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Beauty guide

Shellac vs gel
vs acrylic.

Three nail types, three very different results. Here's how long each one lasts, what it costs in London, and which suits your nails — written with the technicians on FleckUP.

The short answer

Choose Shellac for a thin, natural-looking manicure that lasts about two weeks. Choose gel when your nails chip quickly and you want three weeks of wear with a bit of extra strength. Choose acrylic when you want real length or need to rebuild damaged nails — accepting that it needs infills and careful removal.

Shellac, gel and acrylic manicures compared
TypeLastsAppointmentTypical priceRemoval
Shellac10–14 days45–60 minutes£25–£40 in LondonSoaked off in acetone, 10–15 minutes
Gel2–3 weeks60–75 minutes£30–£55 in LondonFiled then soaked, 20–25 minutes
Acrylic3–4 weeks, with infills every 2–3 weeks75–120 minutes£35–£70 in LondonFull acetone soak, 30 minutes plus

Shellac nails

A hybrid polish cured under UV — the gentlest long-wear option.

Pros

  • Chip-free shine with almost no thickness on the nail
  • Quickest appointment of the three
  • Soaks off cleanly with minimal filing

Cons

  • Shortest wear time of the three
  • Can't add length or rebuild a broken nail
  • Repeated soaking can dry the nail plate

Best for: Natural nails in decent shape, a two-week holiday, or a first long-wear manicure.

Gel nails

A thicker cured gel that adds a little strength and can extend length.

Pros

  • Longer wear than Shellac with a glassy finish
  • Adds strength to weak or peeling nails
  • Builder gel can add modest length

Cons

  • Removal takes longer and needs filing
  • Picking it off will take nail layers with it
  • Usually pricier than Shellac

Best for: Nails that chip easily, or anyone who wants three weeks between appointments.

Acrylic nails

A liquid-and-powder sculpt that builds real length and strength.

Pros

  • Strongest option — genuine length and shape
  • Repairs and rebuilds broken nails
  • Holds up to hands-on work and nail art

Cons

  • Most damaging if removed badly or grown out too long
  • Needs regular infills to stay safe and neat
  • Longest appointment and highest cost

Best for: Long nails, special occasions, or nail biters who want a reset.

How to keep any manicure healthy

  • Never peel or pick — that's what removes layers of the natural nail, not the product itself.
  • Book removal with a technician, or soak properly rather than filing it away at home.
  • Oil your cuticles daily; cured products dry the nail plate over time.
  • Give your nails a bare week every few months, especially between acrylic sets.
  • Keep acrylic infills on schedule — grown-out lifting is where breaks and infections start.

Manicure questions, answered

Which lasts the longest — Shellac, gel or acrylic?
Acrylic lasts longest at three to four weeks with infills, gel typically holds two to three weeks, and Shellac gives around ten to fourteen days.
Which manicure is least damaging to natural nails?
Shellac is generally the gentlest because it's thin and soaks off with little filing. Any of the three is safe when a trained technician removes it properly — damage almost always comes from picking or peeling it off.
Is Shellac the same as gel?
No. Shellac is a brand of hybrid polish-gel that's thinner and shorter-wearing. Gel is a thicker cured product that adds strength and can build a little length.
How much does a manicure cost in London?
Expect roughly £25–£40 for Shellac, £30–£55 for gel and £35–£70 for a full set of acrylics, depending on the area, nail art and whether it's a mobile appointment.
Can I get a manicure at home?
Yes — FleckUP nail technicians travel to you across London and bring everything needed, including a UV lamp and safe removal kit.

Book a nail technician in London

Verified beauty professionals come to your home — Shellac, gel or a full acrylic set.

Book a beauty appointmentSee how FleckUP works