Hello, longer-lasting manicure

With a job that includes hours of jabbing away at the keyboard, CND Shellac gel nails are a gift from above, while regular manicures last only hours before the polish smudges or chips and rushing to the salon for a quick fix isn’t uncommon. However, the one problem with the Shellac nails is that the removal results in the top layer of the nail peeling and looking lackluster.

So imagine my delight when I saw an e-mail about the Brisa Lite service with a smoothing gel that provides a glass-like surface for CND Shellac, perfecting the appearance of nails and extending wear. I immediately booked an appointment.

On the day, following a short presentation, a nail technician got to work. After first cleansing my natural nail, she applied the Brisa Lite removable base coat followed by the smoothing gel. Two layers of Shellac colour and top coat later — the manicure was done. Each application was followed by time under the UV lamp. During my manicure, the technician remarked on how strong my nails were several times.

My nails did not feel heavy and I could go on with everyday chores — from hunting for my keys in my oversized tote to doing the dishes to baking a cake — without worrying about chipping my polish.

The technician told me to soak cotton wool in nail polish remover and wrap it around my nail, followed by a piece of aluminium foil, and leave the alien heads for eight to ten minutes to remove the gel polish.

A week later I just did that. The nail polish peeled off effortlessly but so did the top of layer of my nail. A quick file, vitamin soak and buff later they were salvageable.

Will I get them done again?

Sure, during the busy December months or in summer when there is a slew of family weddings. On a regular basis, no. Removing the polish and seeing just how dry and unhealthy looking my nails were is enough to ring warning bells about the long run.

CND Brisa Lite service starts from Dh300 and is available at leading salons in the UAE. Call Momentum Beauty Products on 04-3343823 for further information.