"Salon nails" explained
Beauty regimes
Nowadays, more and more of us are conscious of how we look. We may go to tanning salons for that perfect sun-kissed skin, visit beauty salons for waxing, eyebrow shaping/tinting, facials, make up applications, and we book hair appointments for every 6 weeks or so, to ensure that our locks are looking at their best. What about our hands?
Hand care
Our poor hands always seem to get neglected, yet they do so much for us. Way down in the beauty stakes are our hands, although they are always on show. I'm one of those people who are guilty of forgetting about hand care. Yes, I occasionally file them, apply nail polish on once in a while and buy the odd tub of hand cream that is put in the cupboard never to be seen again!
Take a trip to a nail salon
Why not visit your local nail salon or nail bar and give your hands and nails a treat? There are so many different options available that it can become a difficult and confusing time, which is why I have tried to simplify the choices as best I can:
Traditional manicure - This is quite a soothing and relaxing treatment and usually involves hydrating cremes and oils being applied to your hands and nails and then massaged into the skin. The cuticules will be cared for and nails filed and shaped. A range of coloured polishes are available to choose from and applied. After a manicure, your hands should feel soft and smooth and hydrated, while your nails will look stunning.
Acrylic Nails - These are pre-formed nails or tips that are bonded with a special glue to your own existing nail. Your own nails have to be filed to ensure that they stick successfully to the acrylic. They instantly lengthen your nails, and can be removed by placing your fingers in acetone and soaking them to loosen the glue.
Gel Nails - These are an enhancement to your own nails rather than known as false nails. It involves thin layers of gel being sculpted on top of your own nails. A UV light is used to ensure that the gel bonds with your own nail. You can get full gel nails at the salon or just the tips done. It is a great way to get your natural nails in good condition as they will grow stronger with the gel enhancement. They look much more natural than the acrylic nails and are removed by using an electric file.
Hybrid gels - This is a combination of nail polish and UV gel polish, applied straight from the bottle and cured under a UV light. It has a high gloss finish, is less prone to chipping and lasts for around 14 days. Removal is by soaking them.
Nail finishes
There are lots of nail finish options that it can be a difficult decision to make. With all the colours to choose from, there is guaranteed to be one that you like. You can choose to contrast a few colours together on your nails or opt for just one colour. Little gems can be added for a special occasion or just to add a bit of sparkle. Visit a nail bar for a glam session and let your hands do the talking.
