[shellac preparation, after care and removal]

It seems that lots of clients who are currently taking advantage of the £10 shellac colour offer, even though they may have had shellac before are a little unsure of how to prepare or to look after it, so I thought I would just give you a few hints and tips to keep your shellac, cuticles and nail plate in tip top condition.

Shellac French Manicure £15 on March offer. Usually £18.

Before - Shellac will look better if your cuticles are in good condition and not dry and flaky.  Although you will receive a small amount of dry manicure work on your cuticles before your shellac application, if your cuticles are very dry or need a lot of work, then think about having either a luxury or maintenance manicure a few days before application or in addition to shellac on the day.  Add £10 to your chosen manicure price.

After Care - The use of cuticle oil is essential in keeping your nail plate hydrated beneath your shellac. Keep cuticle oil beside your bed so that you don't forget to apply on a nightly basis and bare in mind that any oil will do the trick, baby oil, olive oil or any cooking oil.  Also something like Elizabeth Ardens Eight Hour Cream if that is all you have to hand.

Butter London Melt Away Cuticle Remover and Cuticle Oil twin pack £17.07. Buy here.

You can apply a complete moisture pack to your nails by dotting a small amount of oil along with a dot of cuticle remover to your cuticles. The Butter London twin pack above will be perfect for this and remember although it may seem like a costly outlay, cuticle oil lasts for months!

Badger Balm Mini Cuticle Care £3.99. Buy here.

Removal - Most salons will charge you to remove your shellac and clients have mentioned how they feel this price is extortionate in some salons.  The reason for this is the cost of the shellac removal wraps (£2.25 for 10 before VAT although not all salons use these due to cost) and the acetone which is used in removal along with the therapists time.  It will take approx 10 minutes to soak and then the shellac has to be scraped from the nail.  This whole process can easily take up to 20/30 mins.

Removal at home - Easy to do, just buy a bottle of acetone from the chemist (behind the counter), soak 1/2 a cotton wool pad and place over your nail. Wrap in a small amount of tin foil to secure. Wait 11 minutes, then remove by pressing down with your opposite thumb and releasing the removal pack in a downwards motion to take some of the shellac with it.  You will be left with flaky shellac and at this point the excess should be removed gently with a wooden orange stick or rubber hoof stick if you have one as neither of these will damage your nail.  Removal at home saves you time, money and a visit to the Salon.

    

Removal is free if you are having a fresh application of shellac but if you just book an appointment with me for removal the cost is £5. Removal and a fresh application can easily take your appointment up to an hour, so remember to factor this in when making a booking.

Leighton Denny Intense Manicure Oil £22. Buy here. Boots Essentials Manicure Sticks £1.00 (currently on a 3 for 2). Buy here.

Nail polish that lasts up to two weeks with a high shine finish is well worth looking after but always remember lifestyle will denote how long it lasts just like with a normal manicure. A lady who lunches will have her manicure last longer than somebody who is typing or washing up all day but you can be sure that whatever you do, Shellac will last longer than normal nail polish.