So I bet you’re wondering if you can use regular nail polish with shellac? Well, the answer is YES. I do it all the time and have had great success. Some nail polish brands last longer than others – but I am always happy with how my nails look for at least two weeks after using shellac. I made a quick little video (first time using iMovie, don’t hate) to show the process as well as explaining the steps below.
First are the supplies that you will need:
Alcohol, cotton balls, base coat and top coat, UV lamp.
Before I start, I normally soak my fingers in some warm water, push back my cuticles, and file my nails into a smooth and pretty shape.
Get your nails ready for the base coat by applying rubbing alcohol to your nails. I use a spray bottle to avoid leaving little fluffy bits left by cotton balls or pads.
Once the alcohol has dried, apply a layer of base coat to your nails. Place in your UV lamp for 10 seconds. Make sure before you put them under the lamp that the coating isn’t on your skin, or shaped funny. It sets pretty hard onto your nails in just 10 seconds, so make sure it looks good before cooking it on!
Apply a layer of top coat to your nails and place in your UV lamp for 2 minutes.
Remove the tacky layer from your nails by spraying from your alcohol bottle or using an alcohol soaked cotton ball or pad.
After you’ve removed the tacky layer, you are ready to add whatever nail polish you want!
Let the polish COMPLETELY dry. After it has dried, redo steps 3 and 4 (add another layer of top coat, let dry under UV lamp for 2 minutes, remove tacky surface with alcohol) Also, if you get a bit of polish on your skin (like I do in the picture above) you can easily remove it with regular nail polish remover (don’t use acetone unless you want to soak off your gel nails completely).
And viola! You are ready to show off your nails for up to two weeks!
FYI: If you are brand new to shellac, I would recommend getting it done at least once in a salon just to observe and see what they do. Then after a few times at home, you’ll be a pro!
LOVES,
B
