Nowadays, it is not difficult to make a stylish manicure at home. The stores offer a wide range of special devices for manicure: varnishes, gel coatings, stencils, etc. Until recently, home manicures were notable for their fragility, the reason for this was the weak durability of the varnish. But now everything has changed, it has become public gel polish or shellac. The main feature of this material is that it stays on the nails for more than two weeks.
What is gel polish in manicure
The procedure for performing a manicure using gel polish is offered in almost every beauty salon. There are also a huge number of manicure specialists working at home. Recently, many girls have begun to buy all the necessary equipment for performing a manicure using a gel coating and, accordingly, do it at home. But nevertheless, when all the necessary materials have already been acquired, the question arises: “How to make a manicure?”. We will answer this question by talking in detail about the technology for the correct application of gel polish at home. Before you start creating a manicure, you need to understand what gel polish (shellac) is. The gel polish itself is a porous polymer that allows air to pass through. It has a number of advantages:
- It lasts up to 4 weeks, which saves time on manicure, because even the best varnish does not last more than 5 days.
- It does not require any special skills, it is applied quite simply.
- Variety of color options. Every girl can choose a gel according to her mood.
- Gel polish perfectly levels the surface of the nail plate.
- Does not spoil the structure of the nail itself.
However, such a manicure also has its drawbacks, which in general do not spoil the overall picture of its merits. For example:
- The high cost of the procedure, especially if you do a manicure in the salon with a good master. Do-it-yourself gel polish at home also requires the cost of tools and materials (UV lamp, special acetone-containing liquids, etc.)
- Wearing a manicure using shellac for a long time is harmful. Therefore, after 4-5 times of application, the nails must be given time to rest and recover.
- Difficulty in removing gel polish. This will not work with regular nail polish remover. It is necessary to use only acetone-containing liquids and spend a sufficient amount of time on the procedure for removing the gel.
What is needed to create a manicure
To make a durable, high-quality shellac manicure, you need to have a certain set of tools and materials. Before coating nails with shellac, they must be well processed, for this you will need the following tools:
- . They are used to process the free edge of the nails and give them the necessary shape.
- . Needed to get rid of overgrown skin at the base of the nails.
- . It is used for polishing the surface of the nail plate, as well as for removing the keratin layer.
- . Used to align the free edge of the nail plate.
- . Used to remove excess cuticles.
- . With their help, you can easily lift and push back the cuticle.
After treating the nails with the above set of tools, you will need the following materials directly to perform a manicure: bonds, (acidic, acid-free), dehydrators. All these funds are necessary in order to degrease and rid the nail plate of excess moisture. In addition, these products provide better adhesion to the gel-coated nail.
- . It is used to disinfect nails and prevent the appearance of various fungal diseases.
- . Designed to level the surface of the nail plate, protects against the penetration of gel polish into the nail structure, provides good adhesion to artificial materials.
- . It is used directly to create a colored manicure.
- . The top coat, used to fix the color coating, ensures the durability of the manicure, warning it from damage and chips.
And the main important tool, without which it is impossible to create a high-quality manicure using shellac, is. It is used for polymerization (drying) of the gel coating. The quality and power of such a lamp will determine how well the gel polish dries and, accordingly, the durability of your manicure. For home use, a 36 watt lamp is perfect.
UV lamp for drying nails
How to do a manicure with gel polish
The technology for performing work includes several points:
- First you need, to soften it, you can first use warm baths. Then you need to give the nails the desired shape, the one that the girl considers the most harmonious.
Stage 1 - Soften the cuticle
- Then take the buff and sand the nail plate, carefully working near the base of the nail and at the edge. Remove excess particles under the nails. This procedure will subsequently help the gel polish to better “adhere” to the nail.
Stage 2 - Grinding the plate
Important! We do not process a natural nail with a file, even a finely abrasive one.
- Wipe the surface of the nail plate with a cotton pad previously moistened with a degreaser.
Stage 3 - Degrease the surface of the nail
- Application of the base (gel polish base). It is important not to overdo it with the amount, that is, you need to cover the nail plate with a thin layer, paying special attention to the edges of the nail, which will ensure a longer manicure in a presentable form. Then place the nails under a UV or Led lamp for 30-60 seconds.
Step 4 - Apply the base coat on the nail
Important! Overdoing the nail, you can achieve the creation of a fragile coating, which will collapse after 2 days.
- Applying gel polish of the desired color. The coating layer should be thin. If the gel gets on the cuticle, then you need to use an orange stick to remove it. By carefully distributing the material over the nail, the girl can send it under the lamp for 1-2 minutes.
Step 5 - Apply the first thin coat of gel polish
It is important to know how to properly apply gel polish. Apply as shown in the picture. In the center, at the base of the nail, put a point of varnish, then with a sharp but gentle movement, stretch it to the free edge of the nail plate, then brush along the sides of the nail in the same direction (top to bottom). Next, carefully pass the brush along the free edge, sealing it (this will prolong the wear of the manicure). So, the nail is completely painted over.
- Applying another layer of gel polish, but a little thicker. This will give the manicure more saturation, make the color deeper. Then, similarly to the first layer, it must be polymerized under an ultraviolet lamp.
Step 6 - Apply the second coat of gel polish
- The use of a top involves applying the product over the gel. We place the nails in the lamp for 40-60 seconds. Its main purpose is to create a protective layer, to prevent the appearance of chips, in addition, the top makes the manicure glossy, neat, more beautiful.
Step 7 - Apply the top coat
- Repeating the earlier action already done: treating the nail with a degreasing liquid. It is performed in order to remove the sticky layer.
Step 8 - Remove the sticky layer with a cotton pad
- At the end of the procedure, it is desirable to soften the skin at the base of the nail, using cuticle oil.
Possible errors when applying gel polish
Gel polish nails are famous for their strength and durability, in theory this is true if you know all the intricacies of applying gel polish. However, in practice, due to lack of knowledge in this area, girls, doing manicure at home, make a number of mistakes, which can subsequently shorten the period of wearing a manicure, lead to cracks and chips in the coating. To avoid these unpleasant consequences, we will talk about the mistakes that should not be made when applying shellac:
- Before processing the cuticle, some masters soak their nails with a bath, and so, it is important not to overdo it here, otherwise it can lead to excessive moisture of the nail plate, and you will have to resort to the help of a dehydrator.
- If the cuticle is poorly processed and the nail is not cleaned well enough from pterygium, then air can get under the gel polish, which will further lead to peeling of the artificial coating.
- If the nail plate is not sanded well enough before starting to apply shellac, especially in the area of the cuticle and free edge, this can also lead to premature peeling of the varnish.
- Insufficient degreasing of the nail plate with the help of special tools also reduces the period of wearing a manicure.
- Disregard for the processing of the end and sides of the nail with special tools (primer, ultrabond), which ensure good adhesion of the gel coating to the nail plate.
- Applying too thick a layer of gel polish. Each layer should be thin to avoid insufficient drying.
- It is also important to seal the cut (end) of the nail with each subsequent layer. So the manicure will last longer.
- If your nails are thin and often break, then it is better not to neglect the use of a strengthening gel and leveling the nail plate with a base. It is better to use a soluble gel so that when removing a manicure, avoid cutting off.
- It is very important to take seriously the choice of products such as base and top, because they are responsible for the quality of your manicure and ensure its durability. In no case should you save on these materials.
- The use of single-phase coatings is also undesirable. Use three-phase gel polishes, then it will be much easier to avoid premature peeling and chipping.
- Avoid using gel polishes that can only be removed by filing. This procedure can often threaten damage to the nail plate. Use coatings that require soaking.
If you follow these simple rules for applying shellac, you will be able to please yourself and those around you with your beautiful nails much longer.
Is it possible to remove gel nail polish at home
Nails covered with gel polish do not require specific care, the rules for its maintenance. However, getting rid of an “overgrown” manicure is more difficult than getting rid of a regular varnish. In a specialized cosmetic store, you need to purchase a gel polish remover (Shellac).
Removing gel polish from nails at home
So, they need to moisten the cut cotton pads (Fig. 2), attach them to the nail platinum and wrap each nail with foil so that the product does not evaporate (Fig. 3). After waiting about 20 minutes, remove the foil and cotton pads, the gel will come off with them (Fig. 4), its remains can be removed with an orange stick and sawing off with a grinding file (Fig. 5).
You can read more about removing gel polish, including with a machine, in the article:
Using gel polish in manicure is the most reasonable solution. In order for it to please you for a long time, it is necessary to use rubber gloves for prolonged contact with water and household chemicals.
Video: Technique for applying gel polish at home
Every girl has long forgotten how it is to paint her nails with ordinary varnish. A new miracle product called gel polish has long come into fashion. What is gel nail polish and why is it so popular?
Definition of gel polish
We declare with confidence that gel polish has become a real breakthrough in the nail industry over the past few years. Experts call gel polish a hybrid of gel and polish. This is a coating that stays on the nails for 2 to 4 weeks and is a specially designed plastic gel. By consistency, it resembles ordinary varnish, it is also applied to nails, but dried in a special UV lamp. Gel polish is ideal for all girls who are used to seeing their hands well-groomed and beautiful. For several weeks, you can not worry about the fact that chips or rub off will appear on the surface of the nails, and the shine of gel polish cannot be compared with anything. Since the gel polish is quite dense, it provides a perfectly even coating and strengthens even the most brittle nails. The average wear time for gel polish is 2 weeks. The maximum time is not limited, it all depends on the growth rate of your nails. As a rule, the period is up to 5 weeks, since the plate begins to grow and it does not look very aesthetically pleasing. 
How to use gel polish
Initially, gel polish was a salon procedure, as it required the use of special equipment. But now that coating materials have become more readily available, and in addition to this, there are special courses for teaching coating techniques, the procedure is easily carried out at home. So, if you want to purchase a gel polish starter kit, then be sure to ask: “How to use it?”
Although the coating resembles ordinary varnish, it will not work to apply it using the usual method. It is necessary to observe special equipment and work only with high-quality materials. 
The process of applying gel polish
Procedure for preparing nails for coating:
Stage 1: form a free edge
The surface of the nails must be made perfectly smooth and clean. If the nail is stratified, it is necessary to trim it with a nail file. If necessary, do a manicure using cuticle oil. After that, you need to clean and degrease the nail plate well.
Step 2: Remove the top nail layer
To do this, you need to apply a buff with a high level of abrasiveness, if this is not done, the coating will chip off and last only a couple of days. After that, avoid touching the treated surface. The last step in this step is to cover the nail with a special degreasing formula (dehydrator).
Stage 3: applying the base
The plate after previous treatments becomes very vulnerable and weakened, therefore, to strengthen it, it must be covered with a primer. In addition, this procedure ensures the adhesion of the base gel to the nail plate.
Color coating gel polish can be done in one layer, then it will be translucent. If you do several layers of coating - you get a persistent saturated shade. As a rule, 2-3 layers will be enough, because if the coating is thick, it will look ugly. 
Benefits of gel polish
How to use gel polish, we have already figured out. Let's look at the main advantages of such coverage:
- fast drying - under a UV lamp, gel polish dries quickly, which cannot be said about ordinary nail polish;
- strengthening nails - gel polish coating provides them with additional protection. Under gel polish, nails grow faster and become stronger;
- durability of the coating - if you follow all the recommendations and avoid contact with hot water for 24 hours after applying the gel polish, then it will remain in its original form for at least two weeks;
- aesthetics - with the help of gel polish you can save even the shortest
- and ugly nails. Entrust your hands to professionals, they will make a manicure, give your nails a beautiful shape and cover them with colored gel polish;
- cost - modern materials for the use of gel polish allow you to maintain your hands in a beautiful and well-groomed form without financial costs;
- no harm to nails - the composition of the coating includes safe components that do not pose any threat to natural nails.
An interesting and useful video on the topic of the article:
Despite the fact that the gel polish procedure is affordable for everyone, you should not chase the minimum prices. As a rule, the use of poor quality materials can cause the coating to be applied unevenly or last for a very short time.
Gel polish is the best option in order to always maintain the aesthetic beauty of hands and nails.
You need to take care of your nails, and once you have painted them, there is an obligation to constantly maintain their aesthetic appearance. Then resistant coatings come to the rescue - shellac or gel polish, which make the everyday life of ladies more comfortable. But what is the difference between gel polish and shellac and which one to choose for your perfect manicure?
What is the difference?
Delving into the history of permanent varnishes, CND has been a pioneer in the industry. It was she who awarded women the chance to wear high-quality manicure for a long time. The coating was called Shellac.
The development of other brands that developed similar products did not cause the appearance of absolute analogues. Varnishes similar in action were created that did not wash off for about two weeks. They are called gel polishes.
Means for covering almost everything differ, it is not advisable to call them analogues or varieties of each other.
Application rules
Simply applying a coating to the nail and drying it under a lamp is not enough. There are certain conditions due to which this or that coverage will last the prescribed period.
Before applying gel polish, you must:
- Prepare nails (cut manicure or hardware), remove the pterygium (top layer of the nail) with a buff.
- Apply a primer (base, base) so that the gel polish adheres well to the nail.
- Depending on the desired effect, apply colored gel polish. This can be one layer or more (companies can put different amounts of pigment into their product, which may not be enough for a rich color coated in one layer).
- The top is applied as a gel polish fixer. Often the base (primer) and top are combined in one bottle.
Shellac is more practical - the nail can not be filed, which preserves its integrity, a primer is not required, and the top is applied as desired.
There are also bases for shellacs. Their main purpose is to protect the nails from the pigments in the composition of the product.
Color palette
This indicator is diverse for gel polishes, which makes it possible to get a brilliant manicure of any shade with a variety of effects (glitter, mother-of-pearl, "cat's eye", etc.). Shellacs are lagging behind in this matter, limiting the choice to almost half.
Shellac was invented by CND, which developed its own line of shades. Their Vinylux product was a new polish that lasted for a week. The color scheme was wide enough to fit into everyday life.
There are a lot of gel polish brands, each of them contributes to the collection of flowers. These are Gel Polish (gel polish), Bluesky (bluesky), Gelish lac (gelish), Vita gel, Sol, Coco color gel and others. How many such firms in the market of the nail industry - do not count, which cannot be said about shellac.
You can distinguish a quality product from a surrogate if you read the composition. The price in such a case is not unimportant, the difference will be noticeable between the coatings of the low price segment and the higher one. A good tool will not cost a couple of dollars. It is better to start your selection among mid-range products.
The truth is in
The coatings have a different chemical composition, although they look equally good on the nails. Shellac contains n-butanols, methacrylates, butyl acetates, titanium dioxide, etc. But their effect on the body cannot be called detrimental, unlike the constituent gel polishes.
Given the harmfulness of chemicals, gel polish contains an order of magnitude higher toxic components than shellac. This is the advantage of shellac. What is more harmful is for a woman who wants to cover her nails to decide, and there are plenty of varieties of means for this.
Although the composition is similar, shellak (the name is spelled as shilak, shilak, slag, schelak, sherlak) can also harm the nail plate - after wearing it normally for several weeks, you can earn brittle nails. This is because shellac is able to dry out the nail plate.
It is not worth covering your nails in a row, you can alternate it with a bio-gel coating, at the same time forming a nail. It is safer to build them up, biogel heals nails and improves their growth.
Polymerization
The process of hardening (polymerization) is different for the coatings in question. To harden shellac, you need a UV lamp. Under other types of lamps, it does not polymerize.
The progress in the development of the composition of the gel polish has reached a level where drying takes place under LED devices. Since it is LED lamps that are becoming more popular (they are practical to maintain, dry quickly), gel polish is much more convenient in terms of practicality.
Removal from the nail
Sooner or later, you need to remove the coating from the nail. You can remove gel polish or shellac at home or in the salon thanks to special liquids and auxiliary accessories.
The first and main condition is not to peel off the remnants of varnish! Otherwise, it will take a long time for the nails to “come to their senses”, and you can forget about a beautiful manicure for a long time.
You can also remove varnish at home. Step by step for gel polish it looks like this:
- Cut off more gel polish residues from nails with a nail file or a router with a “corn” nozzle, preferably from ceramics (so there will be no options to damage the nail plate).
- Soak cotton pads in nail polish remover. Wrap them around your nails and wrap in foil (you can use finger caps). This is necessary because the agent does not evaporate before the gel polish dissolves.
- Wait a quarter of an hour, sometimes longer (depending on what varnish).
- Remove the "compresses", on the cotton pad should be the remnants of the gel polish.
Special liquids, which are used by many masters, are able not to overdry the nails after each removal of varnish. Improper removal guarantees brittle nails. It depends not only on the means, but also on the competence of the master.
Shellac is removed in a similar way, only it will take less time to wait. But there is still a difference in the process. It is usually not washed down before removal, but after the “compresses” have been made, traces of the coating may remain on the nails. They are “scraped off” with an orange stick. By using professional solvents, this can be avoided.
Duration of wearing
Manufacturers consider it normal if gel polish with a primer and top coat stays on nails for up to 3 weeks. Shellac - for the same period.
But in practice, the following has been proven - gel polish is more resistant, especially if it was covered with thin layers that were dried separately (wearing - 2-3 weeks). Shellac - up to 2 weeks. Such a period of coating looks spectacular, but it may peel off earlier, especially if the nail was poorly degreased before coating.
If the gel polish is applied as an independent layer without a base and top, then it will last no more than a week.
How to extend the wearing of the coating?
Although nail covers can have adverse effects (especially with constant use), they are practical in terms of wear time and are very easy to use. But that doesn't mean they don't need to be taken care of. Unlike acrylic, gel polish and shellac can be damaged by inaccurate actions and thereby spoil the quality of the manicure.
How to ensure a beautiful manicure for a long time? The answers are banal and have long been known to everyone. The main thing is to prevent aggressive substances from getting on the coating (solvents of all kinds), avoid thermal exposure (this is dangerous not only for the coating, but also for nails in general), do not test nails for strength in vain (tear off something, scratch them). Wear gloves to wash dishes. This is useful for the skin of the hands in principle, regardless of whether there is a coating on the nails or not.
Risks of wearing gel polish and shellac
Such a universal coating, regardless of the name, has its drawbacks. Although the pronounced benefit is the beauty of the nails for a long time, doing such a manicure, there is a risk of spoiling the condition of the nails and then restoring them for a long time.
What signs of changes in the nail plate should alert:
- The nails became dull, roughness, tubercles, stripes appeared on them.
- The color of the nail plate has become yellowish or gray.
- There were delaminations on the protruding area of the nails, the periungual skin has a lot of burrs and roughness.
Medical procedures in this case are necessary. Similar symptoms can provide nails with a fungal disease. This will happen for one reason - if the master ignores the disinfection of manicure supplies.
Depending on the composition of varnishes, toxic substances can harm the body. What exactly is the harm? Allergies that arise due to the accumulation of toxins, as well as general poisoning of the body. But the manicure coatings industry is not standing still, and, for sure, there will soon be one that will do absolutely no harm.
Video from an expert
Many women, when they are going to get a manicure, opt for shellac or gel polish. Each of them tries to achieve an attractive and well-groomed appearance, and this is impossible without competent care for hair, skin and nails. To create an impeccable image, many women try to diversify their manicure.
But a manicure at home is rarely distinguished by durability and perfection of performance, and it is very costly to achieve the desired effect with the help of frequent salon procedures. The art of manicure does not stand still. And the manicure is gaining more and more popularity, for the creation of which shellac and gel polish are used. What is the difference between the coatings should be understood immediately.
There is an opinion that gel polish and shellac are different names for the same product. Is it so? If these are different nail coatings, then what are their distinguishing features? Which coating to prefer: shellac and gel polish. What is the difference between them can be understood by reading this article and getting answers to all these questions.
Before making a choice, you need to understand what their features are. So what is shellac? Such a coating for nail plates is a creation of the cosmetic company CND. It combines the properties of conventional varnish and gel.
A feature of shellac is its high saturation.. According to this indicator, no other varnish can be compared with it, and the wide range of colors offered by the manufacturer is presented in all colors of the rainbow.
Shellac is a salon procedure. Difficulties with its independent implementation are due to the lack of necessary skills, special expensive UV lamps and tools.
However, shellac has many advantages.
The first is the possibility of growing your own long nails. Shellac can be done on both long and short nails. The coating does not allow the nail plate to crack and exfoliate. In addition, it strengthens thin and brittle nails, allowing them to grow back.
The second is a lasting result. Such a coating can decorate the owner's nails for up to three weeks. Unlike other products, shellac will not fade over time.
Currently, a huge variety of colors and shades of this tool is offered. Manufacturers do not stop there, replenishing the range with fashionable seasonal shades.
Shellac contains no harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde. Nail coating is made from gentle substances. This means that shellac is absolutely safe even for pregnant women.
Shellac can be easily removed even at home. To do this, you only need to buy a foam and liquid specially designed for this. You can do this right in the cabin, and instructions for use are included with such tools.
The main disadvantage of shellac is the difficulty of its independent use. Firstly, its use requires an expensive UV lamp, without which the product simply cannot harden.
Secondly, it is difficult to perfectly apply shellac on your own, especially on the nail plates of the right hand. To obtain an impeccable result, salon services are preferable, but this requires financial costs and time.
Another disadvantage is the need to purchase special tools to remove the coating. This creates an inconvenience for girls who prefer to regularly update their nail design. Although shellac is a high-strength coating and is resistant to water, it is worth considering that constant mechanical stress and prolonged contact with water may damage the manicure.
In the entire history of shellac production, only 32 episodes of skin diseases have been identified. Mostly among women from Poland, Russia and Ukraine. And in all cases, the product was purchased in online stores, and not through official suppliers.
The procedure for applying shellac takes place in stages:
- Treatment. At this stage, the nail is filed and given a beautiful shape.
- Preparation for applying the base. The nails are treated with a degreasing and antiseptic agent.
- Applying a base coat. After applying the base, the coating on each nail plate is polymerized using a UV lamp. This stage takes no more than three minutes for two hands.
- Coating with the main color layer. For best results, apply in two thin layers. At the end of this stage, polymerization is also required, lasting about four minutes for both hands.
- Adjustment. At this stage, with the help of special corrective tools, made in the form of a pencil, all coating defects are eliminated.
- Consolidation. As well as the previous layers, the fixing layer undergoes polymerization. After its application, the nails acquire an elegant, shiny appearance.
- Getting rid of the nail plate from stickiness. For this, a special alcohol agent and a sponge are used. At the end, the skin of the hands is treated with nourishing oil or cream, and the hands and fingers are massaged. The result is an unsurpassed appearance of hands and nails, the satisfaction of undergoing salon procedures.
All manipulations last less than 50 minutes. It all depends on the skill and experience of the specialist. Of course, you can try to carry out the shellac application procedure yourself, but without the necessary experience it will be very problematic.
In addition, you will need to purchase not only the varnish itself, but also special tools and tools to give the nails a perfect look, a UV lamp.
Shellac and gel polish: the difference between the means and the distinctive features of gel polish
Gel polish is a special tool in the form of a plastic gel. Gel varnish tends to dissolve easily, be easily applied to the nail plate, and fix on it for a long time after drying with a UV lamp.
Gel polish is a real salvation for owners of fragile and exfoliating nails, which are highly susceptible to brittleness.
The application of gel polish in one layer is a protection against external influences, but the use of such varnish for a long time can turn a brittle nail plate into a strong one, and exfoliating nails into hard ones.
Like any varnish, gel polishes also have a number of advantages and disadvantages.
Among the significant advantages, several properties can be distinguished:
- In use, it makes nails stronger, longer and more elastic.
- It cannot cause adverse reactions, since the gel contains only tested substances that do not cause any irritation.
- Convenience and ease of use.
- No heaviness in the nails after application.
- Due to the UV lamp, it is quickly fixed on the nail plate, without having time to smear.
- Gives a glossy shine, unlike regular nail polish.
- Has a variety of shades.
- Manicure created with gel polish lasts for a long time.
The correct approach to the procedure for applying gel polish on nails will take an average of an hour to two hours of your time. If individual nail design is required: work with drawings, patterns, rhinestones, as well as various shades of gel polishes, then, of course, the procedure time increases.
But this is the case when the girl herself does the manicure at home. And experienced craftsmen in the salons, of course, will cope with such a procedure in a few minutes. They easily apply both shellac and gel polish, the difference in these procedures is only in durability. Shellac can be worn for 2 weeks, and gel polish for 3-4 weeks.
Despite the lifestyle of the owner of a manicure, high-quality gel polish will never lose its original luster and accuracy during the operation of the manicure.
There are two approaches to applying a gel manicure - these are:
- single-phase;
- three-phase.
The three-phase approach implies the use of three types of funds. Each of the funds has a different composition and variable consistency.
These include:
- base coat, which helps to successfully fix the nail plate with a layer of gel polish;
- a substance containing a pigment to create a decor;
- top coat, which is the final stage of manicure, and provides sufficient stability for future nails.
A single-phase approach means that the process uses one tool that combines all of the above. The number of layers of the gel depends on what intensity and contrast of the shade on the nails the girl wants to see.
Any girl can create a certain nail design if she has a UV lamp and a few gels. With special efforts, you can achieve a real work of art on your nails.
But be sure to follow the rules for applying gel polish:
- Thoroughly degrease your nails using a lint-free wipe. Pay attention to the tips of your nails.
- Peel off the top layer of each nail to improve grip.
- Cover each nail plate with a base coat and dry for a minute in a lamp.
- We apply colored gel polish in several layers at once so that the shade is saturated. At the same time, we apply one layer and dry it in a lamp, the same procedure is carried out for 2 layers. Be careful! Do not allow the gel to get on the cuticle!
- The top coat is applied in one layer. Dries no more than 2 minutes.
- Final degreasing of the nail plate.
- Care with cuticle oil.
The most popular brand is Bluesky. Gel polish has a dense consistency and is used to effectively strengthen nails. There is a wide range of different shades.
The advantage of Kodi products is glossy shine, color fastness and gel polish wear time. Among the color shades, there are more than 200 options.
The LDB company produces gel polishes, which are very dense in consistency, as they are made on the basis of 100% gel.
Shellac and gel polish: what is the difference between nail industry products
We have already figured out what shellac and gel polish are. What is the difference between these tools will be discussed below, because these are not two identical things, and the differences appear both in the composition and in the principle of application.
The concentration of varnish in the composition of Shellac is higher than in gel polish, so it is as easy to cover your nails with it as with the usual nail polish.
But the presence of the gel in the composition makes it possible to enjoy the manicure for a long period.
Shellac is designed to strengthen the nail plate and there is no need to cut off the top layer of the nail. When working with shellac, a primer is not used so that the varnish is better fixed on the nail plate.
The principle of removing shellac from a nail is also different from removing pure gel polish. Removing gel polish takes time and significant effort, and shellac can be removed quickly and without much knowledge.
The procedure is as follows: an ordinary cotton pad should be moistened with a special shellac remover, then apply the moistened pad to the nail, and wrap it with foil. When removing, there will be no difficulties, because the shellac will immediately become soft. And to remove gel polish, preliminary work with files is required.
Also a good difference is that you can cover your nails with shellac at home on your own and not be afraid to make any mistakes that you can expect when working with gels.
While gel polish has some kind of specific smell, shellac is odorless and is not capable of causing an allergic reaction. The variety of shades of shellac is always greater than gel polish. Thanks to the variable colors, you can choose any color, and the nails will look richer and more contrasting.
The production of any gel polish has the same purpose and application, but each company wants to stand out with some feature. If we take the product of the company CND as an example, then it has a decent price. While its analogues are sold at more favorable prices.
Differences can be everywhere: in the composition of the gel, in the volume of one jar, in quality, in the period of wearing. The most important thing is quality. A quality product will never damage your nails, and will also “last” for quite a long time.
What is the difference between gel and gel polish, as well as other means
In addition to shellac and gel polish, today nail art masters use other means to create a beautiful manicure. Here, too, it is necessary to understand that there is always a difference between gel and gel polish, biogel, gel paint and other means. Just what is it?
Gel polish differs from the recently appeared biogel, since the biogel application technology is much more complicated, but it can also be easily removed using special tools without damaging the nail plate.
Biogel costs more, as it is made on the basis of natural ingredients that heal and restore nails during a manicure.
In addition to biogel, nails are also extended with UV gel.. The difference between UV gel and gel polish is that the first tool is used exclusively for nail extensions, and the second one is used to create a color-resistant manicure.
Therefore, these are two different products that have different methods of application, the timing of wearing on the nails and the final result, since the extended nail still needs to be decorated with UV gel, and here you can use gel polish or gel paint, which are very similar between yourself.
Despite the different composition, both coatings on the nail look the same. Gel paint is available in small jars and is designed to create patterns and ornaments, but some manicure masters often use it to cover the entire nail, although gel polish is more suitable for this purpose.
Well, the last tool that everyone uses is ordinary varnish. Its difference with gel polish is immediately clear. The lacquer stays on the nails very little, just a couple of days and you need to do a new manicure. A large selection of shades, cost, ease of removal and application make it popular among women.
Now it’s clear what is the difference between gel and gel polish, shellac and biogel. All tools have their purpose and benefits. Each woman must determine for herself what is more suitable for her to create a beautiful manicure.
Gel Polish is a hybrid of varnish and gel that combines the advantages of varnishes (easy to use, gloss and variety of shades) and modeling gels (does not smell, dries quickly, lasts for a long time). At the same time, the composition of the gel polish does not include a number of substances that are quite harmful to the nail plate.
The only negative is that it is very difficult to do a manicure using gel polish at home on your own. It is better to contact the master, because gel polish requires a special application technology. The procedure involves three components: the base for gel polish, the gel polish itself and the fixer.
How to use gel polish
1. First, you need to process the nail plate, give it the desired shape, length. Cutting off the nail, as, for example, with extensions, is not required.
3. A base is applied to the nails, which is dried under a special UV lamp (from 10 seconds to 1 
minutes).
5. A fixative is applied over the last layer of gel polish, which should cover all layers of varnish and seal the end of the nail. The fixer also polymerizes within 2 minutes.
6. The sticky layer is removed with a sponge and a special liquid.
The entire procedure for applying gel polish lasts about an hour. If desired, nail plates can be pre-treated with special oils to provide additional nutrition to the nail. And gel polish is removed quite simply and quickly: a special gel polish remover is applied to the nail plate, a sponge and foil are wrapped around the finger and left for 5-10 minutes. Under the action of a solvent liquid, the varnish disintegrates and is easily removed from the nail.
Benefits of gel polish
Gel polish has a number of undeniable advantages:
Application of gel polish does not require preliminary cutting of the nail, respectively, the nail is not injured;
Gel polish is easy to apply with a brush, dries in minutes, and the final hardening occurs only under the influence of a special lamp, so it is possible to correct the result at any time;
Gel polish does not smear, does not chip, does not leave streaks and does not weigh down the nail;
Gel polish does not lose its original appearance for about two weeks;
Easy to remove, no harm to the nail.
Disadvantages and controversies
With all its undeniable advantages, gel polish also has a number of contraindications. For example, 
gel polish is contraindicated in the presence of diseases of the nail plate, as well as for thin and brittle nails. With caution, gel polish is used for thin and sensitive skin around the nails. Also, rare, but possible allergic reactions to the components of the gel polish or the coating remover should not be ruled out.
There is also no clear answer as to whether gel polish is harmless to the nail plate, such as nail extensions. On the one hand, the composition of the gel polish includes the same polymer compounds as in the modeling gels. Of course, their concentration is lower, but they also act more aggressively in order to freeze faster. The substances in the composition of the gel polish penetrate deeply and contribute to a reliable connection of the coating with the natural nail. And only a professional master, in this case, can control the process of applying and removing gel polish so that the nail plate is not harmed. With a gel polish coating, you can not walk for more than two weeks, even if it seems that the varnish still looks decent. Over time, the coating only eats into the nail more strongly, and therefore it will be more difficult to remove the gel polish later, and damage to the nail plate cannot be avoided.
And yet, despite the fact that the gel polish coating does not require special care, it is worth following a few rules in handling a new manicure. In the first 48 hours after the procedure, prolonged contact with warm water should be avoided. At this time, the polymerization process is not yet completed, the molecules keep moving. And yet, despite the fact that the fixer makes the coating resistant to fruit acids, water and mild abrasives, it is better to wear rubber gloves if exposed to chemicals frequently. This will not only save the gel polish coverage, but will also be good for the skin in general.
What to choose: try a new product - gel polish or continue to use regular polish? You decide. In this comparison, gel polish has one advantage: it lasts longer. But it takes more time to apply. So, decide for yourself.
Photo: positime.ru, krasota-nogtei.ru, www.profi-forex.org, www.creativenails.ru, eraanda.blogspot.com