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Nail It! Laura McNally has the inside track on how to care for your nails this spring. If there’s one beauty treatment to indulge in this spring, it’s grooming your nails. A perfectly painted set of nails gives an elegant, classy look, and you can experiment with different nail art designs for a more decorative look. Here are some tips on how to keep your nails looking well-trimmed and in top shape. If you’re going to invest in a good quality nail varnish, the infamous cult brand OPI sell a wide variety of colours. Their website, opi.com, shows the full range of colours available. Other top brands include China Glaze, Lancôme and Chanel. Use cuticle sticks to push back the cuticles on your nails. This is more effective if done after a shower or bath, or after soaking nails in warm water for 5 minutes. To do a French manicure, apply a clear base coat of varnish, followed by a light pink neutral shade. Wait to dry, and then apply some white nail varnish to the tips of each nail. Seal with a top coat
OPI and Barry M have released nail polishes which can be applied as a top coat to produce a “shatter” effect. Konad Ireland supply special sets for nail care and nail art. The pack comes with a stainless steel disc with various nail art designs which you apply ink to, transfer to a stamp, and then transfer to the nail. Their products are available for purchase through their website, www.konad.ie. Sally Hansen and The Nail Doctor sell a wide variety of nail varnishes for specific types of nails, whether you have dry, damaged or weak nails, or even nails that won’t grow. Both brands are available from Boots stores. Dark colours will make nails look shorter, whereas shimmery, metallic colours will make nails appear longer. For a more glam look, try gluing rhinestones or diamantés to the nails after applying nail varnish. Seal with a top coat to secure. Lemon juice is a commonly used remedy
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From Left: Rachel Heavey (Age 20) 2nd Law & Philosophy Favorite Shop: T.K. Maxx Style Icon: My sisters, Suzanne & Jessie Marcus Brennan (Age 19) 1st Arts Favorite Shop: Penney’s Style Icon: 90’s boybands Ciara Cafferkey (Age 19) 1st Finance Favorite Shop: American Apparel Style Icon: My friends
to strengthen weak nails. It also helps remove dark stains on the nails. Avoid using metal nail files as they damage the nail. Instead, opt for an emery board which will work just as well without causing any damage to the nails. To whiten the tips of your nails, use a white nail pencil to colour in under the nail. When choosing fake nails, it’s important to consider the many types available. Look at their advantages and disadvantages, then choose which ones are right for you. The most commonly used forms are gel and acrylic. Gel nails produce a more natural effect, but are not as durable as acrylic nails. However, gel nails are less damaging than acrylic ones. Whatever your sense of style, be sure to give your nails some TLC this spring. You deserve it!
The Siren 22.02.11