The Nail & Beauty Academy: Acrylic Overlay Course

As my love of being a nail technician grows stronger I decided I should upgrade/update my knowledge and skills.

The Nail and Beauty Academy LTD.

I took it upon myself to book an Acrylic course. Although, when the first company cancelled I decided I needed to book another one fast as my clients kept asking when I'd be qualified.

The next available course was in Surrey, an hour and a half from where I live but the company themselves looked so professional and well-known that I couldn't help myself!

Lunch at the Coughlans
Bakery next door.

Yesterday, my model, Becky and I travelled to Surrey to take part in the five-hour course.

When we arrived I learnt some valuable theory information about nails, the skin around them and how to take care of them. We then got straight into the practical.

I learnt a lot of things I didn't know before and that my Gellux course didn't need to teach me. 

Once I'd finished my first ever set of acrylics I was so pleased. Ofcourse, I'm fully aware they aren't perfect - but I'd tried really hard and was very happy with the outcome. Even the instructor claimed for a first attempt they were very good!

Becky's nails, my first set.

I managed to finish the course two hours before expected due to there only being two of us learning at the time - which was great because at some points I had received some one-on-one training.

I've been wanting to take this course for a while now and am so pleased that I did. So I thought I should show you the final outcome! Here are my first ever set, and a couple of other photographs from the day.

Enjoy and if you have any questions please ask! 

Inside the starter kit. Acrylic liquid, acrylic powder, a 180-grit
file, acrylic brush, tips and nail forms.

My starter kit & certificate.

2013 - what a year

I cannot believe how quick this year has passed, and what a year it's been.

When I look back at the start of 2013 I remember things I'd experienced and, somehow, totally forgotten about. In March we went to Paris and had one of the most insane, drunk, hilarious weeks of my life! In April my mum got her first all clear - which has to be my highlight.

But then, I fast forward to the end and we went to NEW YORK! How amazing?

Anyway, I found this app, Flipagram. It's amazing and what perfect timing? This is my year in moments...

Christmas nail art tutorial Penguin, Erik from Happy Feet 2

Merry Christmas! So if you saw my previous post you’ll have seen that I’ve been practicing some Christmas nail art. I loved Rudolph and I hope you do too. But I now have another little cutie.

Introducing Erik, the penguin from my favourite film, Happy Feet 2. Much like Rudolph – it’s a loteasier than it looks. Here are five simple steps for you to follow…ENJOY!

(I’m using Gel polishes here again, please let me know how you got on.)

Step 1:
After I’d prepped my nail, used Gellux’s fast bond and base coat I added my first layer of colour. Using Black Onyx (Gellux) I covered the whole nail. Once that’s dried/been cured add another layer of black to it to ensure the colour isn’t streaky.

Step 2:
Using my brush I created a round long circle to use as the penguins white belly (using Gellux’s Purely White) . Using my dotting tool I also added two white dots to start Erik’s eyes. I made them slightly larger than the dotting tool had by swirling the dotting tool around a little on the nail. 

Step 3:
Add another layer of white to the belly to ensure the colour is not streaky.

Step 4:
I added two smaller black dots into the white eyes to complete Erik’s eyes and created an orange by mixing Devil Red and Lemon Ice – both Gellux. (I then realised that I already had an orange…blonde moment). But this orange probably works out nicer anyway. I used the orange as a triangle nose between the eyes and the belly and the small feet either edge of the belly. 

Step 5:
Once this has been cured/dried, add a top coat and cure again. Then you should have a very cute little Erik!

TIP:
When creating Erik’s feet and nose, if like me you’ve mixed your colours you’re probably doing this anyway, but it’s easier to use a much thinner brush to ensure you get a better shape to it.

 

Christmas Rudolph nail art tutorial

Hello and Merry Christmas! 

So a few weeks ago I started to practice some Christmas nail art in case some of my clients wanted some. I saw a little Rudolph design on Pintrest and thought I’d never be able to do it. So I started off simple, with a Santa’s belt design etc – which turned out to be more complex that the Rudolph design!

So I thought I’d try. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to do, once you’ve got the head shape done it’s pretty much plain sailing from there on. I thought I’d share it with you as I absolutely love it and give you a few tips on how I found was easiest to do it. If you have any questions please ask!

I’m using gellux colours here, but I’m sure you could do it with nail varnish – I just don’t have the patience to wait for it to dry! So as you can imagine, I’m curing my nail in the UV lamp between each step.

Step 1:
After I’d prepped my nail, used Gellux’s fast bond and base coat I added my first layer of colour. I chose to use white as my base coat as I feel the other colours show up much better with it. The name of this specific colour is Purely White.

Step 2:
Add another layer of your base colour remembering to cap the free edge.

Step 3:
Using the brush create a large circle at the tip of the nail using a browny colour. The only brown I had was very light but I still think it works really well. This is called Wild Mink.

Step 4:
Go over the circle with the same colour to create depth to the colour and ensure it isn’t streaky.

Step 5:
Using a dotting tool make two white eyes (again, I’m using Purely White). But, try to make the dots slightly bigger by swirling the dotting tool around a bit on the nail to ensure there is enough room to add in a pupil later on. Using a red or a red glitter create a smaller circle at the bottom of the nail in the centre to create Rudolph’s famous nose. I’ve used Gellux’s Red Hot Ruby glittery red. 

Step 6:
Using a black colour add two lines coming out the top of the reindeers head. The black I’ve used from Gellux’s range is called Black Onyx. Add two black dots in the centre of the white eyes we’ve already created which will be Rudolph’s pupils. Go over the two black lines and add two more smaller horizontal lines in each of them to complete the antlers. Go over the nose with the red again to ensure it shines bright. 

Step 7:
Ensure you’re design lasts as long as possible by using a top coat. Of course, if you’re using gel – you’ll have to apply the top coat. And you’re finished with your own adorable little Rudolph. 

TIP:
If you’re really wanting to go all out. I’ve seen someone do Rudolph on one nail and plain nosed reindeers on every other nail – very cute. 

New York Uni Trip December 4th-9th 2013

As the year comes to an end I wanted to update you on the best week of the year for me!

We'd been counting down the days from the minute we put the deposit down and I cannot believe how quick it came around!

New York was amazing, and truely is the city that never sleeps! Going to bed at half two in the morning only to wake up at six again for an exciting and packed day!

I can safely say we experienced it all from The Empire State Building to Ground Zero to the New York snow.

I don't think I could pinpoint the best part of the holiday, it was all so breath-taking and unbelievable!

I've never been to America, but I can confidently say, I will definitely be going back. Whether it be back to New York or somewhere new. It was such an experience and we are so lucky with the great location we had. Just a 30 second walk from Central Park and the weather was so good to us that we could walk to Ice Skating in Central Park with no coat or jacket.

The holiday made me laugh more than I ever have before, with such amazing people with me.

Ground Zero was so much more overwhelming than I expected. The stories we heard from the tour guides were so inspirational. The whole scenery was beautiful.

I would also recommend Ice Skating in Central Park. The view, as you can see from the photographs, was absolutely stunning. Everything is so tall and extraordinary that a lot of my photographs are panoramic! 

Here are a few pictures I wanted to share with you. Enjoy!...

 

Perfection from Pandora

From the carrier bags, to the hand crafted charms - utter perfection! 

FINALLY, I got round to buying my very first Pandora charm and bracelet! I was visiting the new Portsmouth store, which, by the way, is wonderful. All white walls with the most beautiful and stunning jewellery.

I have yet to find one charm I dislike, but I knew which one I wanted.

I went for a black leather bracelet as I don't really wear silver but I always wear black (my signature colour) and paired it with a silver Fairytale carriage with a 14ct gold crown and pearl. The carriage reminds me of the one Cinderella took to the ball that her Fairy Godmother presented her with. I thought I'd get it in memory of my Godmother who sadly passed away a few years ago.

It's the most gorgeous little piece of perfection and has been so carefully made.

Sadly, Pandora hadn't had any catalogues delivered that week so I popped into the Pandora store in West Quay, Southampton and picked one up. It's like my bible now! I love just looking through it at all of the lovely jewellery.

The store advisor also showed me the catalogue for their new collection, Essence. It's all about emotions and feelings. I cannot wait to try these out, they havent let us down with this fabulous collection!

Love Sophie xo

Gels - which one?

There are so many different types of gel polish out that it’s hard to find one that’s “the best.”

I’ll be honest with you it will depend. Sometimes Gelish will work great for you, sometimes it’s Gellux or Redcarpet etc. Sometimes you can be lucky enough to have them all work fine on your nails and have long lasting colour for over two weeks!

As some of you know, I am a Gel Polish nail technician and I do love trying new products! I thought I’d let you know of a few genuinely brilliant products and their functions (and possibly show off a bit along the way.)

So firstly, this is a design I done about a month ago. I used Gelish Up in the Blue with Gellux White Pearl. People say you shouldn’t mix brands – that’s a myth. Mix all you want. I don’t get along with Gellux’s top coat – so I use Gelish’s as I find it works better for me as a nail tech (that’s just my opinion.) I love polka-dot designs I think they look lovely in all seasons, especially Summer when I done this using Gellux’s Cranberry Cosmopolitan.

For ages I have been searching for some 2D bows because I hate using big chunky 3D ones as they pick off so easily. Finally I found these on eBay, they’re literally just stickers so you peel them off and stick them on. The colour used here is Gellux’s Magenta Magma. I absolutely love this colour it’s perfect for winter and so so shiny as you can see!

Although darker colours such as the above are great for winter so are the warmer pastel colours. This is Pink Pebble, it’s another Gellux colour. I don’t think you can go wrong with a natural colour like this. Although, it does take an extra coat which makes it thicker and more likely to chip – mine didn’t but the more coats you use the more likely it is to chip so remember to keep your coats nice and thin. I used three diamonds on my ring fingers and I think with the simplistic colour it works really well and looks very elegant.

TIP: The best way of applying gems to gel nails is to apply a topcoat over your colour, then add the gems and cure the nail. Afterwards, add another coat of clear and cure. This will secure the nail well.

The perfect colour if you go out a lot - Tiki Tiki Laranga by Gelish’s Rio Nion collection. It’s really bright and vibrant. One of my customers works in a night club and she said they were so bright under the UV even the bouncers where commenting on them! It’s a really nice gel to apply too it’s so thin it feels better than normal nail varnish.

Another great product, Sinful cuticle oil. I use this product on every one of my customers. I have the Mango and Papaya flavour and I’ve had so many compliments on it! It really does help to strengthen the nail and take care of it underneath the gel. I usually try to apply cuticle oil once a day or at least every other.

This product is one I swear by, it’s Lush’s Lemon Flutter Butter. It’s so convenient you just pop it in your back and go. It’s great for cuticles and also any rough bits on your hands, elbows, ankles – everywhere. It’s so great and it actually does feel like it’s working. My nails are healthy and much stronger than before!

I hope this has helped or at least provided you with some ideas! Let me know what you thin I’d love to hear your ideas and thoughts. I’m currently working on some Halloween and Christmas designs which is super exiting stuff. I’ll update you all shortly! 

Love Sophie xo