CND Shellac Troubleshooting - Review by Rebeca

Troubleshooting: Ensuring that a Shellac manicure delivers on it's 14 day promise.

The condition & health of your clients natural nails matters. If a client's natural nails tend to chip, peel and bend, they will still chip, peel and bend -- even with Shellac on! Shellac does not become hard or rigid, so what the nail tends to do (like peel), Shellac will not prevent that from happening. Obviously this can lead to chipping before the 14 days are up. Personally, I would make sure that I disclose to clients with problem nails that they may not get an entire 14 days out of the manicure. My philosophy has been to under promise and over deliver! So even if clients with problem nails get 10+ days from their Shellac manicure, that is still significantly longer than a standard manicure and it will be significantly more glossy and beautiful. Another way to ensure that your clients get the most out of their manicure is to make sure that you follow
the CND Shellac protocol and usage directions. Most of the time, just adjusting your technique, and using LESS product can help troubleshoot problems.

Troubleshooting Issues:

Peeling:
- Polish application was too thick -- Thin and even coats work best.
- Never Skip: Eliminating surface oils by scrubbing the nail with ScrubFresh before applying Shellac UV base coat.

Crazing/ Crackling:
- Polish application was too thick.
- Must be using 36 W Lamp for curing.

Peeling / Lifting: Keep in mind that THIN layers are key to a successful Shellac application. A think layer of polish or Top Coat can make the product peel off the nail.

Keep in Mind: Shellac is NOT a strength building product, it's a replacement for polish on manicure clients that want a longer lasting results. Nail enhancements may be a better choice for clients that need a nail make-over of some kind. Clients with brittle and dry nails that chip or peel easily, and those with thin nails that bend easily are NOT ideal clients for the Shellac service.

Rebeca's Shellac Update:
About my nails & my Shellac experience. Let me start of by saying, I am not the ideal Shellac candidate. My nails peel, chip, bend and break 1-2 times a week. So, due to my nails' delicate condition, I did not get an entire 14 days out of my Shellac manicure... but I did have a glorious 10 day love affair with my Shellac French Manicure until I chipped a nail. Yet, despite my natural nail short comings -- I AM CRAZY IN LOVE WITH THIS PRODUCT!

What My Shellac Manicure SURVIVED IN 10.5 Days!

- I caught my nail TWICE in the zipper of my handbag -- not a scratch, tear, break or chip! Astonishing.

- I accidentally spilled Tea Tree essential oil all over my manicure (massage training class). Usually EO's eat through my polish -- my Shellac did not budge!

- I rearranged the furniture on my Patio, re-potted 6 plants (without gloves) and scrubbed windows. No problemo!

- Went to COSTCO. Enough said right? After I got home with 3 shopping carts of stuff, I opened countless cardboard mega-boxes with atomic cardboard pull tabs that ALWAYS kill my polish... not this time. Even survived opening plastic, clam shell packaging... that alone is amazing!

- I PEELED the labels off of a new set of 4 glasses with my nails... not a CHIP!

- Survived my OCD hand washings. I have an excessive hand washing ritual & a Purell addiction. Probably why my nails peel!

But as predicted, my peely nails finally did their thing, and I had my first Shellac casualty in the late evening of day 10 (as you can see from photo). Nothing major happened. I was reading my Kindle, looked up and my stomach sank... the corner of my nail had peeled and chipped away. As you can see, the Shellac only peeled back with the break, and did not peel off entirely. Notice that my French Shellac mani still looks GREAT after 10+ days! I had a little bit of grow out, but other than that - my nails look amazing.

Summary: Assess your clients natural nail before the service. A client with strong, (non-peeling) natural nails are your best candidates for a 14 day Shellac result. For clients with nails in less that "perfect" condition, Shellac will still provide a longer lasting manicure than conventional nail polish - but it may be shy of 14 days.

UPDATE! Click Here for more CND Shellac troubleshooting tips on the Pure Spa Direct main web site.

CND Shellac 14 day Manicures = Profits For Salons & Bliss for Customers - Review by Rebeca

Shellac is like any salon polish application, the Shellac system features a Base Coat, Color Coat and Top Coat. Together with a UV Lamp, the system comprises a breakthrough in resilient color that remains flawless for two weeks and removes in 10 minutes. This has to be the most revolutionary offering for natural nail customers! Many want to know what the difference is between Shellac and gel manicures. Well, the Shellac gel hybrid does not require as much prep work to the nail... the process is just like a natural nail manicure with the exception of a UV cure with each coat. Shellac also soaks off quicker that other nail services.

What does this mean for Salons? IMO -- Shellac is a Gold Mine! Imagine being able to offer clients a nail polish that doesn't smudge, peel, dent, knick, or even chip for 14 days! When I asked some local nail salon patrons how they would feel about being offered this type of service, their responses were frenzied. They did not even inquire about the price, they just wanted to know what salon has it and how fast they could get there... they all became possessed with excitement! This is a VERY desirable service, and CND has done a great job of getting press and media to deliver the news to consumers; "the 14 day manicure is here". I am confident most women will find a Shellac manicure a staple service before vacations, holidays, meetings, weddings, reunions or any event in which they don't want to worry about touching up their polish. I am personally looking forward to traveling WITHOUT a big bag of leaky nail polishes and remover (that ALWAYS leaks all over my suitcase). This used to be unavoidable, because Pre-Shellac, my manis & pedis never stayed in tact for any trip over 2 days!

About my Shellac French Manicure:
My CND Shellac French manicure was done with 2 colors, Negligee (a transparent pink with a very subtle iridescent) and Cream Puff (the opaque white used for the tips). Now, I have to admit that I was a bit bummed at how clear the Negligee appeared. I have on 2 coats in this photo. A white on white manicure is my preferred choice (1 coat Essie Waltz and 1 coat Essie Marshmallow was my signature). For now, there is a limited color selection currently available from CND Shellac (with more coming out in November 2010), so Negligee was my only option... though I think Shellac Romantique might make for a good alternative to give more opacity, (I will try next time).

Retail -- Really -- YOU need to retail CND Solar Oil!
So far, on day two of my Shellac French Manicure, I have no nicks, chips or scratches. Just INSANELY shiny and healthy natural nails! A VERY important step to keeping the Shellac manicure looking great, is to have your clients apply Solar Oil every day! Solar Oil contains a luxe blend of natural Rice Bran oil, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E Oil and Sweet Almond oil to help restore and repair nails and cuticles for a healthy looking manicure. In addition, the act of massaging Solar Oil into the nails daily actually stimulates nail growth while the natural oils condition brittle nails and cuticles. Every time Solar Oil is applied, it totally revives the beauty of any manicure! This is a great way to make sure your clients LOVE their manicure up to day 14 and it helps them nurture their natural nails. Click me to see the Solar Oil Retail Display.

Another great marketing benefit of CND Shellac it that there is absolutely no damage done to the natural nail. Shellac is also 3 Free. It is free of formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. I like to call Shellac "The Kind Manicure"; your nail bed does not need to be mutilated with a nail file or drill at anytime. No glues, bonds, primers or offensive smelling fluids are needed. CND Shellac polishes go on just like regular nail polishes, so there is no damage to your precious, natural nail.

Rev up your business and try the CND Shellac Starter Kit today! People WILL be calling your salon about it. Don't be left out of the Shellac Revolution!

Shellac Attack!- The Nail Biter Experience- Day 1 - Review by Kerri

The joke around the office is that the new CND Shellac is the best
invention since the Internet, and for us ladies it just might be!

Since the beginning of manicure history, a 14-day manicure has always
been unheard of - especially if you’re like me who has been plagued by
nail and cuticle biting their entire life! From the moment I heard
about this, I could not wait for our CND Shellac Kits to arrive. And
today, for the first time, I was "shellacked." I've always been
partial to a glamorous light pink so I selected the CND Shellac
Romantique as my color of choice. I had my nails pre-manicured and my
cuticles clipped. With each coat that was applied, I became more and
more excited to see the finished product. I could not believe how fast
the UV lamp cured the nails. I am so used to waiting for my nails dry,
that I had to be reminded that it was okay to fix my hair with my
freshly painted nails, the minute after we finished! Most importantly,
my nails have stayed far away from my mouth. Even an habitual nail
biter wouldn't want to chomp on these perfectly polished and shiny
nails. 1st day=Success!

Shellac Attack - The Single Mom's Stress-Free Answer! Day 1 - Review by Tara

Like most women, I like to look cute and put together. But as a single Mom of 2, I do not have hours (sometimes I don't even have minutes!) to put into getting ready. I love to have my nails prettily manicured, but who has the time to go to the nail salon every week? And do them myself? By the time I have 5 free minutes to paint my nails, it is bedtime - and then I wake up with the inevitable sheet marks! When I heard about the new CND Shellac system - a UV-cured hybrid nail color that claims to last 14-days - I was so excited. As in dreaming about it every night the week before it was released excited. I mean, even I can spare 30 minutes every two weeks for the perfect manicure!

Finally, Shellac day was here. I had my hands manicured - filed my nails, clipped my cuticles, and made them look extra pretty. After all, if I am going to have a beautiful manicure last 2 weeks, I want to start with the prettiest palette possible! The process is amazingly easy (and in case you didn't notice, EASY is high on my list of necessities!) - apply base coat (just like polish), cure for 10 seconds under the UV lamp. Apply 1 coat of color, cure for 2 minutes. Apply second color coat, cure for 2 minutes. Apply top coat, cure for 2 minutes. Wipe thoroughly with 99% alcohol (this is the MOST IMPORTANT step) to remove the top layer film and DONE! My nails were beautifully painted in the exotic Tropix color, shiny, and DRY!

For my first Shellac test, I immediately put my hand in my pocket to retrieve my watch and lip gloss. I will admit it - I was nervous. I am Queen of having creases and lines in my nail polish, because I always forget to have everything out of my purse or pockets before polishing. Not to mention having to change a diaper or fix a broken toy... With Shellac, IT DIDN'T MATTER! I stuck my hand in my pocket, got my watch, pulled my hand back out - and my polish was still PERFECT!

The most amazing part about my manicure is how glossy it is. My nails honestly look wet. I have tried tons of top coats to obtain that high-gloss shine that lasts, to no avail. Shellac is different - it looks like I just left the salon. Finally, stress-free nails! YAY!

Shellac Attack: We Really Can Have It All!! Review by Adrienne

Emotions at Pure Spa Direct have been running high ever since the announcement that CND would be introducing their new Shellac manicure system. All us ladies have been waiting with great anticipation to see the colors, feel the consistency of the polish, and see if it can really stand up to the everyday wear that our nails go through.

I, for one, was skeptical. I am one those women that ruins my new manicure, oh, about, 3.5 seconds after I put my hands under the dryer. How could anything, short of acrylics, work for me? Also, even if my polish stayed on for 2 weeks, how could my nail beds possibly maintain that fresh manicure look? Well, we have 2 weeks to discover the answers to these questions. Here is Day 1...

The very first thing I did before anything was applied to my nails was rub all of them with a plastic-backed, lint-free pad that was soaked with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. This made my nails clean and ready to be Shellac-Attacked. My color of choice was Red Baroness, a sparkling raspberry color that can change to a more cranberry tone, depending upon the light. It is absolutely gorgeous, the kind of color that I want to show off. Also, due to its varying shade, it is also a very versatile color.

The process, in a nutshell, was: Base Coat, bake 10 secs, 1st color coat, bake 2 mins, 2ND color coat, bake 2 mins, top coat, bake 2 mins. Repeat on other hand. In essence, the whole process takes exactly 12 minutes and 20 seconds longer than a traditional manicure, BUT, no drying time and no worrying about inevitable smudges and dents! I don't know about any of you, but I have sat under the nail dryer for 20-30 minutes, and STILL wrecked my manicure before I even left the salon.

The end product is absolutely stunning. I have been getting tons of compliments on the color and shine of the polish, from friends and strangers alike. And rather than having to do activities with extra care and focus, I have been able to throw caution to the wind, successfully combining my tomboyish nature and love of shimmering nails.

As a note, the CND Solar Oil is ESSENTIAL!! I have very dry hands and cuticles and using the 99% Isopropyl Alcohol definitely does not help my situation. After one application of the oil, however, my nail-beds looked and felt super moisturized. I will be applying it every day, multiple times a day, to ensure that my cuticles stay as fresh and gorgeous as my Shellac Manicure does.

As far as CND Shellac, this girl is hooked ;-)