Introducing CND Shellac Hybrid Nail Color
Exciting news Fanatics! On my last day in NYC I tweased (tweet teased) about a secret nail service I received. I randomly mentioned it here as well and now I can finally share it with you.
CND is launching a brand new product that will make you DIY manicurists seriously consider going back to the nail salon. It’s so amazingly different that if I didn’t write this blog I would be a regular customer and that’s saying a LOT. I’m proud to introduce you to Shellac™!
CND (Creative Nail Design), the leader in professional nail, hand and foot beauty, is proud to introduce the first hybrid nail color after nearly five years of development in its state-of-the-art laboratory. Now you can say good-bye to chips, smudges, and dry time and say hello to Shellac™ Hybrid Nail Color! This revolutionary product applies like polish, wears flawlessly for 14 days of high gloss shine, and is removed in minutes.
If long lasting wear and polish-like application don’t draw you in, the removal certainly will. Check out my experience with Shellac™ and learn more about this revolutionary product after the jump!
So here’s my story. A few weeks ago I spotted a post on the Nails Magazine Blog about this “Top Secret Nail Color” from CND and because I’m the curious type I asked CND’s Co-Founder Jan Arnold about it the first chance I got. Much to my surprise and utter delight, Jan offered to arrange a preview of what she was calling the “magic secret.”
Throughout the week I heard little hints about this top secret product. Things like “no smell” “long-lasting wear” “will get women back in the salon” etc. Being a long time DIY girl you can imagine how the skeptic in me reacted to that last statement. I RARELY receive a salon manicure that wows me enough to go back, what could possible be so magical I’d even consider doing it on the regular?
Thoughts ran through my mind such as, “Is this just another soak-off gel polish?” I mean, big whoop! Been there, bitched about the removal. Besides, would Jan really be all secretive and excited over a product that’s already on the market? If not gel then what kind of traditional polish could guarantee long lasting wear? We’ve all heard those claims before. Could she be planning a rival to Minx that actually lasts? That doesn’t have a chemical smell. Well, when I finally got to the CND Suite to meet Roxanne Valinoti for my super secret magic service all my questions were put to bed.
Shellac™ truly is a hybrid of traditional nail polish and UV gel polish. Unlike soak-off gels it comes in a polish bottle and unlike traditional polish it cures/dries under a UV lamp. Though what I really liked is there is NO BUFFING. There is absolutely no damage to the natural nail in the process. So how does it work?
Shellac paints on like polish – base coat, color, top coat – and is cured in a UV light so there is zero dry time. The colors are hypo-allergenic, and “3-Free” – no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. Shellac will launch in a range of 12 varieties of shades, from pretty French pinks and whites, to siren red and rich darks. The formula is thin and flexible like polish, so it not only looks natural, it provides strong natural nail protection with a resilient mirror finish that resists dullness and chipping, even during the most rigorous activities.
Just like your average manicure, Roxanne applied a base coat, two coats of polish and a top coat. The only difference is I placed my hands under a UV lamp in between coats. The polish dries completely in only two minutes. Say hello to winter pedicures that won’t leave your feet freezing or your polish wrecked. And because it’s so pigmented and applies like a traditional polish you’re not left with thick nails from coat after coat of gel.
I left the suite with a perfectly glossy, smudge and dent-free manicure in a fan fave from the old CND collection, Fedora. The initial set of shades will include top sellers from the old core line. To be honest, they’re a little bland for my wild color taste but I’ve been assured that more “me” shades are on the horizon.
I flew home the day of my Shellac-ing so I didn’t get a chance to take a pic on Day One but I couldn’t stop staring at my nails. I even ran into an editor backstage who complimented my color and it was hard to keep my trap shut. I wanted to gush about how great my nails looked. It is the BEST professional manicure I’ve ever received and I’ll swear on my polish stash about that!
Since I came home with the Fashion Week Flu (thanks NYC!) the first time I was mobile enough to photograph my nails was on Day 5. Will you look at that shine and flawless finish?
And because I wanted to swatch some polish, I ended up removing Shellac from three nails and just as Rox promised, the removal was a breeze. When they say it’s a 10 minute removal, that’s no joke! After just 10 minutes using the Shellac Remover Wraps the majority broke right off in pieces and what remained was easily pushed off with an orange wood stick.
As amazing as Shellac is on, removal is just as satisfying! No soaking, drilling or filing is necessary. Nails are wrapped in individual Shellac Remover Wraps -integrated cotton pads that limit finger and skin exposure to acetone by keeping it pinpointed on just the nail. Ten minutes of time in exchange for two weeks of perfect color is all it takes. Say good-bye to manicure frustration and hello to pure manicure satisfaction.
Here we are on Day 7 which is when I made this discovery. I had to leave the house so I dug out my bottle of Fedora and was pleasantly surprised to find that Shellac Fedora actually matches Fedora. What a concept! Are you listening OPI Axxium?
Today is Day 14 of my Shellac manicure and with the exception of my natural nail growth and extremely minimal tip wear, the finish is as glossy and perfect as Day 1. Like you wouldn’t know I didn’t just get my nails done unless you held my free edge up to your face. There are no scratches, no nicks, no wrinkling from my nails bending. The flexibility and shine really do hold up. Color me impressed!
So I know you die hards are saying the only way you’ll go to a salon is kicking and screaming. That you love the concept but would rather do it at home. That you’ll never give up your hundreds (or thousands) of color choices. Hey, I hear ya! But for all those women who left the salon because their manicures chipped in a few days, Shellac will wow you. Current salon clients will rejoice to reduce their appointments to once every two weeks.
Is Shellac for everyone? No, but it’s truly unique and the best option for anyone who wants a long lasting manicure. Period! I fully intend to get Shellac pedicures once they’re available in my area and I would love to gift my mom a Shellac-ing since she sports chipped polish way too often.
Shellac™ by CND is a professional salon service launching globally in May 2010. Pricing will be determined by salons but I anticipate it falling somewhere between a traditional manicure and enhancements.
So what do we think? Anyone ready and willing to give Shellac a try? What colors would you like to see included in the Shellac lineup? Would you opt for a Shellac pedicure over a manicure?
***EDITED TO ADD – To find a Shellac salon near you, use the salon locator on the CND website.***
Disclosure: I was furnished with a service by CND for potential review. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
I use shellac on my clients and they all love it! it stays for twoo weeks, my salon is Happy Nails in North Miami Beach, 305 9474488
Has anybody have trouble with nails breaking since using Shellac? I think my nails have gotten too hard. I have 2 “stubs” that broke below the white part of my nail. I’ve never had a problem with that before.
I’ve been using the Shellac for a couple months now, and LOVE it. I just did a few blog posts of my last manicure, with pictures that show then entire process from application to removal. Check it out…
http://beyondblackbiz.blogspot.com/2010/08/best-14-day-chip-free-manicure-ever-get.html
I am SO DISAPPOINTED in Shellac! I had a manicure on Friday at a salon with Shellac, and just finished peeling off the entire polish from all 10 nails tonight (Sunday)- all of 4 days later! It lifted at the front of my nails- possibly technique related?- and I could not keep it on any longer. I did not even have to soak in acetone, it peeled right off. I would try it again at a different salon, but I’m not sure it’s all it’s marketed as. Anyone else with this problem?
So far I absolutely love Shellac. I was very skeptical and assumed that the polish would chip, dull, crack, break…you name it. The first weekend of wear I helped out in a kitchen preparing apricots for jam. This meant cutting, slicing, dicing, etc my nails did not discolor and when I would hit my nails with the knife they didnt scratch/break!
Two days later we were off to the mountains for a 5 day camping trip which meant lots of scraping around in the dirt. While loading and unloading our goods I would keep checking my nails to see if I had chipped them when I would accidentally hit them into something. NEVER a chip nor a crack–not so much as a blemish. I cannot believe this product lived up to its guarantee. I am on day 17 and other than the growth area my nails are perfect. I thought for sure that the 14 days with no chips would only apply to someone who wasnt putting in as much nail trauma time as I had been.
I need to go in and get the polish removed –that will be the final “test” to see if the final promise is met–that my nails are not damaged underneath the polish. This stuff rocks. I am anti salon but this is worth it!
The same thing happened to me, did you get any insight as to why it happened? Did they apply a base coat?
I use Halina’s European Day Spa and mine last for 6 weeks, I have been very very happy. I think the wrong technique was used on you….
Wendy, I’m so sorry to hear that you did not get the best experience with shellac. I do know that shellac relies on a very meticulous cuticle care and preparation before application of the product.
1. No finger soaking in a bowl of water because the nail plate will soak up water and moisture, and expand. When the product is put on it will take shape and size of the expanded nail plate, and when the nail dries up and goes back to size but the shellac had already set so it will chop off or peel.
2. Meticulous cuticle care, with cnd cuticle away (a product made for a dry manicure). The dead skin on the nail plate that is not pushed back properly will make shellac peel.
3. Proper cleansing of nail plate with a pH balancing agent so there its no oils and moistureon your nail plate.
4. Perfect polish application so that the product is not bleeding into the cuticle and is not all over the surrounding skin.
5. Curing lamps needs to have correct wattage.
6. Any oil or moisturizing application is done after shellac has been applied.
So if the service is done properly your shellac should stay on nicely.
P.s. Don’t peel shellac off. Alayer of the nail plate will be peeled of with it. The same goes for all other applications of polish, or artificial nails (gels/acrylics)
I hope this helps you and you find more success with shellac. All off my clients and I LOVE shellac!!!
It is a matter of technique.
I LOVE SHELLAC…
I have been using it since it came out in May and have had great results with the product… I find that it lasts really well on my nails and I’m very hard on them…
WE HAVE ALL THE COLORS AND PLENTY OF SUPPLIES
RENA’S
OAKVILLE CT.
(860)274-7362
I was so disappointed to find out Shellac CND is a bust! I went to a Southern California salon listed on their website, but after just six days my nail polish began cracking and chipping off. Once 5 out of 10 nails were chipped, I could peel the rest off just like regular polish, without any damage to my nails. I called the manicurist to complain, but she did nothing. I am going back to getting my nails buffed. I should have known it was too good to be true!
Dawn, I’m not sure what happened to you, but my Shellac French manicure has given me the best results of any product I have ever tried. I’m at the end of my second week and my nails still look perfect! I honestly think that I could wait three weeks before having Shellac reapplied. Try a different salon. Shellac is the best EVER!!!
Honestly I wouldn’t go back to that salon. I DIY my nails with Shellac and get 2-3 perfect weeks. Just did a french on my mom and my daughter (who is 12 and active) a week and a half ago and both of theirs looks great.
When applied properly, this product absolutely will last two weeks! Some clients can go even longer. I am in Plano, Tx at Parker/Custer–call for an appt. 214-924-9743 (holly w.)
I haven’t heard of this product, but I’m so glad I found it! When we stay up in the mountains over Christmas break, I always feel like my nails chip in like three days! I would love to have something I can do myself that will (really) stay for two weeks! Can’t wait to try it, what a great review.
-Kenzie
We offer Shallac CND manicures at Molecule Salon located in 1800 m st nw Washington D.C 20036 call to book a appointment with Marcela at (202)822-1588 forget about chiped nails.
I loved this product. It kept my nails looking great for 2 weeks easily. Went mountain climbing with my husband and when I came back I didn’t even need to reapply lol
I was happy with my nails, at first, the Shellac did last over 2 weeks and stayed glossy. My problem was in removal. The salon that sold it to me didnt mention any special removal. When I was ready to have my nails redone I went to a different salon. One that apparently hadn’t heard of Shellac. They asssured me gel was only for acrylics and that the only way to get it off was with their electric file. Thinking I had been let astray by the other salon, I let them file it off. Now my usually nice natural nails are a mess. I went to the original shop who, of course, denied any wrong doing, only saying I should have come back to them. I would have if I’d been made aware. Now I’m going to have messed up nails for months. ):
Honestly, that’s not a problem with the product. The second salon didn’t know about the proper removal. I can’t say it’s their *fault* since it’s a pretty new thing, but it could have been removed properly at the first salon, it sounds like.
Will Shellac not work to its full potential if my nails are soft,cracked,or damaged?
the literature says it works best on healthy solid nails, but it does make mine stronger. It would be worth a try to find a salon.
I have my first Shellac manicure in West Chester, OH while there visiting family. It lasted beautifully for 3 weeks, with no chips, fading, peeling. I am from South Carolina so it took me a little while to find a salon near me, but I found Anna Gails Nails in Taylors and have had 2 manicures with Gail in the last 4 weeks. This is amazing polish. It lasts and lasts, doesn’t get dull, doesn’t hurt my natural nails. In fact, i haven’t broken, torn, or chipped a nail in months! What I love more than anything is leaving the salon with perfectly dry nails that stay as glossy on day 15 as they were on day 1.
I love Shellac, too…but as a nail tech I am furious that I can’t get the top coat to go with ALL the colors that I purchased. I did some research and IBD is coming out with their own line called “Gellac” or something similar to the Shellac.
This product will revolutionize the nail industry! It’s THAT good. If your product is peeling, your nail tech didn’t do the proper technique. Many are scarfing up the product without reading the directions and assuming it’s like any other gel application. It’s not. The timing under the lights is different for the basecoat, polish, and topcoats!
Keep your fingers crossed we can get more top coat soon!!
It peeled off right away and is too expensive to get it done all the time. Not many nail salons have it or know how to apply it, so it’s difficult to maintain when you’re on the move. They need more colors. I think it’s not the great find people are assuming. I’d probably only do it if I knew I was going someplace for a week or more and wouldn’t have the option of getting a regular mani/pedi where I’m going. Also, THE DARK COLORS STAIN WORSE THAN Regular polish
GELISH !! Has anyone tried this??
i have had on my nails for THREE weeks… and they have FORTY EIGHT colours with even more by the end of the year…
And an LED lamp that dries in seconds ???!!!!
AMAZING !!!