What is a substitute for shellac?

Can I put regular nail polish over my shellac?

• I recently got shellac on my nails for the first time and love it. But, I was wondering if I can paint designs using regular nail polish over the shellac. Will this mess up the shellac? Will it damage my nails? When I use nail polish remover to take off the polish, will that mess up the shellac? I think it would be really cool to be able to paint my own designs on my nails and get to change it like every few days without having to re-paint my entire nail. I'm really hoping somebody out there can answer my questions. Thanks!

• Answer:

  i get shellac and i love it! it's seriously turning into an addiction. i think painting your own designs over the shellac would kind of defeat the purpose... even if you lance it with nail polish remover it's not going to be shiny anymore and that will stink. next time you get them done, just ask the nail tech to do a design or do the design yourself before she puts the top coat on. just tip her extra for the latter :)