Exploring the Nail World: SHELLAC vs. Vinylux

If your polish is separating, thickening or just not applying how it used to, you’re not imagining it. Pigment naturally settles over time and shaking only does so much.

That’s where imix® comes in. A hands-free mixing device designed to give you smooth, consistent colour in minutes.

Here’s everything you need to know before you start using it.

How do I set up imix®?

Getting started is simple. Plug in your imix using the USB cable, place your polish bottle on the base and press the function button. You can adjust settings like timer and light mode depending on how you like to work.

Can I turn off the lights?

Yes. If you’re working in a calmer environment or just don’t want the lights on, press and hold the function button for a couple of seconds while adjusting the settings to switch them off completely.

Is imix® really hands-free?

Yes! Once your bottle is in place, imix does the mixing for you. No shaking, no effort, no stopping mid-service to remix.

How do I use the miXer?

Drop the miXer into your polish bottle, replace the brush, then place the bottle onto the imix base. The magnetic technology will blend the formula evenly, giving you a true, consistent colour.

Do I leave the miXer inside the bottle?

It depends on your formula:

• Magnetic/gel formulas: remove the miXer after mixing

• Non-magnetic formulas: you can leave it in, just tilt it to the side so it doesn’t interfere with the brush

Once your bottle is empty, remove the miXer, clean it, and reuse it.

How do I clean the miXers?

Use the miXtractor to remove the miXer from the bottle, then drop it into a small amount of acetone to clean. They’re designed to be reused again and again.

What if the ball bearings come out with the miXer?

This can happen and it’s completely normal. Just remove the ball bearings from the miXer and place them back into your polish bottle.

How long does imix® take to mix?

The standard mixing time is 5 minutes, but you can adjust this depending on how thick your product is or how long it’s been sitting.

How long will my polish stay mixed?

Your polish should stay evenly mixed as long as it’s used regularly. If it’s been left for a while, just run it through imix again or give it a quick shake.

Can I use imix® for base and top coats?

No need. Base and top coats don’t contain pigment, so they won’t separate in the same way colours do.

Why did my imix® flash white?

If imix flashes white, it’s detected a thicker formula. It will automatically start a full mixing cycle to properly blend the product. You can always run another cycle if needed.

Why use imix® instead of shaking?

Shaking might mix your polish but not evenly. imix gives you a more consistent blend, which means smoother application and truer colour payoff.

It also cuts down on repetitive wrist movement, which is a win if you’re doing nails regularly.

Does imix® come with a plug?

imix comes with a USB cable, so you can plug it into a laptop or a standard USB adaptor.

If you’re dealing with uneven colour, thick formulas or constant shaking between sets, imix® is one of those tools that just makes sense. Less effort, better results, and way more consistency.

Related products:

• IMIX POLISH MIXER
  

• imix magnetic miXer 20 pack
  

• miXtractor
  

(Perfect to use together for the full setup)

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, is a vibrant global festival that transforms the world into a sea of green. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Tuesday, though festivities like London's famous parade will kick off early on Sunday, March 15th. 

The History Behind the Green

While many associate the holiday with leprechauns and rainbows, it originally began over 1,000 years ago as a religious observance in Ireland to honor the death of Saint Patrick. St. Patrick was not actually Irish; he was born in Roman Britain and brought to Ireland as a missionary in the 5th century. 

The iconic shamrock became a symbol of the day because legend says St. Patrick used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity. While St. Patrick was originally associated with the color blue, green rose to prominence in the 18th century as a symbol of Irish nationalism. 

Go Green!  

To celebrate in style, why not let your nails bring the color? CND™ Vinylux™ offers the perfect garden-inspired shade for the occasion: Olive Grove. This lively green taps straight into the botanical trend and pairs beautifully with crisp whites or denim. 

As the days get longer and your wardrobe shifts into lighter layers and softer tones, it’s officially time to refresh your nail shade rotation. Spring is all about colour that feels fresh, playful and mood-lifting. CND™ VINYLUX® delivers the perfect spring shades to complement your brighter fits and glowing energy.

Here’s your guide to the perfect shades to brighten your spring:

Blush Teddy – The ultimate clean-girl shade that pairs great with light denim. Effortless, polished, and timeless.

Cake Pop – A creamy pastel pink that feels sweet but still chic. Perfect with flowy dresses, baby tees or anything in soft whites and blush tones. 

Gummi – A playful pop of bright purple that instantly lifts your whole look. Pair it with denim, graphic tees or colour-block outfits when you want your nails to do the talking.

Live Love Lavender – A soft lavender crème with hints of pink. It works beautifully with greys, whites, or matching lilac pieces for a coordinated pastel moment.

Chance Taker – The go-to shade of blue for brunch fits, bold prints and sunshine-ready outfits. 

Fantasy Realm – A dreamy blue shimmer with an ethereal glow. Perfect layered with delicate fabrics, satin finishes or soft blue tones when you want something light but subtle.

Apribot – A warm apricot-orange that feels fresh and modern. Ideal with gold jewellery and sun kissed makeup for that effortless spring glow.

Magical Topiary – A lively, garden-inspired green that taps straight into the botanical trend. Pair with crisp whites, denim or earthy tones..

Tip: For a long-lasting, high-shine manicure, apply two thin coats of your chosen VINYLUX® shade, followed by a Top Coat. Each formula is infused with Vitamin E, Keratin and Jojoba Oil to help support healthy-looking nails all season long.

This spring, let your nails bring the colour. Whether you’re heading to a weekend brunch, updating your everyday office look or planning your next content shoot, CND™ VINYLUX® has the perfect shade to match your mood.

Explore the full collection at LoveCND.com.

Cuticle oil is the one nail care step that makes a measurable difference to how long your manicure lasts and how healthy your nails look between applications. If you do your nails at home, daily cuticle oil use is the single most effective thing you can do outside of the manicure itself.

What cuticle oil actually does

Cuticle oil deeply hydrates the skin around the nail and the nail plate itself, preventing dryness, cracking and hangnails. Regular massage application boosts circulation at the nail base, which supports healthier nail growth and helps strengthen nails from the root. The practical result: less snapping, less peeling and longer-lasting nail colour.

Most cuticle oils are built around lightweight natural oils. Jojoba oil absorbs quickly because it closely mimics the skin's own natural oils, conditioning without greasiness. Almond oil softens and smooths the surrounding skin while helping protect against breakage. Used consistently, cuticle oil keeps nails flexible, resilient and far less prone to damage.

How to apply cuticle oil

Apply a small drop to the base of each nail, directly onto the cuticle. Massage gently until fully absorbed. Daily use is ideal, and the following moments make the most difference:

After a manicure: once your nail varnish is touch-dry, cuticle oil keeps the nail flexible and helps protect the colour from lifting at the edges.

Between manicures: daily use maintains hydration and nail health in the days between applications.

After nail varnish remover: acetone strips natural oils from the nail and surrounding skin. Cuticle oil replaces what's lost and prevents post-removal dryness.

After washing hands: hand washing dries the cuticle area quickly. If you have dry skin, apply every time you wash.

Which CND cuticle oil is right for you

CND makes two cuticle oils, each suited to a different moment in your nail care routine.

CND SolarOil is the deeper conditioning treatment, blending jojoba and sweet almond oils for intensive hydration. It is the recommended daily nail and cuticle treatment for anyone wearing CND Vinylux, applied after the manicure and between applications to maintain flexibility and extend wear time. Available in the standard 15ml bottle and a pocket-sized pinkie pen for on-the-go use.

CND LightningOil is designed for speed. Powered by fast-absorption technology, it delivers instant hydration without any greasy residue, making it ideal for daytime use and quick touch-ups when you don't have time to wait. Lightweight natural oils condition nails and cuticles, scented with uplifting yuzu and ginger. Dermatologist-tested, vegan and suitable for all skin types including oily skin. It pairs naturally alongside SolarOil as part of a complete nail care routine.

CND SolarOil
CND LightningOil

Building a simple nail care routine at home

A consistent home nail care routine doesn't need to be complicated. Apply CND Vinylux colour and top coat as your weekly manicure. Use CND SolarOil daily on the cuticle and nail area to maintain hydration and protect the colour. Reach for CND LightningOil for a quick midday or post-handwash application when you need fast absorption without the wait. Remove and reapply every one to two weeks using a gentle acetone remover, following up immediately with cuticle oil to rehydrate.

Browse the full CND nail care and aftercare range.

Every year, Pantone selects a shade that captures the global mood, and for 2026, it's all about finding peace, reflection, and clarity. Introducing PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer—an airy, billowy white that feels less like a colour and more like a gentle, much-needed pause.

Described as a "lofty white" and a "whisper of calm," Cloud Dancer encourages us to step back from the overstimulation of the modern world and embrace a fresh start. It's the ultimate blank canvas, allowing your creativity to soar and your focus to return.

Our Colour of the Year Shades: The Cloud Collection

Discover the full spectrum of calm and clarity with the shades in the CND™ Cloud Bundle:

Cream Puff - The ultimate, flawless, true white. Crisp and bright, like a sunlit cloud.

Lady Lily - A soft, warm off-white with a creamy undertone.

Winter Warrior - A cool, steely white with subtle grey notes. Balanced and structural.

Studio White - A high-opacity, pure white with a modern, clean finish.

Night Brilliance - A white with a subtle shimmer.

White Wedding - A soft, classic milky white with a sheer.

All Frothed Up - A lively, creamy white with warm, vanilla undertones.

Nail the Trend: How to Replicate Cloud Dancer

Cloud Dancer is an inherently versatile hue, and the CND™ Cloud Bundle gives you endless ways to embrace it:

1. Choose one of the warmer shades like Lady Lily for a full, uniform manicure that speaks volumes through its simplicity.

2. Create a custom "Cloud" look by layering a sheer shade over a full-coverage shade like Cream Puff for incredible depth.

3. Use Winter Warrior as the perfect base for other soft, pastel colors (Pantone suggests pastels complement Cloud Dancer beautifully!).

4. Use an all-over top coat to give your 'cloud' a celestial glow.

Click here to shop the exclusive CND™ Cloud Bundle and start your nail reset for 2026!

If you’re hunting for the perfect summer manicure, look no further than ‘butter nails’ – the 2025 nail trend that’s taking the beauty world by storm. Imagine soft, creamy yellow shades reminiscent of the first light of day or a dollop of rich butter melting on warm toast. Sound dreamy? It absolutely is. Butter nails are here to brighten up your summer and give you a Look-At-Me manicure that’s both subtle and striking.

The Shades You Need for Butter Yellow Glam

Here are our top picks for this sunny trend:

• Jellied - A sweet, translucent hue with a subtle golden tint that’s effortlessly chic and pairs beautifully with any outfit.
• Smile Maker - A soft, sunny yellow that radiates warmth and positivity, perfect for sunny days ahead.
• Exquisite - This creamy, luxe shade adds a touch of elegance to the butter yellow trend, elevating any look.
• Vagabond - A neutral yellow-beige that balances softness with sophistication, making it ideal for everyday wear.

Yellow nails aren’t new, but 2025’s take on the colour trend has a softer, creamier finish that's less bold and more wearable. Unlike bright yellows that can feel overpowering, butter yellow is delicate, understated and oh-so-versatile. It’s perfect for every summer mood – from sunlit beach days to twilight barbeques. Plus, it’s absolutely Instagram-worthy (your followers will be obsessed!).

Pair each Vinylux shade with the game-changing CND™ Vinylux™ Top Coat to lock in shine and deliver week-long wear, so you can enjoy flawless nails without constant touch-ups.

Once you’re rocking this trend, it’s time to show it off. Butter yellow nails pair beautifully with soft, summer neutrals like whites, tans and light denim. Or lean into the season with bold floral prints to make your nails pop even more!