An Introduction to Nail Extensions

Many nail biters are hitting the beauty salons in order to cover their bad habit and have gorgeous nails. Well manicured nails looks great, they look professional and look perfect for every event. Nails can often get dirty, hands get dry and they need looked after, we are after all very hard wearing on hands so its important to take care of them. For those of us that are not blessed with strong nails or can not seem to kick the habit of biting then nail extensions are a great solution.

There are many different types of nail extensions available therefore its important to know what ones you want, if you are unsure or want to discuss the benefits of each further then ask your nail technician. Below is a list of some of the different types on offer at most reputable salons;

- Gel nails; The gel nail extensions are made from a coloured gel which easily moulds to your fingernails. Using ultra violet light the gel is cured onto the nail and will then harden so that the don't slip. You will require nail maintenance every two to three weeks in order to keep up with nail growth.

- Acrylic nails; An acrylic nail extension is formed by using acrylic powder and creating a paste, once the paste is created it is put onto over the top of the nail. Acrylic nail extensions are quite tricky to apply and will require quite a bit of looking after. They are however very strong and will be very durable if maintained every two to three weeks.

- Fibreglass nails; Fibreglass nail extensions are made by using fibreglass cloth which is wrapped around a gel or plastic mould. Fibreglass nail extensions are very durable however will feel a lot thinner than acrylic or gel nail extensions.

In order to pick which suit you and your lifestyle then you must consider their durability. If you do quite a lot of manual work then you will want nail extensions which are very strong however are also flexible such as the gel extensions. For a more natural finish to your nails then you may want to pick a style that blends into your nail and choose a subtle finish such as a French polish.

For people that want to go more glam why not try some nail gems or bright colour; many nail technicians will offer lots of trendy and fun styles of nail art. These are perfect for a night out or a glitzy event and are sure to attract plenty of attention. If you fancy a change or something sparkly then ask the nail technician what they can do, you are sure to find something that you love!

Nail Art - A Brief History

3000 years Before Christ the Chinese used enamel on their fingers. They applied the substance and left it to sit for several hours, the result; a pink finish on their nails. This was the beginning of nail art and the earliest records. The Indians also practiced nail art in a similar period using a dye derived from the Henna plant. This sometimes implied a social significance. Egyptians were another civilization that used nail art early on. The colour of ladies nails were used to identify what class in society you were in. The higher class wore deep shades of red and lower classes wore pale shades. Another mother of nail art was the Inca civilization who actually painted images of eagles on their fingertips.

The modernization of nail design began early in the 19th century. Orange wood sticks were developed in Europe beginning the process. Modern manicures began with this invention around 1830. The popularity created business opportunities and salons started to pop up across the US by late 19th century.

After the creation of the automobile and more importantly the mass production of them, a new range of paints entered the market on the demand of car enthusiasts giving new life to nail art. One of the first design to become poplar was what was knows as the "moon manicure". This nail art design involved painting the middle of the nail while leaving the moon of the nail unpainted.

The next revolution came from he Revson brothers, with their invention of a new kind of nail enamel and their creation of the company Revlon. The third partner in the business was a Charles Lachman who inspired the "L" in the middle of the company name. Their use of pigments instead of dyes changed the industry dramatically. This allowed for new colours and designs to quickly be adapted. The success instantly made Revlon an industry leader by 1940 and it was clear that nail art was here to stay.

As time moved on, nail art became a symbol to communicate between subcultures. Goths for example started to sport black nail polish, as did rock stars and punks.

Since then, nail art has become more creative and artistic. Many trends have come about such as the addition of symbols and crystals, air brushing, acrylic and gel nail enhancements. Nail art has become integrated into the world of fashion and is now sported as an accessory to any look.

The latest's in nail fashion? Nail wraps such as the metallic nails range. These wraps are pre-printed designs from a digital printer, allowing for complex patterns and reflective metallic finishes that are not possible through traditional methods. They are applied with heat activation and allow for designs to be finished in a fraction of the time. Not only this but they protect nails from scratches and don't chip like traditional products. They last for over 1 month and truly are the latest breakthrough in nail art.

How to Do Your Nails at Home

Getting your nails done is a weekly routine for some women and a rare treat for others. But as the recession continues to bite in the UK, more and more women are turning to home manicure kits and DIY nail art in an effort to cut bills without compromising their beauty regime.

Doing your own nails might sound daunting but by following a few simple steps, it's possible to get professional results at a fraction of the cost.

Do-it-yourself manicures

One of the most popular nail treatments is a manicure. Manicures are a great way to take care of your nails, and they can be as simple or elaborate as you want. To treat your nails to a simple manicure at home, start by taking off all traces of nail polish with a piece of cotton wool soaked in a gentle removal fluid. Then, immerse your hands in a sink full of warm water for around five minutes: this helps to clean your nails and make them more pliable. To give your hands a thorough clean, rub them with some abrasive body scrub to get rid of dead skin cells and promote smoothness. Wash and dab dry with a towel.

Next, take a nail buffer and go over the top of your nails to create an even surface. If you have cuticle oil, rub this into your nails and use a stick to push your cuticles back - not all women like to do this step, but it does create a cleaner end-result. Then, take your nail file and begin filing your nails to create a natural rounded shape. Remember to only file in one direction and round off any sharp tips.

When your nails are filed to your satisfaction, apply a layer of base coat to each nail. Base coat protects your nails so they are not discoloured by your polish. For a natural finish, simply apply a pearl or light blush coloured polish and let dry. Your manicure is complete at this stage - however, for a French manicure, you can paint your tips white. Or if you're getting ready for a night-out, forget the natural colours completely and opt for a classic red or a more contemporary shade like maroon.

Nail art at home

With the right tools and professional nail products, it's relatively simple to do your own nail art at home. For delicate patterns, invest in a nail art pen in gold or silver. This is perfect for painting the tips of your nails a different colour, or for drawing on small flowers. Glitter nails are also easy to do at home - simply buy some glitter nail polish or mix some glitter with clear nail polish and paint on over a layer of base coat. For an extra shiny and long-lasting dimension, add a new layer of top coat every day and your nails will be glittering for weeks.

Nail Polish Kits Provide Flexibility And Convenience

Nail polish kits are very much in demand today. That is because many women find the entire process of getting a manicure done at a salon a rather tedious and expensive experience. Considering that working women hardly get time to spend with their family during weekdays, they only have the weekends when they can take care of all other sundry household as well as personal care activities. This places great stress on them as they have to get the appointment at the salon as per their convenience and this may not be possible all the time.

It is more than likely that many of them are not able to keep to the schedule and the result is that they tend to neglect the upkeep of their nails. Moreover, such visits to the salon also become an expensive proposition and not something everybody can afford. Keeping all this in view, it would indeed be convenient to have nail polish kits at home, which would give you the flexibility of getting your manicure done whenever you can find the time for it.

You may always argue that getting a manicure done at home would not look as good as the one done at the salon. But the point here is not about only looks but proper and regular maintenance of your nails. Remember that you subject your nails to a lot of wear and tear during the course of your day to day activities and unless you take good care of them, you can end up with nails that become very weak, brittle and unattractive to look at.

It is therefore a trade off you need to seek between being regular at your manicure sessions, maintaining clean, healthy nails and overall looks that may suffer a bit considering that you are not a professional manicurist. But that should not bother you much. After all, with some guidance, reading up and practice, you should be able to do a good job. Much also depends on the nail polish kits that you buy and maintain in your house.

Good nail polish kits would have all the necessary tools that are necessary for a complete manicure. These kits would obviate the need for you to buy individual items separately and as long as you buy good quality nail polish kits, you can rest assured that it is an investment you are making for yourself that will pay itself back in the times to come.

Nail polish kits not only have a variety of nail polish colours but also nail base coats or hardeners, files, cuticle removers and clippers. It is advisable to buy kits that have all of these in them and though you may have to pay a tad more for them, they would be well worth the purchase.

Before buying these nail polish kits, you only need to be careful about a couple of things. The first is that you would not compromise on quality and will buy the best that is available. The other aspect is your selection of the nail polish colours within the nail polish kits. Having colours that you would use regularly would make the purchase a good one.

Introducing The Glamorous World Of Nail Art

The finishing touches to any woman's attire should be her nails. But most of us tend to forget and neglect this area. With nail art on the up and up there is no excuse. You can choose to do them yourself at home or be pampered and go to a salon.

Long nails always make a girl feel more elegant and creative nail art completes the look. With nail art you can experiment with designs and colours. You may feel that it's expensive but there are plenty of products on the market, all at an affordable cost. It just takes time to perfect the art which is the highest cost you will have to pay.

There are a few different applications now in artificial nails which all have their own benefits. Gel nails are probably the most expensive but give a natural, high gloss finish. This type allows your natural nail to grow underneath and if anything helps to strength them.

A less expensive option and therefore more popular type are Acrylics. These are less natural looking than the gel type and do not allow your own nails to grow underneath because they are much thicker.

There is a relatively new type of artificial nail now called the Stiletto nail. These are long and very pointed transforming short, dumpy fingers into long, elegant ones. These were originally popular in Russia, but are now generally available everywhere.

You will only get the best results with your nail art if you use the best equipment.

Preparation is always the key to good nails. You must first apply a nourishing cream to help soften cuticles and keep the nail in good condition. Then with a cuticle remover you must gently push back the cuticle.

Orange sticks are also useful for pushing back cuticles, if you are careful, as this has a flat edge at one end. The other end is pointed so this can be used for cleaning underneath the nails, but for hygiene it's best to throw them away after each use.

One of the most important pieces of equipment is a good nail file. Now these come in many different materials. Most people use an emery board which is made from sandpaper but the grit wears quickly or falls off, so these don't last that long.

The glass nail file is a relatively new type that is now on the market. This type has been guaranteed never to wear out. This type has a bonus too. Research shows that with regular, correct use your own nails will actually strengthen and it also helps reduce chipping and splitting.

The most popular in salons is the electric file but you can also get many home electric files at affordable prices. This type comes with a selection of attachments to aid in perfect filing, shaping, sanding and polishing.

The best brushes you can get are made of sable fur and these are probably the most important tool you will need to achieve your intricate nail art designs. You can either buy these separately or in sets with all you need.

The five most popular brushes are:

Long brush - This is a precision tool with excellent control to achieve intricate designs.

Sector brush - This is used to achieve different textures with its fan shape.

Flat brush - This is the most popular brush as it is very versatile. It is used mainly for flat, solid colours but because of its shape allow you to use two colours together without mixing. This gives great effects and ideal for flowers.

Angled flat brush - This is a flat brush but cut at an angle on the bottom - great for a slightly different effect.

Last but not least, the Dotter - If you want dots this is the tool to have. As the paint gets less so do the dots but it still gives a great effect.

So there you go, simple equipment for dazzling nails!

Nail Art or Nail Wraps - What Exactly Are They?

Nail Wraps are a form of do it yourself nail art. Forget using nail polish Nail Wraps are a fun easy way to decorate your nails. They come in a variety of colours and designs. Nail art could not be simpler. Wraps are a thin glossy film which is self adhesive so you do not need to use any glue to enhance your nails with amazing looking art designs.

The wraps are best applied to your natural nails but some brands can also be applied to gel, acrylic and false nails. They do not chip or smudge like polish. Nor do you have to wait for them to dry. You simply select the correct size, using the template supplied, peel off the corresponding nail art wrap, smooth it over your nail and either trim or file away the excess. If this sounds easy that's because it is. Your manicure will last between 1 and 2 weeks depending upon your nail growth and once you have applied a set of toe wraps your toes can look fabulous for up to 8 weeks, again depending upon your regrowth. Nail wraps come in lots of colours, designs and finishes. Shiny Mirror Gold and Silver, bright metallic red, fluorescents and range from animal prints to hearts,flowers and fabulous abstract prints.

All you need to remember when you apply rebel wraps is to remove any grease or oil from your hands and nails. (If you do not the oil from things such as moisturisers, soaps and some varnish removers will affect the adhesion) It is always best to use an oil free acetone remover and always buff your nails well before applying the wraps. You should also avoid touching the adhesive side that is going to touch your nails.

Change your nails as often as you change your look with these wonderful designer wraps. You can wear a combination of nail art designs or you can wear a whole set the choice is yours. No need now to buy lots of different colours in nail polish just to give your nails that arty designer look. Just get yourself a set and in five minutes you can recreate that designer art look simply, cheaply and easily without any messy glue, foils, polish or pens. Join the revolution and that is really what these art wraps are, a whole new revolutionary product which will give you instant nail art in a fraction of the time.

Nail Terms & Glossary

If you have never tried a manicure then you may not know that there are many different types of manicure. A French manicure is the most common one. You will see that here the entire nail is left clear while the tips of the nails are painted white. There is also a paraffin manicure where the hands and nails are dipped into paraffin wax to remove all the impurities. You can also opt for spa manicures where packs and masks are applied to the hands and nails.

Lets find out more on the terms used during a manicure.

Proximal nail fold:

It is the nearest attached end of the nail. It is actually a soft tissues that safeguards the
The growing plate.

The Eponychium is the part that is seen of the proximal nail fold and is at the end of the base.

The Cuticle

You will see that the eponychium has a thin layer of skin that has no colour and that will shed.

Cuticle Remover

A Cuticle remover is a solution that helps in softening the cuticles. Most cuticle removers have potassium hydroxide or sodium and some amount of glycerine. This is usually applied to the cuticles and the fingers are soaked in the water again.

Nail Cleansers

They are a type of scrub or soap solution, mostly in a liquid that is put in the soaking water during a manicure. It helps in removing dirt that is embedded deep in the plate.

Cuticle Oil and Creams

They are creams and oils used to lubricate them.

Nail Bleaches

Nail polish remover or hydrogen peroxide is bleach. It removes polish and also helps in removing stains from the nails. Nail bleach is applied all over and wiped clean with cotton.

Nail Enamel

They are nails polishes and the pretty colours applied to the ends of the nails after the manicure. Usually two coats are applied and on the last coat is a top coast where transparent enamel is applied to protect the nail and colour from chipping.

Nail Art - Ideals for Women of Mystique and Beauty

Women of mystique and beauty are those who are usually known for nail art which is one of the most current trends in the world of fashion. A wide variety of patterns and designs can be done, provided keen imagination and creativity are put into it.

The art of fashion involves the use of exotic apparels, ornaments as well as nail decoration. Nail painting actually dates back to ancient times of using natural substances like the juice from trees, gum Arabic, bees wax, and gelatin. They were used to make lacquers and varnishes for nail paints.

Today, nail decoration has become sophisticated among women as there are many styles to choose from. Nail art now comes with added quality, beautiful colours and finish because you can find various nail products on the market which can make nails beautiful and colorful.

Typically, nail paints come with flashy and sleek shades and they are usually characterized by various embellishments and textures. In the present fashion craze and cosmetology, you can find a wide variety of creative and artistic nail accessories which include simple dots, funky stickers, geometric patterns, tattoos, stencil art, abstracts, French manicure, Swarovski and portraits.

Your nail technician can help you to get attractive nail designs like polish, acrylic, and French manicure. With various designs and patterns to choose from, you can add more glamour to your look. If you like, you can make use of assorted nail decorations for an extra appeal to the nails. These assorted nail decorations include colored glitters, acrylic, gels, 3D nails, airbrushed, water marbling, nail stickers, crushed shells, nail jewelry, rhinestones and stencils.

Here are some of common nail accessories on the market, which most women love to use for nail decoration:

Stickers: in order to use them, you just have to remove the stickers and then fix them securely on your nails.

Stars and Dots: they are very beautiful and attractive. These accessories can be found in form of either polish or stickers.

Stripes: gently peel off the covering of the stripes and then fix the stripes on the nails.

Water Marbling: This happens to be one of the most widely used nail arts in the fashion world. This art is done by adding a small measure of paint of your favourite colour to some water in a cup or a small bowl so as to make a marble design with a pin or toothpick. Afterwards, dip your nails into the coloured water and then remove them few minutes later. Clean the excess polish from the nails.

How to Funk Up Your Nails

Many people in the world want to try out something new with their nails and they want to apply on so many different colours to make them unique and different. But keep in mind that the sad thing is most people do not know how to funk up their nails to make them look good and to blend in with your personality.

There are many things you can do to your nails but it is completely up to you and what you want to do with your nails. So you should start to funk up your nails in a unique way which people will want to copy and paint on.

If you want to get fake nails and funk them up then you can as all you will have to do is get the colours and so on and apply it on. I think this way will be much easier.

If you do not know how to funk up your nails then you should just apply on some nice colours, apply on a bit of glitter as well as some accessories like gems and stickers to make them look unique and beautiful.

Make sure than when you are hitting the shops to look for a colour for your nails then you should try something new and fresh which will make your nails look good. However, keep in mind that you pick something which looks good on you and not to copy someone else. Don't you want to be the next fashion trend?

Beautiful Nails to Make You Shine - Simple Steps to Looking Great

By the age of forty, the number of fat cells on the back of a woman's hand have reduced by up to fifty percent since female skin thins and ages quicker than men's. The condition of your hands and nails can reveal quite a bit about your health. For example, a lack of Vitamin B12 can lead to splitting nails whereas a deficiency in Vitamin A and calcium can cause dry nails. Insufficient zinc can cause white spots to develop on nails and a poor metabolism of essential fatty acids can lead to red skin forming around your cuticles.

Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables should help to supply the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy nails. Eating foods rich in sulphur and silicon such as broccoli and fish and incorporating biotin-rich foods such as brewer's yeast and whole grains are also excellent ways to feed your nails.

Nails grow anywhere between 0.05mm and 1.2mm per week and are mainly composed of a protein called keratin. Nails should be filed to a short to medium length. When filing, try to resist the urge to move from side to side, which can weaken your nails. Try to file gently from one corner to the centre in one motion and one direction. You should never cut your nails since this can cause them to split. For cuticles, push them back gently with a good cuticle cream and also massage the nail base well to encourage the blood supply.

There is no point in having beautifully groomed nails if your hands are dry and chapped so always moisturise really well but especially if you are repeatedly immersing your hands in water. You should consider wearing protective rubber gloves when washing-up since harsh chemicals can cause the skin around the nail bed to dry out and crack.

Now to the finishing touch - your nail polish. Coloured polish could be thought of as another one of your accessories since a nice splash of colour will bring attention to your hands. Just bear in mind that if your nails are not your best asset you should stick to either a clear or neutral polish. Otherwise choose a colour that blends with your lipstick. It doesn't matter whether it's darker or lighter as long as it blends. In cold air nails can dry out but with a good coat of nail varnish they will be more protected from the elements.

Lastly, remember to never go out if you have broken nails or chipped nail varnish. This will not only make you look like you don't care about your appearance, but this look could also ruin what would otherwise be a well-groomed ensemble.

How to Select a Nail Polish Colour For Your Nails

There are many types of nail polish colours in the market which you can purchase from to apply onto your nails. But make sure that you apply something onto your nails and which also suits your nails and does not look bad on your nails.

When you are going to hit the shops then make sure that you do not pick something boring but something out there which suits just you and you know that you can pull it off on your nails. However, I recommend when you are going to go shopping then take a friend with you to help you pick the right one which suits you and your occasion.

Make sure that you look at the brand as well as you do not want to purchase something which isn't so bad but in fact you will need to make sure that it does last for a long period of time. So if you want to then you might want to do a bit of research before purchasing your nail polish as then you will know which nail polish brand you will want.

If you go onto well known brands on the internet then you will be able to check out the nail colours and you will see that it is so simple to check out and you can also match the skin colour with yours.

Doing Your Nails Right!

Nails in my point of view are one of the main ways to keep a girl happy as you can use them to defend yourself and just to look great with neon colours and so on. However, there are many designs and colours you can choose from when doing your nails. But which one suits you and do I really want to overdo them?

Choosing the colour and design of your nails depends on what sort of person you are so if you like girly things you will like to paint them pink, red or purple or any girlish colour with glitters but if you're into boyish things then you will like to paint your nails a blue, black or any colour which is dark.

If you dislike your nails and if you think that they are too small and stubby then why not get extensions and you can choose them to your liking, although the only thing with extensions are that they break off to quickly and just feel weird at first. You could get your extensions done by a nail specialist or you can purchase the extensions from a shop which costs around £5 to £15.

You can also decorate your nails with glitter, stickers, and even get them designed with a small fine brush. You might think appear tacky but in fact they look good if you're going somewhere special. Make sure to blend them in, yet if you like bright colours then why not mix and match.

If you like to spend a bit then you would prefer to get them done from a nail specialist, the prices vary depend on what sort you want. So, you could get a pedicure and a manicure done which varies from a price around £20 to £100.