Shellac Manicure: Worth the Shell Out?

Beyonce's doing it. Ri Ri's doing it. And now I am, too.

Before going home to MTL to visit fam, friends, and bf, thanks to a $20 off coupon promotion I found on the facebook fan page of Sitamaa I decided to treat myself to a shellac manicure. Unable to resist the allure of perfect, virtually chip-free nails for the entire course of my time in la belle Province, I booked my appointment and began the countdown.

Here's the lowdown on this supposed Rolls Royce of manicures:

*The claim is a shiny, chip-free 14 day manicure that withstands the wear & tear of everyday life. Some people insist that if you get a light colour (one that won't be so noticeable as it grows out) you could sport it for up to 3 weeks.

*It is the first of its kind: 'hybrid' nail colour offering the strength and high-shine finish of a gel nail treatment + the color selection and easy application of a nail polish.

*Like gels, to get that "flawless finnish," thin layers of gel are applied to the nails and treated under a UV light.

*It is non-yellowing, odorless, strengthens nails, and best of all, involves virtually NO DRYING TIME! It was cRaZy being able to touch and do anything immediately afterwards (more exciting than any magic trick I've ever seen).

But before you freak out and fall too hard in love, take a look at the list of downfalls:

*Limited colour options and 50% more expensive than regular manicures

*In order to get the mani removed, nails need to be soaked in acetone. Apparently you can do this at home, but my esthetician recommended I go back to and have her do it professionally -- a service that doesn't come cheap.

From what I've heard, many salons soak your whole hand in the acetone. This seems like a bad idea, as acetone is a yucky chemical that is easily absorbed by the skin and is bad for your liver (which has a hard time breaking it down).

A friend of mine has a manicurist that, instead of placing her clients' whole hand in acetone, only puts it on the nails (by placing the substance on cotton swabs and letting them soak like that for a short while before beginning the removal process).

*After each coat that is applied, you have to put your hand under UV light. which puts you at a greater risk of getting skin cancer.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT KIDS. NOW IT'S UP TO YOU TO DECIDE IF THIS TIME-SAVING, EASY-TO-MAINTAIN YET POTENTIALLY HEALTH-THREATENING PRODUCT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS - TELL U ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH SHELLAC OR ADD TO THE PRO/CON LIST IF THERE'S ANYTHING I'VE MISSED.

XXOO,

Me.

PS - Take a look @ the pic for a looksee at what my nails look like after almost 3 weeks!