Nail Game

Glossy nails weeks after leaving the salon, not a chip in sight. The joys of having a gel manicure are endless (if chipped varnish is your pet hate), however with the highs also come the lows! Figuring out how to repair damaged nails after a gel manicure is one of them, and we’re here to pass on all of our worldly nail advice. The solution to keeping your nails perfectly prepped in time for the next mani is that of extreme pampering, and one thing we do know for sure is REFRAIN. FROM. PEELING.

STAY HYDRATED

Kocostar

Although gel is pretty notorious for causing brittle nails, all kinds of polish can be dehydrating to nail beds, so making sure that they stay hydrated is a must. Try soaking your nails in a formula that’s rich in moisturising ingredients, like Kocostar’s 5 Finger Nail Pack (£4) which uses the hero ingredient glycerine. You’ll be well on the path to nail recovery in no time…

AMP UP THE DIET

Nail Nutrients

Get those nutrients in ladies! A diverse diet and balanced diet will do wonders for brittle nail beds, as well as the summer body we’ve all been yearning for. Your nails are made largely from keratin and need plenty of protein, zinc, calcium and B vitamins, so make sure that fruits and vegetables are featured in your daily diet, and try taking a vitamin that specifically addresses your nails (especially if you’re vegan and lacking milk in your diet). We personally love FutureBiotics Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamins (£12.26), if you want long healthy nails and hair like Rapunzel then these are the ones for you.

OIL IT UP

Oil it up

It’s good to give your nails a little break in between gel manicures, allowing your nails to breathe and take in the shellac free air! Try massaging a targeted cuticle oil through the bed and tips of your nails, as well as a lubricating nail oil. Distressed nails respond really well to Vitamin E oil, apricot oil, and tea tree oil, and our favourite product out there has got to be this beauty from Margaret Dabbs (£12), which uses Tea Tree oil to Emu Oil to strengthen, protect and hydrate your nails.

USE PROTECTION

Protect hands

UV rays from drying lamps may cause premature photo-ageing, which means loss of collagen , wrinkles and changes to pigmentation (who’s praising the Lord that we’re just talking about our fingers here!?). Applying hand cream with SPF in from fingers to elbows before your appointment could make just that little bit of difference when protecting your nail beds, and skin. May we have hands of 21 year olds forever. Deborah Lippmann knows manis, so this super-nourishing hand cream (£25) with SPF is like a protective spa for your thirsty hands. Your cuticles will love you for this, we promise.


Got questions? Simply contact concierge@uspaah.com or call 020 7101 3534.

G

The sun’s shining in London, open-toe shoes are calling, and your boots have been stored away for another few months. If you’re in the same boat after a long cold winter of neglecting your feet, it’s time to get them poolside ready. Keep reading for our top tips for getting your tootsies looking their best!

Exfoliate

E

An obvious one, yet something we’re all guilty of ignoring. “Oh well, I’ll do it tomorrow” you say as you put your slippers on and curl up on the sofa – not this time you don’t! We recommend investing in this Margaret Dabbs exfoliating foot mousse (£20), which uses ground Tea Tree Leaf to exfoliate, and replenishes and hydrates the skin with Emu Oil.

Moisturise

B

Try to get into the habit of moisturising your feet every other day – and don’t forget to focus on your heels! Olive oil and coconut oil are great organic remedies that won’t break the bank, PLUS the smell screams island vibes. Who needs the Caribbean eh? If you’d rather go for something a little more luxurious, L’Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream (from £8) is so highly regarded that it’s won awards! The power in L’Occitane’s formula comes from lavender essential oil that purifies the skin, enabling the anti-inflammatory arnica to calm redness and inflammation.

Protect

C

Sun burnt skin is the least chic look you can have during the summer season, let alone sun burnt feet. Darphin Soleil Plaisir SPF 30 (£32) contains high-end skin care ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, an ingredient creating a buzz in the beauty world at the moment due to its super hydrating qualities. Containing karanja oil and algae to strengthen the skin and fight premature ageing, this product feels like more like a luxury moisturiser than a sun cream.

Paint

D

It’s all about high-octane hues, and we’re obsessed with Chanel’s bright ‘Espadrilles’ (£20) and pinks like Camelia (£20; chanel.com). Manicurist to the stars, April Foreman, recommends balancing bright neons on the toes with a neutral flesh tone manicures during the summer. Lal Mirchi by NARS is one of her favourites  – if it’s good enough for Natalie Portman, then it’s good enough for us!

Pedicure

F

Of course, treating yourself to a pedicure with USPAAH would be the most sensible thing to do, right? Using nourishing products such as Jessica Hand & Body Emulsion which contains pro-vitamin B5 and Keratin to soothe and condition both skin and nails, our Sparistas will work to exfoliate, moisturise, and buff your feet, as well as feeding dry or damaged cuticles. Pedicures not only work to beautify those trotters (cough cough, gentlemen!), but they also promote healthy blood circulation.


Got questions? Simply contact concierge@uspaah.com or call 020 7101 3534