11 best lamps for drying gel polish - the perfect manicure at home

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.

Reliable manufacturers

In order not to purchase a fake or be disappointed with the result of the manicure, experts recommend purchasing devices from reliable manufacturers who have proven themselves in the quality of their products:

• The TNL Professional company in South Korea produces lamps that are used in many beauty salons;
• Planet Nails company, a German brand that produces dryers at reasonable prices;
• The Russian company Runail is characterized by matching quality and price;
• Kodi company, a Ukrainian manufacturer of affordable products popular among craftsmen;
• The Chinese company Kosmekka is a popular manufacturer of a wide range of products purchased by nail salons;
• Irisk is a Chinese manufacturer that is constantly working to improve its models;
• The British company Solomeya, which produces mini-lamp for drying nail coatings, convenient for its lightness and compactness;
• The Chinese company Nova, which began to be in high demand after the exhibition of its products in 2014;
• Russian manufacturer JessNail, which produces high-quality lamps that promote quick drying of nail coatings;
• The Chinese brand SUN is one of the leaders producing durable, comfortable, affordable models for drying gels.

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:

1. Shaping nails. At this stage, the nails are simply tidied up using a nail file. The cuticle is also processed.
2. Degreasing. Applying a degreaser will allow the shellac to lie flat and last for a long time.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Finish coating. The finishing coat makes the nails shiny, but also requires drying under a lamp.
6. Degreasing. After all the manipulations, the resulting manicure must be degreased again. This will remove stickiness and add extra shine to the nail plate.
7. 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.

Base

This set is sometimes also called a starter set, since it includes all the same components. As a rule, kits for beginners do not include special components that protect the nail surface from damage and increase the strength of the coating. Any basic set must contain the following elements:

• lamp of any power;
• two coatings - base and top;
• base and fixative;
• plain shellac;
• several orange sticks;
• small napkin;
• buff (file for polishing).

These kits are purchased to get acquainted with shellac. Even if the varnish does not match the color, the losses will not be too serious, since the cost of the kit is low.

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:

1. Ultraviolet rays are harmful to the eyes;
2. This radiation can dry out the skin;
3. 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:

1. Possibility of drying any type of coating;
2. Complete safety for skin and eyes;
3. Great durability and low wear resistance;
4. 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

Video

An interesting video with recommendations for choosing a lamp for gel polish

When choosing a lamp for shellac, craftsmen focus not only on cost, but also on the quality of the model itself. The duration of drying of the coating, the presence of a timer, all the nuances of operation - only by taking each of these indicators into account can you choose the appropriate model.

The better a girl studies the peculiarities of the functioning of certain lamps, the more likely it is that she will buy the ideal device for creating the most beautiful manicure.

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!

Brief characteristics of lamps for drying gel polish

Professional

The best and most expensive is a professional set, which includes absolutely all the tools needed by an experienced specialist. The use of such a kit will help make the coating as durable as possible and make the procedure easier.

So, the professional set contains:

• UV lamp of maximum power;
• about 10 shellac colors;
• foil and nail polish remover;
• orange sticks;
• several napkins;
• a degreaser necessary when preparing nails for applying base;
• primer that creates an even layer;
• the basis;
• transparent fixative;
• buff.

It is not recommended for beginners and amateurs to purchase such a kit. Despite the fact that the shelf life of varnishes is quite long, a novice master will definitely not be able to use them for their intended purpose within the suggested time.