How to do shellac pedicure at home. Shellac pedicure: design ideas, technique. To create a French pedicure with gel polish you need

Manicure is the calling card of a well-groomed woman, since it is the hands that people most often pay attention to. Pedicure, in turn, does not stand aside and is very popular, especially in the summer. If previously they preferred to do this procedure at home, today all beauty salons offer this service. In this article we will look at options for beautiful designs with shellac on legs.

Peculiarities

The main feature of shellac is its durability, which is about 3 weeks or more. Today, there are several options for skin care procedures for the feet and toes.

Edged

This method is classic, when before removing rough areas, the legs are steamed in warm water, which helps soften the skin, which can then be easily removed using special tools.

European

A special feature of this type of foot care is that the master removes calluses and cuticles using special means, without using water. The big advantage of the European method is that the result lasts much longer than with the classical one.

Acid

During the procedure, a special gel is used, which is applied to the rough areas and wait a certain amount of time, after which the excess skin is removed with cosmetic instruments. The disadvantage of the acid treatment is that it cannot be used if there is any damage to the foot.

Hardware

If you are not too fond of water procedures and various sharp instruments, then this technology was created especially for you. Using a similar method, the master easily removes all dead areas and unnecessary cuticle. The main advantage is that smooth feet will please you much longer, and the risk of infection is reduced to zero.

Fashionable ideas for beautiful nails

In order for you to be able to choose a truly stylish and fashionable design for yourself, we have selected for you a top that is very popular.

French

It has been incredibly popular for a long time, since marigolds in this design look very beautiful and elegant. In addition, French is a fairly universal covering that will suit any clothing. You can additionally decorate such nails with a beautiful design on the thumb or with a small amount of rhinestones of different sizes.

Red

The second most used color in this beauty procedure is scarlet. Despite its brightness, it is often used in everyday life. When resorting to this design, you must ensure that your nails are perfectly straight, the cuticles are completely removed, and the polish is applied without any flaws.

With rhinestones

Below are several photos of a shellac-coated pedicure with rhinestones. They are an indispensable accessory for fashionistas and will add individuality and brightness to your nails. These can be either completely multi-colored fingers or a bright jacket, which will be a great addition to a light summer dress.

In the cold season, you can give preference to darker shades and the newfangled ombre design.

Ombre and gradient

Fashionable pedicure with shellac in ombre style and gradient has not left the podium for the second season. This design looks beautiful with both bright shades and darker ones.

Nude

Many women who do not have a lot of free time prefer to use light shades of nail polishes when caring for their legs. Nude coatings look very gentle and stylish, and those who like to add some zest can dilute the delicate design with various rubs and sparkles. Here is a photo of a pedicure on your feet with milky shellac.

How to make a beautiful pedicure with shellac at home

Until recently, this beauty procedure was not so popular in the salon and it could easily be done at home. Below we will look at how to perform a classic pedicure with red shellac at home.
Tools:

  • a basin of hot water (the temperature should be comfortable for your feet);
  • basin or bowl;
  • pedicure product or liquid soap;
  • scrub;
  • clean towel;
  • foot file;
  • nail file;
  • cuticle spatula and sharp scissors;
  • buff (before applying gel polish, the nail should be sanded);
  • degreaser;
  • lint-free wipes;
  • primer;
  • base;
  • red gel polish;
  • lamp;
  • moisturizing foot cream;
  • cuticle oil.

Did you know? In order for the coating to last longer on the nails, it is better to do a classic pedicure the day before applying gel polish.
Stages of the beauty procedure:

  1. Before steaming your foot, use a nail file to give the nail the desired shape.
  2. Immerse your legs in warm water for 15-30 minutes, periodically adding hot water (you can add sea salt to the basin).
  3. When your feet are well steamed, for a better effect, you can use a scrub and put your feet in the water for another 10 minutes.
  4. Using a file, get rid of rough skin on the foot.
  5. Use a spatula to push back the cuticle, and then get rid of it by cutting it off with sharp scissors.
  6. Sand the surface of the nail.
  7. Apply primer to the nail plate and wait until it dries completely.
  8. Cover the nail with a base and bake it in a special UV lamp.
  9. Apply the first coat of colored shellac and dry in the same way as the base.
  10. Repeat this procedure with the second layer so that the coating is saturated.
  11. Cover the nail plate with top coat and dry it in a lamp.
  12. Remove the sticky layer using wipes and degreaser.
  13. Lubricate your hands with moisturizer and your cuticles with special oil.

By following these simple rules, you can easily get a high-quality pedicure with shellac at home.

Video on how to do a pedicure with shellac

Here is a video of a pedicure with shellac, in which the master describes in detail his actions and the nuances of the procedure. After watching the video, you can easily make beautiful toes at home. The big advantage of a home pedicure is the confidence in the sterility of the instruments and saving money.

What goes with it?

Regardless of what shade you decide to give preference to on your toes, the main thing is that they should be well-groomed. The most popular and classic are the French and red pedicure. They are perfect for both the warm season and the autumn-winter period. Despite the brightness and catchiness of red, it can fit perfectly into an office style, as it looks very restrained and luxurious. On the same level as scarlet is a burgundy shade, which looks no less attractive.

You can dilute any pedicure with the help of stones, ribbons, rubs and sparkles, but if you are a business woman, you should be especially careful with this. Other bright colors are not used too often on the legs as it becomes difficult to match the look. However, if you decide to go on vacation to the sea, you can easily cover your nails with bright yellow, blue and orange shades. A well-chosen design can combine many colors and accessories without looking pretentious or tasteless.

Dear women, what do you think is the most popular pedicure design this season? Can you make shellac yourself or do you turn to a professional for help? What finger colors do you prefer during the summer holidays?

What is a well-groomed woman? This is the lady who takes care of her appearance from the top of her head to her very toes. Representatives of the fair sex should remember that nail care consists not only of a beautiful manicure, but also of a pedicure. Especially in the summer, your legs should look great. And a shellac pedicure will come to the rescue. It is undoubtedly fashionable, stylish and elegant!

How to care for toenails?

Many women neglect pedicure, considering it optional, but how wrong they are! Ungroomed feet and ugly nails look simply ugly on them. No matter how beautiful your sandals are, a fashionable shellac pedicure should definitely complement your look.

Pedicure first of all involves hygienic care of the feet, and only after that they begin to decorate the nail plates.

The following types of foot care are distinguished:

  1. Spa treatments.
  2. Care using devices.
  3. Trim pedicure.

You can use everything at once; such a pedicure will be called combined.

The difference between a trim pedicure and a hardware pedicure

Trimming pedicure is carried out using nippers, tweezers, manicure scissors, but hardware care is carried out using a machine specially designed for this, which has cutters and caps.

Compared to edged ones, hardware care is more gentle and the risk of infection is minimal. Nevertheless, the trimmed pedicure remains a classic.

What is a classic pedicure?

Classic includes the following procedures:

  1. Get rid of dead skin using an exfoliation procedure.
  2. Design of nail plates. Giving them shape.
  3. Steaming the skin on the heels and mechanically cleansing it.
  4. Getting rid of cuticles.
  5. Design of nail folds.
  6. Using nourishing oils and moisturizing lotions.

Trim pedicure does not involve decorating the nails. But you should remember: if you decide to decorate your nails, then do it after the fifth stage of the procedure. And apply oils and lotions to the finished design.

The modern world boasts a variety of vibrating sanding files and graters, so any woman can enjoy a combined pedicure at home.

When should you not do a pedicure yourself?

Indeed, it is not necessary to visit a specialist to get a pedicure, but there are factors that indicate that you should not do the procedure yourself. What are these conditions?

  1. If the skin on your feet is too thin, you may injure yourself.
  2. Do not do a pedicure yourself if you have fungal diseases.
  3. If you find yourself with an ingrown toenail, you should visit a surgeon before the pedicure procedure.
  4. If your nails are prone to ingrown nails, go to the salon to see a nail technician.
  5. The presence of varicose veins should also alert you to performing a pedicure procedure yourself.
  6. The lack of experience to perform a pedicure suggests that you need to seek help from professionals.

If these conditions have passed you by, then let's get started!

What do you need to have on hand to perform a DIY pedicure?

Let's see, is it easy to do a pedicure yourself? What should you stock up on?

  1. A set of tools for manicure or pedicure.
  2. Cosmetics for nail care.
  3. Sea salt to remove calluses and corns.
  4. Towel.
  5. Basin for steaming feet.
  6. Decoction of medicinal herbs.
  7. Liquid soap and essential oils.
  8. Polyethylene film and wipes soaked in an acid solution for acid peeling.

Tools for creating decor

To create a shellac pedicure at home, you will need the following tools:

  1. Base coat for shellac.
  2. Shellac in the desired shade.
  3. Fixative.
  4. UV lamp.
  5. Degreaser. You can use boric alcohol if there is no special product.
  6. Lint-free wipes for removing the sticky layer.
  7. Sticky layer remover. You can also use boric alcohol.


Technique for performing shellac pedicure at home

So, the tools are prepared, let's start putting your legs in order. Let's look at the entire shellac pedicure procedure step by step:

  1. Use an acid peel to eliminate cracked and scuffed feet. To do this, place napkins with an acid solution on the heels and cover them with plastic bags. Exposure time is from one to two hours.
  2. Give the correct shape to the nail plates. They should be cut in a straight line.
  3. Pour warm water into a bowl and dilute liquid soap in it. You can add decoctions of medicinal herbs, sea salt and essential oils. Pamper your feet with this bath for half an hour. Or as much time as you need to steam them well.
  4. Using a heel file or grater, carefully remove the stratum corneum.
  5. Push back the cuticle using an orange stick or remove it.
  6. Cut off hangnails with tweezers.
  7. Treat the surface of the nail plates with a buff to prevent peeling and cracking. You shouldn't file your nails.
  8. Using lint-free wipes, degrease your nails with a special product or boric alcohol. After degreasing, do not touch them with your hands, otherwise the shellac will not last long enough on them due to the accumulated fat particles.
  9. Apply a thin layer of base coat to your nails and expose them to ultraviolet rays for two minutes. Before purchasing a lamp, pay attention to its power. For example, under LED lamps the base coat dries for 30 seconds.
  10. Apply a thin layer of the chosen shade of shellac and dry it in a lamp for two minutes. For a summer shellac pedicure, choose bright, rich shades.
  11. If the color is not bright enough, apply a second coat of varnish and repeat drying.
  12. Apply a fixative to the nail plates and expose your fingers to ultraviolet rays for two minutes. The fixative serves to ensure good wear of the nail polish. A well done shellac design lasts three to four weeks.
  13. The shellac pedicure procedure will be completed with boric alcohol, in which a lint-free cloth is soaked and the sticky layer that forms on the nails while they are being dried is removed.

Remember! During the entire procedure, do not touch the nail plates with your fingers; the remaining fat on them will contribute to the fragility of the shellac coating.

Pedicure ideas (shellac)

A monochromatic coating always looks very advantageous. You can choose soft and delicate shades such as pink, light gray, beige, or bright, rich colors - red, coral and even yellow.

It should be remembered that color combinations are not suitable for pedicure; they look more advantageous on the fingers.

A good idea would be to create a French design on your toenails. A colored jacket is perfect for summer. It can be coated on a natural or colored base. For example, blue, green and pink shades combine very beautifully with white.

How can you decorate your toenails?

Nail decoration

Do you like to decorate your nails with rhinestones? Then use shellac pedicure with rhinestones.

See the photo for original ideas for this decoration. Cover your nails with neutral colors and add rhinestones to a few or all of your fingers.

French design

French manicure is familiar to every representative of the fair sex. It involves highlighting the smile zone, and if this is the classic version, then the smile is white on a natural transparent basis. If these are fashionable colored jackets, then a variety of color shades are used.

Combinations of red and green, yellow and purple, orange and blue colors look interesting in pedicures using shellac.

You can make a French look using matte shellac.

Plain pedicure

A pedicure in one color always remains fashionable and attractive. Use blue, red, beige shades. White color, decorated with rhinestones or sparkles, looks interesting.

This is a laconic, discreet and beautiful design that is suitable for both work and everyday life.

By choosing this option, you will always look stylish and attractive.

Acid color

Many women prefer bright shades of marigolds. But before applying acid shades, it is necessary to take into account some nuances. For example, bright shades are not suitable for every lady and should be worn during the summer season.

Do not decorate your shellac pedicure in acidic shades with metallic glitter and shimmer.


Use yellow, green, red, hot pink shades. Combine them with each other, paint each individual nail in your own color, use decorative elements such as rhinestones, bows, flowers, stickers.

Look at the photos for the best summer pedicure ideas and experiment!

Shellac is considered a hybrid of nail polish and gel for extensions. This is a CND brand product. All other gel polishes are developed by other companies.

Do not confuse gel polish and Shellac. When using the second one, you do not need to apply a primer (this is a special coating for adhesion of your nail to the artificial coating), Shellac is removed much easier. However, when using it, your nail plate is a little more susceptible to drying out. That's all the differences.

When using this material you get a huge number of undeniable advantages:

    Strengthens your nail

    The coating lasts 5 times longer than regular varnish. Often girls are forced to renew their manicure due to the fact that the nail has simply grown

    The coating does not crack or chip if the master did everything correctly

    You will never achieve this depth of color with regular nail polish.

    You don't need to wait for the varnish to dry and be afraid of ruining the layer. After drying in a special UV lamp, the coating immediately acquires the necessary strength. How long does it last? About 3 weeks

    The substance applies evenly, smoothly and perfectly evenly

    Nail decor, artistic design, French, etc. are possible.

    Shellac has a huge palette of colors

    It's very economical. Especially if you learn Shellac yourself at home

    Anyone can learn how to handle Shellac coating

Among the disadvantages is the need to purchase a special set of tools. But it lasts for a long time.

Everything you need for a Shellac pedicure

To be able to forget about constantly updating your pedicure and manicure and enjoy perfect nails for at least 2 weeks, and also save on the services of a master, you need to purchase:

Please note that all products (this means colored varnishes, base and top coats) must be from the same manufacturer.

Pedicure with gel polish: stages

    We start with a hygienic pedicure at home. Open the section, we have a lot of information on how to do it correctly.

    Polish your nails with a buff, don’t forget to polish the free edge.

    Apply a little medical alcohol or nail polish remover to the disc and thoroughly degrease the nails. Make sure that no lint from the disc remains on them. After this, you should not touch anything with your nails so that particles of fat do not settle on them.

    Apply a thin layer of base coat and soak in the lamp for 2 minutes. If you have a more powerful lamp, this time is significantly reduced. Usually the instructions say this.

    Apply colored polish and place your nails in the lamp for 2 minutes (for a 9-watt lamp). Apply the color again and hold it in the lamp again for the same amount of time. The design is created in the same way.

    Apply the fixative and soak in the lamp for 2 minutes.

    Remove the sticky layer with alcohol or nail polish cleaner: just wet the disc and rub it over your nails.

That's all. To remove the coating, soak cotton pads in a special product or acetone, apply to the nail and wrap with foil. Shellac needs to be removed for 5 minutes, gel polish for about 15. At the same time, you need to hold your hands palms down with your fingers raised.

To make shellac last longer

A little more about how not to damage the nail plate:

    You should not file off the top layer of the nail; just buff it with a buff.

    When removing, never use metal objects or try to forcefully remove the varnish. You will damage the top layer of the nail and the plates will not only become depleted, but will also not look very aesthetically pleasing. It will take a long time to treat your nails. Only soaking, preferably in a special liquid. And orange sticks, which you simply use to remove the softened coating.

    After 2-3 weeks, remove Shellac and apply a medicated coating to your nails for several days. This will protect the nail plates, nourish them and make them harder.

Pedicure Shellac: design ideas

Another important factor that may convince you to try a Shellac pedicure at home may be the ease of creating a design with it. You can use not only a calm range of colors so that no errors are noticeable and not only a bright contrasting color, but also combine them, decorate your nails with additional decorative means and be sure that neither shoes, nor sand, nor sea water will damage your pedicure.

To look impressive, a pedicure can be done in the form of a jacket, horizontal contrasting stripes, or an abstract design, which is created by simply mixing colors with a needle before placing your fingers in a lamp. Draw the lines with a thin brush. We apply the base, 2 layers of color, dry everything according to the rules. Then we create a design and dry it again. Make sure that the lines and decorative elements are applied in a thin layer, do not spread, or go beyond the line of the nail. Don't forget to seal the end. This work requires patience and accuracy. But the result will be excellent.

Here are some more trending ideas for the upcoming fashion season:

    Polka dots. You can draw multi-colored ones, it will turn out even more interesting. This decor looks impressive on a large nail, and you can cover the rest with different shades. Polka dots are drawn with a dots (this is a metal tool) or an orange stick.

    The design of one nail with rhinestones or sparkles remains relevant.

    Combine matte and gloss in a pedicure: cover the nail with color according to the rules, remove the sticky layer. Go over the surface with a soft buff to create a matte effect. Next, draw any drawing with the same color and dry it. The topcoat will only need to be applied to the drawing.

Graphics, marine motifs, design with liquid stones, beads, glitter, beads - all this can be used when creating Shellac pedicure. The main thing is to secure the elements well and turn the process not only useful, but also a very pleasant pastime.

Every woman dreams of a magical coating on her nails that could last as long as necessary after a manicure. Scientists have almost achieved this goal - they have created shilak, which is still quite expensive for salon specialists... But you can make shilak coating at home: faster, cheaper and exactly the way we want it!

In contact with

The devil is not so scary...

Shilac (shellac) technology at home is extremely easy and has practically no differences from an identical action in the best salon. The only difference is that now you need to perform all the procedures yourself: you won’t be able to entrust your nails to a master and you won’t be able to relax here.

1.Cuticle removal, polishing

First of all, you need to remove the cuticle, either by trimming the manicure when the cuticle has grown heavily, or by using a specialized product. If it is completely invisible, you can use a soft wood stick and move the cuticle to the root of the nail, after softening it with a specialized oil or gel.

To facilitate the procedure, you can resort to special preparations for getting rid of cuticles, for example, Cuticle Eraser, created by the manufacturer of shilak CND.

Any similar product for softening and removing overgrown cuticle will do.


In order for the coating to adhere well to the nail plate, it is first prepared by filing it with a special grinder. But no need to spend a lot of money on this tool: you can buy the most ordinary soft polishing file and compare the result - there will be no differences.


The second step to ensure the strength of the coating is to treat the nail with a special compound that degreases its surface. The inner half of the free edge, ends, frontal planes and sides are treated with a disinfectant.

A budget option for treating a nail would be to wipe it with alcohol or an acetone-containing marigold liquid.

To protect the nail plate from damage and drying out, you can take a more expensive product, for example, Scrub from the creators of shilak. It will cost 950 rubles (about 250 hryvnia). An analogue of this tool, but with seriously expanded functionality, will be Natural Prep, created by Entity One. The liquid thoroughly cleanses the nail from particles of dust, skin, and other substances on the nail plate, strengthens the attachment of its surface and coating.


2. Base coat

Applying shilak at home should always begin by covering the nail with a base. Unfortunately, it cannot be replaced by any other means. The base is applied in an extremely thin layer over a previously degreased nail., which is very economical. It’s good if the consistency is not too thick, then the application layer will turn out to be very thin. Under the shilak, you can use the product CND Base Coat, which protects the nail from harmful pigments in the gel polish and helps it last longer. Base Coat, created in Entity One, can not only preserve the nail plate, but also cure it with the help of a rich composition.


When applying shilak at home, many people forget to seal the end sides of the nail, covering them with a base. This layer needs to be polymerized (in other words, place your hand in a shealak lamp) for about 1 minute in a lamp with ultraviolet light. It’s good if the lamp is capable of delivering a power of more than 36 V: it will quickly polymerize the coating and will not leave cloudy spots on it.

For home shilak, you can buy the cheapest lamp made in China, because lamps from shilak manufacturers are too expensive.

They operate on the same principle as similar equipment. It is recommended to update the lamps once every 4-5 months so that the coating lasts exactly as long as the manufacturer guarantees.


3. Applying shellac

Before applying gel polish to nails, you need to prepare it: heat it with your hands for a minute and shake. Then the surface of the nail is covered with colored shilak, but it is not at all necessary to seal the end parts and cover the sides with color: this is done only when covered with a base. If the varnish lays down unevenly, you can simply remove the excess with a napkin. The color must be applied in an extremely thin layer, or it may swell and crack during polymerization.


After application, the nail coating needs to be polymerized in ultraviolet light for a couple of minutes.


Then the nails are covered with a second layer, which can be applied a little more densely, and polymerize under a lamp for 1-2 minutes. The second layer is optional, but it is worth applying: the coating will receive a deep, beautiful color for which it is so valued. True, if you want a more pastel color, you can even apply it with 1 layer. Bluesky, CND or any other shilak is applied at home using the same technology, but you need to look at the brightness of the color: for some manufacturers' varnishes one layer is enough. After drying the second layer, the nail is covered with a special fixative for shilak, which is dried in a lamp for no more than 2 minutes.

Using a regular varnish fixer will not work - the shilak will not last for the promised 2 weeks.

The final coating gives the nail strength, it is resistant to mechanical and chemical influences and retains a glossy shine for a long time.


Using a lint-free cloth soaked in a special compound, you need to remove the sticky layer. Do not use cotton wool or a regular napkin: pieces of them may stick tightly to the nail. As a last resort, when removing the adhesive layer, you can use nail polish remover. French, aquarium or any other type of step-by-step application of shilak at home occurs using the same technology as in the case of conventional varnishes, but with alternate drying of each layer.


A manicure with shilak applied at home can be quite expensive, so it is advisable to replace some of the products with more universal ones. For example, alcohol easily replaces a degreaser, and a Chinese-made UV lamp is no worse than a branded lamp. But it is not recommended to change the main coatings: they provide the manicure with durability and beauty.

Well, if the conversation turned to folk cosmetics, Her Majesty onion hair mask!

What does it look like?

Shellac made at home rarely differs from the same one, but applied by a master in a salon with expensive products and a brand-name lamp. Look at shilak at home, the photo of which won’t let you lie!


What are others saying?

All the girls who made shilak at home leave quite categorical reviews: either you like it or you don’t. Some people swear off doing shilak on their own and promise to go to only one salon, while others save a lot and rejoice at this opportunity. Here are some reviews that came to us by email:

For the first time I made shilak myself. I haven’t gotten the hang of it yet, I see mistakes, but it’s clearly better than they once did for me in a salon. And it all cost me only 1,500 rubles. Dinara, Ekaterinburg.

I absolutely don't like it!!! Everything is crooked, the lamp is burning, all my hands are burned. I’ve never done a manicure at home, but then I decided to try it and what I got!!! No, whatever you want, but I will only do it with my master! Natasha, Kyiv.

The first experience was interesting, then I started drawing shilak like a pro. Of course, shilak at home saves a lot of money, but it takes quite a lot of time. The master does it much faster for me. Ira, Donetsk.

And I liked it! Whenever possible, I will go to the salon for a treatment. But it’s better, of course, at home! And faster, and cheaper, and different colors, and no one scratches your hands. I am very happy with my home shellac art. Antonina, St. Petersburg.

Removing shilak

Applying is only half the battle, because you still need to remove the shilak, let's figure out how to do this at home. To do this, you need to wash your hands with soap and take either shilak sponges or regular cotton pads, cutting them in half. Cut the foil into pieces that will fit tightly around your finger. Cotton wool should be thoroughly wetted with an acetone-containing liquid or a special product and applied to the nails, then wrapped in foil and pressed firmly. It is better to do this alternately for each hand.


After 15 minutes, the foil and disks are removed, and the shilak layer is removed either by hand (by removing the film) or using the edge of a plastic stick. As a last resort, If the shilak is not completely peeled off, the remaining coating is cut off with a nail file. After completing the procedure, the nails and the skin around them should be lubricated with oil that moisturizes the cuticle.

Manicure and pedicure with gel polish have now become popular among the fair sex. Making a high-quality pedicure on your own is not easy, especially with gel polish. But now this is possible thanks to high-quality equipment and materials. You just need to have everything you need at home and you won’t need to contact a specialist, and pay extra money for work and do everything yourself. We recommend that you study the step-by-step instructions to follow this procedure.

Gel polish coating is now quite common, because it has many advantages and lasts about 2-3 weeks. If you use high-quality materials, you can not worry about the appearance of your nails for a long period.

You can get different types of pedicure, for example, a beach pedicure, it should be bright and eye-catching. Here it is better to use summer and expressive shades and make original drawings. You can also make a monochromatic style yourself, it’s simple and won’t take much time, it’s better to choose a calm shade.

Manicure and pedicure should be the same color, as experts recommend, so that everything looks organic and complements each other.

Advantages and disadvantages of shellac on toenails

Do not confuse shellac and gel polish, they are completely different things. . Shellac coating , It can be removed very easily and there is no need to use a primer when applying it.

With shellac coating, the nail plate will be protected for 2 weeks.

If a woman uses this material, she receives many benefits:

  • The nail plate becomes stronger;
  • The coating lasts long enough; it only needs to be renewed because they begin to grow back;
  • When done professionally, the coating does not crack or peel off;
  • It dries instantly after drying in a special lamp and there is no need to wait for it to dry completely;
  • The composition lies well and evenly on the surface of the toes;
  • You can design your own nails and apply special decorations.

One of the disadvantages is that you need to acquire a special set of tools, but they will last for a long time.

To learn how to do a pedicure at home, you need to have certain skills and equipment, then you can get many benefits and no longer go to salons.

Preparing your feet for the procedure

How to do a pedicure with gel polish at home? This question is asked by many modern girls who take care of their appearance, this is especially true in the summer, because their legs should always be ironed perfectly, because they are always in sight. Now it is possible to carry out this procedure independently without visiting salons and masters.

To do this, you need to purchase all the necessary equipment and material and watch video lessons on applying a gley coating on the Internet, this will be enough to gain basic knowledge.

If possible, you can take special courses, but this is not necessary if you plan to perform the procedure only for yourself and not engage in this business professionally.

What is needed for a pedicure with gel polish at home - tools and materials

Shellac pedicure at home is not so difficult, you just need to have special equipment, tools and materials with you.

Equipment and materials needed to create a pedicure at home

You need to purchase the following types of materials, equipment and tools:

  • The first device that you simply cannot do without is an ultraviolet lamp. It is best to purchase a powerful 36W lamp, where the coating hardens in a few minutes. Of course, you can use lamps with low power, but you will need to dry your nails separately, and they will take a long time to dry.
  • You will also need to purchase a soft nail file or buff. You can buy a regular polishing file.
  • Special degreaser. At home, nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol will work.
  • Base coat. Now there is a large selection of this product, but it is better to choose high-quality materials from well-known manufacturers.
  • And, of course, you need the gel polish itself. It is better not to skimp on it, because the duration and durability of the pedicure, and its appearance will depend on its quality.
  • To complete the job you will need a topcoat.

Step-by-step instructions for the procedure - pedicure with gel polish

To create a pedicure on your feet with gel polish, you need to follow simple instructions.

  1. Prepare your nails for applying gel polish. To do this, you need to push back the cuticle and remove it carefully using nail scissors.
  2. Next we clean up the pterygium.
  3. Give the nail the desired shape. We recommend making a neat round shape on your legs. We usually hide our feet in shoes and create constant pressure on the nail plate. Therefore, a long nail or a shape with sharp edges can cause discomfort.
  4. Next, we use a buff, which is used to polish the nail. This is necessary in order to remove irregularities on the nail plate and improve the bonding of the material to the surface of the nail.
  5. The next step is to degrease the nail plate, removing any remnants of sawdust and other possible contaminants on the nail. Gel polish is very capricious and can peel off if you do not degrease the nail first.
  6. Now it's time to use the primer. Apply a thin layer and let air dry.
  7. Then you need to apply the base, this should be done carefully, without touching the area around the nail, and then dry it in a UV lamp;
  8. Applying shellac. At this stage, the nail design is thought out and drawn up, and then dried in a UV lamp;
  9. In conclusion, you need to apply a finishing coat, it is necessary to consolidate all stages of the pedicure, and we must dry it in a UV lamp.

It is necessary to perform a pedicure based on all sequences and stages, without skipping a single one, because this is the only way to get a long-lasting and high-quality pedicure.

Price for shellac pedicure in a salon

The price for a pedicure in salons can be different; on average, the cost today ranges from 750 to 3,800 rubles. First of all, the price will depend on the status of the interior and the design of the coating. If the coating is monochromatic, then its cost will be less. But if you come up with a specific design or decorate it with special stones and jewelry, or select original designs, then the price will be high.

Pedicure ideas with gel polish, photo design

Fashionable pedicure 2017 takes into account all fashion trends and brings to light original combinations.

Women's hands attract the attention of men no less than other parts of the body, so it is important to care not only for the skin, but also for the nails. Here, women will benefit from a neat and stylish manicure with shellac coating, which can be done in a salon or at home, following step-by-step instructions for beginners.

Characteristics of shellac

Shellac is a natural product found in nature. It is a resin produced by subtropical and tropical insects, used in the creation of various varnishes and in photography. The product is environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, and does not contain formaldehyde or toluene.

Shellac - a popular manicure today

The first to use this component in the production of products for natural nails was CND, which developed a unique product that performs the functions of a gel and varnish.

The product quickly gained popularity among women on maternity leave, business women, travelers, and all those who do not have time to repaint their nails every two to three days.

Features of shellac

So beloved by the female sex manicure is characterized by the following features:

  • The ability of this coating to stay on the nail plate is from 2 to 3 weeks. This figure depends on the condition of the nails themselves: the harder and stronger they are, the longer shellac lasts.
  • The technique of applying the product involves drying all its layers in a special lamp emitting UV rays. Usually such a manicure is done by a professional, but you can use shellac at home. For beginners, here is a step-by-step guide that will help you choose the right products and tools.

The undeniable advantage of shellac is its durability.

Advantages and disadvantages of gel polish

This product has its positive and negative features that must be considered before applying it. Among benefits of shellac The following are worth noting:

  • Creates a long-lasting, durable manicure that can only be removed with a professional product, therefore, it is not afraid of various chemicals used in everyday life.
  • It is harmless to nails, as it is made from resin of natural origin and does not contain substances that are harmful and destroy the nail plate (formaldehyde and toluene). Therefore, this coating is suitable for pregnant women or women suffering from allergies.
  • Protects nails from delamination and cracking, allows you to make the nail plate stronger and grow it.
  • A varied color palette (more than 100 shades) allows you to create a manicure for any occasion, combine different colors, and make beautiful, unusual designs. Such a manicure will always be unique and can only be limited by a woman’s imagination.
  • Shellac can be easily removed at home with a special product or film. For beginners, there are step-by-step instructions that allow you to remove the coating without harming your nails.

One of the disadvantages of shellac is its high price.

Despite having many advantages, gel polish has its drawbacks, among which the following should be mentioned:

  • Shellac creates a suitable environment for the development of bacteria leading to nail diseases. This happens because due to temperature changes, the nail plate is subjected to various deformations, leading to a violation of the integrity of the coating. Water and dirt can penetrate through the cracks that form, creating good conditions for the development of microbes.
  • Covering nails with shellac in a salon is a fairly expensive procedure, and correcting an overgrown nail will not be cheap. Applying gel polish at home reduces the cost of the process, but requires skill in covering nails with one hand, in addition, there is a need to purchase special equipment.
  • Shellac is not a healing agent, so it cannot completely solve the problem of weakened and thin nails; in addition, it adheres to such a nail plate quite poorly and can begin to peel off after just a few days.

The product should not be used by women suffering from nail and finger fungus.

What tools and equipment are needed?

To create shellac at home, it is recommended to purchase all the same tools and materials used in the salon. None of the components can be replaced; this will allow beginners to create a beautiful manicure step by step. The list includes the following tools and materials:


Shellac kit at home
  • hard nail file (220–240 grit), manicure tongs, spatula, orange stick, buff;
  • cuticle remover;
  • a brush for removing dust from nails;
  • degreaser;
  • lamp with UV rays (36 Watt);
  • shellac – base, tone, top;
  • lint-free wipes;
  • sticky layer remover.

Choosing materials and tools, It is recommended to give preference to the most well-known and trusted companies so that the result is only pleasing and does not become a disappointment.

Preparing nails for shellac application

In order for the coating to fit well on your nails, you must first prepare them. note that A manicure with gel polish consists of familiar and specific procedures:


If the cuticle has not grown back very well, you can simply push it back with an orange stick.
  • Cuticle treatment: carried out in various ways, depending on how much it has grown. Before removing it, you need to make a bath that will soften the cuticle and make it easy to remove. If it has not grown much, then just push it away with an orange stick. For longer cuticles, it is better to use special oil or nail clippers.
  • Nail treatment: it is necessary to give the nails an even shape, treat them with a buff for better adhesion to the coating. Clean your hands from dust using a brush.

Treating the nail plate with a degreaser is a very important step in preparing for a manicure.

The sides of the nails should be treated especially well with a degreaser.

After applying this product, do not touch the nails, otherwise the gel polish will not adhere well to the base. The degreaser can be replaced with alcohol wipes, but it is believed that they may adversely affect the quality of the coating.

Shellac at home: step-by-step instructions for beginners

A beautiful manicure can be done not only in a salon. It's easy to apply shellac at home. For beginners, a step-by-step guide will help you learn how to apply one color of gel polish; once this skill is established, you can try other designs.

The following instructions will help you master the technique of applying shellac:

  • A base coat is applied to protect the nail plate. To ensure that the layer is not too thick, you need to know the rules for applying the base (this rule also applies to applying other coatings): first the edges of the nail are painted, then only the middle, the final touch is to seal the tip of the nail, this way the layers will stick better. Drying nails in a UV or LED lamp, the time in the first should be one minute, in the second 12 seconds.

After processing the cuticles, a base coat is applied to the nails.
  • The base coat is applied according to the same rules as the base coat, but there is no need to paint the ends. The shellac layer should be as thin as possible. Pro Tip: Before applying the product, it is recommended to roll the bottle in your palms several times to better distribute the pigment.
  • Drying the color layer in a lamp, drying time 1–2 minutes. If the gel polish swells during drying, then the whole process must be started all over again, with degreasing.
  • Applying a second layer of base, which will create a brighter and more saturated color; if a translucent effect is needed, then this step can be skipped. The second layer of coating should be slightly thicker than the first.
  • Dry the new layer with UV rays for 2 minutes.
  • The finishing or top product is applied in the thickest layer. The last layer dries in the same way as the previous one - 2 minutes.
  • The resulting sticky layer is removed with a lint-free cloth and a professional product; you can also use alcohol, but it can deprive shellac of its gloss and shine.

It is important to understand that this step-by-step instruction for applying shellac at home is quite simple, but can be quite complicated for beginners. Don’t worry if you don’t succeed right away, the skill will definitely come with time.


Manicure “Cat Eye” is a popular trend in nail design today.

How to make fashionable shellac “Cat's eye”

A popular manicure this season is “Cat’s Eye,” which got its name from its resemblance to the stone of the same name. These nails look very beautiful and noble. You can create a “Cat Eye” manicure at home, because the whole secret is in a special magnet.

For this design you will need the same products as for regular gel polish coating, the difference will be in the shellac itself - you need to buy a special magnetic product, which comes with a magnet.

The process of creating a fashionable manicure consists of the following stages:

  • Preparation of the nail plate and cuticle.
  • Treating nails with a degreaser.
  • Apply a base leveling coating and dry it in a lamp.
  • Covering one nail with a colored layer of shellac and drying it in a lamp.
  • Applying a second color layer to the same nail plate.
  • Creating a design using a magnet; to do this, it is brought to the painted surface so as not to touch it (about 3 mm from the nail). It is recommended to hold the magnet for 5–10 seconds, during which time the required pattern is created. Drying the nail in a lamp.
  • Applying finishing coat, drying.
  • Removing the resulting sticky layer.

All other nails are processed using this technology. To make your manicure sparkle even more, you can additionally decorate it with rhinestones.


To ensure that the shellac with glitter is uniform, pre-mix the gel polish with glitter

Secrets of using shellac at home

Making your nails beautiful is not so easy if you use shellac at home. For beginners, step-by-step instructions may not be enough, for the reason that they do not know some of the secrets that are available to professionals. To get the desired result, experts recommend the following:

  • To distribute glitter evenly and evenly on your nails, you need to mix them with a small amount of gel polish, mix everything well and only then apply a second layer of glitter to the nail plate.
  • For the best result, it is recommended to apply shellac in a thin layer; there is no need to paint over the cuticles, otherwise the manicure will look sloppy.
  • To create a French manicure, you should not use a stencil, since after drying it cannot be removed, and if you remove it from a wet coating, the border will spread.
  • When using shellac as an extension, there is no need to completely file off the nail plate, just sand it a little.

Rules for removing gel polish from nails

Using shellac at home requires not only its correct application, but also requires knowledge of how to remove gel polish. Regular nail polish remover will not help here; you need to use professional products, in addition, it is important to know the procedure itself, which consists of certain step-by-step recommendations for beginners.

To remove gel polish, you need to prepare five disks of cotton wool, cut into two parts, ten squares of foil, the size of which should be capable of wrapping a finger, a special product, orange sticks and buff.


To remove shellac at home you will need foil

The shellac removal procedure includes the following steps:

  • The discs must be wetted with a gel polish remover and applied to the nail plates.
  • Wrap each nail with a disc in foil and leave for 5-7 minutes.
  • Remove everything from your fingers and remove any remaining product with an orange stick.
  • If shellac is difficult to remove, it is recommended to hold the soaked cotton wool for a little longer or lightly rub it.
  • Treat your nails with a buff to completely remove the gel polish.
  • Take a relaxing bath and rub in any care product for your hands and nails.

Do not use solvents or their analogues to remove shellac

Thus, you can make shellac yourself at home. For beginners, a step-by-step guide will help you understand the intricacies of this process, learn the secrets of professionals, and create a beautiful and original manicure on your nails.

Beauty to you and your nails.

Step-by-step video on how to make shellac at home:

Useful video on how to remove shellac at home:

Video that reveals the reasons for the instability of shellac:

Recently, female representatives have increasingly begun to do pedicures and manicures with gel polish. It stays on the nails for quite a long time, but does not change its color or wear off. In addition, the varnish itself helps strengthen the nail plate and does not injure the nails during the preparatory processes for application.

In a salon, you will have to pay a lot of money to perform such a procedure, but you can learn how to perform a shellac pedicure at home.

Materials and tools for pedicure with gel polish

To perform a pedicure at home, you will need:

An ultraviolet lamp is the most important tool for performing this type of pedicure; it is necessary in order to dry the gel polish. The power of the lamp will determine how long it takes to dry the varnish. If the lamp power is 36 W, then drying will take about 2 minutes. If the lamp power is lower, then the drying time must be increased, and, consequently, the pedicure time will increase. It is best to purchase an LED lamp; you can dry your nails in it in 10 seconds, but its cost, of course, is high;

File: it is desirable that it has numbers 220-240 grit, but you can also use a regular soft file;

Degreaser, used to treat nails after polishing. For home pedicures, you can use alcohol or nail polish remover as a degreaser. It is imperative to ensure that there are no lint left on the nail after using cotton wool; it is better to use a soft synthetic cloth for the degreasing process;

Bondex. It must be applied to the nails for better adhesion of the nail to the gel polish. It is usually used by professional masters; at home, you can skip this step and perform a pedicure without it;

Base. This is a prerequisite when performing such a pedicure. It is applied under gel polish. Today, the range of bases for covering the nail is quite large; you can find a base that contains vitamins, minerals, as well as complex products. There are a large number of companies that produce nail bases, so choosing the most suitable one will not be difficult;

Gel polish. It can be purchased individually, or you can buy a set at once, which includes the most necessary colors for creating a pedicure. By choosing a gel polish manufacturer, you can save money, since the durability of the coating depends on the quality of the base and topcoat;

Top coating. It is necessary to fix the gel polish. It is better to choose it of excellent quality and without a sticky layer.

All these presented components are basic for creating a professional shellac pedicure.

Gel polish removers

In addition, gel polish does not come off like regular nail polish. You also need to be prepared for this and purchase more gel polish removers, namely:

Regular foil;

An orange stick or you can use a toothpick;

Cotton pads;

Manicure spatula.

Step-by-step instructions for performing a pedicure with gel polish

When performing a shellac pedicure, it is important to ensure that the cuticle is removed. If it has nevertheless grown slightly, then you should move it away with a manicure spatula. You can watch the video to see how to perform a pedicure step by step.

The sequence of performing a pedicure, in fact, like a manicure, is as follows:

  1. Polishing the nail. This process is necessary to ensure that the applied material adheres better to the surface of the nail.
  2. Degreasing the nail. Gel polish is very easy to apply. To make it stick better and not peel off, the surface of the nail should be treated with a degreaser.
  3. Application of Bontex. This product helps to bond better in the future. Its structure is sticky, so it should be applied with a separate brush. You can skip this step, but the gel polish will last less time.
  4. Applying the base. Apply the base carefully, avoiding contact with the skin around the nail. It should be dried in a UV lamp.
  5. Applying gel polish. At this stage, the nail design is drawn up, you can see the results in the photo or come up with your own, and upon completion of the nail design, dry each nail in a lamp.
  6. Applying top coat. The finishing coat is applied to secure all stages of the pedicure and should also be dried in a UV lamp. If the top coat is sticky, then the surface of the nail should be treated with a degreaser again.

The sequence of the pedicure cannot be changed; it is best to spend your energy on nail design. Gel polish does not dry out without a lamp, so you can safely experiment with designs on your nails.

How to remove gel polish from nails

It is important to be able not only to apply gel polish on nails, but also to be able to remove it. The sequence of the removal procedure is as follows:

Cut the cotton pad to a size slightly larger than your nail;

Blot the resulting pieces into nail polish remover;

After this, place the pieces on your nails and secure with foil. Leave in this position for 15 minutes;

At the end of the time, remove the resulting compress from the nail, and remove the remaining varnish using a manicure spatula.

Video on the topic of the article