Style Test Drive: Once You Shellac, You’ll Never Go Back! For Feminas

Style Test Drive: Once You Shellac, You’ll Never Go Back!

The repeated hand flapping. The stranger rummaging through your purse to hand you your keys. The driving with one hand out the window or, better yet, both hands in front of your car’s AC while it runs on full blast. We girls know those scenarios all too well. They’re just impossible to avoid after you get your nails done.

So when I was invited to try out CND’s revolutionary Shellac system that promises high shine, extended wear (14 days) and, most importantly, no drying time, I RSVP’d in a heartbeat.

As soon as I arrived at the designated Shellac pedi room in the beautiful The London West Hollywood hotel, I was asked to take a quiz. Fun! My answers determined that I am, indeed, a Shellac girl (I require everything it offers) and I love a pop of color. No arguments here.

The pedi began with the usual prep and clean up. Then, I got the invigorating Marine treatment, which consists of a sea salt scrub and clay mint masque. “It’s amazing for summer,” says my nail technician and Shellac education ambassador Amy Falante. “If you have tired, throbbing feet, you’re going to feel the cooling instantly.”

Now for the actual application. It’s like any normal trip to the salon. You’ve got your base coat, color coat and top coat—all formulated with durable Shellac technology. After the base is applied to each hand or foot, it cures under a UV light for 10 seconds. After two color coats are applied, they cure under the UV light for two minutes both times. The top coat cures for two minutes as well. That’s 12 minutes total under the UV light and you walk out 100 percent dry. “Our light is specially made for our Shellac,” adds Falante. “Not every light is built the same. This light will cure it properly with the right amount of UV output. While it’s curing, you’re geting a nice solid finish.”

It’s been almost two weeks since my appointment and I’ve got to say, once you Shellac, you won’t go back!

My bright pink Shellac UV pollish Tutt Frutti layered with Zillonaire (an iridescent hue with large flakes of glitter) is still as shiny and flawless as the day I had it done. Sure my regular pedis usually last longer than manis, which chip after a day or two, but my Shellac pedi withstood the coarse sand at the beach, a playful pit with long nails and just everyday life. I couldn’t have gotten it at a better time. Summer is all about sandals.

That’s not all it’s great for. “If it’s winter and you have boots, you can put them on and you’re good,” explains Falante. “It’s also great for weddings because the bride has so much to do. They’re running around. Normally, they have to get their nails done the day of their wedding so it doesn’t chip. But I’ve done Shellac on brides a week before their wedding and their nails stay beautiful!”

Removing the polish is just as effortless as maintaing it. There’s no drilling, filing or soaking involved. “Shellac is meant to enhance the beauty of your natural nail—to make it as beautiful as it can be, but with color,” Falante reiterates. You just simply apply a specially made wrap that’s saturated with acetone on each finger or toe for 10 minutes (you can move about freely while you wait), then press, rub and pull it off. Any residue can be pushed off with an orangewood stick. Manis range from $35-45, and pedis from $50-$60 depending on the salon location.

For Feminas