Step by Step Shellac Tutorial
Do You Want To Learn How To Do Shellac The Right Way?
“If you stick with me I promise that I will teach you how to do Shellac, so that it doesn’t peel or chip prematurely.”
I first published this article in November 2012…
A lot has changed since then and millions of women have been Shellaced.
but…
Not everyone has come out loving it…why?
Because when done incorrectly it tends to peel or chip before the 2 weeks are up.
…That isn’t entirely true.
Even when some people follow the recommended steps given by CND and other companies it still peels or chips early.
This can be frustrating.
That is why I keep improving my own unique steps and product list so that I can guarantee 2 weeks every time.
Where To Start?
These are the top 3 things to avoid when applying Shellac. You will wish you knew about these things yesterday! You can now skip the frustration that often happens from Shellac messing up or not lasting 2 weeks.
→ Click Here To Download My Free Top 3 Shellac Mistakes ←
Original Post From Nov, 2012
Below is a step by step shellac how to tutorial – This video shellac nails tutorial was created and designed by Polishpedia & the pictures were created and designed by Creative Nail Designs.
STEP 1:
Meticulous Natural Nail Prep
“P.E.P.”:
P – Perform A Manicure
- Shape and smooth the extension edge of the nail with a Kanga™ File.
- Remove true cuticle from the nail plate with CuticleAway and a cuticle pusher.
- Have the client wash their hands with liquid soap and warm water. Towel dry.
- Double check for stubborn cuticle and debris by pulling back the lateral folds
(sidewalls) of the nails with your fingers and, using a curette, gently remove any
remaining cuticle.
E – Eliminate surface contaminants by scrubbing the nail with ScrubFresh™ and a lint-free pad.
P – Purify nail plate layers with ScrubFresh, which will remove oil and debris from the nail plate.
Note: It is not necessary to remove shine from the natural nail plate with a buffer
STEP 2:
Shellac UV Base Coat Application
- Shake the bottle to blend.
- Apply one thin layer to each nail surface and extension edge of all five nails on one hand.
- Remove the applicator brush from the bottle and wipe it against the bottle’s neck to
drain excess product from the brush. - Stay parallel to the natural nail and place the brush in the center of the nail slightly
away from the cuticle line. - Gently push the brush toward the cuticle line and then glide down one side to the
extension edge of the nail. - Lift the brush and repeat on the opposite side of the nail, followed by the same steps
to coat the center. - Be sure to encase the extension edge to ensure long wear.
- Remove the applicator brush from the bottle and wipe it against the bottle’s neck to
- Cure all five fingers together for ten seconds in the CND UV Lamp*.
- Repeat the process on the other hand.
STEP 3:
Shellac UV Color Coat Application
Solid Color
- Shake the bottle vigorously to blend.
- Apply one very thin coat to each nail surface and extension edge of all five nails on one hand.
(This layer will be slightly semi-sheer if applied correctly). - Remove the applicator brush from the bottle and wipe it against the bottle’s neck to
drain excess product from the brush. - Stay parallel to the natural nail and place the brush in the center of the nail slightly away
from the cuticle line. - Gently push the brush toward the cuticle line and glide down one side to the extension
edge of the nail. - Lift the brush and repeat on the other side of the nail, followed by the same steps to
coat the center. - Be sure to encase the extension edge to ensure long wear.
- Cure all five nails for two minutes in the CND UV Lamp*.
- Repeat the process on the other hand.
- Apply a second thin Color Coat to the surface and extension edge of all five nails using the
same process. This coat provides full coverage if using an opaque color. - Cure all five nails for two minutes in the CND UV Lamp*.
French Manicure
- Shake the bottle vigorously to blend.
- Start with a sheer pink Shellac UV Color Coat (not white tip): Apply one thin layer of your chosen pink on the nail surface and extension edge of all five nails on the first hand.
- Remove the applicator brush from the bottle and wipe it against the bottle’s neck to
drain excess product from the brush. - Stay parallel to the natural nail and place the brush in the center of the nail slightly
away from the cuticle line. - Gently push the brush toward the cuticle line and glide down one side to the
extension edge of the nail. - Lift the brush and repeat on the other side of the nail, followed by the same steps to
coat the center. - Be sure to encase the extension edge to ensure long wear.
- Cure all five nails for two minutes in the CND UV Lamp*.
- Apply a thin coat of white Shellac UV Color Coat to the tips of the nails, in an arched smile line to flatter
the nail shape. Detail with the Brisa™ ProSeries Gel Brush dipped in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to
perfect the smile line.
Note: Applying the white tip on top of a pink base will assure that the detailing brush doesn’t remove the
critical Base Coat layer during this refinement step. - Place all five fingers in the CND UV Lamp and cure for two minutes.*
- Repeat the process on the other hand.
*If using the Brisa lamp, apply and cure four fingers on each hand and then the thumbs.
STEP 4:
Shellac UV Top Coat Application
- Shake the bottle to blend.
- Apply one thin layer to each nail surface and extension edge of all five nails on one hand.
- Remove the applicator brush from the bottle and wipe it against the bottle’s neck to
drain excess product from the brush. - Stay parallel to the natural nail and place the brush in the center of the nail slightly
away from the cuticle line. - Gently push the brush toward the cuticle line and glide down one side to the
extension edge of the nail. - Lift the brush and repeat on the other side of the nail, followed by the same steps to
coat the center. - Be sure to encase the extension edge to ensure long wear.
- Cure all five nails for two minutes in the CND UV Lamp*.
- Repeat the process on the other hand.
- Remove the top film (sticky inhibition layer) with a plastic-backed, lint-free pad soaked with
99% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA). - Condition the nails and surrounding soft tissue with SolarOil™ and send a bottle home with
the client for daily conditioning. - Pre-book your client for a re-Shellac in two week.
11 Responses to Step by Step Shellac Tutorial
Leave a Reply
MORE ABOUT SHELLAC
How to do Shellac Nails
Remove Shellac
Find a Salon
Add Your Salon
FAQ
Shellac Nail Art
Shellac Layering
KEEP IN TOUCH
Privacy Policy
Hi I have everything cnd and everything brand new! I do everything as told (even though I’m trained also) and still my nails lift at the edge and peel, I seal the edges so well and it’s so so frustrating as its all cost me an absolute fortune.!
I even went to a salon to have it done, and they rushed my nails so much, yet they lasted 3/4 weeks
Do you need to wash/rinse the scrubfresh of nails before applying shellac?
I have recently purchased shellac polish and the genuine cnd lamp but I’m finding with some clients it is peeling off after a few days and not lasting 2weeks. Iv read your previous replies to other queries and it can’t be down to the bulbs because I bought it brand new from a well known supplier and my polishes are also from the same supplier so not fake or old. It doesn’t happen to everyone which is why it’s more confusing cause if I apply it too thick to everyone then surely everyone’s nails would peel? Please help!
Hi. I have problems with chipping and am using a nail dehydrator, polishes and lamp are brand new, I am applying the shellac very thinly and capping the edges. Can you suggest why it is not lasting 14 days?
I just followed your instructions for doing a Shellac gel manicure. It all went well, however, to remove the old gel, I wrapped my nails with a cotton ball soaked in 100% Pure Acetone and kept it in place with foil for ten minutes and the old gel did not budge! I even roughed up the top layer and it still did not budge without me scrapping it off. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Hi, I had exactly the same problem and I think iv found the answer.
After you apply the acetone to the cotton wool and you’ve wrapped it, hold the foil in place and apply pressure. Hold for 30 seconds. Do this to each wrapped nail for 15 to 20 minutes. The cotton wool needs to make contact with the nail, as it allows the acetone to penetrate the gel. Remove foils and it should just peel off. I usually use an orange stick to remove any access gel. It works every time for me now. Good luck xx
i want to learn different ways for nail art….
shades in nail arts……….
nd these shellac….
wat is dis shellac……
in market how we can get this, its use, how t use…….
plzzzz tell me i want to open a salon….
Hi I’ve been using shellac for a while all my products are new and authentic and I am using the CND Lamp I am finding that it peels after 4-5 days!!!! It just lifts and peels right off I’ve been trying to seal the edges as best as I can and to also dehydrate the nails any advice would be great Thanks 🙂
Ciara,
How old are your bulbs? If the bulbs need to be replaced, then this can cause lifting and peeling.
~Jocelyn (Nail Artist @ Polishpedia)
Hi I have been using Shellac for a while using different colours. For the pass couple of applications all has gone wrong! I have used the base coat first then applied the colour, the colour seems to have bubbled and pulled away from the nail but not on every finger, it is very strange. Can you shed any light on why this is happening?
Sarah,
Shellac can be a touch system. If something is not right, it doesn’t work properly. Here are some things that could be the problem:
1. The layers are too thick.
2. The polish is old.
3. Your lamps bulbs need to be replaced.
Let me know if this helps.
~Jocelyn (Nail Artist @ Polishpedia)