Beauty Solutions – Advice for your Everyday Beauty Questions

 

Here at Serenity we answer tons of questions from people about everything from waxing to make-up to skin care. This week we’d like to focus on some of our most asked questions about hand and nail care.

Do you have a beauty question? We would be happy to answer for you, just e-mails us your question (serenityspa@ns.aliantzinc.ca) and we’ll publish the answer in the next column.

 

Nail it!

The art of well manicured nails can be traced as far back as Babylon! Fingernail polish is believed to have been invented by the Chinese. Egyptians too indulged in the art of manicuring and coloring the fingernails, with red being the most important color of social rank. Queen Nefertiti painted her toes and fingers ruby red, while Cleopatra, that early beauty queen preferred a deep russet.

 

Today well manicured nails are as much a part of good grooming as brushing one’s teeth or combing your hair.

 

Q: How long should a professional manicure last?

A: generally, a professional manicure will last 1-2 weeks depending on how fast your nails grow and what you do with them. The faster they grow, and the more abuse they withstand, the sooner you’ll need another manicure. OPI has just recently introduces gel nail polishes, which are guaranteed to last 2 weeks – no matter what you so with them!

 

Q: Will storing polish in the fridge prolong its shelf life?

A: No, storing polish in the fridge will cause it to thicken. Today's polish formulas and preservatives give good shelf life. Use good quality professional polishes like OPI.

 

Q: How long does it take to completely dry polish?

A: Generally, it takes 1-2 hours for polish to completely dry. Formaldehyde free formulas take longer. Using drying accelerators allow you to use your hands in about 15 minutes after polish is applied BUT that doesn’t mean gardening or scrubbing pots and pans! Try out the door top coat and OPI’s Drip Dry!

 

Q: I love gel nails, they never break or lift. What is the difference between gels and acrylics?

A: They are chemically different and applied differently. Gels have very little odor and require less buffing of the nail plate. They look very natural. At Serenity we use OPI’s newest gel system- Axxium! Beautiful!

 

Q: How can I prevent my nail polish from chipping 2-3 days after a professional manicure?

A: Proper home maintenance is very important to ensure longer lasting polish. Re-apply a professional top coat every other day (OPI Start to Finish), wear gloves when doing household chores or when your hands have to be in water. Try OPI’s new polish gels, which are guaranteed for 2 weeks!