
Shellac nails are a manicure trend that has remained popular over the years. They are created with a special gel nail polish developed and patented by the brand Creative Nail Design (CND). Shellac is often misconceived as a catch-all term for gel polishes, but it is a brand name of gel polish, not an umbrella term for all gel nail polishes. Shellac nails are distinguished by their rich lacquer content and availability in over 100 shades at accredited salons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of manicure | Shellac nails are a type of manicure created with a special gel nail polish |
| Brand | Shellac is a brand name of gel polish, developed and patented by Creative Nail Design (CND) |
| Ingredients | Shellac contains more lacquer than other gel polishes and does not contain formaldehyde or toluene |
| Application | Shellac manicures take a couple of minutes to "cure" under ultraviolet (UV) light |
| Longevity | Shellac does not last as long as gel polish due to its lightweight formula, but it does last longer than traditional nail polish |
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What You'll Learn
- Shellac is a brand name of gel polish, not an umbrella term for all gel nail polishes
- Shellac nails are created with a special in-salon gel nail polish
- Shellac nails are distinguished by their rich lacquer content and availability in over 100 shades
- Shellac nails are cured or hardened under ultraviolet (UV) light
- Shellac nails are free of formaldehyde and toluene, which can cause allergic reactions

Shellac is a brand name of gel polish, not an umbrella term for all gel nail polishes
Shellac is often misconceived as a catch-all term for gel polishes, but it is a distinct product with its own unique identity. It is one of those manicure trends that have remained popular over the years. Many people think it's an umbrella name for gel nail polishes, but this isn't the case.
Shellac nails are created with a special gel nail polish that is different from traditional nail polish. The gel polish comes in a variety of colours and has a rich lacquer content. It is applied to the nails and then cured under a UV light, which hardens the polish and sets it in place. The curing process involves exposing the gel polish to UV light, which sets off a polymerization process that makes the molecules in the gel move and harden, creating a durable and long-lasting manicure.
Shellac is a popular choice for those who want a long-lasting manicure with vibrant colour. It is also known for its ability to shield natural nails from outside factors like pollution, toxins and UV rays that can cause damage. This protection can help nails grow long and strong. However, it is important to note that Shellac is not as long-lasting as some other gel polishes due to its lightweight formula.
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Shellac nails are created with a special in-salon gel nail polish
Shellac nails are one of those manicure trends that have remained popular over the years. They are distinguished by their rich lacquer content. The process involves a 'curing' or hardening process under an ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV curing process refers to the chemical process when the ingredients in the polish are exposed to UV light. The energy from the light sets off a polymerisation process, which makes the molecules in the gel harden and the polish dry.
Shellac nails are a good option for those who want to avoid the compounds formaldehyde and toluene, which are found in some gel nail polishes and can cause allergic reactions. Formaldehyde has also been linked to cancer. Shellac polish shields natural nails from outside factors like pollution, toxins and UV rays that can cause damage. This protection can help nails grow long and strong.
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Shellac nails are distinguished by their rich lacquer content and availability in over 100 shades
Shellac nails are a manicure trend that has remained popular over the years. They are created with a special gel nail polish developed and patented by Creative Nail Design (CND). Shellac nails are distinguished by their rich lacquer content and availability in over 100 shades at accredited salons.
Shellac is a brand name of gel polish, not an umbrella term for all gel nail polishes. Calling all gel manicures "shellac" is not necessarily correct. However, shellac nails are often misconceived as a catch-all term for gel polishes.
Shellac nails are created with a special in-salon gel nail polish. From the outside, it may look like regular polish, but shellac requires a 'curing' or hardening process under ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV curing process refers to the chemical process when the ingredients in shellac polish are exposed to UV light. The energy from the light sets off a polymerization process, making the molecules in the gel harden and form a protective layer over the nail.
The rich lacquer content of shellac nails provides a vibrant and enduring style. With over 100 shades available, shellac nails offer a wide range of colour options to suit different preferences and styles. Shellac nails are also known for their longevity, providing longer-lasting results compared to traditional nail polish.
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Shellac nails are cured or hardened under ultraviolet (UV) light
Shellac nails are a manicure trend that has remained popular over the years. They are created with a special gel nail polish developed and patented by Creative Nail Design (CND). Shellac is the brand name of gel polish, not an umbrella term for all gel nail polishes.
The lightweight formula of Shellac means it doesn't typically last as long as gel polish. However, both gel and Shellac have more longevity than traditional nail polish. Shellac also contains more lacquer than other gel polishes and is available in over 100 shades at verified salons.
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Shellac nails are free of formaldehyde and toluene, which can cause allergic reactions
Shellac nails are created with a special in-salon gel nail polish, developed and patented by the brand Creative Nail Design (CND). Shellac is a brand name of gel polish, not an umbrella term for all gel nail polishes. It is a distinct product, often misconceived as a catch-all term for gel polishes.
Shellac nails are available in over 100 shades at accredited salons. The manicure takes just a couple of minutes to 'cure' compared to about half an hour for traditional polish. It may look like regular polish, but Shellac requires a 'curing' or hardening process under an ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV curing process refers to the chemical process when the two ingredients in Shellac polish (methacrylate monomers and radical initiators) are exposed to UV light. The energy from the light sets off a polymerisation process, which makes the molecules in the gel harden.
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Frequently asked questions
Shellac is a brand name of gel polish, developed and patented by Creative Nail Design (CND). It is not an umbrella term for all gel nail polishes.
Shellac contains more lacquer than other gel polishes and is available in over 100 shades. It also has a lightweight formula, which means it doesn't last as long as other gel polishes.
A shellac manicure only takes a couple of minutes to cure under an ultraviolet (UV) light, compared to about half an hour for traditional polish.
CND Shellac contains no formaldehyde or toluene, which can cause allergic reactions and have been linked to cancer. It also shields nails from outside factors like pollution, toxins and UV rays, helping nails grow long and strong.
Shellac manicures are available at accredited salons.











































