Here on the GH beauty desk there's unanimous agreement that few things feel as satisfying as a freshly manicured nail or ten. Especially when that groomed precision, glossiness, and shine (ah the mirror-like shine!) lasts and lasts.
Shellac and gel manicures have been a revolution in the nail polish market – finally, we have a varnish that stays on our nails no matter what, making manicures last for weeks rather than days (or, at worst, hours). But this longevity, as gorgeously groomed-looking as it initially is, can prove a little tricky when you actually want to remove shellac or gel at home.
Firstly, to be clear, the way to soak off both shellac and gel at home is the same – the (small) difference between the two is that shellac is a hybrid polish-gel formula, while gel is simply, well, gel. But both are designed to be semi-permanent, so picking off either is a big no-no, as it will leave your nails underneath weak, vulnerable to damage and liable to break.
So, we spoke to expert nail technicians Lucy Mackenzie at blow LTD. and Christine Thompson, as well as Samantha Kendrew, head of education at Mii Cosmetics, to find out how to remove shellac and gel polish safely at home.
How to remove shellac or gel polish at home
How to remove shellac - Step 1
Firstly, you need your kit. "Get five cotton pads and split them in half, 10 large tinfoil squares, acetone polish remover, a nail file, and orange sticks," says Lucy.
Then, crucially, before you get started make sure all your surfaces are covered. "Be sure to lay down a towel to prevent any acetone damaging your furniture," says Christine.
How to remove shellac - Step 2
Christine advises to start with your less dominant hand, as you'll have more patience at the beginning of the process.
"Next, using your nail file, gently buff the surface of the gel topcoat as this will help the remover penetrate the layers of the gel," explains Samantha.
Then, saturate a piece of cotton wool that’s slightly larger than the size of the nail in the gel removal solution and secure this on the nail by wrapping the foil square around it and over the tip of the finger.
How to remove shellac - Step 3
"Leave the acetone solution to soak for 15 minutes. By then your gel polish will have lifted from the nail bed," Lucy says.
She adds: "My top tip is to keep your nails warm during the soaking process by wrapping your hands in a towel – this will speed things up."
How to remove shellac - Step 4
When removing what's left of the polish from your nails, you can very gently lift it off with orange sticks – but make sure you are not scraping the nail. If it doesn’t lift off easily, you need to soak for longer.
"If the shellac or gel is being stubborn, just reapply the cotton with more acetone added, cover with the foil again, and leave it for another 5-10 minutes – don’t be tempted to pick the polish off!" says Christine, as this can cause serious damage to the nail.
How to remove shellac - Step 5
After removal, Samantha says: "Liberally apply a cuticle oil to give the immediate area a hit of nourishment and hydration. A hand serum or intensive hand cream will help, too."
It's also always a good idea to pop on a coat of your favourite nail growth product or repairing polish to keep the nails healthy. They (and the technician at your next salon visit) will thank you for it.
Our GHI experts put lots of nail products to the test to bring us the best products for nail polish removal, nail growth, nail strengthening. Here are the products that came out top of their tests: