Shellac CND 2025 Guide | All About Shellac Gel Polish
You often hear about Shellac manicures, but you're not quite sure what it is? Here's the complete guide that explains what Shellac gel polish is, how to use it, its benefits, and much more
Shellac CND: The Semi-Permanent Gel Polish favored by nail technicians
What is CND Shellac Polish?
CND Shellac is the semi-permanent gel polish that has revolutionized the nail beauty industry since 2010. Created by Creative Nail Design (CND), a recognized world leader, Shellac combines the best features of traditional nail polish and UV gel to offer exceptional wear for 14 days or more without chipping. Like gel polishes, Shellac cures under a UV or LED lamp. It is one of the most popular polishes among nail technicians in Quebec.
This patented hybrid technology guarantees:
- Quick curing under UV or LED lamp
- Radiant and long-lasting shine
- Easy and even application
- Easy removal without filing or damaging natural nails
- Professional application in salon or at home
Shellac CND: All Colors, Base and Finishes
Over the years, CND™ Shellac has won over technicians and nail enthusiasts with its constantly renewed collections. Today, more than 200 Shellac polish colors are available, offering an infinite range to express your style, from classic shades to the trendiest hues.
Whether you're looking for a timeless red, an elegant nude, a romantic pink, or a deep black, you'll easily find the ideal color for your clients or yourself. And if you're overwhelmed by so many choices, let yourself be inspired by our selection of the 15 best-selling Shellac colors, true essentials for professional manicures. With Shellac, every color promises mirror shine, long-lasting wear, and a professional result from the first application.
Best-selling Classic Shellac Colors
- Shellac Red: Wildfire, Bordeaux Babe, Devil Red
- Shellac Pink: Negligee, Satin Slippers, Romantique
- Shellac Nude: Nouquet, Unlocked, Naked Naiveté
- Shellac White: Cream Puff, Studio White, White Wedding
- Shellac Dark: Black Pool, Aura, Black Cherry
The Latest Shellac 2025 Collections
Shellac Vivid 2025
The SHELLAC™ VIVID collection by CND™ is a range of 7 ultra-pigmented shades with high opacity. These gel polishes make it easy to create clean lines, bold contrasts, and vibrant looks that grab attention. This range is ideal for nail art and even stamping.
Shellac Quiet Luxury 2025
The Quiet Luxury Collection is a range of six new exclusive nail polish shades, designed around subtle and refined elegance. This range combines neutral shades enhanced with unique touches, for a look more sophisticated than minimalism and more chic than a casual style.
Shellac Top and Base Coat, which to choose?
- Shellac Original Top Coat: Very glossy, 8-minute removal
- Shellac Duraforce Top Coat: Ultra glossy, extreme protection but longer removal (15 minutes)
- Shellac Xpress5 Top Coat: Glossy finish, very fast removal (5 minutes)
- Shellac No Wipe Top Coat: Ultra glossy, no sticky effect, so no need to cleanse with alcohol
- Shellac Original Base Coat: optimal adhesion
- Shellac Extended Wear Base Coat: extended adhesion up to 3 weeks, provides a more even surface
- Epic Smoothing Base: 2-in-1 primer and smoothing base coat for ridges and imperfections, extended adhesion up to 3 weeks but longer curing time (1 minute)
How to Apply Shellac Gel Polish?
Perfect Shellac Application in 7 Steps
- Preparation: Push back cuticles, file, degrease with CND Scrub Fresh
- Base: Apply CND Shellac Base Coat, cure for 10 seconds under an LED lamp
- Color 1st coat: Thin, even layer of gel polish, cure 1 minute UV / 30 sec LED
- Color 2nd coat: Apply a 2nd coat for perfect opacity, cure again
- Top Coat: CND Shellac Top Coat for shine, cure
- Cleansing: Remove sticky residue with 99.9% alcohol
- Hydration: Hydrate your nails and cuticles with CND Solar Oil cuticle oil
How to remove Shellac
- Lightly file the nail surface to remove the top coat layer
- Method 1: Soak cotton pads in CND Offly Fast remover and wrap the cotton on your nails for 5 to 15 minutes with aluminum foil (depending on the top coat used)
- Method 2: Use CND aluminum wraps soaked in Offly Fast remover, leave on for 5 to 15 minutes (depending on the top coat used)
- Method 3: Soak your nails in Ongles d'Or's Dilue Tout or CND's Offly Fast
- Gently push back the remaining polish with a polish scraper, never peel as this could damage your nail
- Hydrate thoroughly
Download the Shellac application guide in PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions Shellac CND
How long does Shellac last?
CND Shellac polish guarantees perfect wear for a minimum of 14 days with professional application. Some clients achieve up to 3 weeks without chipping. For even more exceptional wear, you can use the Extended Wear Base and Duraforce Top Coat.
Does Shellac damage nails?
No, unlike hard gels or acrylics, CND Shellac is easily removed without aggressive filing because it melts with an acetone-based remover like CND Offly Fast or Ongles d'Or's Dilue-Tout.
Can you do Shellac at home?
Yes, it is entirely possible to apply CND™ Shellac at home, provided you have the appropriate professional equipment and follow each step of the application. It's not just about applying polish: for the manicure to truly last more than 14 days, you need to properly prepare the nail, apply thin coats, and cure under a CND-approved UV or LED lamp. To go further, our online Shellac training guides you step-by-step to professional-level results.
Can you do a Shellac pedicure?
CND™ Shellac can be perfectly used for a pedicure. It's even an excellent option if you're looking for lasting shine and long wear that can exceed 4 to 6 weeks on toes, as feet grow slower than hands.
What lamp for Shellac CND?
Recommended lamps: CND LED Light. Optimal curing times guaranteed. Any other UV/LED lamp of at least 36W will perfectly cure your gel polishes.
Why doesn't my Shellac last?
Shellac chipping too quickly can be linked to several factors. Here are the mistakes to avoid:
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Insufficient nail preparation: the nail must be thoroughly cleaned, matted with a buffer block, free of dust or oil. Use CND™ ScrubFresh to eliminate any oily residue.
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Too thick coats: if the gel polish is applied in too generous a coat, it will not cure properly and will lift more quickly, often in chunks. The coat must be very thin; stretch your polish well for this.
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Inappropriate curing time: each coat must be cured for the recommended time, depending on the UV or LED lamp used.
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Incompatible products: mixing different brands of bases, colors, and top coats can reduce adhesion.
- Skipping the base or top coat step: the base ensures perfect adhesion of Shellac to the natural nail, while the top coat seals the color, protects it, and gives it its mirror shine.
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External conditions: overly moist, brittle nails, illness, or prolonged contact with water and chemicals can also affect wear.
Why is my Shellac sticky?
It's completely normal for CND™ Shellac to remain sticky after curing. This layer is called the "dispersion residue" or "sticky layer." It allows each coat (base, color, top coat) to adhere perfectly to the next, thus guaranteeing long-lasting wear without lifting.
- If you use a classic Shellac Top Coat, you must wipe off this sticky layer at the end with a lint-free pad soaked in 99.9% alcohol.
- If you use Shellac No Wipe Top Coat, it's not necessary: it leaves a shiny and dry finish immediately after curing.
What products do I need to buy to do a Shellac manicure?
To achieve a complete and durable Shellac application, here are the essentials:
- Shellac base coat: essential for good adhesion
- Shellac top coat: essential to prevent your polish from chipping
- Colored Shellac polish: as many colors as you want
- CND Scrub Fresh: To clean and degrease nails
- CND Offly Fast: To remove your Shellac polishes
- 99.9% alcohol to remove the sticky effect (optional step if using Shellac No-Wipe Top Coat)
- A UV or LED lamp: Avoid 1-finger lamps, prioritize a professional full-hand lamp
- CND SolarOil cuticle oil to hydrate your cuticles after application.
- Optional: The CND™ Plexigel if you have soft, damaged nails or want to do small nail extensions.
What is the difference between Shellac and a gel?
CND™ Shellac is a hybrid semi-permanent gel polish: it combines the ease of application of traditional nail polish with the durability of a UV gel. It is applied in thin layers (base, color, top coat) and cured under a UV or LED lamp. The result: a shiny and flawless manicure for a minimum of 14 days, which is easily removed in 5 to 15 minutes by melting it with a remover like CND Offly Fast, without aggressive filing.
Classic gel (UV gel or builder gel) is thicker and allows you to sculpt or extend the nail. It usually comes in a pot and requires a special brush for application. It is ideal for clients who want more strength, length, or shape correction. However, its removal takes more time and sometimes requires mechanical filing with an electric file.
Shellac CND Training in Canada
Ongles d'Or offers Shellac training, 100% online, accessible throughout Quebec and Canada. This training will not only allow you to master the Shellac technique step-by-step, but also to understand common errors that cause poor wear, and how to avoid them to offer a service worthy of the best professional salons. During the training, you will also learn how to use CND™ Plexigel, an innovative product that strengthens natural nails or repairs damaged nails, while providing a solid base for Shellac.
- 4 hours of video content and explanations
- Manicure, pedicure, Plexigel (Builder Gel) and gel polish nail art
- Best practices and common mistakes
- Certification in Shellac Gel Polish application
- The training comes with 18 essential products for your Shellac manicure
Some testimonials from our students
Order Your Shellac CND Today
Why Choose Shellac CND at Ongles d'Or?
Our store offers all Shellac CND colors with over 200 colors available, from timeless classics to the latest seasonal trends.
Ongles d'Or is an authorized CND Canada distributor, an expert in nail products for over 20 years. All our Shellac products are authentic with manufacturer's warranty. We ship throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Exclusive Ongles d'Or Benefits:
- Competitive prices with a 15% discount when you buy 3 colors or more
- Advantageous technician prices: add your diploma to your Ongles d'Or account.
- Large Stock and special orders: If you want a large quantity of a product, we can order it for you!
- Expert advice by phone or live chat
- Fast shipping throughout Canada
Order your Shellac CND polish now and join the thousands of professionals who have trusted Ongles d'Or for over 20 years.