Archive for the ‘Manicure and Pedicure’ Category
Nail Extensions – Choosing the Correct Type
Monday, April 11th, 2011Katie here from La Spa…
With all of these new nail systems out there how do we know what we really want to get done to our nails for those special occasions or girls nights out?
Let’s start with the basics! The good auld file and paint has been around for years now and is the quickest and most popular treatment for people on the go who need their nails looking good. This basically consists of the therapist shaping and painting the nails on the hands or feet with either a coloured polish or a French polish to have the nails looking clean and manicured.
A step up from this is the newest and hottest fad on the market, yes it’s the Shellac paint or newer versions such as the Gelish, which are very similar.
These systems consist of a newly formulated gel polish that is thin like a regular polish but lasts like a gel. This polish needs to be set with a U.V lamp and the treatment can take up to 40 mins. Once set, the polish can last up to 2 weeks but needs to be soaked off in acetone which can take 10-15 mins.
Not to be forgotten is the gel and acrylic nails…. These are around a long time and like a good wine get better with age! Each year the formulations get stronger and more advanced making acrylic and gel nail still a very popular choice for nail biters, people with short or brittle nails or even brides to be to get that amazing perfect manicure look.
The acrylic system consists of a liquid and a powder that set on the nail to create a hard wearing nail extension. The nail extension tip is applied to the tip of the natural nail to add length and then the acrylic is applied over this to add structure and durability.
Much like this is the gel nail which works on the same principal but instead of a liquid and a powder it is simply a gel product that sets under a UV lamp.
So now with all this knowledge of nails you can finally make the right choice for you!
P.S – Check out some of the nail art created at La Spa……….
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, if you have any questions, post them in the comments section and I will reply as quickly as I can.
Manicure and Pedicure ( 5 Pre + Post Treatment Tips)
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010Rachel here from La Spa…..
make sure to have removed your current polish off the nails. The reason for this is not to save the manicurist time but to allow her extra time to spend on doing your cuticle and nail work. If she needs to remove a dark colour polish this eats into the time that she can spend on you!!
To avoid the dreaded smudging of the nail polish after your manicure or pedicure try to remember to bring flip flops with you on your next visit.
For your hands, pay for your treatment before you have it and take out your car keys beforehand also,, this way you don’t have to root through your bag with your lovely new nails!!
To maintain the condition of your nails and cuticles after a manicure or pedicure listen to the homecare advice of the manicurist and make sure to use cuticle oil and hand moisturiser as regular as possible. This cuts down on the amount of visits you will need to make to your spa!!
If you find that the routine manicure or pedicure is not helping your nails as they are very brittle or even too thick, then you may need something more intense and results driven such as the nailtiques system. This works on adding proteins to the nail to strengthen them or a special file to thin them out.
Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, if you have any questions, post them in the comments section and I will reply as quickly as I can.
