Nail the basics
1st March 2010
Nail the basics ‘Nail know how and easy maintenance for the perfect 10’
Banish those winter blues and shift your focus to a softer more romantic mood, get ready for this seasons beautiful nail polish treats, in elegant nudes, shimmering browns and fun candy shades that are uplifting and fun.
Wether you favour simplicity and convention or are a fan of the bold creatives like Lady Gaga, the basics remain the same. Barely-there nails are just one of the huge on-trends for this spring, so lets get back to basics in preparation.
For best results, time your manicure for after bath time when your cuticles are perfectly softened and your nails are clean.
Begin by massaging a cuticle oil into the area surrounding the nail bed and around the sides to soften. Wrap a swipe of cotton wool around the end of an orange-wood stick, then gently work back the cuticles to reveal the half moons – do not clip your cuticles as this skin is there to protect and helps to barrier against infection, so gently does it.
The most flattering nail ‘tip’ shape for your finger is one that mirrors the shape of your natural nail bed, so that in appearance it looks balanced and even. This would normally be a rounded square or an oval shape. Using a fine emery board, gently file each nail in one direction toward the tip on each side until you reach the desired shape.
It is important to run a buffer over the freshly filed edges to ‘re-seal’ the nail from water saturation or dehydration. You can then simply leave the nail bare or apply a delicate pastel shade such as my all time favorite ‘French Rose’ by Rimmel available at Boots. Priced £4.49 This is hard wearing easy to apply and is a barely there shade.
For nails that are stained or yellow in colour, I suggest applying a brightening base coat first. This will give your nails a clean and healthy appearance, leaving them Instantly whiter and more beautiful. Try Barbara Daly’s – Goodbye Yellow. Available from Tescos priced £3.94 This also looks great against tanned hands in the summer.
For a quick and easy French manicure – use a ‘white nail pencil’ for creating an instant healthy natural looking nail, simply moisten the tip of the pencil and roll on the underside of the fingernail to colour in. It will only last through a few hand washes but can be applied on a regular bases with out having to do a full manicure. Selection Available from boots.
When painting your nails aim for three thin strokes each and don’t overload your brush. Apply a fast base coat, two coats of colour, then a fine brush of top coat to seal.
Sassy spring flavours!
Tags: nails
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