There’s no denying that a
clean and glossy manicure is a perennial go-to style for Bazaar beauty editors, but come festive season, with the night sky lit up with twinkling lights and fizzy champagne aplenty, we’re in the mood for something that feels a little more celebratory – think hints of shimmer and elegant designs – to enliven our nails.
Harriet Westmoreland, the manicurist who’s mastered the art of ‘quiet luxury nails’ agrees. “For this time of year, I personally love a white, sheer manicure. To achieve this look, I use my most popular shade, which is The The Gel Bottle Milky BIAB. I then add a touch of The Gel Bottle Flashing Pigments (a form of fine glitter) so it has a festive twist,” she tells Bazaar.
What colour combination works best for party season?
Instead of going down the clichéd red and green pairing, something icy and cool such as steel blue and silver feels especially grown up, according to Emma Brown, resident nail artist at Notting Hill’s Young LDN salon. Or opt for rich mulled wine hues with a hint of glitter ombre at the tip for something sparkly yet subtle.
The grown-up way to wear nail art?
There’s space for every kind of nail design, but if you prefer something that whispers rather than shouts, delicate and simple are the key words here.
Try a tiny shimmering snowflake on a midnight blue base to capture the winter sky or swap your white French tip or reverse French with metallic gold or silver on top of a neutral hue. When in doubt, adding small glitter dots on your regular manicure is a good idea too; it adds a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it-moment to a polished nail.
See Bazaar‘s go-to manicure spots in London, here.
How do I maintain my manicure?
To keep your gel manicure in top form, Brown’s advice is to never “use your nails as tools, such as unscrewing or picking at something, as this will make them chip.”
Be cautious in the bath, too. “You should have your hands out the tub, as this ensures the water does not soak them off,” says Brown.
Hydrated nails will ensure longer-lasting manicures, so have a cuticle oil on hand. Massage them into your cuticles and under the nails every few hours to replenish lost moisture.
