Shellac — twice the wear of polish, half the price of dip.
Shellac is brush-on gel polish — pure, saturated colour cured under an LED lamp to a glassy mirror finish. Two to four weeks of even, chip-free wear, no filing or drilling at removal, and the fastest appointment on the menu.
Inside Burwood One Shopping Centre · Easy from Burwood East, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Box Hill and the wider Melbourne east.
Two-to-four-week wear
Multiple times the chip-free life of regular polish, cured under our LED lamp at every layer for an even, lasting bond.
Glassy gloss
A mirror finish that doesn't dull. Shellac stays shiny from the chair to the soak-off — no top-up needed mid-wear.
Soak-off, no damage
A 10-minute soak in acetone wraps and the colour slides off. No drilling, no aggressive filing — one of the gentlest gel systems.
Trusted by clients across Melbourne's east.
Over 1,012 reviews across Google, Fresha & Facebook.
“Shellac for me lasts the full two weeks even with dishes and cleaning. Always perfectly shaped and the colour is gorgeous — I never go back to regular polish anymore.”
“Adiva is my go-to for Shellac. Quick, friendly, beautifully done every time. The mani-pedi combo is incredible value for what you get.”
“First Shellac I've had that didn't peel after a week. Already booked my next appointment before I left.”
Shellac — brush-on gel polish.
The original LED-cured colour system, by CND.
Shellac is a brand of brush-on gel polish from CND (Creative Nail Design) — the first system to bring LED-cured colour to high-street salons. Each layer is brushed on like regular polish, then cured under our LED lamp before the next coat. The result is a glossy, chip-resistant finish that lasts 2–4 weeks.
Unlike SNS or builder gel, Shellac doesn't add structural strength — it's pure colour. Unlike acrylic or Gel X, it doesn't add length. Shellac is the right choice if your nails are already healthy and you simply want long-wearing, beautiful colour without the cost or commitment of an overlay system.
“ Pure colour, brushed on — and gone in a ten-minute soak.
Or call 03 8838 8836 to chat about which system suits you.
Shellac, regular polish & SNS — three colour systems.
If you're choosing between options for everyday colour, this is the honest comparison.
| Feature | Shellac | Regular polish | SNS |
|---|---|---|---|
| System | Brush-on gel polish | Air-dry lacquer | Powder dip overlay |
| UV / LED light | Yes — LED cured | None | None |
| Typical wear | 2–4 weeks | ~1 week | 3–5 weeks |
| Strength added? | No — colour only | No — colour only | Yes — strengthens nail |
| Finish | Glossy mirror | Matte to soft gloss | Glossy, slightly textural |
| Removal | ~10 min soak-off | 30 sec wipe-off | ~10 min soak-off |
| Appointment | ~30 min | ~15 min | ~45 min |
| From | $35 | $15 | $50 |
Not sure which suits you? Call 03 8838 8836 or ask in store — a quick chat is usually the fastest way to decide.
Shellac is a great fit if…
- Regular polish chips by day three — Shellac gives you 2–4 weeks instead of two days
- You want long-lasting colour — without the price or commitment of dip
- You're travelling or on holiday — chip-free for the trip, no top-ups needed
- You love variety — over 400 in-store shades to choose from
- You want a fast appointment — around 30 minutes in the chair
- Your nails are healthy — you don't need length or structural reinforcement
Want strengthening too? SNS and builder gel add structural reinforcement to the colour finish.
How Shellac is applied at Adiva
A quick five-step ritual — about 30 minutes for cut, shape and colour.
- 01
Nail prep
Cuticles tidied, the nail surface gently buffed, and cleansed with a dehydrator so the gel bonds cleanly.
- 02
Base coat
A thin Shellac base coat is brushed on and cured under our LED lamp — the foundation that locks the colour to the nail.
- 03
Two coats of colour
Two thin coats of your chosen Shellac shade, each cured under the lamp before the next layer.
- 04
Top coat
A glossy Shellac top coat brushed on and cured for the final mirror gloss — or matte top if you prefer.
- 05
Wipe & finish
The cured top coat's inhibition layer is wiped off with cleanser, then warm cuticle oil is massaged in to finish.
Where Shellac sits on the chip-free scale.
Five colour and overlay systems, ranked by typical chip-free wear at the chair.
Shellac lasts 2–4 weeks — multiple times the wear of regular polish, at the entry-level price of any gel system on the menu.
Shellac sets from our chair.
Live from Instagram — recent Shellac sets, French, ombre and chrome finishes from the salon.
Shellac pricing
Clean, quick, and the most affordable gel system on the menu.
- Cut, Shape & Shellac (Fingers) — quick file & polish, 30 min $35
- Manicure & Shellac (Fingers) — soak, cuticles, polish, 35 min $45
- Manicure & Shellac — Remove & Redo — full refresh, 45 min $50
- Cut, Shape & Shellac (Toes) — quick file & polish, 30 min $40
- Spa Pedicure with Shellac — soak, scrub, polish, 45 min $55
- Manicure & Spa Pedicure with Shellac — combo, 1 hr 15 min $100
- French on Shellac (add-on) — classic white or colour French from $15
- Soak Off Shellac — to redo — 10 min, when rebooking same visit $5
- Remove Shellac (full) — soak-off, 15 min $15
Prices shown are indicative starting points and may vary by length, design, or add-ons. For the latest pricing, see the live menu on Fresha or ask in store. Call 03 8838 8836 for a quote on custom or intricate art.
To get the most from your set
Cuticle oil daily
Keeps the gel flexible and the natural nail bed soft underneath. Brittle cuticles are where chips and lifting start.
Gloves for cleaning
Acetone, bleach and harsh detergents will dull and soften any gel polish over time.
Don't pick or peel
If a corner lifts, book a quick fix rather than pulling — picking lifts the surface of the natural nail.
Mind hot water
Long hot showers and saunas can soften the gel. Warm is fine; consistently hot is the enemy.
Soak-off by 4 weeks
Two to four weeks is the typical wear window. Going much longer increases the risk of lifting at the regrowth area, where damage starts.
Questions, answered
When applied and removed correctly, Shellac is one of the gentlest gel polish systems available. The brush-on application doesn't require buffing the nail surface aggressively, and a proper soak-off in acetone wraps leaves the natural nail intact. The most common cause of damage is picking or peeling — always come back for a soak-off rather than removing it yourself.
Regular polish air-dries on the nail and chips within days. Shellac is brush-on but cured under an LED lamp — the result is a glossy, chip-resistant finish that lasts 2–4 weeks. Same colour vibrancy, multiple times the wear of regular polish.
Shellac is brush-on gel polish — pure colour with no structural strength, lasting 2–4 weeks. SNS is a powder dip that sits thicker and reinforces the natural nail, typically 3–5 weeks. Shellac is faster, cheaper, and lighter; SNS lasts longer and adds strength. Shellac is the right choice if you mainly want long-wearing colour, not structural overlay.
Shellac is a brand of gel polish, made by CND (Creative Nail Design). It was the first widely-adopted brush-on gel polish system. Other gel polishes (OPI Gel, Gelish, etc.) work the same way — applied with a brush, cured under LED. We use Shellac as the term because it's the most recognised.
No — Shellac is a colour overlay only. For added length, see acrylic, Gel X tips, or builder gel extensions. Shellac can still be applied as the colour finish over any of these.
Around 2–4 weeks of even, glossy colour. Two weeks is a comfortable minimum for most clients; with careful aftercare some stretch to three or four weeks. Clients who are particularly hard on their hands may come back earlier, around ten days. We recommend a refresh by 4 weeks at the latest, before the regrowth area becomes obvious.
A 10-15 minute soak in acetone-soaked cotton wraps softens the gel enough that it slides off with a gentle nudge. No drilling, no aggressive filing, no prying. We charge $15 for a removal-only appointment, or $5 if you're rebooking Shellac in the same visit.
Absolutely. French (white or colour) is from $15. Chrome, ombre, and freehand designs all sit beautifully on a Shellac base — the smooth surface is one of the best canvases for art. Intricate designs are quoted on the day.
Book your Shellac appointment in Burwood East.
- Address
- Shop G41, 172–210 Burwood Highway
Burwood East, VIC 3151 - Phone
- 03 8838 8836
- hello@adivabeauty.com.au
- Hours
-
Mon–Fri · 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday · 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday · 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Easy from Burwood, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Vermont, Forest Hill, Ashwood, Blackburn & Doncaster East.