Nail care is important as your nails are an appendage of skin and are made up of protein. They need moisture to stay healthy and pliable. They dehydrate much like your skin dehydrates.
It’s been quite a battle trying to keep my nails looking attractive and neat. After all, one’s hands are continuously on display especially if, like me you are always using your hands when speaking. How well I remember attending sewing classes when one evening, during a class, my teacher turned round to me telling me to have my nails manicured and who the best person would be to go to for this! Obviously my nails must have been an awful sight. I used to be a “nail-biter” and it was probably during this period that I was attending sewing classes.
Over the years I have tried quite a few manicurists (nail technicians) but have not had much luck. My nails are very soft and have a habit of peeling and splitting. I have resorted to using every type of nail hardener and always applied these products on a regular basis following the instructions on the bottle to the letter, but to no avail.
And then bingo! At last I found the solution to my nail problems. This solution is to be found at the hair and beauty salon called SPOILT at Shop 3, Portside, 43 main Road Green Point, The manicurist there is Chantal whose mani’s and pedi’s are par excellence. She offers the following treatment options for your nails: –
1. Full pedicure (one hour – R180) or full manicures (half an hour – R100).
2. NSI (soak-off) Gel. You will have a choice of quite a few fun –colours. These may be applied to hands as well as to the feet. This gel is non-damaging to the nails and the whole process takes about one hour for both hands and feet-R220.
3. Acrylic nails provide a strong layer of acrylic to the nails. This process takes about one hour twenty minutes and usually lasts about two to three weeks after which it may be necessary to have a “fill”
4. Silk nails involve a thin layer of silk applied directly onto the natural nail using resin. The result is a natural “thin looking nail” that may be varnished or left au natural after the procedure. This takes about one hour. A touch up can be done at about two to three weekly intervals.
5 Finally there is the brand new product called “SHEEKEE” (designer wrap). This process involves “stickers” that are applied directly onto the natural nail. In essence the nail is then put under a lamp and the heat melts the sticker into the nail bed. It is a form of nail-art and comes in bright, fun colours including gold and silver. This may remain on the nails for about two weeks and can then be removed quite easily. Chantal says that this mainly appeals to the younger adult but there is nothing to stop our generation from trying it out too (could be fun).
I initially had the acrylic layer on my nails but somehow never managed to maintain the nails. After one week I would be picking the layer off leaving dry, brittle nails under the acrylic. Eventually Chantal suggested I have the layered silk option and this has been remarkably successful for my nail beauty.
Contact numbers for Chantal:
Mobile: 0824374747
Green Point: 021 4341013
Chantal also works from home in Newlands.
Article by: Mary-anne Wolff Also known as SIXTY SOMETHING