Wedding Wednesday- strong nails

Natural nails are more popular than ever with the addition of gel color for lasting shine and additional strength. 

Post acrylic or winter weather can wreck havoc in the natural nails. Nail Envy comes in 6 formulas and now also 4 neutral colours. OPI has developed a different formula to meet clients individual needs. The sensitive peeling polish is formaldehyde free and protects the nails with antioxidant vitamin E and emollient-rich kukui nut oil. It also contains aloe vera to soothe and hydrate damaged nails. 

For optimum nail health combine Nail Envy with AvoPlex cuticle oil. AvoPlex is a nourishing nail & cuticle oil made with avocado oil that is 5000x more nourishing than vitamin E! It also contains vitamins and phospholipids to help rebuild the skin. 

Apply Nail Envy every other day and massage AvoPlex cuticle oil into nails & cuticles twice daily. Once a week remove,  file nails to ensure a smooth edge, and repeat for up to six months. Then, change Nail Envy for Nail Maintenance. 

Valentines Day!

Fifty Shades of Grey the movie is launched today! OPI's launched its version of 50 Shades of Grey in January. 

Mixing up the grey with Shine for Me on top of Russian Navy for my date night with the hubby tonight & Mr Grey tomorrow! 

What's your favourite combination? 

Treatment Thursday- gel nails

The difference between a gel finish and a natural polish on nails is the durability and length of wear. There are many types of gel polish in the market now, and having used several different brands my favourites are Shellac by Creative and Gel Color by OPI. These ranges offer a great range if colours and the application is quick with an instant dry finish.  They also don't damage the natural nail because they are applied directly onto the nail without any abrasive buffing.  

OPI classic colour- Lincoln Park After Dark 

The New 2014 Fall Nordic Collection 

My Dogsled is a Hybrid

Removal and aftercare are important for natural nail health. Make sure you have your gel nails professionally removed instead of peeling them off as this removes a layer of the nail.  Cuticle oil helps to keep the nail and cuticles moisturised.  Wearing gloves whilst cleaning, doing dishes, or dealing with any type of chemicals, paint or detergent will prolong the wear of the gel and also protect your hands. Maintain that salon finish longer by having a gel manicure. 

Treatment Thursday- Gel Nails

There are many different brands and types of gel nails. Having been in indistry for over 10 years I've been able to watch this treatment develop from gel in a pot applied with a brush, a treatment which used to take about 2 hours to what now takes only 30 minutes and is applied like a polish! 

I now use OPI gel color and am also trained in their Axxium (gel and a mini paint brush) and Shellac. I have worked with Jessica, Creative and OPI on a professional basis and my preference is OPI because of their colours and the quality if their polish. 

Gel nails have been designed for those who are harder wearing on their nails and with whom nail polish only lasts a day or two, no matter how well it's applied. It has also been created to maintain the shine and finish that a client leaves the salon with after a manicure. If you take care if your nails and follow the aftercare then gel nails should last two weeks. 

They need to be professionally removed with acetone pads and foil to help the gel lift from the nail so it isn't damaged. If you peel, bite or scrape the gel off of the nail it will damage the top layer of the nail leaving it weak and rough. Always remember to use a cuticle oil to nourish and promote nail growth. My favourite is OPI the Avoplex cuticle oil to go (£9.60) as I can keep it in my handbag & use it on the go. 

I know there are kits in Groupon that you can buy to do your own nails at home, so wether you are a professional or DIY specialist OPI have created a list of tips to help with gel application.