Bride-to-be Lyndsey tries a Shellac mani
They say patience is a virtue, but unfortunately, it's not one of mine. So when it comes to painting my nails, my routine goes something like this:
1. Remove old, chipped or smudged polish
2. File
3. Apply base coat (on a good day)
4. Apply colour
5. Get bored
6. Decide to make a cup of tea
7. Persuade Mr Fiancé the pink streaks on the taps/kettle/mugs/teaspoons/fridge door have ALWAYS been there...
8. Go back to step 1. Do not pass GO.
So when I heard about a nail varnish that mimics a gel, dries instantly and lasts at least two weeks without chipping, I was sceptical but thought I should give it a go. After all, with a honeymoon coming up, I don't want to be transporting bottles of polish around, risking inevitable colour explosions in my suitcase (you can't replace bikinis in IKEA).
The Shellac polish looks like normal polish but dries instantly on application. Nope, I didn't believe it either – until my beauty therapist grabbed my hand and started tapping my freshly polished nails with the tip of her pen. Waaaaaaaah! But nothing happened! They really were bone dry, rock hard and chip resistant immediately. What's more, the colour I went for – a pretty, light pink called Romantique – is perfect for brides.
A week and a bit later, my nails are STILL as they were when they were freshly polished. They haven't broken or split, and the colour hasn't chipped or flaked of at all. I'm so impressed, and wedding day or not, I don't think I'll go back to my previous shambolic manicure routine. Unless I feel the kettle needs a bit of a pick-me-up...
Search for your nearest Shallac salon here.
