Leighton denny
DENNY'S DIARY
Hurrah its summer at last! I've been so busy I feel like I need to be cloned three times over. That's why I'm looking forward to my holiday at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu. And talking about far flung places, my brand is now going international...
TAKING ON THE WORLD
* Is the world ready for Leighton Denny? Well it must be as my brand has now launched in New Zealand and is going into 10 spas straight away.
* I am also about to conquer the German market by launching onto the German QVC shopping channel. It's been so exciting, my team and I have been on a whirlwind visit, training the QVC presenter and more than 100 staff.
* My brand is now building up a strong following in Ireland, where I recently hosted a master class for the Irish media, followed by a black tie dinner.
GERI'S IN THE PINK
I painted her nails in her favourite shade Butterfly Wings -- a pretty iridescent pink for an appearance on The Friday Night Project.
I've been spending lots of time with my pal Geri Haliwell.
Geri also invited me to her book launch at London Zoo. As it was a delicious book for children featuring a feisty character called Ugenia Lavender, I took my cute little goddaughter Emel and her mum Joleen along with me.
DEAR LEIGHTON
Q I'm thoroughly confused about cuticle care. The way I was taught at college 10 years ago seems to be totally out-of-date. Can you give me a clear guide to pass on to my staff?
A No problem -- this is the advice on cuticle care that we teach during my own training courses.
The cuticle is the edge of the skin above the nail matric; it protects the soft new nail as it emerges. The cuticle skin is very thin and at the extreme of the body. Less moisture is delivered to it and it is prone to dryness, so condition frequently at home and in the salon with specialist cuticle oil.
I would not advise cutting the cuticles as cuticle scissors, nippers or knives can cause damage, even in skilled hands. Cutting cuticles will only encourage thicker and tougher growth, while damage to the cuticles can allow bacteria to enter the body causing infection. Only use the cuticlesnippers to clip off loose (snags) cuticle or hangnails to prevent the client pulling these off themselves....Ouch!
To look attractive, the cuticle needs to be freed from the nail surface and shaped to an even contour. An exfoliating cream with AHAs will shed the skin gently and naturally, while moisturising at the same time. Cuticle products with traditional formulations containing alkaline ingredients (such as potassium hydroxide) should be avoided as they can damage the skin.
TOP TIPS
How to achieve a long-lasting polish
Achieving a long-lasting, even polish is easy if you follow the golden rules for painting. Painting nails is really just like decorating -- if the surface is not prepared properly, no matter how well you paint on your polish, it will not last.
* Remove old polish thoroughly with a non-acetone remover.
* File and shape the nail with a crystal nail file to seal and smooth the free edge of the nail, which prevents polish chips on the extreme edge of the nail.
* Polish will not adhere to cuticle, so use an AHA cuticle remover to clear the nail plate.
* Buff and treat dry ridged, flaky nails to ensure even paint coverage.
* De-grease the nail plate with polish remover. Make sure it has completely evaporated before proceeding.
* Prime the nail with a matte treatment basecoat designed to grip on to the nail and chosen colour.
* Apply two thin coats of polish. Look after your polish. It should be in tip-top condition and exactly the right consistency -- too thick and your polish will not dry; too thin and it will stripe.
* Coat the nails with a proprietary topcoat, preferably with UVA filters to keep the colour fresh.
* Fix with a silicone-based fast-drying product.
