significantly complicated, as the video tutorial will tell you how to do this. By mixing shades you can create interesting abstract patterns. Using the same method, you can create a pattern of a feather, a cloud, smoke, or an imitation of natural stones, turquoise or marble.

A thin brush is the most indispensable tool when doing acrylic painting on shellac, as the video tutorial shows. You can and should work with brushes and acrylics in the same way as with simple watercolor or gouache paints for painting. The shades mix well and are diluted with water. With enough practice, this method can create real works of art.

Most popular questions

When choosing a particular product, women are always concerned about certain points. Let's answer the most popular questions asked by girls who decide to purchase a shellac kit.

1. How long does shellac last on nails? Beautiful nails will delight you for at least 14 days. The coating does not crack, and the color does not fade in the sun. The manicure lasts about 2 weeks, even if you did shellac at home and not in a salon from a specialist. The only thing is very important to understand: how long shellac lasts is greatly influenced by adherence to technology. Our step-by-step instructions will help you paint your nails correctly, following all the stages and features of the procedure.
2. How to make shellac at home, how difficult is it? The permanent coating hardens only under the influence of UV rays, so before immersing your fingers in the lamp, you can correct any defects. This step-by-step video will help you master shellac at home for beginners, so you can create a beautiful design the first time.
3. Is shellac harmful for nails? The original CND coating does not spoil the nails, but on the contrary, strengthens them . Why might shellac not be suitable in some cases? This happens extremely rarely and is associated with individual intolerance to the components, resulting in isolated cases of an allergy to shellac. But the isolated nature of negative manifestations clearly indicates that excessive importance is attached to conversations about the benefits and harms of shellac. Therefore, answering the question whether shellac is harmful, we can say with confidence: “No!”
4. How long does the entire shellac nail polishing procedure take? For the first time, DIY shellac is usually done in about an hour. In the future, you will learn how to properly cover your nails, and 30 minutes will be enough for you to complete a manicure.
5. How to remove shellac, is it difficult to do? The procedure is quite simple. Under the influence of a special product, shellac quickly peels off, after which it is easily removed from the nails with an orange stick.
6. Is it possible to be allergic to shellac? The varnishes contain no dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde. Shellac coating can be used without fear, since the original product is hypoallergenic and even odorless. As we noted above, in extremely rare cases, an allergy to shellac was recorded, which was associated with individual intolerance to the components.
7. Is it possible to do shellac during pregnancy? As you already understand, high-quality coating is hypoallergenic and safe. Therefore, shellac during pregnancy is an excellent option for decorating nails, especially given the long service life of the coating. If you ask your doctor whether pregnant women can paint their nails at all, then with a high degree of probability the specialist will recommend shellac during pregnancy, and not dangerous formaldehyde varnishes.
8. Why doesn't shellac last? The most common reason, of course, is a violation of technology and simply incorrect work with the coating. If you have carefully studied the step-by-step guide, followed all the rules, but cannot properly cover your nails with shellac, pay attention to two reasons why shellac does not stick to your nails. The first is the expired varnish, and the second is a banal counterfeit of the original product. Unfortunately, such cases are not uncommon, especially with the sale of varnishes that have 1-2 months left before the end of their service life.
9. How to restore nails after shellac? First of all, you need to understand that the permanent coating, which stays on the nails for several weeks, does not allow the plates to breathe as usual. But this does not mean that the coating itself is harmful. The process of restoring nails after shellac includes several days of rest without decorative manicure, as well as additional care in the form of nourishing masks. You can also try restoring your nail plates using Brazilian or Japanese manicure procedures.
10. How often can you do shellac? One of the most controversial questions because the answer to it is very individual. It all depends on the condition and health of your nails and the reaction of the plates to the coating. Those who are doing well wait only 2-3 days before doing shellac again. Other girls can take breaks from 1 week to 1 month. Therefore, in the question of how often to apply the coating, you need to focus on your own nails: are they peeling or thinning, or, conversely, do they look healthy and strong after shellac?
11. Should I buy a shellac kit for personal use at home? The cost of the kit may seem too high to you. Believe me, a shellac manicure in a beauty salon will cost you much more, if we talk about 5 or more sessions. In addition, at home you can create your own nail designs, turning your ideas into reality.

Execution technology

If all the necessary materials and tools are at hand, then you can begin to perform a manicure. The master class presented in the video will tell you how to make nail designs and drawings with shellac. The main steps look like this:

• Prepare your nails for a manicure. Push back the cuticle, trim the free edge and polish the plate thoroughly. The smoother it becomes, the better and more durable the manicure will be;
• Degrease your nails;
• Apply primer. Thanks to it, the scales of the plate will open slightly and the adhesion of the coating and the nail will be stronger;
• Next, as shown in the video lessons teaching how to perform shellac - design, apply a transparent base. It protects the plate from contact with coloring pigments. Dry the base under a UV lamp for the time specified in the instructions;
• Apply colored shellac. Dry under a UV lamp. If necessary, apply another coat. Polymerize it too;
• Now do the drawing. If you use shellac, as in the video, then the design must be carefully thought out in advance and the stages of applying the design must be determined. Since before each new layer you will need to polymerize the previous one. When working with acrylic, such scrupulousness may not be required, since it dries quickly and is easily removed from the coating;
• As the video tutorial shows, after the shellac or acrylic has dried, you need to apply a protective (top) coating. It will give your manicure shine and durability.

Before you start painting with shellac, spend a little time learning with our videos. After this, you can easily complete a simple design yourself. In the future, you can improve your technique and complicate patterns and designs.

The content of the article:

Gel polish, or shellac, is a mixture of regular polish and a special gel that produces a much stronger finish than most traditional colored polishes. Its name comes from the very first line of gel polishes produced by the American company CND (Shcellac). It is completely safe because it does not contain formaldehyde and other toxic substances, so even pregnant and breastfeeding women and the youngest fashionistas can safely do a manicure with this varnish.

The main beauty of covering nails with shellac is that it allows you to strengthen and add visible volume to flat and thin nails, even without the use of glitter or additional visual techniques. In addition, to create a manicure using gel polish, you do not need to injure your nails by preliminary filing or removing the top smooth layer. With such a manicure, your nails will look neat, well-groomed and healthy for a very long time.

Important: gel polish does not dry in air, so to dry it you need to purchase a special UV lamp. This feature can be an important advantage in those nail design options that require the most delicate and painstaking work with the application of several, often multi-colored, layers or the drawing of complex patterns.

To get started with gel polish, you will need:

• nail degreaser;
• colorless coating (base);
• color coating;
• colorless top coat (finish);
• special UV lamp;
• cuticle oil;
• cotton pads.

If you want to create masterpieces of nail art at home, experimenting with different techniques, then it is best to immediately buy a special kit that will already have everything you need. And before you coat your nails with varnish, do a regular trimmed European manicure and soften the cuticles with oil.

In order to create such beauty on your own nails at home, you first need to polish them

, and then apply degreaser to each nail. This is done so that the varnish fits well on the nails and lasts a long time. Wipe each nail with a cotton pad, and you can proceed directly to the manicure.

• Cover your nails with base coat and cure for 2 minutes in a UV lamp.
• Then it was the turn of colored varnish. It is best applied in 2-3 layers, each of them is dried in a lamp for 2 minutes after application.
• If desired, you can apply sparkles, rhinestones, foil, velvet sand or “liquid stones” to the dried top layer, or cover your nails with elegant designs.
• The last layer is the topcoat, or finish. Cover your nails with it and put it back into the lamp for 2 minutes.

After that, all you have to do is remove the sticky top layer with a paper napkin and alcohol, the manicure is ready! And to make it look even better, don’t forget to pamper your nails with moisturizing cuticle oil

or any other strengthening agent.
For example, it could be dnc bio-wax, which strengthens
nails and nourishes damaged cuticles.

If you are tired of the manicure, remove the gel polish using a special Remover, almost entirely consisting of acetone or isopropylene alcohol. To do this, apply the product to a cotton pad previously cut into triangles. After this, apply a cotton triangle to the nail for 10 - 15 minutes, wrapping the nail in foil. Soaked varnish is easy to remove, and after this it is best to generously lubricate the nails and cuticles with any cosmetic oil. If after this your nails become very peeling, you can strengthen them with the help of nightly masks with essential oils.

Important: please note that regular nail polish remover is definitely not suitable here.

Basic materials for work

At the moment, you can find a lot of tools for manicure in the store; these can be standard nail files, or they can be electrical devices, buffs, brushes of various sizes, and dozens of design options. For beginners using gel shellac, starter kits are sold. You can also create such a set yourself. The list of essentials includes:

1. Ultraviolet or LED lamp. Without this technique, the gel simply will not dry. The minimum power of such devices is 9 watts, but the most optimal option is 36 watts. With this lamp you can dry any gel quickly. In addition, these lamps are larger in size, so it is also possible to do a pedicure.
2. A file for natural nails and a buffer with an abrasive layer. It will remove the gloss from the nail plate, thereby ensuring adhesion between the nail and the varnish.
3. Base. It is an integral part of such a manicure, which ensures the protection of the nail and the adhesion of the colored varnish to it.
4. Top or topcoat. It is applied last and makes the manicure more durable.
5. Colored varnish. How many of them you need is up to you to decide. But for starters, you can limit yourself to two or three colors.
6. Degreaser. It performs two functions at once: it removes excess oil from the nail before applying the base and removes the sticky layer from the final coat.
7. Lint-free wipes. Of course, this is not the main point, but it is very useful to have them, since a regular cotton pad will leave lint, causing the coating to become uneven.
8. Shellac remover. Conventional manicure removers are not suitable; it is possible to dissolve the gel in them, but it is very difficult, so it is better to buy a remover for gel polish or acrylic nails.
9. Orange sticks will help you make your manicure neat and then come in handy for removing gel.

Here is a list that includes the most necessary tools for creating shellac at home. The cost of the set will depend on its components and the company to which the varnishes are presented. The Bluesky brand is the most common; it is the most optimal price-quality ratio. When everything is ready for work, you can begin the process itself.

Types of beautiful short nail designs with shellac

On short nails, various three-dimensional designs with sculpting or glitter (sparkles) look great. For beginners, a very simple and effective option with foil strips is perfect.

. Apply the first layer of white polish, and place long strips of foil on top at a short distance, with the tips extending beyond the edge of the nail plate. Dry the first layer and apply the second in a contrasting color - blue or red. Then carefully remove the foil and dry. Spectacular “marine” stripes are ready!

How to remove shellac at home

• Prepare a set of cotton pads and regular foil. Each disk should be divided into two to four parts, and the foil should be torn into strips 6-7 cm long and 2-3 cm wide.
• You need to apply gel polish remover to the discs one by one and wrap the nail plate in these “blankets.” The right thing to do is to do this as tightly as possible.
• The instructions then call for covering each plate in foil. This will create the conditions for matte or glossy shellac to be removed from the nails quickly and without residue.
• After all the nails are “packed” in foil, you should wait a little - 5-7 minutes.
• After the allotted time, remove the foil and discs one at a time and scrape off the remaining coating with an orange stick. If everything is done correctly, the coating comes off easily.
• The remaining coating can be removed by lightly walking over the nails with a finely abrasive buff or polisher.
• Degrease the surface and proceed either to applying a new coating or apply a special matte medicinal varnish, and after it dries, rub nail oil into the cuticle.

Simple shellac manicure ideas for long nails

Shellac attracts attention in itself, so with its help the simplest manicure options will look very bright and original. This is not only an incredibly popular nude manicure this season, but also a classic French manicure or a bright monochromatic manicure with painted elements or a scattering of sparkles. The combined design with painting with regular varnish on top of the top coat looks impressive.

. You can remove and correct such a pattern using nail polish remover, but be careful - otherwise you risk damaging the top coat.

French

A classic or colored French manicure is done in exactly the same way as with regular colored varnish, with each layer (flesh, “smile”, painting) dried in a lamp separately. Based on it, you can get a beautiful design without complex painting by placing lace, strips of foil or a special stencil sticker under the top coating. The result is a very interesting voluminous manicure, accessible even to a beginner.

Blue manicure

Blue color is not only a bright marine manicure, but also an exquisite base for nail art with glitter, three-dimensional designs with velvet sand or with rhinestones. Another simple and effective option is stamping, in which patterns are applied using a special stamp and contrasting gel polish.

. Then cover the resulting pattern with a top coat and dry it in a lamp.

Red manicure

Fatal red color can serve as the basis for a romantic or laconic look. Using a special tool - dots - you can easily apply not only cute polka dots, but also more complex shapes - hearts, “animal paws”. Dip the tip of the dot into a contrasting color polish and lightly apply the pattern onto the second layer of gel polish. After this, fix the resulting beauty with a top.

Glitter manicure

Shellac goes well with a wide variety of glitter types - from the smallest ones, which allow you to get a gentle shimmer effect, to large glitters of various shapes, which give a wonderful volumetric or holographic effect. And if you combine them with a delicate beige polish, you will get a trendy nude manicure with sunny sparkles.

New Year's manicure

For the New Year, make a spectacular manicure with white and red snowflakes and polka dots, and it will become an unexpected alternative to the usual fir branches and deer. To draw such a pattern, you don’t need to have any special skill; just purchase the appropriate stickers and create a small masterpiece for New Year’s Eve in 10 minutes. Well, for lovers of complex shapes, we can recommend a filigree brown-gold manicure.

Shellac nail design step by step. Video lessons

Stylish shellac nail design is available to inexperienced beginners and experienced craftsmen. In our video tutorials you will find a lot of interesting ideas with step-by-step execution and secrets of applying shellac. You will also learn how to quickly remove gel polish from nails and how you can strengthen your nails

, suffered after constant experiments with gel polishes.

A review of useful articles that will tell every woman what shellac is and how to use it correctly!

This video describes in great detail the entire process of creating a manicure using shellac. In order to provide the same quality care as in the video, you need to make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials in advance. So, what will you need to buy?

Tools and materials you will need

To easily start painting on your nails with shellac , you need to purchase the following materials:

• main or base layer;
• several shades of shellac;
• finishing coating.

To dry shellac, it is important to use an ultraviolet lamp and additional tools:

• a product with an antibacterial effect;
• spatula or orange stick;
• file;
• bondex;
• softening cuticle oil;
• sanding file.

Base coat agent

Buying a base coat product will not cause any difficulties at all, since in modern stores there are no problems with the choice. In most cases, the bottles are very dark; neither the color nor the consistency of the contents can be seen through them. This is done so that the base application does not dry out under the light of the sun.

When choosing a base coat, you need to pay special attention to the information provided by the manufacturer. As a rule, the description always indicates the color and name, and in some cases also the consistency.

It is not recommended to buy products that are too liquid, as they will spread quite quickly over the surface of the nails, making it very difficult to create a high-quality manicure. The video in question uses a database from, whose products are extremely popular among both professional craftsmen and beginners.

Shellac

In order to perform a beautiful manicure, you need to purchase high-quality shellac. It is recommended to have in your arsenal several bottles with contents of different colors. This video uses red shellac from the same company, which inspires great confidence not only in the author of the video, but also in many women around the world.

The advantage of the shellac used in the video is that it has a not entirely liquid consistency, so that just one stroke of the brush will be enough to apply the coating.