Shellac nail color claims to provide a chip-free coating that will last for several weeks because it is cured with a system that gives it incredible flexibility and durability. It also produces that incredibly shiny finish that previously was only associated with gel nails. This product is lightweight and thin enough to be applied like regular nail polish, but here is where the difference comes in.

Good old fashioned fingernail polish was applied and then permitted to air dry, which used the basis of evaporation for the polish to dry and harden. In all honesty the entire curing process required two or three hours after application for the polish to completely dry and harden.

With shellac nail polish a special ultra violet lamp is used for just a few minutes to complete the curing process quickly. Your nails are completely dry when your manicure is over, and the polish performs almost like a plastic coating that is durable and strong enough to tolerate accidental knocks. You can even rummage through your purse to find your car keys so that you can drive home without having to worry about damaging your nails. It seems like this new shellac gel nail polish is made of half nail polish and half gel that makes it a hybrid of sorts. This cannot be used to create longer nails, but rather is for people who wish to maintain natural nails This is not suggested for individuals who have damaged nail beds including split or peeling nails, however, the new formula itself does not appear to create any damage to your nail beds.

Since most people are quite motivated by health and safety issues today, it is good to take notice that the ingredients used are tested and studied to ensure their safety. Shellac offers a more friendly nail solution than actual gel nails since there is not sculpting or filing to the surface that is necessary as only thin coats of polish are all that is needed with a few minutes under the UV lamp to cure each application.

This new method of manicure has one final point that must be acknowledged. This type of product should be used only by professionals as it was not developed to be a process to be done by untrained individuals. It is best that these products are only handled by skilled salon technicians who have the special UV lamps and proper equipment. And, the removal is not possible using regular nail polish remover as this requires a special wrapping process that permits the polish to come off easily.