Hotski Tchotchke - My Shellac Wedding Nails

I can't believe it has nearly been a month since I got married, a month tomorrow infact.

Since we were going away on honeymoon straight away I knew a normal manicure wouldn't last. I had booked myself in for a Shellac manicure a couple of days before the wedding. I had Shellac manicures a couple of times before and loved the way it lasted, the shine it gave to my nails and the fact it gave my nails a chance to grow and become stronger.

Now, don't get me wrong. 

A traditional French manicure is lovely. I mean, it is a classic isn't it? Clean and neat. However, for my wedding day I wanted colour. My colour scheme was teal so I chose this for my nails:

I went for this teal shade from CND Shellac called Hotski Tchotchke. This colour matched my bridesmaid dresses exactly! I just adore this shade, it glows!

Yes, my other half had Pac Man cuff links - the red ghost on one cuff and Pac Man on the other. 

I am pleased I went for a coloured manicure for my wedding, it really shows up in the pictures and lasted for most of out honeymoon too.

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?