I used to say that I'm not much of a nail polish person (and I wasn't, mainly because I have the worst nails EVER). I don't wash dishes, garden, or really do anything that can be very damaging to my nails; yet I can't keep my polish on for more than two days. I've tried every brand under the sun, from drugstore (Sally Hansen) to high-end (Chanel, Dior), used every top and base coat I saw praised on the Internet, taken supplements; alas, no luck. It looks good for a day or two (if I'm lucky), and after that it's just a huge mess – dull, chipped, nails dry and peeling, just ugh.
Shellac changed all of that for me.
As Cheri, my manicurist, patiently explained (I must have been so annoying with my never-ending questions!:), Shellac is applied after a dry manicure. Cuticles should not be cut cut (it leaves the skin vulnerable to bacteria and infection), but instead dabbed with a cuticle remover (she used Deborah Lippmann) and gently pushed back to reveal beautifully elongated nail beds. A CND Brisa lamp is used to cure the polish for about 10 seconds between every layer (one of Shellac UV Base Coat, one of Shellac Power Polish Top Coat and 2 or 3 layers of the polish of choice in between; mine was Winter Glow from their new Aurora collection). The result is a gorgeous, porcelain-like finish that can withstand a nuclear blast. I'm not kidding!:) I could hardly believe it when two weeks had passed and my polish hadn't chipped even a little bit! I wouldn't have had to remove it at all if my nails hadn't grown out. What's even more astounding is that none of my nails were broken or peeling after I removed the polish. I'm pretty sure I've never gone two weeks without having a nail break on me in my life! Not only was there zero damage, my nails were stronger and smoother than ever after the polish removal.
All in all, I'm pretty amazed with Shellac and plan on making it my new nail strengthening treatment. :) It has turned something I have always been insecure about (my nails) into something I now flaunt. It's fantastic for those like me who can't be bothered with high-maintenance manicures – you just have it put on and then forget about it (except for when you get complimented on it :) for at least a couple of weeks! It's practically everything nail polish should be – super glossy, durable and fortifying. I don't think I'll ever go back to regular polish!

I loved how quickly the process was when it came to receiving the CND Shellac Manicures. I loved that my nails were dry instantly and I was able to leave the salon and do what I needed to do without worrying about ruining the polish. My manicure is still going strong minus one nail! Completely my fault but my hand slipped while using a knife and it came down pretty hard on my nail. It wasn't until a day or two after that, that a portion of the polish came off. I'm certain had I not had a slip-up this would not have happened. The colour I chose was Nordic Lights which I love as a fall colour. I received many compliments on the colour choice! I would get another CND Shellac Manicure as well as recommend it to friends!

I recieved the free shellac manicure to try it out from chick advisor and lux spa.
I enjoyed the application of the shellac manicure, the process was long but it was really nice and it looked like it would last a long time. Since my nails weren't that long, the salon told me it wouldnt last as long as longer nails would. It lasted about a week before my nails grew out and it started chipping. It was a little bit disappointing as I thought it would last longer but I was really happy with the colour and the results.

I really like this option rather than other nail applications because it kept my nails beautiful and it wasn't dangerous.
I'd definitely get another manicure in the future because I loved it and will defnitely recommend it to all my friends!!

I was able to try this product as part of the ChickAdvisor Product Review Club. As a mom to a three year old, a student and an entrepreneur manicures are a pleasure but they never seem to last long with everything I have going on in my world. I have had a few shellac manicures in the past but I always felt like they either weren't worth the extra effort/cost vs. a traditional manicure or that upon removal they did a ton of damage to my nails.
I got my nails done at a yorkville salon and it was a wonderful few moments of bliss from my hectic life. The CND colours are wonderful and bright with so many to choose from it was a tough choice. I opted for a lovely dark red to fit my fall mood. I have spent the past almost two weeks putting these nails to the test. A typical manicure might last me two days before chipping. This manicure showed no signs of failing me AT ALL until I decided to remove it using CND at home Shellac Removal Kit (which is also awesome).

I definitely put my nails to the test and didnt hold back. I did multiple loads of dishes. I went apple and pumpkin picking. I finished getting my garden prepped for fall. I decorated my house completely for halloween. I even cleaned my oven and my nails still looked like I had just left the salon. I cannot say enough about the CND Shellac Manicures!!!!!

Ladies, please try this!

Getting Shellac done was a super comfortable and quick process. I love how quickly it sets and once it's set, you're good to go. No worrying about smudging your nails on the way out of your appointment! I never go for regular manicures anymore because paying the little bit extra to have flawless nails for a couple weeks is definitely worth it. There were a ton of colors to choose from and the indigo shade I chose turned out beautifully. After a week of wear, I have a couple of super minor chips, but I was a lot more rough on my nails this week than I usually am, since I did a potluck's worth of dishes and some gardening as well. I definitely prefer Shellac polish over gel nails, simply because my nails aren't destroyed and brittle upon removal of the polish. I will absolutely continue to get Shellac done on my nails!

My experience during the application of the product was great, the application went on smooth and it did not take long to dry at all. After 1 week my manicure was still intact. There was no chipping, or peeling. I chose a dark purple that is great for the fall. I really love the color. I understand the difference between Shellac and other gel-like products. I would definitely get a CND Shellac manicure again and i will recommend it to all my friends.

I was lucky enough to get to try CND Shellac Manicures from ChickAdvisor and their Product Review Club.

The CND Shellac polish went on well and the process was quick and easy. I like the selection of colours that CND had available and was able to try one of their new winter shades.

Well I like the ease of product application and the idea of an easier removal with CND shellac I find that the nail polish has not held up quite as well as some of the other gel nail / shellac style polishes that I have used. I already have a couple small edge chips within the first week which is not normal for me with this kind of manicure.

The nail technician was great at explaining the difference between Shellac™ and other gel-like products and I do feel that Shellac™ is easier on my nails and easier to remove.

I think that I would most likely get a CND Shellac manicure again and recommend it to friends who find that other gel polishes damage their nails and are too hard to remove at home.

The colour and shine is phenomenal. No chips or flaking after over a week of regular use. It still looks perfect and as shiny as the day I got them done. Highly recommend it. Daily dishwashing hasn't had an affect on my nails at all! Amazing

My experience during the application of the products was quick and easy. I was surprised by how shiny and clean the finish was. Usually, after 2 days of applying nail polish from other brands, I start to see chips and evidence of scratches, but this manicure is durable and is definitely long lasting. There were many beautiful colors to choose from and different shades of each color which is nice. Shellac is a high quality product that I would definitely recommend to my friends!

I loved my shellac manicure! I tried it as part of the #TryShellac Chick Advisor Team.

It was really quick to dry - no waiting around for 30 minutes, avoiding using your hands. Within 5 minutes, I could go about my day!

I did find that the shellac chipped after the first week. I wasn't thrilled with this, as when I get acrylic, the polish stays on until I get them filled. Also - shellac is pretty expensive (I priced it out around $30-$40 bucks). However - I think it's better for my nails, and it doesn't weigh heavily.

Overall, I would recommend as a once-in-a-while treat.