[shellac - new summer collections 2013 - pink bikini and grape gum]

I couldn't wait for these to arrive this morning and out of the four new season colours I opted for pink bikini and grape gum.

I haven't swatched the grape yet, but I have tried it quickly and it is much nicer than the bottle depicts which is often the case with shellac colours and although I wouldn't normally go for a colour like that, I have to confess it is really wearable and quite a soft grape rather than deep dark purple, which the bottle looks like.

I have taken a few pictures in different rooms with different light to try and get the correct shade but I still think it is nicer than the pictures but you get the idea!

Don't forget Shellac colour remains at the special offer price of just £10!

[shellac layering - wildfire and negligee and special offer extended]

One of the great things I love about Shellac, in addition to how long it lasts and it's high shine finish is the fact that you can use two colours together to create a different colour.  Shellac call this "layering" and it gives the colour range a completely new dimension with so many more shades to be created.  The first layering option I tried today on a client was using the classic pillar box red that is wildfire (2 coats) covered with a layer of negligee, so three colour coats in total.

The negligee is a pearlescent colour that I have been using with a french manicure, the kind of colour that changes slightly as you move your hands.  By adding a layer of this over the red turns it into a dark pearlescent pinky/red a great alternative for someone who likes a classic red but isn't brave enough to wear it.

And here it is on my clients nails done earlier today .........................

Due to the overwhelming demand for my Shellac £10 offer, I shall be continuing with it for the foreseeable future and have new colours ordered for later this week.

Shellac £10 colour only (layering £13, french and glitter from £15).

[shellac preparation, after care and removal]

It seems that lots of clients who are currently taking advantage of the £10 shellac colour offer, even though they may have had shellac before are a little unsure of how to prepare or to look after it, so I thought I would just give you a few hints and tips to keep your shellac, cuticles and nail plate in tip top condition.

Shellac French Manicure £15 on March offer. Usually £18.

Before - Shellac will look better if your cuticles are in good condition and not dry and flaky.  Although you will receive a small amount of dry manicure work on your cuticles before your shellac application, if your cuticles are very dry or need a lot of work, then think about having either a luxury or maintenance manicure a few days before application or in addition to shellac on the day.  Add £10 to your chosen manicure price.

After Care - The use of cuticle oil is essential in keeping your nail plate hydrated beneath your shellac. Keep cuticle oil beside your bed so that you don't forget to apply on a nightly basis and bare in mind that any oil will do the trick, baby oil, olive oil or any cooking oil.  Also something like Elizabeth Ardens Eight Hour Cream if that is all you have to hand.

Butter London Melt Away Cuticle Remover and Cuticle Oil twin pack £17.07. Buy here.

You can apply a complete moisture pack to your nails by dotting a small amount of oil along with a dot of cuticle remover to your cuticles. The Butter London twin pack above will be perfect for this and remember although it may seem like a costly outlay, cuticle oil lasts for months!

Badger Balm Mini Cuticle Care £3.99. Buy here.

Removal - Most salons will charge you to remove your shellac and clients have mentioned how they feel this price is extortionate in some salons.  The reason for this is the cost of the shellac removal wraps (£2.25 for 10 before VAT although not all salons use these due to cost) and the acetone which is used in removal along with the therapists time.  It will take approx 10 minutes to soak and then the shellac has to be scraped from the nail.  This whole process can easily take up to 20/30 mins.

Removal at home - Easy to do, just buy a bottle of acetone from the chemist (behind the counter), soak 1/2 a cotton wool pad and place over your nail. Wrap in a small amount of tin foil to secure. Wait 11 minutes, then remove by pressing down with your opposite thumb and releasing the removal pack in a downwards motion to take some of the shellac with it.  You will be left with flaky shellac and at this point the excess should be removed gently with a wooden orange stick or rubber hoof stick if you have one as neither of these will damage your nail.  Removal at home saves you time, money and a visit to the Salon.

    

Removal is free if you are having a fresh application of shellac but if you just book an appointment with me for removal the cost is £5. Removal and a fresh application can easily take your appointment up to an hour, so remember to factor this in when making a booking.

Leighton Denny Intense Manicure Oil £22. Buy here. Boots Essentials Manicure Sticks £1.00 (currently on a 3 for 2). Buy here.

Nail polish that lasts up to two weeks with a high shine finish is well worth looking after but always remember lifestyle will denote how long it lasts just like with a normal manicure. A lady who lunches will have her manicure last longer than somebody who is typing or washing up all day but you can be sure that whatever you do, Shellac will last longer than normal nail polish.

[SPRING NAIL TRENDS AT CHANEL - THE UPDATED FRENCH MANICURE]

At Octobers Chanel Spring and Summer 2013 show the models were sent down the runway with dare I say it, a French Manicure!

It's a look I've considered dated and old fashioned for many years now. It is a nail trend I was doing on my natural nails before I had my son some 13 years ago ( I used to paint them on the coach commuting to London) and I have since become of convert of a short, square dark or bright coloured nail depending on the seasons but if it was good enough for Chanel, then I thought it was high time I gave the French Manicure another chance.

I was surprised that I actually quite liked it and over the last two weeks I have actually grown rather fond of the look all over again. Sadly I have had to remove it today due to a badly ripped nail (ouch) but it is definitely a look I will be wearing again. The Chanel French Manicure has a thin and subtle white tip and the nails are not too long which can look tacky but long enough to paint the tip.

Shellac French Manicure £15.

Try the look at home....

Marvala French Manicure Set £12 from HQ Hair or £10 if used as part of their 3 for £30 promotion. Buy here.

Nails Inc French Manicure Set £25 buy here.

Christian Dior French Manicure Kit £37. Buy here.

Are you a lover of a French Manicure?

[shellac colour swatches - masquerade]

Shellac - Masquerade

A gorgeous dark plum red shimmery polish. Sauve, sophisticated and just a little bit sultry!

Only two weeks left to get your special offer Shellac!  Don't delay book your appointment today and try out this innovative gel nail polish system which lasts up to two weeks! Great for holidays too!

Shellac (colour) only £10 (usual price with me £15) cheapest in town £20!

Price includes cuticle tidy and file.

[shellac color swatches - gotcha and wildfire]

Shellac - Gotcha.

A very pretty and femine pink. Colour can be slightly intensified by using 3 coats of colour instead of two.  Very similar to Chanel "June" from last years spring and summer collection. A great colour option for spring or summer brides.

Shellac - Wildfire.

Wildfire is now regarded as the unofficial colour of choice for Virgin Airlines Cabin and Ground Crew. A classic true red and a great signature colour which you don't have to match with your outfits, it goes with everything! Also the perfect choice for Christmas or a Valentines meal out. So chic!

Don't forget our March Special for Shellac. Just £10 for colour on either fingers or toes (usual price £15)

[chanel spring and summer collection nail colours 2013]

Chanel nail polish new releases are always met with great excitement and their spring and summer 2013 collection was no different, consisting of three very wearable colours, although some had a rather familiar feel.

The first one I tested was Fracas, now I'm not very good at describing beauty products, I'm no dedicated beauty blogger although I love my cosmetics and skin care as much as the next product junkie and upon first opening my thoughts were "Wow, this is only one step away from Neon" which it isn't when you put it on, but I was initially worried as I leave Neon nail colours to my three daughters and I also thought it looked "pearlescent" in the bottle, something else I am not a fan of, but again it doesn't look pearly on at all.  I am also not a massive fan of pinks (I guess you are wondering why I bought it at all) but it is a lovely medium pink, bright enough to make an impact, more "warm" than a hot pink and a gorgeous shade for holidays, so all in all this gets the thumbs up and will put "Orange Fizz" and "Holiday" my favoured Chanel vacation shades, well, in the shade!

Next up I tried Accessoire which was a welcome addition to my Chanel collection as my Rouge Noir seems to have done a runner! Love this as much as I love Rouge Noir only difference is, I would say this has a tad of a browny tinge to it but is sure to become a firm favourite, I am a sucker for a vampy nail!

Finally Emprise. Again I'm not a fan of pale nudey type colours although they serve a purpose as don't show the chips as much as darker colours and I know lots of women who adore nude colours. Described by some as a pinky shade, I'd like to blow that one right out of the water as this colour most definitely falls in the peachy nude colour category. Closest Chanel existing colour is Jade Rose. I actually really fell in love with this colour, which surprised me but it is very pretty.

Although a pleasing collection, that as usual, I just had to have, if you have a good stock of Chanel colours, you may not need to rush out and buy immediately as none of the colours are particularly unique but if you are taking your first steps into the brands polishes, then I can't think of three better shades to start off with as the only other shade you would need is a red and then you would have something for every outfit and occasion.

In all pictures I am using China Glaze Ridge Filler Base Coat, 2 coats of nail polish and Seche Vite Top Coat available here.

You can buy Chanel nail colours online at Boots and Selfridges who at time of writing, have all three colours in stock.