Selena Gomez has really gotten it together lately. It seems like she’s the epitome of brilliant ‘break-up beauty’ – or BUB, as I like to call it. Her hair is glossier than I’ve ever seen it and her outfit choices are daring without being dreadful (like another certain Disney starlet we know and erm… can’t seem to stop thinking out.)
Another thing that struck me was how polished and perfect her talons were at the MTV VMAs. All ruby red and ravishing. Yep, Selena is rocking some amazing manicures of late – and it’s making my own chipped digits seem truly dated in comparison. So what’s Selena’s secret? I set out to discover the secret to longwearing manicures and what I found are two very feasible options for trend-driven, time-poor women that want to rock a killer mani…
OPTION #1: GOING IN-SALON
Sometimes there’s just no going past leaving things in the hands of the experts. (Pardon the pun.) The fact is my recent visit to a Bio Sculpture Gel specialist confirmed how rewarding parting with some cash can be, especially when it means your nails look this good. Check out my slate-grey studded mani above from just a few weeks ago. The colour was incredible, the studs were oh so sturdy and the whole process took less than half an hour! Better still, my mani lasted a whole three weeks!
WHY IS IT SO GOOD?
Bio Sculpture Gel manicures aim to deliver durable, versatile, healthier nails. Each manicurist is trained to match the type of gel to your nail type, which is handy, especially if you want your manicure to last longer. As my nails are very weak and brittle, my manicurist, Jackie, decided to apply the more flexible gel to my nails in order to ensure that the gels weren’t too heavy and constricting for my tips. The part I loved most is the choice and the ability to create something that completely showcases your style. Bio Sculpture Gel has over 180 colours to choose from, which can all be embellished with various nail art options like studs and even lace! The Bio Sculpture Gel is also free from nasties such as toluene, formaldehyde, phthalates and parabens, making it totally safe for people with sensitivities and pregnant women.
Did you know?
If you ever tire of your chosen gel nail colour, you can apply another nail colour straight over the top, then remove it with nail polish whenever you choose and your gel manicure won’t be at all affected!
OPTION #2: GO PRO AT-HOME
Fact: many celebrities (such as Selena Gomez and Rihanna) have been rocking ruby red nails of late, and after seeing how amazing they looked I simply had to try out the trend for myself. I soon discovered that all you need to create this look is an Opallac Gel Polish Kit, Opallac Gel Nail Polish shade ‘Sherry Spark’ and around 10 minutes. This at-home gel nail polish kit is the answer to delicious digits for the time-poor among us – and I’m happy to report – is well worth the investment.
WHY IS IT SO GOOD?
The Opallac Gel Nail Polish Kit features everything you need to create a perfect manicure that lasts up to 14 days without chipping or fading. The kit comes complete with a 7Watt UV LED Lamp, three Gel Colours, a Gel Base Coat, a Gel Top Coat, 2-in-1 Shine & Soak Solution and a 30 pack of Remover Wraps. The polishes glide on like regular nail colours and set instantly like gel polishes. The colours are then ‘cured’ under the LED lamp for 90 seconds. Each nail should receive four layers (a base coat, two coats of your chosen nail colour and a top coat to finish, with 90 seconds of ‘curing’ under the lamp between each layer.) Though I found this method totally easy (and even therapeutic) to follow, be careful about how you position your hands as you paint. Keep your layers thin and your fingers flat or you risk the colour seeping down to one side of your nail and setting under the lamp! Though my DIY manicure didn’t last as long as my in-salon manicure, my nails were still chip-free, streak-free and totally glossy for around a week and a half. Unheard of for me!
OPTION #3: DO-IT-YOURSELF
CND Creative Nail Design VINYLUX Weekly Polish is a breakthrough product in the long-lasting manicure stakes. Designed to strengthen and reduce chipping over time, the weekly polish system delivers high-shine and week-long wear.
WHY IS IT SO GOOD?
After two coats, CND VINYLUX Weekly Polish completely dries in eight-and-a-half-minutes. Better still, the polishes feature pro-light technology that creates a powerful network of cross-linked polymer bonds that build a resistance to chipping and enhance their own durability over time. The Weekly Polish range is available in 62 shades and includes a self-adhering colour coat, which means you don’t need to bother with a base coat or top coat to achieve a flawless, week-long mani!
Stockists:
Bio Sculpture Gel Nails, price varies from salon-to-salon and depends on the extent of your nail art, but prices generally start from $50, 1300 246 435ӬOpallac Gel Polish Kit, $99, available at Priceline or www.opallac.com
Shop CND products at www.cndshop.com.au
Have you tried gel nails before? Which option do you think would provide the best result for you?
