Bad habits

We all have our bad habits but nails biting is a terrible one. Nail biting is essentially when you bite off your the free edge of your nail. People. It's their nails for various reasons. The most common being stress but it can also be caused by boredom, lack of tools to trim the nails, imitation (copying a family or friend) and even trauma. Although it can't stunt your nail growth no ones nails look good when they're all bitten. Biting your nails will also damage your cuticles. Here are a few helpful tips to help you stop the nail biting habit. There are also some images shown below of a before and after of a clients nails with bitten nails that I did recently.

Try relaxing more. If your nail biting is a result of being overly stressed then try taking some time out and relaxing. Try reading a magazine or a book to keep calm. Or even try using a stress ball to relieve your stress. With bitten nails being socially unacceptable try wearing false nails. This will help cover up your bitten nails and make them look more presentable. Your nails will also grow under the false nails meaning they can recover. Try distracting yourself. This will help to get biting your nails off you mind. The easiest tip is to apply a bitter tasting nail polish on to your nails so then when you try to bite your nails you have a bitter taste left in your mouth. Over time this will then stop you biting your nails as you don't want the taste.

I hope you all stop biting your nails and keep those nails look stunning. Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Make Them Green With Envy

The colour green is set to become the biggest colour in fashion and in nails. Here are three ways you can wear them. The shades Emerald, Mint and green accents will be the most popular. So this season there's a shade of green for everyone. If your unsure about this trend or just cant decide which one if for you then here is an insight to each colour to help you decide which one you may like to try this summer.

Emerald. This was the lucky shade to be chosen as Pantone's colour of the year for 2013. One of the richest colours, this shade will give your nails a royal and luxurious look. Many nail brands will be releasing emerald green hues this season so be on the look out.

Mint. This is one of my favourite colours. It's soft and fresh. This shade has been the most popular shade of green for the past two years and its no different for spring and summer 2013. If you like the green idea but don't want the boldness of original green then mint may be for you. Also if you like pale nail polish shades such as pastel pinks and blues then why not try mint, giving to you the softness and pastel look that pink and blue do.

People who don't really like the idea of having fully green nails but would prefer small hints of it then why not try small accents of green. For a bold look try having fully black nails and then adding small green design accents such as swirls. This type of nail was seen at Nicole Miller show in New York and its starting to tickle down into the streets.

So if you want to make your friends green with envy this season then this trend is for you this season. Remember to sparkle to the tip !

Florals

During the spring and summer season floral prints become a staple in fashion and beauty with out fail every year. Floral prints create a very summery and girly look. They are also perfect for any occasion, whether it be a vintage party, a wedding or everyday. Here I'll show you what the most popular types of floral nails are out their and other ideas for interesting floral nails.

Floral nails are probably the most girly types of nails you could have. Use pale background colours to make the flowers stand out, colours such as grey and mint, are very popular background colours with them creating a fresh and vintage look. Mint is also a great colour for summer because of how bright it is. To create the perfect vintage looking nail use colours such as light pink, red and green for the nail art flowers. The mint will help the flowers stand out. Use accenting colours such as yellow too.

If your looking for a little more prettiness and femininity in your nails then why not try glitter. You could use glitter to add a little bit of sparkle on the flowers or if you want even more then you could use the glitter for the entire background. Also if your wanting your floral nails to be more interesting then why not apply some acrylic 3D flowers to your nails. Amazing for a summer wedding. If your going on a tropical holiday this summer then why not use background colours such as yellow, red or orange. Then use a white nail art pen to draw on small Hawaiian flowers on top . This creates a stunning beach nail look.

Also you could try having other prints such as stripes and polka dots for a print clash effect. Or why not add other small 3D accents such as gems or pearls.

Looking forward to summer already ! Remember to sparkle to the tip !

The Velveteen Manicure

An amazing new trend has emerged in the nail scene. Many nail technicians claim to have created it but whoever originally did it is a genius. The Velveteen Manicure gives your natural nail or nail enhancements the effect of velvet fabric. They appear soft and slightly fury just like velvet but is very hard wearing. This product us even waterproof!

Whether your having The Velveteen Manicure on your whole nail or incorporating it into nail art they're sure to look stunning.

This needs nothing more than a UV lamp to cure the gel sealer required to bond the fibres.To apply on to a gel polish, sprinkle the powder like material onto your wet gel and then cure for 2 minutes. Brush away the excess and return to the jar. You can also apply Velveteen with regular top coat over polish. Then you have amazing textured nails! Who says nails have to be either matt or shiny why not go Velveteen.

Remember sparkle to the tip!

Summer Fun

Usually the spring and summer season is filled with floral prints and soft tones but this season for nails is slightly different. Designers have taken a different route, they have gone graphic and dark bringing a new look to summer. Here are three of the biggest nail trends to hit spring and summer 2013.

Simple and a classic, fully black nails make a comeback for spring and summer 2013. Seen at Marchesa and Vera Wang. No fuss just black. Go with either a matt or a glossy finish and you'll be bang on trend. This trend is also easy to wear from day to night.

Go more edgy with metallic colours this season. Seen at Nicole Miller this nail look works perfect for those hot summer nights. Try gold and dark blue metallics for an amazing luxury look. Or even try both at the same time by having all your fingers dark blue metallic then having your ring fingers in a gold metallic. Stunning.

Two tone. This trend is simple and graphic. Pick one colour and then pick a contrasting colour. The perfect two tone. Seen on the runways of Vivienne Westwood this is a fun way to work colour this season.

Remember to sparkle to the tip !

Male Nail

Nowadays it's not enough to simply judge a man on how shiny his shoes are, today his nails also have to be well-attended too. The male manicure differs from the female one. The male manicure is simpler and more natural. There is also no colour applied. Men prefer to focus on the all natural look of the nail but that look cared for. They also prefer to have a low maintenance nail care regime until they next have a manicure. We all use our hands 24/7 and all want our hands and nails to look presentable and neat so here are some simple steps to creating a male manicure.

Overall men prefer to have short and rounded nails. This is because it looks cleaner, neater and more office fit. But always be sure to have a free edge on the nail for protection of the nail. Once shortened and shaped the nails then need to be buffed with or without oil. The oil helps to maintain the health of the cuticles. Many men would prefer only cutting and buffing and not have products applied to keep things simple. It is helpful, however, to use a clear base coat and top coat. It won't be obvious but can offer some protection and shine. Applying moisturiser to your cuticles will keep them soft and healthy.

A male manicure is simple and easy to do and can be done weekly so the man in your life can have great looking nails everyday just like you.

Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Wedding Bells

On your special day you want everything to be perfect. Down to the smallest detail. Each flower, the venue, the outfits and of course your nails. Delicate and beautiful. Natural.

For amazing wedding nails focus on looking natural and not over done. The most popular wedding nails are classic French tips with delicate nail art. Floral nail art designs emphasise the pretty and girly look of the bride. Try having gold highlights or glitter for added glamour and sparkle. Some brides have even had 3D acrylic flowers applied to the nails along with small pearls. You could even have lace nail art to add to the delicateness of the bridal gown.

You could use your wedding colour scheme in your nail art too. If you have purple flowers, chairs etc you could have purple nail art on your ring fingers to coordinate with the venue and emphasise the ring. Hope you get some inspiration for great bridal nails for your special day.

Remember sparkle to the tip!

Love and Care

On these bleak winter days the first thing we do is try to stay warm but our nails suffer from not being cared for properly in this weather and day to day life. Here are a few tips to helps keep your nails in tip top condition.

The first tip is simple. It's all about nutrition. Having the right nutrition will keep your nails flexible and strong, along with keeping your cuticles well conditioned. Add plenty of the following in your diet: green leafy veg, raisins, almonds and poultry; eggs, spinach, broccoli and carrots ; and Brazil nuts, steak and pumpkin seeds.

Nail care is very important because our hands are always visible and we use out hands all day. Keep the cuticles motorised throughout the day. This will prevent them from cracking and will keep them soft. A bit of Qtica Cuticle Repair on the cuticles every night will help your nails grow as well as moisturise. Also try Dadi Oil.

When filing your nails only file in one direction instead of "sawing" them. This avoids splitting the nail and the nail peeling. Moisturise your nails.
Your nails will get dehydrated just like your skin in winter weather, especially if you're using nail polish remover on them on a regular. When you're putting some moisturiser on your body or face, add a bit on to your nails to help to stop them drying out.

When your cleaning be sure to protect your hands with gloves to help stop the chemicals and soaps from weakening your nails. Also if you are wanting to remove nail varnish and have weak nails already never use nail vanish remove containing acetone this will cause the nail to weaken.

Use these simple tips and you'll have fantastic looking hands and nails in no time.

Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Good Old Acrylics

Acrylic is the oldest and best known nail extension in the beauty world, they are strong and durable and acrylic nails aren't expensive. They are thick and can also be easily be fixed and soaked off at home with out the help of a nail technician so have become popular with customers. They are also great for adding length to short nails. They can be sculpted past the nail edge, so you can get more length without applying a plastic tip first. With the chemicals used for acrylic nails pregnant women are advised to stay clear of this treatment. Acrylic nails will have a good life, usually lasting from 2 to 4 weeks depending on the person and the condition of the natural nail. Acrylic nails are built up of liquid monomer and powdered polymer so become very strong. This mixture hardens when it contacts air creating a shell like coating. Nail technicians use acrylic nails to create classic French tips. Acrylic nails can also be created in fan shapes and even spirals!

A lot of celebrities like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Rihanna have all been seen wearing acrylic nails in a pointed shape each having amazing nail accessories on such as flowers to make the nails look stunning. Pointed acrylic nails were seen on the cover of Decembers Scratch Magazine (the forum for nail professionals) in the style of long icicles dropping from the models fingers these were then adorned with small acrylic flowers. Acrylic nails were seen at The Olympia Beauty Show where nail technicians sculpted acrylic fantasy nails including miniature mermaids! Pointed nails can be seen everywhere and can be short or very long and exaggerated. Fierce. If painted a nude shade pointed acrylic nails will make your hands look slender and feminine.

Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Gel colour!!!

OPI have launched their new Gelcolour range ! Which is a Ultraviolet manicure system meaning you can maintain the health of your nails while also keeping the shine. Since their launch of the James Bond colours to celebrate Skyfall they have released them again along with their new gel range. The range of 30 colours include colours such as Russian Navy and Casino Royale.

Using gel colours frequently I usually stick to IBD but decided to test the new OPI's out on one of my clients earlier this week. I thought it was fantastic. The colour I chose to use was Casino Royale which was rich and only needed one coat. I found it cured really well too in just 30 seconds.

Will I be using OPI Gelcolour again? Yes. But will they replace IBD ?

Remember to Sparkle to the tip !