Manicure: Pixabay A few years ago, the whole world was shocked by a new invention - shellac. Today, every girl uses a durable varnish coating, which has many advantages over regular varnish - shellac is easy to apply and lasts a long time, so the need to paint your nails every day has disappeared. But is the new trend in the nail industry really safe? Does shellac nail polish have any disadvantages? We read the opinions of experts and found the answers we were interested in.
What is shellac and how to make it?
Many people associate the newfangled word shellac with modern long-lasting manicure technology, which, having appeared about 10 years ago, has become very popular among girls of all ages. What is shellac? Let's figure it out.
Most women (and men) are sure that this name applies only to a special type of varnish that combines the qualities of a long-lasting gel and decorative nail polish. But did you know that, in fact, shellac is a natural resin, which is a waste product of the females of some species of insects called worms (homoptera), living in the tropical and subtropical forests of India and Southeast Asia. This substance contains many natural acids, shellac wax, water-soluble pigment and water. It is easily soluble in alkaline solutions and aliphatic alcohols, but practically insoluble in benzene, gasoline, fats and oils.
It is a misconception that shellac is used only in the nail industry. It is also used in the furniture industry, for the manufacture of insulating materials, vinyl records, icing for candies and tablets (food additive E-904), shellac is added as a fixative to the finish coating of wooden musical instruments, and in pyrotechnics it is used as a flammable substance for signal lights .
But let's not get distracted and focus on the use of shellac in manicure. Shellac, a product for decorative manicure and nail design, is considered an invention of the American company American Beauty International, which produces beauty products. Today, this coating, which is a hybrid of gel and varnish, is used in almost any salon. Let's look at what shellac is, how to do a manicure using it, and also look into modern shellac beauty trends. So, the most fashionable shellac trends, photos and descriptions:
Shellac black
Black nails look very beautiful and a little dramatic. Shellac in black tones is an excellent solution for both everyday manicure and for an evening out.
Elegant French
This is one of the most popular beauty trends, which has been at the peak of popularity for several seasons in a row. This year, you can abandon the classic white and pink tones and experiment - create a “smile” strip in nude, black or colored. This will make your manicure the admiration of others.
Shellac with rhinestones, sparkles, sequins, bouillons
Decorating nails has already become an integral part of manicure. And with shellac, such decor will last quite a long time - from 2 to 4 weeks.
Shellac: nail design
It’s a pleasure to create pictures on your nails with this polish. Floral, lunar designs, as well as all kinds of inscriptions and cartoon pictures on nails will be very fashionable this season. Experiment.
Amazing nail design possibilities
Shellac is the best tool for creative experiments and painting on nails. Leading designers suggest paying attention to three universal techniques that can be changed and supplemented as you please.
- French. Exquisitely sophisticated, charming in its simplicity, French design is beautiful in any design. The edges of the marigolds are highlighted with traditional black or white paint and painted with all the colors of the rainbow. Images, rhinestones and sparkles, foil elements, and modeling are used as decoration.
- Gradient color tints are more relevant than ever. For summer onions, bright, neon colors are used. If you want tenderness, then choose a discreetly romantic pastel palette. The transitional gradient from the little finger to the thumb in combination with the “different hands” technique is especially popular.
- Negative space allows you to make even a dull monochrome finish unique. Intricate patterns or laconic geometry on a transparent surface, interesting and funny designs allow you to create a design with your own character.
Shellac: application
It is better to leave the application of shellac to a specialist - a manicurist. He will do everything quickly and accurately. You can also do a long-lasting manicure at home, provided you have all the necessary supplies and tools. Would you like to know how to apply shellac correctly? We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the main stages of the procedure:
Preparing the nail plate
At this stage, give your nails the desired shape (round, oval or square), and also treat the cuticle by applying a special product to it.
Sanding, degreasing and disinfection
Take a file and gently walk over the surface of the nail plate. This will open the pores, and the shellac will adhere more easily to the surface of the nail. Next, take an antibacterial agent, it will also serve as a degreaser, rub it into the nail. Now your hands are ready for the next step.
Applying the base
The base gel is a special product that is responsible for the strength of the coating and protects the nail plate from colored pigments. Apply the base in one layer and dry under a UV lamp (1-2 minutes) or in an LED lamp (a few seconds is enough).
Application of color coating
Shellacs are presented in a wide range of colors. Each shade can be applied in 1 or more layers (maximum 4). Apply a layer of varnish over the entire surface of the nail and cure under a UV lamp for a minute. Repeat this with each new layer. If necessary, remove excess polish from the edges of the nail using an orange stick. Shellac manufacturers also recommend fixing colored varnish with a top coat - this will protect your manicure from chips, scratches, color fading, and will give additional strength and glossy shine.
Using a fixative
It is not always used. High-quality shellac does not require the use of additional fixing.
The last thing to do is treat the skin of your hands with special emollients. After drying under a UV lamp, the skin of the fingers and cuticles become dry and sluggish. Therefore, apply special oil to the cuticle and cream to your hands.
The evolution of fashionable manicure
Nail polish, the composition of which was as close as possible to the modern one, appeared in the first half of the 20th century. The founder of the famous Revlon brand, Charles Revson, invented the formula for leave-in varnish and introduced colored nails that matched the shade of lipstick into fashion. By the end of the 20th century, unpainted nails of a woman who goes out into society became bad manners.
At the beginning of the third millennium, the nail industry began to actively offer extended nails - acrylic or gel, of various shapes and lengths. The varnish lasts longer on such nails, they are durable and well suited for nail art, and do not require daily polishing, shape correction or varnish coating.
However, artificial nails look rough and not entirely feminine. Therefore, the fashion for them passed quickly enough. Nowadays, well-groomed natural nails and manicures of the most incredible designs and a variety of shades are at the peak of popularity. Shellac, which combines a durable gel coating and regular colored varnish, has gained particular popularity.
Pros and cons of shellac
Shellac is widely used in the modern nail industry. And this is not surprising, because such a varnish coating has many advantages. Here are the most basic advantages of shellac:
- Available in a wide range of colors. Nowadays, shellac manufacturers release new colors and all kinds of shades of their product every year. Therefore, girls have no problems choosing the right palette to implement the most fantastic and crazy nail designs.
- Does not require preliminary grinding or filing of the top layer of the nail. Also, a primer is not applied under shellac, which has the effect of double-sided tape and does not allow the nails to fully breathe.
- Dries instantly. This advantage is one of the most important, since it allows you to save a lot of time when creating a manicure. When exposed to UV rays, shellac dries in a matter of seconds (30–60 seconds).
- Does not smear or roll off. With adequate care, shellac remains on the nails for a long time - from 2 to 5 weeks.
- Helps grow length. A revolutionary product strengthens the nail plate. Therefore, shellac is often applied to short nails so that they do not break off during daily routine work. Shellac is considered the ideal solution for those with naturally thin, brittle or flaking nails.
- Has no smell. This property seems insignificant. But sometimes the strong pungent smell of varnish or acrylic gel can cause a lot of unpleasant sensations for both the client and the artist.
- Hypoallergenic. A high-quality varnish is marked “3 free” on the packaging and does not contain harmful substances (toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and its resins).
- Easy to remove. If removing gel polish or other coating requires cutting off the material (and along with it the top layer of the nail), then shellac is removed by “soaking” using a special product. This procedure lasts about 10 minutes.
- Suitable for both manicure and pedicure.
Of course, we could not ignore the possible problems that arise when using shellac. As experts say, shellac is absolutely harmless. It contains only safe substances, and the product itself is hypoallergenic. But there are still some nuances that you should pay attention to:
- Quality and suitability of the lamp. Shellac should be dried under a UV lamp. At the same time, many people talk about the dangers of ultraviolet rays for the skin and nail plate. In fact, high-quality lamps are safe, the main thing is not to use them after the expiration date, because then they begin to emit harmful substances. Tip: always check the quality certificate and monitor the expiration date of the lamp.
- The quality of the shellac itself. Often girls, in order to save money, choose varnishes and other manicure products from unknown, cheap brands. But this is a bad economy. Toxic components are often added to such products. Therefore, it is better to purchase a more expensive varnish. But a high price is not a guarantee of quality. We recommend choosing shellac from well-known manicure brands. It would also be a good idea to study the composition of the product before purchasing: if it contains formaldehyde or formaldehyde resins, toluene, ethyl acetate, butyl ether, methacrylic acid, xylene, dibutyl phthalate, it is better to put it in its place.
- Removing the coating. This is the most traumatic procedure that requires special attention and accuracy. Under no circumstances should you rip off, chip off, or chew off nail polish. This will cause damage to the nail plate. Remove shellac correctly - apply a cotton pad moistened with a special liquid without acetone to the nail and hold for 10-15 minutes. If there are any pieces of polish left after the procedure, carefully remove them with an orange stick.
- Nail health. Shellac, of course, hides the unevenness of the nails and their unpresentable appearance. But you shouldn’t ignore problems with your nails, and if you have them, visit a dermatologist. Apply varnish only to healthy, smooth, pinkish nails.
- Rule 7 days. Even if the varnish and lamp are of high quality, you should not regularly do a long-lasting manicure. The best shellacs prevent oxygen from entering the nail plate; over time, it becomes thinner, dull and deformed. So don't get carried away. After a manicure, give your nails a week of rest, during which time they will have time to recover.
And remember: only strict adherence to the technology of applying and removing the coating guarantees protection of the nail from damage.
Manicure using shellac has been very popular for many years. A long-lasting coating has many advantages - it is easy to apply, stays on the nails for a long time, and is instantly and easily removed. Follow the rules for using the product, choose high-quality shellac and make sure the UV lamp is working properly - and you will not have problems with the health of your nails and hand skin.
Original article: https://www.nur.kz/family/beauty/1835622-sellak-dla-nogtej-cto-eto-kak-nosit-plusy-i-minusy/
Vinylux
Despite the fact that vinyllux, which is also called a “weekly coating,” does not stay on the nails for as long as shellac, it does not create the effect of a dense “mask” and does not leave pigment after removal. Vinyllux itself is something between regular varnish and shellac, and its main advantage is that it hardens itself, without the use of a lamp, and quite quickly - in about 10 minutes. In order to remove it, you don’t have to go to the salon either: vinyllux can be easily removed with products that can be bought at any cosmetic store.
