CND Systems Explained: Shellac Base and Top Coats, Vinylux, Plexigel and Brisa
By Edmond Lin, M1 Nail & Beauty Supply, Markham, Ontario. Last updated 8 October 2026. Product claims are taken from CND's own product pages.
CND makes five nail systems, and they are not interchangeable. Shellac is a soak-off gel polish cured in a lamp. Vinylux is an air-dry polish with no base coat and no lamp. Plexigel is a brush-on builder gel, Brisa is a sculpting gel in a jar, and Retention+ with Perfect Color powder is the acrylic system.
In this guide
CND systems at a glance
| System | What it is | Lamp | Wear, per CND | Removal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shellac | Soak-off gel polish: base, colour, top | Yes | 14+ days; up to 21 days with Epic Smoothing Base | Soaks off, no filing |
| Vinylux | Long wear polish: colour, then top coat | No | CND gives no day count on the product page | Like regular polish |
| Plexigel | Brush-on gel enhancement in a bottle | Yes | 3+ weeks | Not stated by CND |
| Brisa | Sculpting gel in a jar, for forms and overlays | Yes (UV-cured) | Not stated by CND | Not stated by CND |
| Retention+ and Perfect Color | Liquid and powder (acrylic) | No | Not stated by CND | Offly Fast removes liquid and powder enhancements |
Which CND Shellac base coat should I use?
Use Shellac Base Coat on normal nails, and Epic Smoothing Base when you want the longest wear or a smoother surface. CND describes the original Base Coat as the adhesion layer for normal nail types, good for 14+ days. Epic Smoothing Base is a 2-in-1 base and smoothing layer that extends Shellac wear up to 21 days.
| Base coat | Best for | Wear, per CND |
|---|---|---|
| Shellac Base Coat | Normal nail types | 14+ days |
| Epic Smoothing Base | Priming and smoothing in one layer | Up to 21 days |
| Wear Extender Base Coat | Ridged nails (from our product page) | Up to three weeks (from our product page) |
Which CND Shellac top coat should I use?
Match the top coat to the nail and to how fast you need the removal. Original is the standard gloss for normal to weak nails. Duraforce is for weak, brittle nails. Xpress5 removes in five minutes. No-Wipe leaves no top film, which suits chrome and nail art.
| Top coat | Nail type or use | Wear, per CND | Removal time, per CND |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original | Normal to weak | Up to 21 days with Epic Smoothing Base | 8 minutes, no filing |
| Duraforce | Weak, brittle | Up to 21 days | Not stated |
| Xpress5 | Normal | 14+ days | 5 minutes |
| No-Wipe | Chrome, nail art and embellishments | Up to 3 weeks | Not stated |
| Matte | Matte finish (from our product page) | Not stated | Not stated |
How is Vinylux different from Shellac?
Vinylux is a polish, not a gel. It air-dries, needs no lamp and needs no base coat, because CND makes the colour “base and color coat in one step”. The system is two bottles: a Vinylux colour and a Vinylux top coat. CND states the Long Wear Top Coat is fully dry in 8½ minutes. The Gel-Like Effect Top Coat gives a plumper, gel-like shine and still removes like regular polish.
Many shades exist in both systems under the same name, so a client can wear Shellac on the hands and the matching Vinylux on the toes. Shades M1 stocks in both: Romantique, Wildfire, Black Pool, Cake Pop, Bouquet and Wooded Bliss.
What is the order of the CND Plexigel system?
- Plexigel Bonder: the bonding layer that anchors the gel to the natural nail.
- Plexigel Shaper for strength, shape and a short free edge, or Plexigel Builder for medium to long enhancements over a tip or form. Color Builder comes in skin-tone shades such as Barre Beauty.
- Plexigel Protector Top Coat: the clear, high-gloss final layer.
CND notes that Shaper also boosts the wear of Shellac gel polish applied over it.
Browse the category: Nail Colour. More guides on this topic: Gel Polish & Builder Gel.
CND questions
Does CND Vinylux need a base coat?
No. CND describes Vinylux as base and colour coat in one step. Apply the colour to a clean nail and finish with a Vinylux top coat.
Does CND Vinylux need a UV or LED lamp?
No. Vinylux air-dries. CND states the Long Wear Top Coat is fully dry in 8½ minutes.
How long does CND Shellac take to remove?
CND gives five minutes for the Xpress5 Top Coat and eight minutes for the Original Top Coat, with no filing. Removal uses Offly Fast and Foil Remover Wraps. For which remover to use on each nail type, see our guide: 100% Acetone vs Nail Polish Remover: Which One to Use and How.
Which lamp cures CND Shellac?
CND designs the CND LED Lamp and the Visible Light Lamp to cure all CND light-curable systems at the recommended exposure times.
Is CND NailPrime acid-free?
Yes. CND describes NailPrime as an acid-free bonding agent for liquid and powder enhancements.
Which CND acrylic liquid is best for clients who lift?
CND makes Retention+ Sculpting Liquid for lift-prone clients. Odorless Sculpting Liquid is the low-odour option.
Every CND product M1 has in stock, from Shellac and Vinylux to Retention+ and lamps.
Shop CNDWear times, nail types and removal times are CND's own, taken from cnd.com in October 2026. Where CND does not state a figure, the table says so. Two rows use our own product pages because CND no longer lists those products.
