Nail Bites - smooth or not so smooth?

Preparation is key in everything we do, and a manicure is no different.

Many nail techs will do a great job of filing and shaping your nails, much better than you can do yourself. We are used to shaping your nail efficiently and evenly, and we have the tools to be able to do this. 

So after filing your nails you might think that they are ready for the gel polish application.

But as we file your nails, we are also assessing their condition and looking for signs of breakage or splitting, or anything else that could compromise the quality of your manicure.

Any rogue cuticles can be pushed back at this point, giving a good nail surface to work with.

E-files (electric files) can be used at his stage, although I prefer to use a manicure file. Some nail techs will also file the surface of the nail - this is something I won’t do!

I have had a few manicures where the filing of my nail surface has made my nails incredibly sensitive, but it also weakened my nails to an extent where I had to let them grow out over a period of several months to allow them to recover. 

I gave this step a lot of consideration before removing it from my process. I don’t want to hurt my clients!

But I also found out that not every nail is the same, in the same way as no face is the same.

But I also found out that:

Nails have wrinkles!

Yes, just like our skin nails can become wrinkled with age. Although please don’t assume that your bumpy nails are just wrinkled as there are other reasons that can cause imperfections in the nail, so if in doubt always consult a medical professional. Your nail tech will not continue your manicure if there is any doubt regarding the good health of your nails. 

But if your nails have wrinkles there is really no need to file them out! The products I use - base coat, colour, top coat - are all self-levelling, meaning they will smooth out any bumps on the nail. 

Which in turn means that I can offer a gentle experience to your nails, while also giving you a great manicure!

If you have any questions concerning any part of your manicure, please do ask. 

Proud to be a Nail Tech

www.nailstoyou.uk 

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07727 110413 

Nail Bites - anyone for Lilac?

 I have so many wonderful colours. Each one is chosen because I like it and I would be very happy to wear it. But there are just not enough days in the yea to wear every single colour and combination! The next best thing is to create a gorgeous manicure in these colours for my clients. 

I am always happy with the choice each client makes - there has never been a time when I have doubted a client’s choice. 

So this particular manicure, for a very special person, was an absolute pleasure to do. She initially chose a very pale lilac, which was delicate and pretty, but together we decided to go for a little more depth. And a dainty white flower decal on the ring fingers to make it even more special. 

So this lady was ready for work, play, and a well-deserved treat for herself. Sometimes you need that me-time!

Proud to be a Nail Tech

www.nailstoyou.uk 

Facebook.com/nailstoy0u 

Info@nailstoyou.uk

07727 110413 

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 Autumn has finally arrived after a long and luxuriously sunny Summer. With Autumn comes conkers, hibernation, chillier evenings, and brisker winds. Thoughts of Winter are ever closer now! 

October brings Halloween, Stoptober where we can pledge to quit a habit such a smoking, or take a break from drinking alcohol.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month - raising awareness of this terrible cancer which can affect anyone, whether you know someone who is fighting it or you are fighting it yourself, or you are involved in research, or raising funds fo that important research, or you are treating a patient with this disease .... it affects every person, regardless of age, gender, religion, wealth, beliefs, likes, dislikes ... every person can and will be affected in some way by this.

23rd October is Wear it Pink - when you can join in and have some fun too! If you know me then you will also know that pink is favourite colour of mine ... in heraldic terms it signifies romance, love and friendship; and denotes feminine qualities and passiveness. But this can be no time for being passive in this fight against cancer! We all have part to play, no matter how small you feel that part is we are all involved this together. I pledge to donate 20% of each extra item sold from my Love Your| goodies. So whether for your self or someone you care about, have a look at my website where you will find plenty of salon quality spa treats at very affordable prices.

I look forward to lots of pink this month!

www.nailstoyou.uk 

Facebook.com/nailstoy0u 

Info@nailstoyou.uk

07727 110413 

Proud to be a Nail Tech 

Nail bites - Pink sparkles

 I have so many colours I daren’t even begin to count them. I have chosen each of them because I would be very happy to wear them - there are not nearly enough days in the year for me to try each and every colour! Plus as many of you will know I like to mix it up a bit with a design or mix of colours - I have never had the same combination more than once! I love a bit of sparkle, even just a hint of a sparkle to catch the light. And a sparkle with a colour, well that is just perfect!

One of my clients chose the Pink Sparkle - beautiful champagne pink overflowing with gorgeous pink sparkling bubbles ... on every nail it look absolutely stunning. Just like wearing your most precious jewels every day. Because your manicure is an accessory you should be proud to wear! Even on the dullest day when I look at my manicure I smile and feel os much brighter.

Proud to be a Nail Tech

www.nailstoyou.uk 

Facebook.com/nailstoy0u 

Info@nailstoyou.uk

07727 110413 

Nail bites - Behind the mask

 I’m loving being able to see all my lovely clients once again. The one question the have each asked me: am I busy?

Well, I’m not cramming appointments in as I did before the pandemic. 

This is out of a mixture of not wanting to over-commit my time, a need for extra time to manage the extra precautions we now all have to take, and having had so much free time during lockdown I have an absolute desire to enjoy my life taking time for myself. 

And so the clients I am seeing enjoy an unhurried appointment with total focus on their needs. We have all been through a lot, and we all deserve this, my clients are no exception! 

With gifts of extra advice and expert knowledge, or a mini treat to use between appointments, I want each client to enjoy a very special experience. Under that mask we have to wear it is impossible to see a nice smile so this has to be translated in other ways!

And when I leave my client feels relaxed, special, and in possession of a beautiful treat they can wear everyday!

Proud to be a Nail Tech

www.nailstoyou.uk 

Facebook.com/nailstoy0u 

Info@nailstoyou.uk

07727 110413 

Just like Granny’s!

 I was very fortunate if a little reluctant to be gifted some windfall apples recently.

I haven’t baked anything for years, my reason being that if I bake it I have to eat it ... and I can do without the calories!

So I perused the Internet searching for a suitable recipe that didn’t require ingredients that I will never use again, and didn’t require too much effort. There are so many recipes out there, tried and tasted apparently by their creators. I wanted something a little more challenging than an apple crumble, which I rediscovered in my trusty old Be-Ro book. I was side-tracked for a while as I carefully turned the remains of the pages, remembering all the dishes I have made using this book, handed to me by my Granny many many years ago. It was always my reliable go-to for basic cakes that could be made special enough for Sunday teas and even birthday cakes. Enough daydreaming, and back to my search! 

I happened upon a promising recipe which called for very few ingredients and was an easy rubbed-in method so required no special equipment! The only thing I needed to buy was a loaf tin - perfect!

And so my Apple Loaf was born, emerging from the oven with the most delicious aroma ... and now I am sitting with a cup of Earl Grey tea and a slice of my cake.

Thinking about all the cakes and cookies I can bake ... mmm!

Nail bites - sheer sophistication!

 It has been a busy week with one thing and another.

Trying to plan a camping holiday when everything is already fully booked is not much fun! But we have managed to get some time in later in the year to some exciting places that we have never visited before.

I had the pleasure of creating a beautiful gel manicure which glimmers and shines, yet is cool and understated. Using Halo gels with Butterscotch as a base colour overlaid with a very beautiful Rose Gold.

There is nothing loud or brash about this combination; it is pure chic, beautifully stylish. 

And yet, when it catches the light .... wow watch out! 

This is a magical beauty, sheer sophisticated elegance!

Proud to be a Nail Tech

www.nailstoyou.uk 

Facebook.com/nailstoy0u 

Info@nailstoyou.uk

07727 110413