May 2026 · 3 min read
Shellac is a brand name (Creative Nail Design — CND) for a specific type of gel polish. "Gel polish" is the general category. Shellac was the first gel polish to market and created the category. Today, most nail salons use hybrid gel polishes from brands like Gelish, OPI GelColor, and others. Here is the comparison.
Both are UV/LED-cured polishes made from a base of acrylate oligomers and photoinitiators. Shellac uses a lower-viscosity formula (thinner coats) that claims to remove without buffing. Standard gel polish uses a slightly thicker formula that requires light buffing to break the seal before soak-off. In practice, both require some surface buffing to allow acetone penetration. Claims of "no buff" removal on Shellac are marketing — the natural nail still needs a light buff after removal regardless of the product used.
Standard gel polish: 2-3 weeks with no chipping. Thicker application means more flex resistance. Shellac: 14 days average. The thinner formula can chip at the free edge earlier than standard gel. For most clients, the difference is 2-4 days of additional wear from standard gel. At Jeannie Nails, we use a hybrid gel formula (HEMA-free) that averages 18 days before any tip wear is visible.
Shellac: soak for 8-10 minutes, thinner layers dissolve faster. Standard gel: soak for 12-15 minutes. Both use the same process: file the top coat seal, soak in 100% acetone with cotton pads and foil wraps. The practical difference: minimal. Standard gel adds 3-4 minutes to the removal process.
Gel colour change (any gel polish, including Shellac): $15. Full gel manicure with shaping and cuticle care: $30. Gel pedicure: $30. We do not charge a premium for Shellac — all gel polishes are $15 colour change. We carry 60+ colours and rotate stock seasonally.
Choose standard gel if: you want colour that lasts 2+ weeks, you prefer a wider colour selection (the colour range for hybrid gel is much larger than Shellac), or you want HEMA-free formulation (Shellac contains HEMA — our gel does not). Choose Shellac if: you have a preference from a previous salon, or you plan to remove at home and want the slightly faster soak-off. Many clients can not tell the difference on the nail because industry formulations have converged. At Jeannie Nails, we recommend our HEMA-free hybrid gel for most clients — it lasts longer, has more colour options, and poses lower allergy risk.
Gel colour change $15. HEMA-free. 60+ colours.
