best for BEAUTY
Smart, stylish upgrades for your best mani yet
1 THE NEW RED... IS A CHERRY COLA HUE
This rich, full-bodied mahogany hits the sweet spot between a classic red manicure and the chocolate and coffee-toned nails that were popular at the end of last year. The good news? It looks smart on all nail lengths and suits all skin tones, too. The contrast between hands and nails looks crisp and clean, while Susan Gerrard, founder of Mii Cosmetics, says the warm undertones also look great on darker skin. Products that perfect the shade include Mii Cosmetics Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Deep Slumber, from £9 and Essie Gel Couture in Spiked with Style, £9.99.
2 THE NAIL NEW TREATMENTS... AREN’T ONE SIZE FITS ALL
Using the wrong formula can make bendy or snap-prone nails worse than before. ‘Because nail types vary just as much as skin and hair types do, not all nail issues should be treated with the same skin solution,’ says manicurist and Protein Formula ambassador Robbie Tomkins. He explains that some formulas can make soft, peeling nails worse by adding too much moisture, while overloading dry and brittle nails with a protein-formula can render them stiffer and more likely to break when what they really need is moisture and elasticity. For nails that bend and peel, Protein Formula 2 Grow, £14.95, rebuilds keratin fibres to make nails denser and stronger, while 3 Hydrate, £14.95, puts moisture back into brittle and dehydrated nails.
3 THE NEW LENGTH... IS SHORT AND SWEET
Yes, shorter nails are more practical, but that’s not the only good thing about them. ‘Shorter nails are particularly brilliant if yours are weak and damaged,’ says Mii Cosmetics’ Susan Gerrard. ‘They also look healthier and thicker, a bit like after a good trim at the hairdresser when your ends look fuller.’ If you prefer longer tips, Susan suggests keeping them to a rounder almond shape. ‘Don’t file them too deeply at the sides,’ she says. ‘It’s important to have a supporting side wall that extends past the fingertip, as it provides extra strength and prevents nails breaking.’
4THE NEW CHROME NAIL... IS A TWINKLING TOPCOAT
This year’s chrome nail, described by Bio Sculpture’s chief operating officer Claire Aggarwal as ‘fairy dust’, is achieved by layering a coat of iridescence over a natural nail or any other colour – particularly pale pastel shades of pink, blue or yellow. If salon gels are proving costly, the new spring collection from OPI offers a mix-and-match palette o
