While I am typing all this I am looking at my nails that have been through my handbag 20 times today, typed two stories, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher And they are as glossy as they were the second they were finished this morning…
I was thinking in the car on the way home what I should write about this product, says Anya.
Whether I should talk about the history of the company (going for nearly 30 years – started by the father, a dentist who liked to tinker with chemistry at home, and the daughter now runs it), or whether I should talk about the fabulous people that run the company (The daughter, Jan Arnold, who has taken the company forward in amazing ways), or just the product itself (all the chemistry to back up its claims etc).
Nope. None of it. In the end I am just excited by what the jolly stuff does!
Now as a rule, nails don’t get me excited. Before I had children I had acrylic nails (oh go on, it was the 90’s) that I religiously had ‘backfilled’ every couple of weeks. I stopped for two reasons, my husband hated them (too fake) and I managed to scratch one of our children quite badly. That put an end to that. I have struggled with finding the time to do my nails myself at home, but find that they only last a day or two before they look dull and raggedy. I LOVE dark colours, and unfortunately they are the ones that look the worst, the quickest. Lucky me…
I am getting more and more suspicious of the nail bars that have sprung up in every mall (and every empty shop) across Auckland. I am not completely convinced we are getting what they promise, both in supposed product, and in the hygiene stakes.
Below: Lauren Powell, a beauty technician from Pamper Zone in Russell, applies Shellac to Megan’s hand while the other hand sets in the UV Lamp for two minutes.
So that has left me with nude nails. Short, nude nails. Boring really – because I do love how a good coat of colour can change the way you feel about a day, can make your hands look gorgeous, and can complete an outfit all at once. I had decided that coloured nails where just for a special occasion. SHELLAC is definitely going to change all that. Keeping the science to a minimum, and stating right at the start that this is a salon-only product (you can’t buy it for yourself), this is what they maintain the product can do…
ZERO, yep that’s right ZERO dry time! After the top coat goes on, you can stick your hands in your handbag, and drag out your keys. Really.
No flaws, no chipping, no scratches, no dulling or losing the shine. Seriously. No sock impressions when you pull your boots on after a pedicure. AND it strengthens your nails.
And unlike gel colours (I didn’t even know there was such a thing), they come off without damaging the nail.
Below: Jazz Hands
While I am typing all this I am looking at my nails that have been through my handbag 20 times today, have washed 3 sets of children’s hands, typed two stories, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, washed a couple of stray dishes and unpacked the groceries. And been out for dinner. And they are as glossy as they were the second they were finished this morning. So two weeks from today, I am going to post a photo of them, and you can all decide if the product does what it says. I can pretty much guarantee you it will… and I am a convert.
Below: Jan Arnold checks out Megan’s new coral nails.
Anya (in black) and Megan getting nails Shellac’d at the media launch at the Heritage Hotel.
Suggested price is 50-100% more than the cost of a regular polish manicure. It is a 30 minute service and has easy ten minute removal with Shellac Remover Wipes which are a healthier option with limited skin exposure to acetone.
There are currently 12 shades in the Shellac range with a dozen more added for the holiday season and again next year, towards an optimum 50 shade colour range.
Anya Brighouse and Megan Robinson attended the launch of Shellac in Auckland’s Heritage Hotel on Tuesday 27 April 2010.
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