A set for shellac is a ready-made set consisting of at least a base, a flower bed, and a top coat from one company. Some of them also contain primer, remover, files, wipes, foil, and a drying lamp.
There are starter, basic and professional kits, they differ in the number of funds. The first two types are more suitable for beginners; the latter has too many varnishes. The kit may not contain all the necessary components and items; they will have to be purchased separately. A must-have item is a drying lamp, it can be ultraviolet, LED or hybrid. Depending on its availability, type and content of the set as a whole, its price ranges from 800 rubles. up to 6500 rub. and higher.
Shellac kit with lamp: the best options
A ready-made set for shellac with a lamp should be selected based on your own capabilities:
- the starter one is suitable for those who want to do their own manicure, but have no experience with shellac;
- the basic one is suitable for those who have already tried to do a long-wearing manicure and are ready to do more than just a simple coating;
- Professional is needed by specialists, since it contains several flower beds that need to be used up before the expiration date.
BlueSky Shellac Standart set with lamp
Chinese sets are popular in this category:
- YSQZXHMY MANICURE TOOLS,
- COSCELIA NAIL POLISH KIT,
- JEWHITENY MJ006,
- ROSALIND RB-7KIT10TOOLS-01,
- BURANO PURPLE SET,
- MODELONES NEW NAIL TOOLS SET (B),
- MODELONES Z10 NAIL ART TOOLS SET,
- COSCELIA NAIL ART KIT.
In terms of content, they are more similar to professional ones, but they cost the same as basic ones. There are kits for beginners with a lamp from well-known companies - TNL, Kodi, Grattol, Bluesky. In terms of the number of items, they are more modest, but these compounds are of higher quality, and when using them there is less chance of allergies.
Watch the video about the gel polish starter kit from AliExpress:
Starting
The starting list of items necessary for a “long-lasting” manicure looks like this:
- low power drying lamp,
- base,
- finish,
- varnish of one color.
This is enough to apply the coating to your own prepared nails, especially since you can choose the shade of the varnish. Manicure and accessories are purchased separately, at the same time paying attention to the sharpness and quality of the former.
Starter set of Kodi gel polishes with UV LED lamp SUN 6 48 W.
Sometimes the flower bed may not be included in the starter kit, but then it contains a primer, cleanser, degreaser, cuticle remover, orange sticks, oil and buff. In this case, the varnish is purchased separately.
Base
The basic kit is more complete; it contains:
- ultraviolet lamp;
- 1-3 polymerizing varnishes;
- base;
- finishing agent;
- stencils for French nails for different shapes of nails;
- buff;
- several orange sticks;
- lint-free wipes.
Basic set
With it you can do manicures not only for yourself, but also for your friends. True, you will have to buy a remover and degreaser, but every woman has manicure tools.
For professionals
The finished professional kit includes:
- a sufficiently powerful ultraviolet or LED lamp;
- 10-12 varnish colors;
- top and base;
- stencils;
- degreaser;
- remover;
- primer;
- buff;
- foil for removing the coating;
- lint-free wipes;
- set of orange sticks.
Professional manicure set
With this list of items, you can provide nail art services if you have the appropriate skills. Moreover, the shelf life of the varnishes from the set is usually longer than in the standard and basic ones. But, of course, you will also need disposable files and a sterilizer, and the latter does not come in kits.
An initial list of manicure and gel nail polish products for beginners
Almost all companies offer starter kits. The initial list includes the necessary products, consumables for coating, and a lamp for drying. The secret to perfect makeup is Oriflame eyebrow shadows.
If a girl has never had a manicure with gel polish before, then it is better to choose the manufacturer of the kit based on reviews from professional masters.
Let's take a closer look at the composition of the basic sets.
Starter kit for beginners.
Is the curing light included in the starter kit?
A modern option are LED models with LED lamps. Their power can be 1-36 W. In powerful lamps, drying each layer will take no more than 30 seconds, which is important if you don’t have enough time for a manicure. Moreover, these lamps dry the varnish well. But newbies have such a problem that they don’t understand why the gel polish on their nails is swollen. But most often the problem is in the product, not in the lamp.
The big advantage of LED models is the lamp life, which is 35 thousand hours. Many models have a compact size and semi-arch shape and consume a minimal amount of electricity.
Products with UV lamps have a power of 9-54 W. For home use, a 9 W lamp is sufficient. Such products have a significant size, a removable bottom and a mirror reflector. They are convenient for pedicures, but the lamps will need to be changed 2 times a year. Drying one layer will take 120 seconds, the time can be easily fixed with a timer button. This also applies if nail designs are made with gel and varnish, so often several stages and layers are needed to create a good design.
The most modern are CCFL (energy saving) lamps. They are safe for health, consume a small amount of energy and have a lamp life of up to 30 thousand hours. Sets with such lamps are more suitable for salon use, but can also be used at home. Read more about the causes and treatment of severe hair loss in women here.
Files and buff
In order for the coating to stick well, you need to shape the nail and make its surface porous. For these purposes, files and buffs are used. You also additionally need to know how to properly remove cuticles at home.
It is better not to buy sets with metal files. They heat up during use and cause nails to split. Cardboard files correct the shape well.
A buff is used to polish and make the upper surface of the nail porous. The bar has a foam base and is light weight. All four surfaces are working, their abrasiveness varies, the minimum is 900 grit. Use a buff to remove the gloss from the nail so that the gel polish lasts a long time. Find out what the composition of nail polish hides here.
Cost – from b. per piece
Base
The uniformity of the color layer and its durability depend on the quality of the base coat. It is responsible for leveling the surface of the nail and binding its top layer to the colored gel polish. The base layer prevents the penetration of coloring pigments into the nail plates. Bluesky “Basic” This article will help you study the composition of Kapus hair dye.
It is better for beginning craftswomen to choose more liquid bases; they are easier to apply in a thin layer. Rubber elastic products are considered to be of the highest quality, capable of masking the uneven surface of the nail and hiding the unevenness of the color layer.
Rubber bases are expensive, but provide good durability of the manicure. The base layer must be polymerized in the lamp. The starter set includes base, top and colored gel polishes from the same manufacturer. When preparing your nails for a manicure, you will need additional care products. Therefore, you should always be aware of the best cuticle oil and the best means for sterilizing and treating instruments. Never put yourself and your clients at risk.
Rubber base – from 400 rub.
Colored gel polishes
Depending on your budget, you can choose products from American, Korean, and Chinese manufacturers. Expensive products tend to have better resistance to chipping and peeling. The starter kit includes 2-5 color products, the shades are fixed or chosen according to personal preference. You can additionally take some product with an interesting effect, such as mirror nail polish or a matte finish.
When choosing shades, it is worth considering that light-colored coatings often streak. It will take experience to apply them evenly. But when chipped, the shortcomings of a light manicure are less noticeable.
For beginners, medium-thick pastel or glitter coatings are suitable; they are easy to apply in an even layer and look attractive. Light aroma of charm - Avon perfumed body spray.
It is better to choose sets with small bottles of gel polishes. For home use, 5 ml tubes with different colors are sufficient. The brush should be of medium hardness with an even bottom cut. Even with this minimum, you can learn how to make ombre nails with gel polish.
Top
The final coating is called topcoat. It can have a glossy or matte finish. The protective layer neutralizes the negative effects of external factors: household chemicals, water, mechanical influences. The coating polymerizes in a lamp from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The right way to get rid of artificial eyelashes is the best eyelash extension remover.
The top can be rubber-based, in which case the manicure is durable. Matte products have a velvety finish, while glossy products provide a mirror-like shine. A simple way for a temporary and creative transformation is spray hair dye.
Price – from 230 rub.
Aids
Primer, liquid for removing the sticky layer and degreaser are not included in the three-phase gel polish system, but it is impossible to perform a manicure without them. The degreaser is used to remove lipids from the surface of the natural nail. If the plates are not degreased, the gel polish will peel off. Degreasers contain alcohol. Find out how to choose a shellac remover in this material.
A product for removing the sticky layer from the dried top coat is applied to the nail with a special lint-free cloth. If the sticky layer is not removed, then everything will stick to the nails.
The primer is produced on an acid and non-acid basis. It protects nails from fungus, ensures adhesion of the coating to the plate and protects it. Acidic products provide increased durability of coatings, but can damage thin and fragile nails.
Expanded sets may include: cuticle care oil, pusher, design accessories, lint-free wipes.
Set of shellac varnishes
A shellac polish set that lacks a lamp and other necessary items is harder to find. More often they come in basic or professional configurations. In the first case it is 1-5 colors, in the second it is 5-10 shades plus other compositions needed for manicure.
BlueSky only has a set of 5 flower beds designed for making patterns.
Shellac polish set from BlueSky
It includes white, black, pink, gold and silver shades. There are sets for French makeup, which include 2 shades of shellac, a base and a top.
Inexpensive Chinese manufacturers offer larger sets of polymerizing varnishes, for example:
- HNM NAIL GEL POLISH – 4 flower beds, top and base coats;
- BUKAKI ZHG88 – 3 shades of varnish, glitter product, black gel paint, base and top;
- FAIRYGLO FG-7ML-S-ANY3 FG-7ML-BT – 3 colors of varnish, base, top, manicure accessories.
HNM NAIL GEL POLISH
Usually the volume of bubbles is 7 ml, which is very beneficial for beginners. But if you want variety, you should buy varnishes separately. Otherwise, with flower bed kits, you purchase items that you may already have at home.
Properties of shellac components
The base prevents the appearance of a yellowed layer on the nail. It can occur due to the penetrating shellac pigment. This coating will also prevent delamination of the nail plate and will help strengthen it.
The disinfectant is used to degrease and clean the nail and promotes greater adhesion of the varnish.
Shellac prevents chipping, so your nails always look well-groomed. It is applied in one or two layers.
The final coating prevents cracking and loss of color of the varnish and adds shine to the coating.
The thick consistency of the varnish allows you to create a perfectly even coating in just one layer.
Kit for shellac at home: assemble it yourself or take a ready-made one
A ready-made set for shellac at home will be more useful than products purchased at random for performing a manicure. The kits contain all the compositions from the same series, they match each other. Compatibility reduces the risk of allergies and the rapid appearance of coating defects.
The kits have other advantages:
- low price, which differs depending on the completeness of the kit;
- a small amount of funds, it’s easy to spend them before the expiration date and don’t mind throwing them away if they don’t fit or you’ve lost the desire to do a manicure yourself;
- as a rule, the consistency of the compositions is thick, which will allow a beginner to complete the design faster and with better quality;
- the usual absence of a sticky layer on the base, varnish and top coat, which also simplifies working with them;
- the ability to choose the color of the coating;
- saving time, since you don’t have to look for the products you need for a manicure;
- In addition to the necessary items, bulk kits often also include design stickers, stencils, and glitter.
The shellac machine, that is, the lamp, can be purchased either as a set or separately. It is better to take a device with a power of 36 W or higher, it dries the coating fairly quickly and does not harm the nails.
There is no equipment for performing manicures in sets. But if you want to buy it, beginners should choose simpler and cheaper devices. They cope with their task at home, and are not suitable only for the flow of clients in the salon.
To remove the coating, take the softest cutter with a red notch; using a “ball” for sanding the skin will be accessible and safe. An expensive professional device provides a cleaner manicure only if it is in capable hands. Otherwise, it is easy for them to injure their nails.
Shellac equipment may not include a manicure machine. Processing and preparing nails for coating is done manually using a file, scissors or cuticle nippers, buff, orange sticks, remover or soaking in warm water. All of these items may or may not be included.
But it is better to take scissors and wire cutters separately. The ones that come in kits are often blunt and awkward.
Trim manicure kits
What can be replaced
Instead of a shellac manicure kit, you can purchase all the necessary products separately. It is important that they do not conflict with each other, that is, at least the base, varnish and top coat should be taken from the same company and line. It is advisable to use a primer, especially for problem nails on which the manicure does not last long.
If your hands are sweaty and your nail plate is wet, you will need a dehydrator. The degreaser can be replaced with ethyl alcohol or a liquid containing it; even manicurists do this. A must-have product is shellac solvent.
There is no way to replace the lamp for drying the coating; the choice can only be between its types - UV, LED or hybrid. For beginners, the best option is the first one. An ultraviolet lamp dries any coating, is cheaper, and you can change the light elements in it when they fail. It is worth choosing models with a timer, this will make it easier to control the polymerization time and avoid harmful effects on the nails.
Watch the video on how to choose a lamp for manicure:
Required Tools
Special lamp for applying gel polish and coating nails
Such lamps for manicure are used for the purpose of polymerization, that is, hardening of the shellac layer.
There are different types of lamps:
- UV lamp and LED lamp;
- LED lamp;
- gas light or fluorescent.
The most common are ultraviolet lamps. Such lamps also polymerize the gel. Read more about which gel for nail extensions is better in this material.
LEDs dry the varnish much faster, but they are not suitable for all types of varnishes.
LED - from 900 rubles.
Fluorescent - about 3000 rubles.
Ultraviolet lamps cost from 700 to 6000 rubles.
Orange sticks
This multi-functional tool will help you distribute gel, push back cuticles, create designs and glue decorative tools.
Price – from 36 rubles per set.
Tweezers
Manicure cuticle nippers are used to remove cuticles. You can also use cuticle remover gel, which will make the job much easier.
The price depends on the brand and starts from 300 rubles.
Nail brush
Necessary for removing dust from nails during filing. Price – from 35 rubles.
Using a pusher
This is a special metal stick that has a blade on one side for pushing back the cuticle, and on the other a crescent-shaped blunt knife for removing the pterygium.
Such a tool costs about 150 rubles.
Buff for manicure and how to use it
This is a volumetric file that is used for filing and correcting natural nails. They also remove gloss.
Buffs may vary in hardness.
The price starts from 40 rubles .
Where to buy shellac kit, price
You can buy a set for shellac in online stores, where they have everything for nail art. There are a large number of them on Aliexpress. Kits for beginners are called starter and basic. You shouldn’t buy a professional one right away; it may simply not be useful in its entirety.
The price of the set depends on its completeness, the manufacturer, the volume of bubbles, the presence or absence of a lamp, and its quality. The minimum cost of a starter kit in Russian online stores is 800 rubles. (without drying device). With a lamp, such a set will cost from 2500 rubles. The basic kit costs from 3,500 rubles. And for a professional one they pay more than 6,500 rubles.
We recommend reading the article about what is included in the gel polish kit. From it you will learn what is minimally included in a gel polish kit for extensions at home, a starter kit for a master, and how much a gel polish manicure kit costs. And here is more information about the options for cutters for removing gel polish.
Purchasing and using a beginner shellac kit is a good way to figure out if doing your own manicure is worth it. Any such kit is affordable, but purchasing each product separately will cost more. In addition, there are often discounts on sets.
