So... Shellac

I recently had a birthday, for which I was treated to my first ever Shellac manicure.

I have been aware of the phenomenon that is the world of Shellac Nails but had always been a little wary of the idea of a polish being on your nails for so long. Weird eh? I just thought that something that sat on the nail for so long could be really damaging, despite what I was being told by reviews and nail techs etc...

I got mine done at Centre Parcs Aqua Sana Spa, by the fabulous Kylie, she is the Nail Specialist at the Whinfell Forest Centre Parcs and is by far the most amazing person I have ever met in the Salon and Beauty industry. She is really passionate and so welcoming - she even remembered me from the year before! Her customer service is second to none and you should deffo give her a visit if you're ever near there. Last year I was there for my birthday and she gave me a bottle of sparkling wine, and a card. Literally how many people ever go that extra mile anymore?

In the short of it, she greatly inspired me to continue with this blog and look at training in nails (more about that another time.)

So back to Shellac. I chose a metallic antique gold colour, which I thought would do for my birthday and would look nice everyday after for as long as it would last. Which is has - I didn't purchase any cuticle oil - which is suggested as it helps preserve the quality of the Shellac, instead I have been rubbing my Bio-Oil into my cuticles at night and that seems to be doing the job just fine.

I have had mine on now for two weeks, and they are still great - no chips no breakage of the nail and still looking as fresh as they did when I first got them done, and I've been doing other peoples manicures since using nail polish remover and other chemicals and they've been unaffected. So very impressed.

The only downside is that my nails grow really quickly so I have perhaps about as much as 1millimetre re-growth that is showing, but I have some ideas to use black polish and do a backwards french mani to help cover the re-growth so I can keep it on for a little longer.

You can remove your own Shellac by soaking your nails in nail polish remover and then gently scraping away the Shellac with a cuticle pusher. But as its my first time using Shellac I want to get it removed by a professional just so I can see it be done exactly, and will be able to then know exactly the technique to use - as I wouldn't want to go ahead and remove it myself to then do it incorrectly and ruin my nails!

I have attached some photos for you - one taken day of my manicure, and the second two weeks later so you can see how its lasted.

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Matte About Glitter

This is a fun look that I created to update an ageing mani that I had been wearing for a couple of days. This is a great way to brighten up a mani quickly if you don't quite have enough time, or patience to re-do a new nail look.

Simply using whatever paint you already have on your nails. Touch up any chips and apply a matte top coat to create a smooth matte surface for the glitter.

Taking your favourite glitter or simply a glitter in a colour palette that will accentuate your base colour, apply to ring finger and thumb all over. For an extra pop of fun, apply dots near your cuticles in either the same glitter or a different type as I did here, for an extra fun twist.

Nail Polish:

Barry M Nail Paint - Cappuccino
Essie - Matte About You
Maybelline Colour Show Brocades - Black

Party Prep!

Tis the season to be jolly, and with Christmas and New Years and all the impending parties right around the corner, now is a great time to be getting in that nail care. If you change your polish like I do frequently and for specific outfits it is important to make sure you take care of your hands and nails just as you would your health and body. So follow my quick and easy tips to healthy nails that will provide a strong base for those glitter, party fabulous nails!

1. 'In the BUFF' 

Buffing your nails keeps them smooth and shiny, it is pain free and you can pick up a buffing block from Body Care for £0.99, so you can file, smooth, buff and shine your nails. This is perfect for tired looking nails and for those who love french mani's, as buffing before you apply the french pink will help create a beautifully soft smooth look.

2.  'CUTIE-cles'

Your cuticles really shape the nail, if they are uneven or have over grown simply pop down to Superdrug and purchase 10 cuticle pushers for £0.99 jump in a lovely bubble bath, soak, relax and when your cuticles are nice and relaxed like you from the heat, simply gently push them back into a nice crescent shape. If you wish to go one step further in cuticle care, invest in some cuticle removal gel and some cuticle clippers and gently clip the excess cuticle from the nail. Clippers and Sally Hansen cuticle removal gel can both be bought in Superdrug, Boots and Body Care.

3. 'IRON't you pretty'

Having a healthy balanced diet is something we should all strive for anyway, but iron has been proved to help stimulate good hair and nail growth, so if you want some extra length make sure you have plenty of iron in your diet for strong hair and nails. Whether you find that source naturally through foods such as Salmon and red meats or through supplements, if you start now, you'll reap the benefits when it comes to that Christmas Party you've been planning.

4. 'Having the MOIST fun'

Moisturising your body and face is, I'm sure in your everyday skin care routine, but most of us forget the hard work our hands go through with daily chores. Washing up liquid can reek havoc on hands making them dry and allowing the skin to crack. Invest in a great hand cream to help your hands fend against the drying cold winds and the chores we deal with day to day, for better looking hands and nails. For one step further invest in some cuticle oil to keep nail beds soft and supple.

So enjoy this tips to healthier nails, and I hope you find it helpful!

Glitterati

Looking at all my glitter polishes I thought about what you could do. Diamonds came to mind so had a play with design.

Using glitter top coats, to cover colour or a polish with shimmer built in, or simply just using a glitter top coat like the Opal Top Coat from Avon as a polish.

Have fun playing with polish and colour.

Animal Print Eyes

Looking for something different for Halloween?

Try these really simple eyes.

Grab a gold shimmery eyeshadow and apply all over the lid and blending out over the brow and toward the hair line.

Then grab a liquid eye liner, or khol. And create half moon shapes.

Then place circles around to finish the Leopard print look.

Simple!

Art Deco - Greats Gatsby.

Inspired by Great Gatsby and Art Deco my sister asked me to paint her nails she found a fellow blogger (breadbutterchampagne.blogspot.ca) who had done an Art Deco take on a french mani. Having found this image asked me to replicate the design.

Nail Polishes:
Revlon Gold Coin 146
Essie Muchi Muchi
Generic black nail art pen.

Glitter Ball

Feeling in the party mood? This indigo and sparkle nails are perfect pick me up nails to get you in the mood for a party! Super easy to do and for more glitter just apply more coats.

Nail polish:
Barry M - Indigo £2.99
Barry M - Pink Sapphire Glitter £2.99

Bought in the Superdrug 3 for 2 on Barry M Nail Paint.