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Create the Perfect CND Shellac French Manicure

CND Shellac is the newest fad in gel manicure applications. With dozens of colors and nail art choices, you can’t go wrong! But, if your client likes to keep her nails simple, a perfect Shellac French manicure is easy and safe for her nails! Jan Arnold, Co-founder of CND, is ready to take you on a tutorial on creating the perfect Shellac French manicure. Application is fast and easy and so is removal! Get ready to “nail” this French manicure. Check out all our CND Shellac Polishes here!

Prepare the Nails

Use the acronym P.E.P. when performing the Shellac French manicure service.

  1. P: Perform a dry manicure. Remove the cuticle.
  2. E: Eliminate contaminants.
  3. P: Purify nail layers using Scrubfresh.

Step-by-Steps to the Perfect French Manicure

  1. Apply a thin layer of CND Base Coat and cure for 10 seconds.
  2. Apply a thin layer of Sheer Pink or try Clearly Pink for two minutes. Then, apply another layer.
  3. Using Cream Puff, apply a thin tip along the nail in a sweeping motion. Or use downward strokes. Be careful not to go too thick with the white, it can wrinkle during curing. If you need to detail or straighten out the French manicure, use a gel brush wet with a little 99% isopropyl alcohol.
  4. Then cure for two minutes.
  5. Next, apply an even coat of the Shellac Top Coat and cure for a final two minutes.
  6. Remove the top film with a little 99% isopropyl alcohol.
  7. Finish off with cuticle oil on each nail to rehydrate the nail. Try our brand new Artisan Essence Cuticle Oil!

Two Toned Shellac French Manicure

  1. Apply a thin layer of CND Base Coat and cure for 10 seconds.
  2. Apply a coat of Fedora, a rich and dark color and cure. Then a second coat and cure for two minutes.
  3. Complete the look by “icing” the edges of the nails with Iced Cappuccino. Cure for two minutes.
  4. Next, apply an even coat of the Shellac Top Coat and cure for a final two minutes.
  5. Remove the top film with a little 99% isopropyl alcohol.
  6. Finish off with cuticle oil on each nail to rehydrate the cuticle, such as Artisan Essence Cuticle Oil.

These two Shellac French manicures will last for over two weeks and removal, is just as simple!

Removing Shellac Manicures

Use the acronym S.I.T. when removing Shellac manicures.

  1. S: Saturate. Saturate the padding on your remover wraps with pure acetone.
  2. I: In Place. Make sure to place the cotton pad right over the nail.
  3. T: Tighten for Ten. Wrap the nails tight and set a timer for ten minutes.
  4. After ten minutes, apply pressure to the nail with your thumb and massage it to loosen the Shellac. Twist and pull the wrap off the nail.
  5. Slide off any remaining product with an orange wood stick and wipe a little acetone on the nails to fully remove all polish.