Harmony Gelish and CNG Shellac are two of the most well known hybrid soak-off nail polishes. How do they stack up? Keep reading to find out.
Cost
There are two ways to determine the cost. When applied at a nail salon, the cost is about the same. However, when purchased on your own, the cost is very different. Gelish costs drastically less than Shellac. So Gelish wins the cost battle.
Color Variation
Shellac and Gelish have a decent amount of color variations to choose from on the market. However, neither even comes close to the amount of colors that non-hybrid nail brands offer. This fact alone makes both losers of this battle.
Ease of application
Harmony Gelish requires more coats of polish and steps to complete a full manicure, but CND Shellac requires more UV drying time.
Winner: Tie
Durability
If applied correctly, both should last up to 14 days. However, word on the street is that Gelish has a better top coat than Shellac that lasts longer and is much shinier. This may be because Gelish is a gel polish and Shellac is a hybrid (gel/nail polish). Gels tend to be thicker and harder once dried.
Winner: Harmony Gelish
Ease of removal
Both brands should come off if applied correctly and removed within regulation, however because Harmony Gelish has an ultra durable top coat, it requires filing the nail slightly before soaking. This adds to removal time and the possibility that the nail tech could scratch your natural nails.
Winner: CND Shellac
Branding
CND has done a great job launching an advertising campaign, which may mean that clients will come in looking for a Shellac application. This will mean higher profit margins for nail techs. However, Harmony maintains that they have restricted their brand’s distribution channels to salons only in an effort to inhibit knockoffs and fakes from diluting their market. This means clients can trust that their product application is the real deal.
Winner: Tie
Overall Satisfaction
It really comes down to personal preference, honestly. Choosing Gelish over Shella is kind of like choosing between Coke or Pepsi, Mac or Apple, or Prince or Michael Jackson. It depends on your tastes, because there are valid pros and cons for both.
Want to find out more about nail polish, then visit our site on how to choose the best gel nail polish for your needs.
