I am a big fan of CND and Gelish nails. CND stands for Creative Nail Designs, a company that created a nail craze with a shellac manicure that lasts 14 days – no chips no smears. I’ve gotten up to three weeks out of these manicures. I’ve been a pretty regular customer in regional salons for more than a year now. And I like the pedicures, too. CND uses a UV light to cure and dry the layers of base coat, polish and top coat while Gelish uses non-UV lamps. Both give you manicures that remain shiny for the full 14 days.
When I first got a CND manicure more than a year ago, they were hard to come by because the service was so popular. At one point, even the few salons that offered it in the region had a hard time getting the polishes.
What a difference a year makes. Now you can give yourself a CND shellac manicure at home for the cost of the nail dryer and polishes. My daughter bought me the dryer, and got an incredible deal on it through Amazon. I have raised a shopper in that girl. She also got a deal on the polishes. Now, this stuff is not cheap. The dryer’s retail price is more than $100, but with sales and coupons, they are available for much less..
I’m not really good at manicures, but I will master this. I’ll still visit my friends in the nail salons because I love chatting it up with nail technicians who do some artsy things mere mortals like me will never accomplish. I’ve been to Charisma, Ambridge Rose, Horizon and Lena’s. They can sparkle your nails, marble them and add beauty that require skill I will never have.
For my daughter and me, getting manicures and pedicures together is a nice bonding experience. We will save some money and time doing our nails at home the next time she is in town. Or, we may have to meet in Grove City and hang out someplace that we can plug in. At any rate, the cost of the dryer pays for itself within the first few months because the cheapest manicure I ever got was between $25 and $30.
This has some other potential as a party invitation. My daughter and friends have some pretty awesome spa parties where they do facials and nails. Mud and shellac, here we come.
I love it too, My daughter and I are on our third at home application and we are so pleased. Like you we will master this product. I did not purchase the CND dryer I bought an off brand and it works great.
I had my nails done at Envy Salon last year and was hooked from then on.
Oh thanks, Lorrie! I just love the shine. And it makes me feel dressed up all the time. My nails are just plain blah without it, and they actually grow healthy under the polish. Did you see they even have gloves now to protect your hands from the UV rays? I thought that was pretty impressive.
This is all well and good, but what about all the time and money that professionals INVEST IN YOU to bring the services YOU WANT locally? You said it yourself that it took a long time to get the Shellac services in Erie Pa, there is a reason for that, time and money. Professionals had to receive additional education, and save to get those services TO YOU. These are Sons, Fathers, Mothers and Daughters who work in the profession that have student loans to pay back, carry insurances, have families of their own, and have payed fees to hold a license to practice their craft to again bring you the services you want.
– Susane Lackovic
To the third commenter, are you seriously attempting to put people on a guilt trip for trying to save money and do this at home? You want them to care more about helping strangers pay back their cosmetology education than they do about the best interests of their own families? Wow.
this contet very useful
I never comment online, but most of us have to save where we can! I will never feel guilty for saving money, especially on a beauty product! I feel guilty spending money on my nails, so I can’t wait to find a good UV lamp and products! Any suggestions?
When I first got a CND manicure more than a year ago, they were hard to come by because the service was so popular. At one point, even the few salons that offered it in the region had a hard time getting the polishes.