Festive seasons bring an opportunity to have fun with your beauty routines.
Nail enhancements have evolved over time to be more of an artistic accessory to your choice of personal image. be it elegant, street, Goth, boss babe, diva; whatever look encapsulates who you are, nails have become a major part of that statement today.
Whether you choose gel overlays, acrylic tips or polygel nails there are a number of techniques, styles and art forms that you can request from your nail technician to give your nails festive flair this Diwali.
Saleena Pillay is the owner of Nail Art Boss, importers and distributors of nail art products and accessories for professionals.They also provide accredited training for nail technicians.
POST asked Pillay for tips ahead of Diwali:
* COLOURS:
Q: Although classics like the barely-there sheer tones, French tips and dark reds are always chic, what are trending colours this season?
A: October not only comes with festivities, but new beginnings. As we celebrate Diwali each year, with that comes new clothes and new trends and fashion which is inspired by the Pantone Colour System and the complimentary palette.
The Pantone Colour System is a standardised colour matching system, which is widely used worldwide. It was devised to help printers and designers specify and control colours for printing projects. The Pantone Colour System allows you to specify colours that cannot be mixed traditionally.
This system filters down to our accessories, shoes, bindis, bags and our ever-popular growing nail trends.
Pantone’s colour of the year 2022 is “very peri”. It is a violet hue that inspires creativity, a joyous attitude and dynamic presence with complimentary colours of pastel green, lilac and emerald green.
* NAIL ART
Q: Sponge bobbing, stamping, taping, stickers or chrome, and so on. What are the nail art techniques that would best suit a Diwali-themed set of nails?
A: Diwali is colourful, bright and shimmering and so are nails. To achieve all of this on a set, we use different elements of design which would make use of either gel polish or acrylic as a base colour, glitter, alloy jewellery, stones and gel paints.
* TIMING:
Q: What do you advise in terms of the time frame to get nails done before Diwali?
A: The nail industry has grown substantially over the years and nail technicians have become sought after due to the influx. Appointments during festivities should be made months or weeks prior to avoid disappointment. By three to five days prior to Diwali, most nail bars are fully booked.
* LENGTH:
Q: Short nails are on trend, but what should we consider before choosing a length for our nails?
A: Short nails are growing in popularity, but some nail shapes require length. Lifestyles, occupations and hobbies must also be taken in consideration when deciding on the length of nails.
* SHAPE:
Q: Oval, almond, square, squoval, coffin (ballerina), stiletto (pointed nails) or round? How should we decide which shape best suits us?
A: With so many shapes to choose from, not all shapes compliment the anatomy of the hand. It is important to consider the shape of your nail bed.
For example, with the square shape being the most classic shape for a French manicure, this shape should be avoided if your natural nail beds are short and wide as this shape would make your fingers look shorter and stubbier.
A square and squoval shape would suit an elongated nail bed. An almond, coffin or stiletto shape would suit a smaller nail bed.
Free edge shapes should be considered by the shape of the hand, activities you are involved in and your lifestyle.
* NAIL CARE:
Q: What do you advise for personal hand and nail care as part of a daily routine?
A: Whether you choose gel or acrylic, aftercare or homecare is crucial in terms of longevity of your nail enhancements, which should be advised by your nail therapist.
This includes:
– Daily oiling of your nails to avoid build up of cuticle or dead skin cells.
– Moisturising your hands with a good hand cream.
– Avoid hot water. Don’t, for example, wash dishes without protective gloves, or soak in a sauna or jacuzzi over long periods shortly after a fresh set. Nail enhancements take 24 hours to properly cure and set on the nail plate. So keep disposable latex gloves in your kitchen. This comes in handy for food preparation, hygiene purposes, and to protect the work of art on your nails.
– Take a good multivitamin for hair, skin and nails; eat a balanced diet and keep your body hydrated.
– Apply almond oil to the white half-moon area of your nails as this is your actual nail root and absorption is greater here.
– For really dry hands and nails, warm almond oil in a bowl and soak your fingers and nails for three minutes.
– Never use a rough file on your nail plate, always use a buffing block.
– File your nail edges with a soft grit file, and in one direction.
- Tip for a mini manicure at home:
– Wash your hands
– Push away cuticles and remove.
– File free edges with a soft file.
– Buff away shine on nail surface with a soft buffer.
– Wipe the nail plate with liquid sanitiser or wash your hands.
– Apply nail polish. Allow to dry in between coats.
– Apply nail oil.
* For more tips and advice, follow Pillay on social media: Instagram, TikTok, or on her website.
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