This one is for all you ladies who like to have perfectly manicured talons at all times and would rather be caught dead than with a chip in your polish.  It’s a new craze to hit the world of beauty, 2 week manicures!  The brand I am aware of are called Gelish but there are many more available.  It applies like a nail polish, wears like a gel nail, but without the damage to your natural nail plate.

They are cured under a lamp like gel nails, and they last without chipping for 2-3 weeks on the hands and 4-5 weeks on the toes.  This brand have a great choice with 48 colours to chose from, some other brands have less so worth checking that out before you book in!  A great option if you are jetting off on holidays as it cuts down on the need for you to bring nail varnish remover, cotton wool and nail varnish for any touch ups.  God knows the hubby will be delighted that you are travelling lighter for a change!

Shop around for the best value.  Prices range from €15 if added on to a manicure to €30 – €65 if you opt just for the ‘Gelish’ treatment.

Off you go ladies and colour yourselves beautiful!

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When Chanel release a new colour for the season you can be guaranteed it will be THE hottest colour to wear, that and it will be sold out, gone without a trace just as you give in to buying a bottle!  If you want to know what to have drooled all over you talons this Summer this is it, Chanel Nouvelle Vague.  The limited edition Summer 2010 colour has hit the Chanel counters so be quick if you like it, they honestly do seem to sell out remarkably quick.

The varnish has a creamy textured look with pearl veining through the shade of bright turquoise – which will work best with a tan!  Chanel have brought out other shots of colour for your nails including Mistral (517) and Riviera (537) above but it’s definitely the turquoise Nouvelle Vague (527) that will get you noticed.  OPI have a great silvery blue in their latest collection called Breathe Life (in fact they have a great selection of ‘greens’).

Illamasqua do a couple of shades similar to this (see here for our previous post on these lovely pastels) and good old M&S have a gorgeous Baby Blue – plus one very similar to this offering from Chanel.  Gosh have produced a pearlized blue – Oceanic, which is definitely a little more neon in colour than most of the other takes on this trend.  I am finding it hard to let go of my Chanel Rouge Noir (thanks sis!), although it seems we can still get away with dark colours even if Winter is allegedly behind us.

As always, DON’T FORGET YOUR BASECOAT!!

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For today’s pick we focused on nail care following a conversation we had about what’s in our cosmetic bags!  This has got to be the one item we should all have in our cosmetic line up – Jessica’s Blush Nail Varnish.  It’s been a favourite of mine for the last few years and popular with all the wow girlies.

Why do we love it?  It’s so natural on and almost mimics the colour of your own nail bed so it looks just like you have a shine on your nails.  We also love that it is fool proof, even if you paint half your finger along with your nail who’ll notice with this colour!  The brand is favoured by many celebs hence their catch line, “Celebrity manicurist to the stars.”  Expect to pay about €11-€15 depending on where you purchase.  This will last you for years and it’s great for lashing on a coat over your fingers just before you run out the door.

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This is a little gem if you are looking for a neutral nail polish with a bit of umph!!  The darker neutral shades of polish can be hard to wear but if you want a shade that will go with just about anything this is it!

The secret from this Chanel product is that they have added a Lavender undertone to the mix of grey/brown which has given it a wonderful warm lift.   Chanel Particuliere (particular) Le Verins nail colour could be described as taupe or mushroom.  Whatever way it’s described this colour is another in the latest trend – Nude!  Nude for nails is as on trend as nude shades for your wardrobe.  This colour was launched during Paris Fashion Week last October and is now filtering it’s way to everyday wear.  Why not give it a go, at €20 it won’t break the bank.  If that seems steep check out other high street brands, although I’ve already bought Mivala and their take is a greyer version with a high shine that doesn’t resemble Chanel’s version AT ALL!

It’s an alternative to the pastel shades that some of you may not feel comfortable wearing.  See our previous post on pastel nail colours.  Chanel’s Spring 2010 nail polish colours – Particulière, Tendresse and Inattendu are pictured below.  Happy painting ‘au natural’!

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Calling all varnish addicts, there’s a new Illamasqua range of nail polishes due out soon and available exclusively at BT2 Grafton Street.

What an absolute delight for us when we caught a sneak peek at the new Illamasqua range of pastel nail polishes.  Many of these colours we have just seen on the runways and they are translating to the streets.  They will work well this Summer with floral or colourful print dresses and pastel painted tootsies!  Available in four different ice-cream colours with equally colourful names – Blow, Wink, Nudge and Caress. The four polishes are described as ‘gorgeously creamy and long lasting’.  Wow.ie may put these varnishes to the test so watch this space.  The polishes are priced at €15 and are available from the 15th of March.

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It’s that time of year when your cuticles can start to look dull and dry. If you work in an office leave a cuticle oil on your desk and you’ll be more likely to apply it over the week. If you aren’t an office worker leave one in the car or by your bed.

I chose Jessica as it comes with a dropper so you don’t have to worry about spilling it or having greasy hands – no wastage either. You can however use any brand, even oils you have in the kitchen. Almond oil slightly heated by placing it’s bottle in a bowl of hot water is great.

Massage each cuticle as you apply it and this will encourage faster growth. Remember it does take your nails 6 months to grow from base to tip, 10 months for toe nails. Gently push the cuticles back after a shower so they are soft and you’ll be all set!

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Hey ladies, I’ve recently started using this colour and can’t recommend it enough. It’s bang up to date with nail trends this winter and as a therapist I notice it’s a very popular colour at the salon. Sneaky tip, get your nails done then purchase the colour yourself to top up or match to toes!

This brand also do a great top coat which will extend your wear by topping up daily. Use basecoat (or even a topcoat) first or you’ll have lovely yellow nails! Nails are porous and absorb colours like this.

This colour is fab on short or long nails. Approx €16 at good salons – Midnite Sky (similar colour if not in stock is Captivating)

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