Manicures

Some say our look isn’t polished off without a spray of our favourite scent. But we think it’s all about the manicure. Chipped, split or uneven nails can distract from the most otherwise groomed of finishes. On the other ahem, hand, a perfect manicure can seal the deal on any look. Preened to perfection or happily laid back and natural, a mani is a girls, or guys, best friend.

Hand treats don’t stop at manicures either. Opt for a luxurious hand massage or scrub along with your mani and feel pampered and smooth to the tips of your fingers. A paraffin wax treatment is the ultimate in hand treatments. Let your therapist cover your hands in warm, molten paraffin wax and relax as they’re wrapped in warm towels. When the towels and wax are removed, you’ll be left with the softest skin you’ve had since being a baby!

Nail Extensions, Acrylics and Gel Nails

These days we have so much choice, so there’s no excuse for tatty nails. We can go longer, squarer, shinier and more multicoloured than ever before.

If you have nails that just won’t grow, and you dream of long, elegant talons, then go for acrylic nail extensions. The process involves gluing a lightweight plastic plate to the tips of your nails. This plate is buffed to the shape of your nail, brushed over with acrylic to set it and then covered with the colour of your choice. Fantastically finger-slimming, long nails in a flash! Acrylic nails can be applied even if you don’t want extra length. They can be matched to your nails exactly to strengthen them. Either way, acrylics are a clever mix of liquid monomer and powdered polymer which harden when exposed to the air to form a solid, clear base, strong and ready for the colour of your dreams.

If you don’t fancy nail extensions, or you’re happy with the length of your nails, then gel nails are a good option. A gel manicure won’t lengthen your nails but it will strengthen them and will last a few weeks. It involves a base coat, two coats of colour and a top coat just like a regular manicure. Then you’ll need to pop each nail under a UV lamp for 30 ish seconds after each coat. This UV light sets the gel varnish and makes it rock solid, instantly. No more asking your manicurist to get your purse from your bag for you to pay. These beauties are good to go straight away. Shellac are the most well known brand but there are others to choose from that are just as good.

SNS stands for Signature Nail System and an SNS manicure is the newest kid on the block. It begins with a gel base coat but doesn’t require a fix under a UV lamp. Your nails are instead dipped into a colourful powder (of your choice) then sealed with a top coat. The result is a thin, lightweight manicure that will last a few weeks, and allows your nails to breathe whilst its on.

Acrylics, gels and SNS nails should all be removed by a professional. Picking and peeling them off is therapeutic (especially if you manage a whole gel in one go) but can damage the nails leaving them rough and split. Not good for your next mani.

Classic Manicures and Nail Art

The quick and classic file and polish still exists, but with a bit of pimping up. Choose fancy nail art designs (Minx Nails are the most common) or CND Vinylux, a traditional polish that lasts seven whole days. Or go for a funky nail shape, no longer is ‘round or square’ the only option. Choose a mix of the two (sqouval) or the extreme stiletto nail, where your nails are filed to a fierce point.

Men’s Manis

As if we’d leave you out, gents! Most of our fab salons offer the ultimate in male grooming, the man-icure. Chewed cuticles and unfiled nails are no longer an excuse. Get booked up today!