Shellac Kits

Use a Shellac Kit for Polished, Professional-Looking Nails

The problem with traditional nail varnish is that after a few days, daily chores and the accompanying wear and tear cause it to chip or flake. Having nails done at a salon is one solution, but it can be expensive. The availability of shellac kits now makes it easy to achieve glossy professional results from the comfort of your own home, saving you both time and money. Part gel, part nail polish, shellac lasts about 14 days, which means you can do your nails before your fortnights holiday and not have to carry varnishes with you. These kits also make the ideal gift. Whatever type of shellac kit youre after, eBay has a wide range to suit everyone and at affordable prices.

Shellac kits vary, so you should always consult the manufacturers description to find out what is included. Often, you can choose your own shades of polish from a colour chart. If you need other nail accessories, these can be purchased separately on eBay. A typical kit may include some or all of the following:

• An application cleanser.
• A base coat.
• A set of colourful polishes.
• A top coat.
• Acetone.
• Nailcare accessories like orangewood sticks.
• Nail/cuticle conditioning oil.
• Remover wraps.
• A UV and/or LED lamp.

You should never peel off shellac as this can damage the top layer of your nails. There are two ways to remove shellac. If your kit includes removal wraps, you soak them in acetone and leave them on your nails for 2-10 minutes, securing them in place with aluminium foil, if necessary. Alternatively, fill a shallow bowl with acetone and soak your nails in it for 10 minutes. Both ways will loosen the bonds attaching the shellac to your nails. For any last traces, use an orangewood stick to lift off the remainder.

Both UV and LED lamps are used to secure, harden, and dry the shellac by activating photo initiators contained in the polish. UV works on a broad wavelength, so it is effective on all polishes. However, LED uses a narrower spectrum, so it might not cure and set all colours. For this reason, always consult the instructions of the kits manufacturer. LED lamps are more expensive, but they last longer, require less maintenance and work much faster. You might find that your shellac kit contains a hybrid UV-LED nail dryer.