Hollywood’s Favorite Nail Tech Secrets
A blog about nail trends and techniques at the Oscars, along with other Hollywood events.
Gel Nail Colours to Start the New Year With
This is a very special post, because it’s the first in our new series of twice-monthly articles that will be posted on both Wednesdays and Sundays. Sunday posts will focus on a single nail polish color (this week, for example). Wednesday posts will have a broader focus: favorite colors of different celebrities, DIY manicure and pedicure tips and tricks, and so on.
This week we’ll start by taking a look at one of the hottest manicure trends for this year – gel nails. There are several reasons why gel nails are so popular among professional manicurists: they look awesome; they last much longer than regular polish; and they protect your fingernails from damage (if you get them done properly). Let’s take a closer look at some of the hot new colours in gel nail polishes that are being used this season by top salons such as ours.
The Best Gel Nail Colours For 2020
We asked some of our top stylists what their favorite gel nail colours were
Hollywood’s Favorite Nail Tech Secrets
We asked nail techs to spill their Hollywood secrets! Here’s what they had to say.
1.Before applying gel polish, prep nails with a buffer to create a rough texture that helps the polish stick.
2.Use alcohol or acetone to wipe off any remaining residue on the nail bed after buffing. As well as removing oils, these products also dry out the nail surface, helping the gel polish adhere better.
3.After prepping nails and before applying gel polish, use a dehydrator and primer (if you’re using an LED light) or 99% alcohol (if you’re using an UV light). These products are used to remove any remaining oils from the nail plate so that the gel polish adheres better.
4.To help prevent your clients from getting bubbles in their gels, apply each coat of color in thin layers rather than thick ones. This also helps reduce curing time for each layer.
5.For a shiny finish, look for a top-coat that contains no pigment and cure it under an LED or UV lamp until it is completely dry. If you don’t have one, try buffing nails with a finishing buffer
Gel nail colour was one of the most popular beauty topics at the Oscars, and one of my favourite trends was glitter! I saw a ton of celebrities with either glitter tips, or an accent finger or two with glitter.
To get the look, start with gel nail colour on all fingers and your choice of glitter polish. I used Morgan Taylor “Reach for the Stars” as it is a really nice, deep purple sparkly shade.
When applying the glitter polish, make sure you use a thin brush and get into the cuticle area for more coverage and to avoid chipping. I used two coats of glitter on all fingers except for my ring fingers where I did three coats.
For tips, I used a thinner brush and just applied one coat to get that half-moon look.
Finish off by sealing your manicure with gel top coat!
In the last few years gel nail polish has become a staple in the beauty industry. It is used more than shellac because of its shine, durability and ability to strengthen nails. Gel nails are an incredibly popular trend and as expected, we are seeing them on red carpets everywhere.
The Academy Awards is one of Hollywood’s most glamorous events, because it is filled with celebrities and the brightest stars. Celebrities always look their best at events like these because they are at the top of their game.
Everyone wants to look good at the Oscars so they can show off their beautiful outfits, jewelry and diamonds. Gel nails make a great finishing touch for anyone who is looking to complete their outfit with a glamorous and sophisticated look.
There are many ways to get a gel manicure. You can go to a salon. You can buy a kit. Or you can do what nail pro Lisa Logan does and make your own!
She uses the Gelish Gel Polish system, which is available in more than 100 colors and requires a curing lamp. “It’s important to always start with a clean nail,” Logan says. “I apply the base coat, cure it for 30 seconds, add two coats of color, curing each for 30 seconds, then top it off with the Gelish Top It Off sealer coat and cure for 60 seconds. My clients get three weeks of wear without chipping or peeling but removal takes longer and is trickier than traditional polish.”
After the Oscars, Golden Globes, SAG Awards and Grammys, award season comes to an end with the most glamorous of them all: the Met Gala.
This year’s nominees are:
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Jennifer Connelly, HE WILL NOT DIVIDE US
Viola Davis, FENCES
Naomie Harris, MOONLIGHT
Nicole Kidman, LION
Octavia Spencer, HIDDEN FIGURES
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, MOONLIGHT
Jeff Bridges, HELL OR HIGH WATER
Lucas Hedges, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Dev Patel, LION
Michael Shannon, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS