Applying Nail Colour...
To make it last it is essential to protect and seal in the colour. The
secret is to apply a really good basecoat and two thin coats of polish making sure you allow enough time between each coat to dry. This will avoid lumps and streaking. The Leighton Denny Undercover base coat has a special finish that creates the best platform for colour. Polish applied too thick simply won’t dry so don't pile it on, add the Leighton Denny Crystal Finish top coat which dries in seconds to give your varnish a long lasting, super shiny finish. For the ‘little Miss Messy’ use the Precision Polish Corrector to erase any stray polish.
The Need For Speed:
Fast tips!
If your polish is chipped and you've only got a couple of minutes, remove polish with gentle Essential Nail Polish Remover, apply Slick Tips oil, and buff your nails to a glass like finish with the clever Leighton Denny Quatro Buffer. A shape and shine block it’s numbered for foolproof manicuring. Fabulous.
Colour - fast!
Apply just one coat of any Leighton Denny nail polish. Its fast drying formula is great, and with Crystal Finish the topcoat, it dries super fast and leaves your nails with a superb finish. It will only last couple of days but is perfect when you are in a rush.
Moisture now!
If your hands are looking dry and you haven't got the time for a full manicure treatment, rub some Skin Like Silk by Leighton Denny into your hands. The 2 in 1 formula Moisturizes and exfoliates in one go. All you do is dry wash your hands, to activate the restorative peeling action, rinse in warm water and pat dry. Your hands will feel silky soft all day!
Do’s and Don’ts
Nudes
Do go for a stronger shade on black skin; try one with white pigment in it. Such as Sugar and Spice by Leighton Denny. Don't go for pale fleshy colours if your skin's super pale - barely there shades with a mauve or pink will be more flattering. Try…Stunning by Leighton Denny.
Candy Colours
Do wear candy tones that contrast with your skin tone, darker skin will suit light candy tones more than pale skins. Try Viva La Diva by Leighton Denny. Don't choose tones that will drain away your colour, watch out for polish with pigment that is too pale. In particular stay away from salmon pinks, they don't suit anyone. Try… Plush Pink By Leighton Denny
Coffee and Toffee Nudes
Do decide on a coffee or toffee shade if you want to go for the safe
option, these shades tend to suit everyone and be carried off at any
occasion. A colour that matches your skin tone will look best. Try Bronzed Babe by Leighton Denny. Don't pick a colour that is too beige, as you will end up looking like you've overdone it with the Marlborough Lights. Try Chocoholic by Leighton Denny.
Shimmer and Glitter
Do sport these tones on the beach to show off your tan or in the evening for a glamorous appearance. Adventurous girls make want to try a Coloured polish with glitter over the top to give them an extra shimmer. Try Angel Dust or Diamond Diva by Leighton Denny. Don’t put too much glitter polish on or you will never get it off. Glitter polish is renowned for being more difficult to remove. Try Essential Nail Polish Remover by Leighton Denny. It leaves a light oily residue to help combat dehydration.
The traditional French Manicure with a twist.Inspiration: 80% of the time clients want a French polish, whatever the occasion. I felt it needed updating to give it that upmarket twist. I used
Natural White and Sensual Glam by Leighton Denny to bring it into the 21st century.
Apply two coats of the Natural White to the tip of the nail. Use the Precision Brush dipped in Precision Polish Corrector to clean the smile line to perfection. An expert technique that’s easy for anyone to do.
Now apply a coat of Sensual Glam, then one coat of Crystal Finish Top Coat, for clean, clear wet look French!
How to treat conditions such as ridged, weak, brittle, flaky nails:
Ridges:
1) Use a ridge filling base coat such as Undercover By Leighton Denny.
2) Gently buff your nails as directed. Try Quatro shape and shine by Leighton Denny. The first time you buff do the whole nail, thereafter, only buff new nail growth. Don't buff too harshly or you could damage it.
Peeling:
1) This is caused by the dehydration in the nail plate; use rubber gloves when doing household chores. To instantly re-hydrate the nails, start using nail oil such as Slick Tips by Leighton Denny, use this regularly and steer clear of acetone polish removers.
2) Buffing the nails can help remove the dehydration – like exfoliating your skin.
Breaking:
1) Usually caused by dehydration. Moisturise frequently with a nail or hand and nail cream especially one rich in panthenol like Best Defence by Leighton Denny which helps prevent brittleness.
2) If you can find a good nail technician overlays are a great way to strengthen poor nails, but if you want to stay 'au natural' then have regular manicures, gently buff the ridges smooth and keep them short. Wearing your nails too long can cause you to catch and break them.
Ingredients these conditions should avoid or use:·
- If you have brittle nails then make sure your products do not contain toluene or formaldehyde.
- If your nails are dry, you must steer clear of nail-polish removers that contain acetone, as this will dry out nails further. Acetone can also damages artificial nails so take care if you wear them.
- If you have oily nail beds you will find base coats cannot adhere to the nail properly. In cases like this a polish remover containing acetone will temporarily dehydrate the nail bed allowing polish to adhere. If unsure of your nail type a professional nail technician will be able to tell you.
Step-by-step guide to Manicure & Pedicure
1) PREP SCHOOL: Remove all traces of nail polish with non-acetone Essential Nail Polish Remover by Leighton Denny.
2) SHAPE UP: mirror the curve of your cuticle, most women will ask for "squoval"-straight across the top with a rounded corners - but it's not always the most flattering look. I'm doing a very soft round shape now but don't confuse round with oval - Oval is more pointy, like a 50's movie star. File nails using soft grade natural nail file, course emery boards can be damaging to the nail and cause it to split and peel.... file nails from the outer edge to the centre - do not "saw" back and forth. (Try Crystal Nail Files by Leighton Denny)
3) Add some Tropical Treat Nail and Cuticle Soak to warm water and for two minutes.
4) STICK IT: Apply some Remove & Rectify Cuticle Cream to the cuticles and sidewalls. Wait 3 minutes then with a hoof stick; gently push back cuticles in tiny circular movements all around the nail plate. Gently wipe excess from the nail. Never cut your cuticles, as the cuticle is a barrier to keep bacteria from entering the body. Remove & Rectify can be used daily to keep cuticles in perfect condition.
6) DOWN TIME: Massage your hands for about 3 minutes with Skin like Silk. It exfoliates and moisturises and keeps skin silky. And use Best Defence hand and nail cream by Leighton Denny daily to keep hands and nails looking their best.
7) YOU CUTE-Y: I like using oil it’s instant moisture. Apply to cuticles at least 3 times a week. Try Slick Tips by Leighton Denny.
8) PRIME TIME: Using a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover, gently wipe excess oil from the nail plate, under the nail and across the tip.
9) TOUCHING BASE, it's the most important ingredient. My absolute favourites are Strengthen & Grip base coat/nail booster that works underneath your polish or Undercover, the perfect base for ridged or stained nails.
10) BRUSH STROKES, It’s all about the brush. If the bristles are uneven or draw bubbles you don't have a chance!
11) COLOUR ME HAPPY! Leighton Denny ‘Vamp’ is the most expensive looking nail colour in the world. It’s a chic update for shorter nails - long nails ruin the effect. A must have foundation for a french polish is ‘Barely There’ by Leighton Denny. It's gorgeous. It echoes the colour of your natural nail and makes your nails look perfectly healthy. Make sure your nail polish is never chipped. Hippie Chic means, couture hippie not Grunge but if you do get stray polish on your cuticles try the clever Precision Brush and Precision Corrector by Leighton Denny to correct any mistakes.
12) TOP CLASS: My must have topcoat is Crystal Finish by Leighton Denny, it's value for money and it dries fast, if you want have shine but without the time use it without colour for a clear crystal wet look!
The only thing that will speed up the drying process of nail enamel is to starve the surface of the polish of oxygen (by using Miracle Drops) this wonder product contains a chemical that will help speed the process of solvent evaporation from the polish to dry your enamel super quick hence avoiding smudging!.
Perfect Home Pedicure:
PREP: Remove all traces of nail polish with Essential non-acetone Nail Polish Remover by Leighton Denny.
1) Soak and Scrub: It’s really important that you soften your nails and skin first, put some Sole Relief foot soak By Leighton Denny into a foot bath and soak for 10 minutes. Now massage soften your feet with Sole Mate foot scrub, a revolutionary 2-in-1 treatment for feet. This easy to use rinse-off treatment with peppermint oil will exfoliate, soften and polish even the coarsest of feet leaving them fresh and baby soft.
2) SOFTEN: now apply Remove & Rectify cuticle cream all around the nail area and massage to nourish and moisturise.
3) REMOVE: Hard skin from feet paying special attention around the heels using Smooth your Sole foot buffer by Leighton Denny in circular movements.
4) PUSH: Using a hoof stick gently push back cuticles in tiny circular movements all around the nail plate. Gently wipe debris from the nail. Never cut your cuticles.
5) SHAPE: Using clippers cut nails straight across and file from the side to the middle rounding the corners to help prevent in-growing toe nails. (Try the large Crystal Nail File by Leighton Denny)
6) BUFF: Get rid of those ridges, they are not a good look in any season! Use the clever Trio Buffer by Leighton Denny buff up your toenails for a glass like finish…Fabulous!
7) CUTICLE CURE: Say goodbye to cracked cuticles forever by using Slick Tips cuticle oil by Leighton Denny – apply and massage in and remember to apply at least 3 times a week to keep your cuticles in tip top condition.
8) RELAX: Give your feet a good hydrating rub with Sole Pleasure Foot Lotion, then apply it again, more thickly this time, and wrap feet in cling film for 5 minutes.
"Myths that are commonly believed by people"
White marks on your nails mean you have a calcium deficiency...
Knocking the nail plate, trapping air beneath the nail bed, causes the white spots. The only way to correct this is to wear a nude colour until the marks grow out. Undercover base coat by Leighton Denny was developed with this in mind.
Nails need a rest so they can breath, once in a while...
Nails do not get tired and don't need to breath so there is no need to rest your nails from this season ‘must have’ colours!
Nail extensions damage nails... Nail extensions do not damage nails but inexperienced nail technicians do. You don't blame the scissors if you get a bad haircut.
"Strange but true"
Your nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter.
In the past some nail enamel manufacturers used to use fish scales for pearling nail polish.
The longer the finger the faster the nail grows.