nails

There are two things that I have zero time or energy for: packing my own suitcases (I find that someone will always help me) and doing my nails. I don’t know if I just lack coordination, but it always ends up looking a mess.  So when I do sit down to do my nails myself, I need my manicure to last beyond two business days. A reward is necessary for all the time and labour I put in, and thanks to Parisian nail brand Manucurist, there’s finally a reward. The brand has just launched in the UK, and its Green Flash Kit (£69), which is the first and only plant-based alternative to gel nails, has me seriously impressed. I was skeptical, of course, as I really don’t like the faff of gel nails and having to go back to the salon to remove them. Plus, I was curious to see how their g...

While there’s plenty of delight to be found in the now (looking at you cosy jumpers, gorgeous coats, and latest crop of It boots), we still can’t stop our minds from wandering to 2021. Of course, we can’t tell you what next year will look like—no crystal ball is powerful enough to do that level of foretelling—but with so much promise pinned on it, we’re already getting excited about what 2021 may have in store. The hope is that we’ll get to wear the fancy dresses and high heels that were made redundant in the wake of lockdown. Until such an opportunity presents itself, there is another, incredibly easy way to switch up, nay, reignite your style for the year ahead: a new wardrobe of nail colours.  A new slick of nail colour is one of the fastest ways to freshen...

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Every beauty editor feels like a bit of a phony sometimes. You see, the truth is beauty is just far too broad of a subject for any one editor to know every detail of every facet. Take, for example, the subject of skin. We know that we have to advise and inform others on products for all skin types, even when we can’t relate. Just because my skin is naturally oily and sensitive, it doesn’t mean I don’t have to ever research and write about dryness and acne. Although us beauty eds are extremely well versed in such topics, it’s easy to feel like a bit of a fraud when we haven’t experienced something first-hand. For me, it has always been especially difficult to write about nails. Why, you ask? Well because for the majority of my career, I have...

Luckily, we derive an insane amount of satisfaction from curating a fresh, new, compliment-inducing polish aesthetic each season, so the emotional blow of cooler temperatures and fewer hours of daylight is ever-so-slightly softened by the idea of having more time for our self-care and at-home mani rituals. November is smack-dab in the middle of fall fever, so even though we’re not quite ready to go full-on holiday with our nail aesthetic, we’re ready to lean into the rich festiveness of the season. That said, we never want to be overly predictable with what we’re wearing on our tips, so we’ve scouted all the best nail polish brands and all of their sparkling, just-launched collections for crème de la crème November nail color options. Here, we’ve fou...

When the weather begins to cool, there are certain switches we start to make. We find ourselves drawn to knitwear, pulling on opaque tights, and generally donning a darker colour palette. This transition, however, isn’t solely reserved for our wardrobes; in fact, one of the first things we change up in a new season is our nail colours.  That’s not to say you can’t wear bright nail colours in chilly months, but there’s something that just screams winter when you’ve got a moody or rich manicure. Not only do they look the part, but they feel incredibly luxurious, too.  For inspiration, I asked some of the country’s top salons to tell us which autumn/winter nail polish colours their clients are asking for most right now. Se...

I never thought I’d see the day that the colour brown would make the ultimate comeback. You see, I fall about midway on the millennial age spectrum, meaning I grew up in the heyday of teen sensations Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, and Destiny’s Child, who all regularly sported brown everything—from then-fashionable culottes and page boy caps to beauty staples like nail polish and lipstick. But once the 2010s hit, it’s like brown got publicly shunned and relegated as the ugly stepsister to all the other colours. (Even pea-soup green has been prioritised above it.) But as the years have passed and trends have shifted, brown seems to be making a resurgence. On the fashion side, the once “ugly” colour has taken over the runways, and now,...

It’s no secret that long, healthy nails are a feat that sits atop many beauty wishlists. We’re always on the hunt for the best nail-growth products and expert practices for achieving extended talons, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love a good short-nail moment from time to time. After all, there are few things more liberating than the carefree attitude that comes along with freshly chopped nails. Opening tin cans and picking up coins are just a couple of simple pleasures that become infinitely easier. Though keeping your claws cropped means having a little less real estate to use for nail art, there are still tons of short-nail designs that will satisfy even the most adventurous nail aficionados. Ahead, we’ve rounded up 13 decorat...

Nothing compares to the feeling of emerging from the salon with freshly painted nails. They may be small, but there’s something about having elegantly manicured talons that makes you feel more confident (not to mention significantly fancier). The only downside? The expense—particularly when you bring nail art into the equation.  While the steady hand, creative flair and keen eye of your nail-art technician is undoubtedly worth every penny, keeping regular salon appointments can be costly. Which is why it’s worth practising some looks at home which will appease your nail-art craving between appointments.  Nail art is known for being difficult to master, and that’s certainly true of some designs. There are, however, some options that’ll l...

We’ve done our best to keep it all together these last few months, but our beauty routines sure have changed. For better or worse, we’ve been tasked with taking matters into our own hands when it comes to everything from chemical peels to hair colour. While we’ve gotten pretty good at executing at-home gel manicures, too, we can’t help but think of how nice it could be to use this extra time away from prying eyes to give our nails some breathing room away from that perfect-looking but sometimes damaging cured lacquer. Fun fact: A number of nail polish brands have upped the ante by improving on their traditional nail polish formulas to look, feel, and perform more like gel, without the need to cure it under a light. And, of course, ...

Since salons began to reopen their doors, we’ve seen countless people sporting foil nails; particularly that of the golden variety. The reason we think the trend has become so popular is down to its versatility—you can use the foil to adorn your nails with a thin French tip, or you can go all-out and cover your entire nail in a sheet of molten goodness. The options are endless and can be tailored to suit you, whatever your style may be. To inspire you, we’ve compiled an edit of our favourite foil nails for you to peruse and to show your nail technician at your next appointment. Feel like giving it a go yourself? We’ve also curated a five-piece kit of everything you need re-create the look at home. Scroll below for all-things foil nails. You Deserve to Make Money Even When...

When it comes to nail colours, I personally like to play it safe. November to March I’m a CND Oxblood disciple (thanks Monikh for that addiction), but once spring and summer come around, I’m all about those understated neutrals. Call me a minimalist but I’ve never been one for fancy nail art, or a constant rotation of different colours. Not because I’m not a fan— some of the recent lockdown looks filling Instagram almost had me reaching for the nail pen. It’s mainly because I’m just awful at doing my own nails and unfortunately don’t have the patience, or money, to visit the salon every week. I like my manis to work hard and that’s exactly what a neutral does. Whether it’s a creamy beige, chic taupe or pale pink, neutrals are arguably the most versatile nail colour you...