I'm sure you've heard of Shellac manicures by now? They're a gel-based nail polish that adheres to your nails like crazy. You have to get it done via a manicure, this is not something you can buy at Sally Beauty Products and do at home (yet).
I never get manicures - I've had maybe two in my life. I thought I'd give a Shellac manicure a try and got one at Dosha on 34th & Hawthorne just over 2 weeks ago. It was $35. Although it costs $15 to get it removed! Doh, the fine print!
The process is exactly the same as a regular manicure - there is a selection of polishes to choose from (see picture below), so choose wisely since you're stuck with it for a while. After the normal part of a manicure (filing the nails, pushing the cuticles back, etc.) they put a special base coat on your nails. After every layer you put your hands in a black light nail dryer. I believe the black light is integral - although the manicurist had no idea. Then they put 2 layers of the polish on. Then a special top layer. Voila!
So how does it last, and is it worth the money? It does last, and yes, I think it's actually worth it. If you chip your nail you can just file it. I do a ton of dishes and after more than 2 weeks there are no chips, and it's not peeling. But your nails do grow out, so that's really what makes you want to get them either re-done (another $35) or have the polish removed ($15). Dosha does remove the Shellac for free if you get another Shellac manicure. Apparently it takes 100% acetone to remove this stuff, which I hear you can buy at Sally Beauty. I've been warned - do not pick at it! It will literally take the top layer of your nail off with it.
If you know of a place that is a better deal for a Shellac manicure please leave a comment! Maybe somewhere that doesn't charge to remove it?
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| Here is the selection of Shellac polishes |
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| The black light nail dryer contraption |
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| All done! |
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| Here are my nails about 1.5 weeks after I got it done - looking good! |
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| Here are my nails, about 2.5 weeks after I got it done - you can see they're starting to really grow out. Otherwise looking ok. |
I just heard about this and wanted to do it next time. I had no idea it cost to get it removed. I goto Princess Nails on Holgate & 39th and they charge $10 on top of your manicure for the shellac. ($30 reg, $35 french) I'm going to wait and see how long yours last before I get one. That was some scary info about peeling your nail off!! yikes!
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