Nail Art Basics

Polished fingers and toes are no longer an afterthought but a carefully considered accessory,  it is becoming this year’s hot new trend which can be done at home with a little know how and some of this seasons newest colours. 

Grooming is our way to make a good impression; when you look good you feel great! Sometimes busy schedules don’t allow for a visit to a nail salon, so relax at home with some nail essentials and get creative on your pinkies. You don’t have to be artistic and the design doesn’t have to be complicated to get a great effect. 

Create Texture on your nails and give them the illusion of being longer and slimmer.  This effect mirrors one of the catwalk looks seen in London fashion week; Mark Fast works with rich colours and creates texture which enhances the body.  This is a perfect trick to take your Nails from Day to Night with a simple and quick effect which can be done in minutes using just a sponge.

 To get this look; Paint a darker shade of polish onto a sponge and then lightly dab it to the edge of your nails.  It will dry in seconds and you just need to apply another coat of top coat.

 Go green; Green in all its glory is the colour of the moment - not acid or grass greens, but the deep, mossy forest greens. It is not a colour which immediately says 'wear me', but teamed with silver it can look stunning.

To get this look: apply green polish, allow to dry. Then sponge a darker green over the tip. The silver patterns are stickers used in card making available from Hobby crafts. Trim this to size with scissors and apply. Do not forget to top coat.

  

 Matt-ural appeal

Matt is back! The chalk board effect on a gunmetal grey or black adds a whole new dimension to nails. The matt effect works nicely with nudes and reds; just make sure the colours you use are opaque tones. Another great effect is to accent the matt with some gloss top coat giving a 3D embossed effect or add some Swarovski crystals to enhance that wow factor.To get this look: paint your nails black. Allow to dry and then apply Matt top coat from Orly over just half of the nail. Attach small gems 

 All that glitters...

The nights might be drawing it, but it is not all doom and gloom, and for kicking your heels on the dance floor a rich amber shade with its golden glow adds a little extra shine for the evening. Teamed with a strip of glitter on the free edge, you can’t fail to make an impression.

To get this look: paint your nails a gold or silver. Pop some top coat onto a small piece of grease proof paper about the size of a 2 pence piece. Then add gold or silver glitter. Mix and apply to the edge of the nail with a short brush available from a craft store.

This is taken from an extract written by Sam Biddle for THE LADY Magazine October 2011.  

 http://www.lady.co.uk/nail_look

The Original Sugar Styler

A brand new concept in nail art

Original Sugar launched just one month ago -with the amazing new sugar styler from Original Sugar. The best kept secret of the nail world! Any time, anywhere and for any mood, expressing yourself alone or with friends, the sugar styler allows you to create your own highly personalised nail art ... AT HOME, with just some paint and the sugar styler over your regular nail polish.


Use the sugar styler just like a pen, keep complete control over your application and create the most stunning and intricate designs!

Made from glass, the Sugar Styler, RRP £12.50, is the perfect tool to achieve amazing nail art. The Sugar Styler is created with clever grooves which twist around the nib and allow water based paint to flow seamlessly over nail polish. This unique pen allows the user to create the most intricate and eye catching nail designs in the blink of an eye, adding a hint of bespoke glamour to any occasion.

Get this seasons hottest trends in Polish

This Autumn/Winter polish colours are far removed from the Neon’s and pastels we saw this summer, there is now a more sophisticated pallet with a more opulent and ladylike feel, from naturals to nudes, dark Vampy blues to metallic jewels this season we can stay on trend as polished nails are the must have accessory. Textures and shapes in grown up colours can be worn with a sense of style and flair.  

Polished fingers and toes are no longer an afterthought but a carefully considered accessory,  it is becoming this year’s hot new trend which can be done at home with a little know how and some of this seasons newest colours.

This month I lifted the lid on the latest colours for this season for More magazine. 

In the Star Magazine talked about who wearing what this winter. 

Green in all its glory is the colour of the moment, not the acid or grass greens, but the deep mossy forest greens, something to get lost in.  It is not a colour which immediately says wear me, but teamed with silver it can look stunning.

You don’t have to be a closet rock chic this season, sapphires, midnight tones and navy blues are striking, glossy and looks great on short nails. 

Matt is back!  The chalk board effect on a gunmetal grey or black it adds a new dimension to nails. You can even work the Matt effect with nudes and reds; just make sure they are a solid opaque colour. Another great effect is to accent the Matt with some gloss top coat giving a 3D embossed effect or add some Swarovski crystals to enhance that wow factor. 

All that glitters… means its not all doom and gloom, and for kicking your heels on the dance floor a rich Amber shade with its golden glow adds a little extra for the evening.  Teamed with a strip of glitter on the free edge you can’t fail to make an impression.