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Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

Lori0413 Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

I just saw a Groupon for a shellac manicure and was contemplating getting it right before I go on vacation next month, and if I like it enough, I'd consider doing it for the wedding/honeymoon.

Does anybody have any opinions on shellac vs. gel mani/pedis? Is one cheaper than the other? Does one last longer? Does one do less damage to the nail? I've never done either one and def want to try one or both before the wedding!
Soon2BeMrsPy Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

I have done both. I have done the OPI Gel and it chipped after 3 days!! It also made my nails very flimsy. I later had Shellac and was in love. It was much thinner so I felt it laid better on my nail. It lasted very long! I didn't have any chip until about the 9th day I believe it was...It also did NOT wreck my nail which was very important to me because I have great nail beds/strength and was seriously upset following the OPI.

I plan to do the Shellac for my wedding/honeymoon. As far as cost, they are about the same.

HTH
dariamarie2 Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

I honestly don't know what the difference is. I went to one nail salon that said I was getting shellac and then I went to a different nail salon that said I was getting gel but both were exactly the same. It's the same procedure and at the end they look the same.

It lasts for 2 weeks and actually made my nails a lot stronger. For a long time I would grow my nails and the ends were so flimsy they would break but now they aren't. I've never done a pedicure with it but I was thinking about trying it for my honeymoon.
Lisa and Steven Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

I've never gotten either one of them done but now I'm interested....how much does it generally cost?

meejack1110 Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

I thought it was the same! I've gone to salons where they call it Gel manicure, then I've gone to ones where the polish they use is called 'Shellac' never noticed a difference in price, quality, or feeling.

They made my nails feel stronger until I peeled it off. Then they were flimsy, but I knew I wasn't supposed to peel it off so my fault completely. I plan to do this for the Wedding for a nice chip free manicure.

At the 4 Salons I've had it at they were all $20, $5 to just soak it off when your over it (instead of being bad and peeling it like I did lol).
Alyssa M Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

I've only done shellac and I LOVED it! My nails lasted two weeks and looked great, I will definitely be getting them done again for the wedding and the honeymoon. When I got it done the shellac mani/pedi cost $45 and I think thats average. I also felt like my nails were stronger afterwards which I didn't think would happen lol

Kroedel87 Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

OPI gel is pure gel with no nail polish. Shellac is a combination of gel and nail polish. OPI gel generally has more staying power, but less nail salons are using it because its a pain to take off. I have a phenomenal nail artist (Andrea from De La Mer salon in Bellmore, just $28 for a gel or shellac manicure). She's found the perfect combo for me, which is to use OPI gel base and top coat, but shellac color. Any questions, just FM me!

meejack1110 Posted:

Re: Nails: Shellac vs. Gel


Posted by Kroedel87

OPI gel is pure gel with no nail polish. Shellac is a combination of gel and nail polish. OPI gel generally has more staying power, but less nail salons are using it because its a pain to take off. I have a phenomenal nail artist (Andrea from De La Mer salon in Bellmore, just $28 for a gel or shellac manicure). She's found the perfect combo for me, which is to use OPI gel base and top coat, but shellac color. Any questions, just FM me!



Thanks for clearing that up! I had no clue what was what lol.
simba301 Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

Whatever you do, never pick gel or shellac polish off. I made this mistake and it really hurt my nails.

Lori0413 Posted:

Nails: Shellac vs. Gel

Thanks for all the tips, ladies!

Kroedel87 Posted:

Re: Nails: Shellac vs. Gel


Posted by meejack1110


Posted by Kroedel87

OPI gel is pure gel with no nail polish. Shellac is a combination of gel and nail polish. OPI gel generally has more staying power, but less nail salons are using it because its a pain to take off. I have a phenomenal nail artist (Andrea from De La Mer salon in Bellmore, just $28 for a gel or shellac manicure). She's found the perfect combo for me, which is to use OPI gel base and top coat, but shellac color. Any questions, just FM me!



Thanks for clearing that up! I had no clue what was what lol.



Hahaha anytime!!

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