I love nail polish; I love looking at it, buying (collecting) it and of course wearing it, but on me nice nails don't last long.
A day, maybe two if I'm lucky.
I've tried every polish that claims to be anti-chip or wear resistant and invested in multiple top coats but alas they chip every time and I end up having to paint my nails most days but for the past ten days I haven't touched a bottle.
Why? Gel nails that's why!
First day!
I had them done just over a week ago and I'm happy to say I still have shiny, flawless fingernails almost two weeks in, that's pretty impressive, right?
I know gel nails are nothing new but for me the thought of having salon perfect nails for several weeks has always appealed.
I've had them done a few times before but was left bitterly disappointed as they only lasted a few days before peeling off.
This could have been down to how they were applied, my heavy handedness or the fact I had peeling nails from previous acrylics, I just don't know but they didn't work.
Anyway, this is my third attempt with Shellac, a gel nail system by CND, there are other brands that offer similar such as Gelish, OPI Axxium, Nails Inc, etc but most salons near me seem to provide Shellac.
Ten days in!
These are my nails today, perfect and not a chip in sight, the only sign of wear is the fact my nails have grown so there is a little gap between cuticle and polish.
I love them, they look so good and glossy.
If you've never had gel nails before it's a very simple salon treatment which takes around an hour, there are no extensions or anything like that involved.
Layers upon layers of special polish are painted onto your natural nail and set under a UV lamp which then results in a very hard wearing, chip free, smudge proof finish that lasts.
I had the shade Tropix applied, the perfect, bright, summer coral.
Although gel nails are expensive at between £25-£40 a treatment it's definitely something to consider if your going on holiday or want perfect nails for work.
I'd be really interested if anyone has used the other brands of gel nails as I'd like to try another next?
A day, maybe two if I'm lucky.
I've tried every polish that claims to be anti-chip or wear resistant and invested in multiple top coats but alas they chip every time and I end up having to paint my nails most days but for the past ten days I haven't touched a bottle.
Why? Gel nails that's why!
First day!I had them done just over a week ago and I'm happy to say I still have shiny, flawless fingernails almost two weeks in, that's pretty impressive, right?
I know gel nails are nothing new but for me the thought of having salon perfect nails for several weeks has always appealed.
I've had them done a few times before but was left bitterly disappointed as they only lasted a few days before peeling off.
This could have been down to how they were applied, my heavy handedness or the fact I had peeling nails from previous acrylics, I just don't know but they didn't work.
Anyway, this is my third attempt with Shellac, a gel nail system by CND, there are other brands that offer similar such as Gelish, OPI Axxium, Nails Inc, etc but most salons near me seem to provide Shellac.
Ten days in!These are my nails today, perfect and not a chip in sight, the only sign of wear is the fact my nails have grown so there is a little gap between cuticle and polish.
I love them, they look so good and glossy.
If you've never had gel nails before it's a very simple salon treatment which takes around an hour, there are no extensions or anything like that involved.
Layers upon layers of special polish are painted onto your natural nail and set under a UV lamp which then results in a very hard wearing, chip free, smudge proof finish that lasts.
I had the shade Tropix applied, the perfect, bright, summer coral.
Although gel nails are expensive at between £25-£40 a treatment it's definitely something to consider if your going on holiday or want perfect nails for work.
I'd be really interested if anyone has used the other brands of gel nails as I'd like to try another next?
xxx
37 comments:
How funny, I just got shellac on my nails done yesterday, and I'm pretty sure we have the same color, or something very similar! I love how the shellac feels, it looks and feels like I have fake nails, crazyness! It's my first time getting them done though, so I'm curious to see how long they actually last :)
simplyyoursamb.blogspot.com
I've never had my nails done by a salon before, but thinking of getting something done for my birthday, maybe i should try this, looks great!
xx
Yay I wonder if it was my incessant nagging that it was the tech not the product?! I hope so haha!
Artistic colour gloss is also a lovely 3 week gel manicure, if you're ever in my neck o the woods I shall gloss you up free of charge gorgeous x
@ambernicolee - it's a lovely shade! yeh it does but better, you can paint on top of them too if you get bored x
@ess-jay24 - oh yeh would be perfect for a special occasion, lovely nails without the owrry of chipping! xx
I tried gelicure and it cured me of my nail biting habit of 20ish (cough) years! Only had them done once but was soooo worth it!
@Sarah - it was, I had written it off after the last few goes but the nagging had me intrigued again!
Yeh I saw on your website, looks great!Why thank you! Will get in touch sometime :) xx
@Jools - wowee impressive x
I had gel nails for my cousin's wedding I wanted them on my real nails but somehow the guy at the nail salon convinced me to get the white plastic extension. I hated having the fake nails, I asked for them to be really short but they were too long for me and I found it difficult do most things with my fingers. They lasted for so long they wouldn't budge even I tried to rip them off. After about 3 and half weeks I finally went to a salon and had them removed. I love yours a lot better!
I've been thinking of having these done before our wedding. I want to use my usual salon rather than go to one I don't know local to the venue but I'll be leaving home 2-3 days before the wedding and don't want to risk chips. This could be the perfect solution, thanks for sharing :)
Loveaudrey xxx
These sound amazing! I think it's something I'll definitely have to try before I go on holiday :)
Gem x
www.twinklebug.com
Love the colour! I've had OPI gel nails before, they lasted a couple of weeks on my fingernails with just a few tiny chips by the end, and about two months on my toes! I just hated the hassle of soaking them off.
Wow!! They look awesome! I think I will definitely get shellac done for the wedding before I go to Italy! :) This has made me sure of that decision -- thank you Holly! <3
I tried gel nails a few weeks ago - they lasted for just over two weeks before they started to peel off which I thought was pretty impressive. I can't remember the name of the brand but it was a very similar method to Shellac. x
@nivi321 - I don't think they were gel nails, well they were Calgel but not the same. These are more natural, easier to remove and won't damage your nail. xx
@loveaudrey- yes perfect for a wedding!!! xx
@Gem - definitely xx
@Becky - wow thats impressive, I want them on my toes next! yes does take a while xx
I'm impressed! They look so good after 10 days and I also love the shade.
Definitely think this is what I need when I go on holiday instead of taking remover and so many polishes that can smash.
Fee x
@Anna - they are perfect for the big day!! no problem xx
jessica gel nails are amazzzinng! they're a soft gel so don't ruin your natural nails, i don't know much bout shellac though but they look good! nice colour choice :)
what a gorgeous color! I've been very tempted to do Shellac for a long while..I just don't want to have to deal with the removal process. Will be curious to see how your nails look after you take them off and if you would get it done again :) They look fabulous though and I would say it's worth it for 2 weeks of picture perfect nails.
Ha! I just did mine and I used the same color! Did it to my toe nails though, I bet it lasts forever! LOVE shellac. I can't stand having nail polish that lasts two days
Love the colour of it - Perfect for Summer! :) xx
Your nails look gorgeous ! The last time I got my nails done, they looked a little dramatic but it was for graduation :P
Check it out on my blog !
www.oliviachann.blogspot.com
^ be sure to follow ! there will be a giveaway @ 100 followers <3
Ive been getting my nails done for a while now but my manicurist uses Gelicure by Nubar, its amazing and my nails have grown loads! love thar pink shellac though cute xx :o)
This may be the perfect thing to get done before my holiday to Greece in August! At least then the polish would last! Love the colour! x
I was always curious about the gel nails. Thanks for enligtening me!
Hi
I don't want to come across as pedantic but I work for CND and Shellac nails are NOT gel nails like the others systems that are currently on the market. Shellac is unique as it is a gel-polish hybrid. It goes on and off much like a polish, it is removed in a few minutes, unlike gel, and caused no damage to nails.
I'm glad you're so pleased with yours.
Andi x
I have only tried Shellac, but I'm totally hooked! I can get a good 2 - 2 1/2 weeks of wear out of an application!
Woww..I never knew about this...Thanks for such an informative post!!
xoxo
calicoaster
You have so nice blog!
I have been using OPI Axxium on my nails for about a year now, and I love it! I actually do it myself, and have been liking just using clear and then painting them with regular nail polish. The polish stays on forEVER. It amazing!
New follower =)
xx
Bethany
http://obsessionstolivefor.blogspot.com
Amazing!
I also did a post on gel nails - please check out!
http://missjess211.blogspot.com/2011/09/something-about-gel-nails.html
Your nail looks so fabulous. I love the color of the nail polish so pretty!
I’m impressed, I must say. Actually not often do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you might have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not enough persons are talking intelligently about.
I always love how you do your nails. They scream summer! Have a great weekend.
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