Glittery Colour Changing Shellac

Since buying my UV lamp and Shellac kit my gel nail polish collection has expanded quite a bit. This colour changing varnish is the latest in the collection:

Bluesky is a gel nail polish which changes from deep purple to a bright blue, it also has silver glitter dispersed throughout. Bluesky is shellac brand of polish very similar to CND but `cheaper. 

The colour change occurs due to temperature change, when cold the polish is deep purple and turns to bright blue when hot. Gel polishes are fantastic, once you have cured each layer you are good to go for at least two weeks. I find the gel makes my nails stronger, giving them a protective layer, which I find gives them a chance to grow a bit longer.

Have you ever used a gel nail kit? 

Colour Changing Gel Polish - Shellac

I have indulged in a CND Shellac manicure a couple of times now - even for my wedding I had a gorgeous shimmering teal colour.

The polish lasted more than two weeks each time I had it done at a salon - fantastic. The price tag however was not so fantastic. Around £20 a time, which, some might say is reasonable, but not something I could get on a regular basis. 

I decided to get a kit from amazon and do my own shellac manicures. 

Here is my first attempt and my chosen polish is a colour changing one:

I decided to try the Bluesky shellac polish, rather than its more expensive sister brand, CND. Bluesky is around £6 a bottle, whereas CND is £15. 

I found the wear on my first attempt was around a week, which for me, is better than normal nail polish.

I found it helped my nail health, they grew stronger, I guess the gel gave the nail a more protective layer.

Have you tried a DIY shellac?

CND Shellac - Two Weeks Later

You may remember my first post about my CND Shellac manicure, (click here to see the original post) I took pictures the day I had them done and thought I would do a two weeks later post to see how they held up.

Here are the pictures the day I got them done:

Two weeks later:

As you can see the middle finger has chipped ever so slightly but the main obvious difference is that the polish has started to grow out. You can see very clearly on all my nails at the cuticle. I expected this to happen, there is also the smallest amount of tip wear as well but for two weeks I thought this was pretty good going.

I paid £15 for this manicure which is one of the cheapest  prices I have seen for it. I wouldn't get it done all the time because I have to admit after a week I was craving a different colour! However, I would get this done if I was going away for a break or holiday. Like I already mentioned I have booked another appointment with a freelancer for another gel manicure. I don't think she used Shellac so it will be good to see how she compares.

My first Shellac manicure

I haven't ever had a professional manicure. I just never saw the point in paying the money for a manicure when I know the polish will chip quickly and I do my nails myself so often. I then found out somewhere near me did Shellac.

I had these done for £15 which is the cheapest I have found, although I have booked another appointment with a freelancer for mid May, she charges £20 and I believe she uses a different gel system, so I shall see which I prefer.

I walked into the salon and asked if they could fit me in right there, which they could. I was a bit surprised that no prep work on my cuticles was done, I always thought that sort of work was a given? As I said, this was my first visit to get my nails done, so I have no idea what to expect.

My nails were shaped and then the wiped with a cloth before the UV base coat was applied. After this first coat was applied I put my hands into the UV lamp box for 10 seconds. Then the first coat of colour went on, I chose this gorgeous vibrant teal. This coat was cured, a second was applied and cured for a couple of mins. Finally a UV top coat was applied and cured under the UV lamp. To finish, my nails were given a quick wipe over to remove any residue and a cuticle oil was applied.

This was the end result:

At this point I have actually had this manicure on for well over a week but I have only just got round to posting. I wanted to take some pictures the day I got the manicure done and then I will do a post soon showing what it looks like after a week, a week and a half etc until I remove it.

Has anyone else tried Shellac?