For the past month or so, I’ve been raving about my CND’s Shellac gel manicures. It really lasts more than two weeks. I finally worked up enough nerve to try another UV gel brand (My hestitation came after the horrible experience with trying the OPI gel manicure. If CND Shellac lasted for two or more weeks, there’s no need to look any further for a gel manicure, right?) But, Harmony’s Gelish brand have so many more glamorous and bold colors than the CND at my local salon. My nail techician assured me that Gelish provided the same results as CND, so why not give it a try?
Here’s the finished product:
- Harmony Gelish Manicure
Step 1: File/shape your nails, push cuticles back.
Step 2: Clean nails with alcohol (on a lint-free wipe).
Step 3: Apply PH Bond.
Step 4: Apply Foundation Gel.
Step 5: Cure for 30 seconds.
Step 6: Apply 1 coat of color polish.
Step 7: Cure for 1 minute.
Step 8: Apply 2nd coat of color polish.
Step 8: Cure for 1 minute.
Step 9: Apply Top Seal.
Step 10: Cure for 2 minutes.
Step 11: Remove sticky layer with alcohol (on a lint-free wipe).
I started out with Shellac and loved it! My weak nails actually grew stronger. I switched to Gelish because it was such a better price and larger bottle size. Shellac manicures lasted over 2 weeks. Gelish manicures, especially french, chip within one day, even using Structure. The nail doesn’t break, thank goodness, just the polish. The polish not only chips at the tips, the entire coating peels off. That can be ok at removal time, but not within a week. I have followed the instructions exactly and have the correct lamp. Had no problems with Shellac, other than price. Will be ordering more Shellac and giving away the Gelish to someone who has better luck. When another brand comes out to compare to Shellac, with a more reasonable price, I’ll switch again.