"Which nail finish should I get?" is one of our most common questions, and the honest answer depends less on which looks best (they all look great) and more on how your nails behave and how you use your hands day to day.
Shellac (gel polish)
A gel-based polish cured under UV/LED light, applied over your natural nail. It gives a high-shine, chip-resistant finish that typically lasts 2-3 weeks. It's the lightest-feeling of the three options since there's no added structure over the nail — just colour and shine. Good if your natural nails are already in decent condition and you mainly want durable colour.
Gel nail paint
Similar application and cure process to shellac, sometimes used interchangeably as a term, though salons vary in exactly which product line they use. Ask us on the day if you want the specifics of what's in the bottle — the finish and wear time are comparable to shellac.
SNS (dip powder)
Nails are dipped into a coloured powder and sealed, rather than painted with polish. SNS tends to be more durable than shellac for people who are hard on their hands — think a lot of typing, dishwashing, or manual tasks — and often lasts closer to 3-4 weeks. It also adds a bit more strength over the natural nail, which can help if your nails are prone to bending or peeling.
The trade-off to know about
All three need proper removal — soaking off, not picking. Picking gel, shellac or SNS off yourself takes layers of your natural nail with it, which is where most of the "my nails were ruined by gel" stories actually come from. Book a soak-off removal rather than removing it at home, especially with SNS.
What we offer
- Shellac paint — $45, ~1 hour
- Gel nail paint — $45, ~1 hour
- SNS nails — $65, ~45 min
- Manicure — $55 · Pedicure — $65 · Nail file and clean — $35 (no polish, just shaping and tidy-up)
Which should you pick?
- Want low-commitment, glossy colour → shellac or gel
- Hard on your hands, want maximum durability → SNS
- Just want tidy, healthy-looking nails without colour → nail file and clean