Nail Shellac

Nail Shellac, is the latest nail process to hit salons - a cross between nail polish and acrylic tips – that’s reported to last up to 14 days. My networking buddy Nikki gave it a try and reviewed the process for us. Here’s her report.

The process began with a regular manicure and then the Shellac-ing began. The application process is similar to regular polish, but you dry your nails under UV light for about 1 ½ minutes after each coat of Shellac is applied. The UV light cures and hardens the Shellac, otherwise it will become soft and sticky after about 3 days. Four coats are applied – a clear base coat, 2 coats of colored Shellac and a top clear coat. The manicurist said the Shellac dries so completely under the UV light that you could Shellas your toes and then lace up your sneakers and go jogging immediately after the process.

Shellac isn't "bullet-proof" and how well you take care of your nails determines how long it lasts. As with acrylic tips or regular nail polish, the rate of your nail growth is going to affect how long the beauty of the Shellac-ing lasts.

Nikki was pleased with how long the Shellac lasted - it looked good for over a week. She typed a lot, washed her hands quite a bit, and washed a few dishes in hot water and a little bleach and the Shellac lasted through all that. After about a week, she could see the space between the polish and the cuticles was widening as her nails grew out. As of day 10, she noticed that the polish began lifting off one side of a nail. It didn’t last 14 days for Nikki.

The Shellac is removed by soaking nails in acetone for 10 minutes. The residual softened shellac may be removed/scraped off with an orange stick or cuticle tool.

All in all, Nikki liked her Shellac experience and would do it again.

Nikki’s Shellac manicure was $35 at the Sensia Studio & Japanese Day Spa. For more about Shellac or to find a Shellac manicurist in your area, visit Creative Nail Design.

For more about Nikki Johnson, The Millionaire's Assistant™ visit www.assistantnikki.com, follow her on twitter or find her on facebook .

Thanks so much for your review Nikki!!

Minx Without The Jinx

Looking for something new and fun for your nails? Minx takes nail art to a new level and turns your nails into chrome, animal print, plaid, flames or camouflage. They have appeared in music videos, fashion runways and they are becoming available in major cities.

Minx were developed using car-wrap technology. The designs are printed on a polymer sheet and “shrink wrapped” to your natural nails.

Minx has gotten mixed reviews. The secret to Minx is great application from an experienced technician and careful maintenance. Here are tips for getting the most from your Minx from Athena Elliot, Houston’s (and Hollywood’s) premier Minx artist. Her clients are the whose-who of the entertainment industry ...LeToya Luckett, Keri Hilson, Mya, Kim Zolciak and the list goes on.

Application & Removal

Minx application takes about an hour. The polymer “stickers” are applied to your real nails after the adhesive backing is activated with heat. Minx shrink as they cool and are trimmed for a final fit.

To remove, warm the Minx with a hairdryer to release the adhesive and peal them off your nails. You may damage your nails if you try to peel them off without heating them first.

Maintenance

Maintenance is key to making the Minx last. After a couple days, the edges will probably begin to lift. Use a hairdryer to heat up each “sticker” and press it down on the nail until it cools. This will re-adhere the edges to your natural nails. Also, file the tips of your nails in a downward motion to manage the edges. This daily maintenance will make the Minx last up to 2 weeks.

We tested these tips on our model. With Athena's skilled application and our model's careful maintenance, her nails were beautiful for 2 weeks. Thank you to Athena for all your great advice and thank you Lisa for testing and modeling!