Your best foot forward

We all love a good manicure and even better is a pedicure to go with your fantastic new nails. The Footsie Bath Beverly Hills Foot Spa is the way forward for pedicures. Sleek, professional and durable.

The bath comes with 10 disposable liners which are fitted to the tub making it look professional. The liners also help with cleaning and tidying too with them being one use.

The bath also has a generous 7 foot long retractable cable meaning that there are no dangerous cords lying on the floor and it also helps keep to you station tidy and professional.

The tub is 6" deep offering enough water to give a therapeutic soak and allows for foot treatments such as masks, creams and scrubs to be washed away easily without spilling.

The bath has vibration function offering your clients a gentle massage during their soak. The "noise reduction" system ensures that the vibrations are as quiets a possible helping you maintain your calm an relaxing atmosphere and station you need. The bath offers four vibration functions meaning you can choose one specially for your clients needs. The functions are "heat and vibrate", "heat only", "vibrate only" and "off". Perfect for ultra relaxation. You can even control the temperature of the water to suit your client!

I'm certain this will be huge or pedicures in every salon and used by nail technicians everywhere. Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Professional Beauty London 2013

Sunday was the Professional Beauty show in London. This is one of many various major events to happen in the beauty calendar with all the major nail brands such as OPI, Essie and IBD along with new brands that had just been launched at the event such as Morgan Taylor. The event was held at London Excel and was home to everything beauty from teeth whitening, tanning, massages, make up and nails! Free samples, try outs and demonstrations were everywhere. Along with booklets and leaflets galore.

Many stands holding offers on their products, for example the teeth whitening brands discounted the pricing from around £263 to just £60! I had the pleasure of trying out a new eye massager called Anti-Ageing Eye Care & Eye Massage Mask that helps to make the muscles and skin around your eyes firmer and help slow down ageing. Along with a hand an arm massage from Clarins.

There was also a stand for Bio Sculpture. They had manicures being performed along with selling their training courses and products. I was excited to receive a free product from Morgan Taylor a new professional brand supported by Luella Belle (product review coming on this soon). I also purchased the Beverly Hills footsie bath (another product review coming). I was very excited to get my hands on some of the ultimate fix a brand new product for nail drying.

The day seemed very busy with lots of people from the beauty industry as well as a little visit from Lauren (The only way is Essex) promoting her tanning range Lauren's way.

The event was a great success for me. I got my hands on some very exciting products and can't wait to get reviewing these. I thought the location was great the facilities were very modern. Really looking forward to the next one now!

Remember to sparkle to the tip!

The perfect treat

Mums everywhere do a lot. They raise us up to be the best we can be, they offer us support and always make us feel better when we are down. Not judgmental, helpful and honest. This Mothers Day (10th March) show how much you care with the Gsters Beauty Mothers Day Promotion!

Give your mother a girly pamper session with £5 off services including Gel and Acrylics along with the indulgence manicure and indulgence pedicure. Perfect for a treat for your mum and you! Choose from brands such as OPI, Essie, cuccio and IBD.

For more information about the promotion or if you have any other queries email at info@gstersbeauty.co.uk
Or call us at
07999170791

At the moment this offer is for the South Yorkshire area only

The inspiration

Leighton Denny is the story that no one would ever expect a nail technician to have. With his previous occupation of the occupation he had before becoming what he is today. Leighton Denny has his own line of nail polishes and tanning range with a list of celebrity fans as long as his arms. Celebs such as Geri Halliwell, Dita Von Teese and even Kate Moss line up to have their nails done by him. His work has even been features in magazines such as Marie Claire and Vogue. This is the unlikely story of a beauty icon.

His past occupation was a forklift truck driver. On a job in the USA he discovered the world of beauty and nails. Then on returning to Bradford he give up his forklift truck driver job and trained as a nail technician. He then practised his craft by doing the nails of guests on cruise liners before opening his first salon in Bradford Yorkshire. His salons are now in Urban Retreat Harrods and he has given expertise and guidance to the Urban Retreat Hand Nail Line. It was Leighton the recommended that the range should focus on three main hand and nail treatments and combined with key nail polish colours. It is now a range of seven versatile hand and nail products that will suit any mood and any woman. Even becoming on of the British Beauty Experts with access to the Urban Retreat Hand and Nail Line. Leighton then moved on to open his own bespoke salon in London. In 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 the Health and Beauty Awards awarded Leighton ‘Nail Technician of the Year’. In 2004 he was made a judge and entered the Beauty Hall of Fame.

His story is both interesting and inspiring. A man who became a nail icon from being a forklift truck diver. With stores all over the UK and his name widely known in the nail world his story has inspired many nail technicians including me. I can't wait to see what other products he will release and how the brand will grow even further. Be sure to check out the ranges you will be blown away. Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Euro Centerle Anyone

OPI have launched their new collection for spring and summer 2013 called The Euro Centrale Collection. The collection of 12 nail lacquers was inspired by the deep history and modern design of the European region of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania, where classic meets contemporary. The collection boasts a wide variety of shades, ranging from pale nude to deep blue, and featuring everything from shimmering copper to aqua each perfect for the upcoming spring and summer season. There's something for everyone's taste and style. This limited-edition collection features 8 cream, 3 shimmer and 1 chunky glitter polishes and is available at select spas, salons and other OPI retailers. Amazing.

As always with an OPI collection the names are classic. This collection includes titles such as "Vant To Bite My Neck?", "A Woman’s Prague-ative" and "Polka.com". The shades are good quality just like any other OPI nail polish and only requires two coats. The Polka.com polish is a blue and violet chunky glitter polish that looks stunning over the off white shade "My Vampire Is Buff". A great contrast. Whatever shades you choose for summer from this collection you know your nails will be stunning. Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Ombré

Ombré nails have been everywhere lately. Ombré is French and is used to describe anything such as hair, nails or fabric when the colours morph from one to another. The ombré trend has been in fashion, hair and now it's overtaking the nail world. Ombré nails were seen every where on the runway this season with designers having ombré tips and intricate colour merges. Stunning. Here ill be showing you how to create the ombré nails look at home. The first method is if you are wanting a basic one tone ombré nail an the second shows you how to create a more tonal and deep ombré nail design.

For both methods you will need a base coat, nail polish colours which will become the ombré design, a makeup sponge and a top coat. If you wanting a deeper blend of colour then use 3-4 shades of the same colour ranging from dark to light.

Firstly make sure all basic nail care is done before applying colour such as removing any polish already on the nails, pushing back the cuticles, trimming, shaping and base coat.

For the first method choose your first ombre colour and this will be the base colour for the nail. Then choose your second ombre colour and place a small amount on a make up sponge. You need to "dab" gently on your nail starting at the tip and working your way half way up the nail. Continue to do this until you are happy with the ombré effect. Finally cure the nails and apply a top coat. The top coat will also help make the nails look more blended. Then you have simple easy to do ombré effect nails.

For the second ombré nail effect use the small end of the make up sponge and paint about three or four strips of colour side be side ranging from dark to light. This will become the ombré effect. Use scotch tape around your nails to avoid getting the colours all around your fingers. Then stamp the sponge onto your nails and press it over and over moving the sponge up and down slightly to get the fading effect instead of stripes. Cure your nails and remove the tape. Then apply the top coat for added shine. Perfect and simple ombré nails.

Ombre nails can also be done by painting each nail a different shade of the same colour. These nails will be stunning all season long and will go with any outfit or event. Stunning. I'm sure you'll have a great time experimenting with different colour combinations. Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Nail the Trend

It's no secret that nail art has become one of the main areas  in the beauty and fashion industry. Nail art was once something that was hardly ever done but now it's just as important as the fashion on the catwalks. They have become the finishing touches to the designers looks. Women of all ages love to have amazing nail art nowadays. Like almost all trends in the industry's the nail art trend started on the fashion catwalks. All of the big brand labels such as Essie, OPI and Deborah Lippmann are seen on the nails of the models and are represented on the runways. The nail technicians work with the designers to creative amazing and interesting nail looks to compliment the designers collections. At New York fashion week this year all of the nail art was created by hand. Here are some amazing nail art trends you'll love to try out.

Floral.
These hand painted flowers that were seen on the runways of Rachel Antonoff were inspired by the prints in her collection. This look is perfect for spring and summer because of the bright base colour and the feminine overall look this nail design has. If your wanting to recreate this look at home then start with two coats of CND's Flashpoint; then, working with a detailing brush, paint a fern design on the lower half of your nails with Anchor Blue and Brilliant White. You can make this nail design more personal by painting your favourite flower on your nail and using your favourite colour as your background. Amazing.

Metallic.
This trend was seen all over the runways this season in nails and in fashion. This trend is so easy to create at home. This look is ultra modern and feminine. This is great for a night out or even a holiday. At Behnaz Sarafpour, CND's Roxanne Valinoti used gold and silver polish (called Gold Chrome and Silver Chrome. Use two coats of a metallic polish and then top this off with a shiny top coat for ultra shine and glam.

Reverse French.
It's known that nude nails are to be a big trend for spring and summer 2013 but backstage at Rebecca Minkoff the nail technicians put a spin on this classic trend. This end makes the nail look natural just like the French manicure does but with a fun twist. They painted a double stripe along the top of a taupe manicure. The colours used were Essie Jazz for the base and then Midnight Cami and Wrapped in Rubies on the tips. This trend can be done at home but it isn't very easy to do despite its simple look. If your wanting to do this at home then try painting a thick stripe first, cure and then paint a thin stripe over the top. This makes it easier to create the thin stripes with out having a very steady hand.

Polka-Dots.
Many designers this season used polka-dot prints in their collection and Kate Spade used polka-dot print nails in her runway show too. Nail brand Deborah Lippmann was used created the adorable mani using Fade to Black as the base and I'm Not Innocent (a pale peach) for the spots. This trend gives a cute 1960's vibe to your look. Very vintage summer.  Simple to recreate at home, just paint your nails with a base coat and then use a contrasting colour and a brush for the dots. Perfect.

Half Moon.
 Last season half moon shapes were painted on the base of the nail around the cuticles, this season on the Phillip Lim runway Essie nail artist Elle put her own twist on the trend by painting the half moon shape of the side of the nail. She started but painting the nails black and then added a thin coat of grey (called Chinchilly) and then painted a white crescent moon along the length of the grey. Very edgy and simple but dramatic. This tend is perfect because it doesn't have to be perfect. The stripes don't have to be identical with each other. Great for beginners.

So whatever your style there's a nail art trend out their for you. Remember to sparkle to the tip!

No Ordinary Nail

Some women prefer to have simple, classic fully painted nails whereas some women want a little more flare with their nails. Nail art is huge. Nails aren't about just having a simple colour anymore it's about the designs that are on them. From Floral, geometric, swirls, polka dots and many many more. The possibilities are endless. Their are lots of tools and small accessories that a nail technician will use to create custom nail designs. It is done with special paints, acrylic colours that have a high gloss level to achieve the best results. Also, it is done using special brushes which are made of pure sable hair. Many different nail art designs suit different styles and personalities. For example, someone who likes the 1950's and the classic pin up style would probably like the red and white polka dot nails (shown below). Just as clothes and accessories, it’s detailing that defines good nail art. Nail art is not simple drawing or painting its an expression of a personality. Nail technicians will practise this craft on plates tic nail colour wheels. This will show their customers what types of nail art can be offered and it allows the nail technician to test out new nail art products such as pens and strips.

Nail art can be 2D or 3D and can suit any occasion depending in the nail design. Many women choose to have floral and diamanté nail art if they are a bride and when attending a wedding because of its delicate and ultra feminine look. Many people like to have only the tips of their nails decorated. One of the most popular nail art designs at the moment is the paint splash tip (shown below) lots of people have recreated this, some having a contrasting splash colour on every tip and some using glitter to create a sparkly splash.

At the Olympia Beauty Show in London nail art is taken to its extreme. Fantasy nails. These are nails that have been painted and the technicians had hand made various small fantasy creatures and figures out of acrylic. Including small mermaids and spacemen! All amazing.

I can't wait to see what amazing nail art you will design. Remember to sparkle to the tip!

Happy Feet

Pedicures are simply a manicure for your feet. Caring for the feet and the nails a pedicure includes soaking the feet, polish and a massage. There are many various types of pedicures that you can have. Some more luxurious than others. Some using stones, wax and even chocolate! Here I will be going through some of the most popular types of pedicure which all start with the basic pedicure but each have their own little touches and extras to help you relax.

The first types of pedicure is the Basic Pedicure. This service consists foot soaking, foot scrubbing with a pumice stone or foot file, nail clipping, nail shaping, foot and calf massage, moisturiser and nail polishing. This is simple but will make your feet looking and feeling amazing.

The next is the Spa Pedicure. This pedicure is a little more luxurious than the basic pedicure thanks to the extra spa touches. It Includes the regular pedicure and generally adds one of the following: Paraffin dip, masks, mud or seaweed treatment to add to the distress and the relaxation.

Then there is the Stone Pedicure. Including the basic pedicure, this is basically a foot massage that involves the use of various different essential oils that are rubbed with the help of hot stones for the massage of the feet and legs helping your muscles relax and loosen.

A classic pedicure is the French Pedicure this is the basic pedicure that involves the use of white polish on the nail tips with a sheer pink color on the base. Perfect if your planning on wearing peep toe shoes or flip flops in summer. This will make your toes look stunning and classic.

For those who are looking for a more sweet time and want to indulge a little but more then look no further than the Chocolate and Ice Cream Pedicures. The Chocolate Pedicure is the basic pedicure which may include a chocolate foot soak, chocolate foot mask or chocolate moisturising lotion. This will make your feet smell amazing. The Ice Cream Pedicure. this is the basic Pedicure where you choose your Bath ball which looks like a scoop of ice cream. The foot soak is then followed with a foot scrub usually in (Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry) And topped with a whipped moisturising lotion and then your toe nails painted cherry red. Sweet as candy.

So if your wanting perfect feet for your summer holidays then you'll be spoiled for choice with these. Go classic or go sweet. But always remember to sparkle to the tip!