Accept No Imitations – CND Cracks Down on Shellac Use at Salons

I don’t generally post press releases, but this one is important to me as a salon customer, and as a blogger who has had several conversations with other women about CND Shellac. It disheartens me how many women have said “it damaged my nails,” or that it’s “just like gel polish, right?” No. It’s not, and no, it shouldn’t damage your nails. Not if your salon is following the proper process for giving you a Shellac mani or pedi. Check out the info below, about how CND is going to ensure that when we go to a CND-certified salon, we are truly going to get the Shellac experience from start to finish.

CND Cracks Down to Ensure Quality Control
With Shellac Salon Certification Program

January 2012 – As Nail Professionals and consumers can attest, all nail services are NOT created equal! Factors include the skill and proper training of the Nail Professional and the quality of the products used. CND Shellac Power Polish™ is a one-of-a-kind product with easy, non-damaging removal that sets it apart from “me-too” products and gel manicures. When used as directed, it comes off quickly and easily without harming the natural nail – no filing is necessary for application or removal.
 
So what happens when consumers ask for a CND Shellac Power Polish service, but receive something completely different (although they may be told it’s CND Shellac)? CND hears stories continually about women who have unintentionally tried “gel-polish” and Shellac pretenders, and then ruined their nails trying to remove it. Salon clients across the U.S. will soon be assured that the CND Shellac services they receive have CND’s official seal of approval.
 
CND is cracking down on CND Shellac fraud by implementing a CND Shellac Salon Certification Program. This program deploys CND Education Ambassadors to visit salons across the country who registered on cnd.com as Shellac Salons. To be a certified CND Shellac Salon, a CND representative will visit the salon, provide training and review protocol (no mixing systems or filing on the nail…ever!). Salons that meet the criteria will be awarded CND’s seal of approval. Look for the “Certified” window cling in the entrance to the salon and icon on cnd.com’s Salon Locator.
 
“Our CND Shellac Salon Certification Program will ensure the ultimate experience for clients and will provide a great incentive to Nail Professionals to provide exemplary CND Shellac services,” says CND Co-Founder, Jan Arnold.
 
As an educated consumer, here are some pointers for making sure you receive the REAL CND Shellac:
 
1)    Look for the CND seal of approval on the window of your salon.
2)    Ask if the salon uses CND Shellac products.
3)    Watch the products that are being used during the service – if you do not see “CND Shellac” on the bottle, it’s not Shellac.
4)    During removal, do not allow soaking of nails in a bowl of acetone – request CND Shellac Remover Wraps or cotton and tin foil removal method.
 
The program is rolling out first in New York, California, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio and Chicago, and will expand across the US in 2012.

Amen. This is the number one reason I haven’t gotten a Shellac mani or pedi since I went to CosmoProf last summer – the salons around here have the Shellac polish, but they don’t use the entire system start to finish. I accepted an imitation once, and it damaged my nails! So I’m really glad to hear that CND is doing this.

Have you had a Shellac mani or pedi – a truly, start-to-finish Shellac experience? Share your thoughts below!