Shellac Homes (Get it….? Lol)

My love for shellac died about as quickly as my manicure lasted- 8 days! My nails grew out quicker than I’d ever realised leaving an unattractive gap between my cuticle and my manicure. Like that wasn’t bad enough, I got the highly unattractive bubbles that occur if a shellac manicure isn’t done properly (thank you Apples & Oranges!).

Everyone knows how much I detest the unkempt look and seeing as I could never make it to the salon during the week (I work crazy hours), I got to googling shellac removal at home! Here’s how it’s done:

Tools:

1. Nail buffer
2. Orange/cuticle stick
3. Nail polish remover (or as much acetone as you can possible get in a bottle)
4. Cotton pads/wool
5. Foil paper
6. Hand lotion and Tea Tree Oil

Step 1: Using the nail buffer, file down the gel layer of your shellac manicure until you achieve a matte finish (was so tempted to keep the matte look)

Step 2: Soak cotton cotton pads in nail polish remover and wrap around each nail using the foil as a seal (be careful, the nail polish starts to drip everywhere)

Step 3: Set your timer for 10 mins. I’d suggest keeping one hand free to better manage a messy situation

Step 4: Remove the foil paper. At this stage, the shellac should be cracking/peeling off. Otherwise, slip your nails back in the foil for another 5mins

Step 5: using an orange stick (or cuticle remover in my case) peel off the shellac polish and buffer down nails for a smooth finish

Step 6: wash your hands and apply hand lotion and tea tree oil. Acetone drys out the nails and skin

I was still in the mood for pampering and so decided to use my new OPI texture effect duo (colour: My Current Crush). It’s a liquid sand and so dries with a matte/glitter/sandy finish. The application only requires one base coat and two coats of the liquid sand. No top coat. Amazing!

xXx

Ps: Thank you Ilobe for my new nail polish! Thank you Solape for my Orogold nail kit!

PPs: I did mention, I love nail polish right? and I love pampering! Perfect combination.