Hello lovelies!
So we all think once in a while it's a great idea to get shellac done on our nails. I mean color that won't chip for weeks? Who wouldn't want that? Except for the fact that it's terrible for your nails, and if you're like me, means you can't switch up the color as often as you'd like.
There comes a point where I lose my mind and literally try to peel it off (DON'T DO THAT), but with some patience you can safely remove it yourself at home.
What you'll need :
-Acetone
-Cotton pads
-Foil paper
-Scissors
-Cuticle stick
-Nail buffer or nail file
-Cuticle oil
-Hand cream
1. Cut your cotton pads and foil paper into 10 little rectangles, so that you have one piece of each for each finger.
2. Start off by applying cuticle oil generously on each finger. I like my trusty Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil. This will serve as a barrier between your skin and the acetone.
3. Soak each piece of cotton pad in some acetone remover (I just used this one from Quo), wrap it around each finger it tip and secure it with a piece of foil paper. Once you're done you should look like something right out of a sci-fi movie, ladies and gents : The Claw Of Shellac Destruction :
4. Let that soak for about 10 minutes. It will basically break down the polish so you can then scrape it off.
5. With your cuticle stick simply push up on the polish, this is the annoying part, be patient, PLUS you sorta get a work out from it! Ok not really, but it's hard work...
6. With a buffer or nail file, go over each nails to make sure you get every last bit of this polish from hell. YOU WILL WIN! Then go back over with a cotton pad soaked with remover to clean everything off.
7. Wash your hands thoroughly and apply a generous amount of hand cream (I like the Vitamin E Hand & Nail Treatment from The Body Shop). Once it's soaked in, reapply cuticle oil.
8. Try to give your nails a break. Shellac and acetone probably did a number on them, let them breathe a little and moisturize often!
(PS: you could also soak your fingers in a bowl with acetone for 10 minutes and then scrape it off, but I felt it was harsher on the skin and the removal wasn't as easy...)
All I can say, is I'm gonna think twice before getting Shellac again. I'm not a huge fan! What are your guys' thoughts on it?
Hope this was helpful and will save some of you a trip to the salon or unnecessary damage to your nails!
Talk to you soon,
-Val