Like many products in our lives, Shellac is actually a name brand for gel polish.  The term “shellac” is widely used in salons to describe gel polish, so when you request a shellac manicure, you will receive a manicure with a gel polish application.  Gel polish is a hybrid polish that is formulated with nail lacquer and hard gel.  The balance of lacquer to gel varies by brand but the end result is essentially the same.  This hybrid polish allows for a longer lasting manicure with less chipping and adds some strength and durability to your nails.  Because of the hard gel component in the polish it requires a UV or LED light to cure it.  Although gel polish has a hard gel in it, it cannot be used to lengthen your nails like hard gel or acrylic can.

A question that many people ask is whether shellac polish ruins your natural nails.  When proper application and removal techniques are performed there should not be any concern about damage.  In a majority of cases, it is either the over preparation of the nail or the removal technique of the gel polish that is actually causing the damage.  If you have thin nails to begin with and your technician files too much off when prepping the nail, then your nails will be a bit thinner.  If you chip the polish and decide to pick a bit off, then before you know it, you’ve peeled all the polish off that nail…you will have damage.  The reason for this is that gel polish is formulated to strongly adhere to the natural nail so you can have that lasting manicure.  When you peel off gel polish, or artificial nail enhancements, you will invariably pull off a layer or more of your nail with it, thus causing damage to your natural nail.  If you do break or chip a nail and you’re unable to make it to your nail technician to remove the polish from your nail, there are many DIY shellac removal tutorials on YouTube to help you through the process with items and products most people would have on hand at home

Choosing to get gel polish does not limit your color choices.  Many gel polish lines have a large variety to choose from; your basic primary colors to pastels to the oh-so-fabulous glitter!

Is gel polish right for you? If you would like a manicure that lasts two to four weeks, then you may be ready to upgrade to gel polish.  If you don’t have the time to go to the salon every week or to wait for nail polish to dry, you can have the salon come to you. A great nail salon in Calgary will be able to service you in their spa, and they will have a mobile nail service will come to your home or place of work. Or you may want to consider a gel polish manicure.  As gel polish is cured rather than air dried like traditional nail polish, you will be dry and ready to get on with your day immediately after your appointment.  Perhaps you are prone to breaking your nails but are not ready for artificial nails, then gel polish could be the right choice for you.  The most difficult choice you will encounter with gel polish is trying to pick a color!

A spa pedicure is definitely one of the most enjoyable spa treatments to receive. Your feet go through the most abuse in your day to day routine, as you rush from one activity to the next, and are often the most neglected.A professional pedicure can do more than just make your feet look pretty, it can rejuvenate, unstress and relieve pain from ingrown toenails or calluses build up.

While there are no exact guidelines as to how often you should get one, our spa in Calgary recommends this for our local weather: The average healthy individual with no medical issues who likes having smooth pretty feet only needs a professional pedicure every four to eight weeks.  Your lifestyle can come into play when determining how often to get a pedicure.  If you are a very active individual, calluses will build up more quickly than the average person and so it’s a good idea to go in more often.  Excessive pressure or rubbing from ill-fitting shoes can also form calluses and corns.  Early detection and care from regular visits with your nail technician can catch these in the early stages to prevent pain and discomfort.

Seniors and people with diabetes should see a technician who specializes in diabetic foot care on a monthly basis.  As we advance in age, it gets harder to take care of our own feet due to mobility issue or the inability to cut our own nails due to thickening.  Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a condition that prevents a diabetic from feeling if they have a cut, a sore or a fungal infection on their feet so regular visits with a certified technician can identify issues that may need medical attention before it becomes serious.

Every spa in Calgary knows that as summer nears our clients tend to focus more on rejuvenating the skin on their feet and adding a bright splash of color to show off in their favorite pair of sandals.  A visit every three to four weeks will ensure your feet always look amazing.  When winter comes knocking the focus tends to veer to dry skin care and cracked heel prevention.  Monthly visits to exfoliate skin build up paired with a luxurious paraffin treatment will help keep cracks at bay.  Paraffin treatments are absolutely heavenly and we guarantee you will love them!