Erdogan Picks Market Darling Simsek to Return as Turkey's Finance Chief
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will appoint Mehmet Simsek as his new treasury and finance minister, bringing back
1970-01-01 08:00
EQT Nears Deal for Vet Drugmaker Dechra Pharmaceuticals
EQT AB agreed to buy Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc for about £4.46 billion ($5.6 billion), negotiating a lower price
1970-01-01 08:00
How to do gel nails at home like a pro
While looking for ways to cut spending on luxuries, consumers have embraced DIY beauty during the cost-of-living crisis. A Currys survey of beauty search terms found that ‘how to do gel nails at home’ was the most in-demand pampering technique with nearly 180,000 searches a year, ahead of fake tanning (101,280) and acrylic nails (85,320). With UV lamps costing around £50 and polishes from top brands like Essie, OPI and Shellac around £10 each, doing your own gel mani is cheaper in the long-run than paying upwards of £20 for every salon visit. But can you replicate a nail technician’s precision and ensure a long-lasting finish? We asked nail pros for their tips on how to master a gel manicure at home… Prep your nails “Good natural nail prep before applying gel polish can be the difference between a polish that lasts weeks and a polish that is likely to chip and peel prematurely,” says manicurist Tinu Bello, senior brand ambassador for Mylee. Start by gently pushing back your cuticles (use cuticle remover gel if they’re very dry or hard) then clipping off the excess. Bello explains: “Cuticles are dead pieces of skin that attach to the nail plate at the base of the nail. Once removed, you will find that gel polish adheres to the nail much more smoothly.” Buff away shine “After shaping your nails in your desired shape, your nail plate should be lightly etched using a soft buffer file,” says Julita Fagan, manicurist and nail expert for 14 Day Manicure. “This helps to remove the natural shine or oils from your nails, assisting in product adhesion.” Avoid moisture With a regular manicure, the technician might soak your fingertips to soften the cuticles, but with gel polish you want to keep your nails dry. “It’s important to avoid using water on the nails or any products that contain moisture or oil prior to applying gel polish, such as hand soap or moisturiser,” says Bello. “Fingernails quickly absorb water and expand, meaning nails that have been painted post-soak will contract once dry and cause polish to chip.” Apply a primer Gel products and kits vary so you must follow the instructions carefully, but if you can use a primer your polish is likely to last longer. “Applying a nail primer before your base coat will act as a bonding element between your natural nails and the product,” says Fagan. “This is particularly useful if you continuously experience chipping or lifting of your gel polish.” Paint precisely When applying polish it’s crucial to only paint the nail, not the cuticle. “A trick in ensuring a seamless polish application is to leave the tiniest gap between your cuticles and the first one or two layers of your gel polish, getting as close as possible to your cuticles on your last layer,” says Fagan. “This will ensure a less bulky finish at the end of your application.” She also recommends ‘capping’ the polish by applying the top coat over the tip of the nail to seal in the colour. Try builder gel As an additional defence against chipping, add a layer of extra-strength builder gel to your mani, which comes in clear or a range of colours. “Builder gel is a stronger consistency than the standard gel polish,” explains Fagan. “Using it at the end of your gel polish application, prior to top coat, will provide even more longevity to your manicure.” 14 Day Manicure Bestseller Gel Polish Starter Kit, £79 (was £164.80) Mylee Pro Salon Series Convex LED Lamp Black, £50 Rio Salon Pro Rechargeable UV and LED Lamp, £50, Argos
1970-01-01 08:00
Galaxy, MGM Are Said to Explore Opening Casinos in Thailand
Two of the world’s top casino operators are laying the groundwork to potentially establish gambling facilities in Thailand
1970-01-01 08:00
Mother of 8-year-old girl who died in US immigration custody asked several times for an ambulance but was denied, authorities say
The mother of a girl who died in the custody of US immigration authorities in Texas last month made multiple requests for an ambulance or hospital-level medical care for her daughter, but a nurse practitioner contracted with US Customs and Border Protection denied the requests, the agency said Thursday.
1970-01-01 08:00
Half of China Cities Face Debt Service Difficulty, Rhodium Says
Financial stress faced by China’s local governments is limiting fiscal support for the economy’s recovery, with half of
1970-01-01 08:00
iPhone in India: Foxconn to manufacture smartphones in Karnataka by April 2024
Apple's decision to manufacture iPhones in India aims at diversifying its supply chains away from China
1970-01-01 08:00
As legal gambling surges, should schools teach teens about risk?
Warnings about the potential dangers of gambling could soon join education about drugs and alcohol in the nation's classrooms
1970-01-01 08:00
Kinnock Tells Starmer He Can Lead UK Alone, Without Coalition
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock dismissed the chances of the party being forced into a coalition after the
1970-01-01 08:00
Charles Barkley Takes a Shot at Skip Bayless
Charles Barkley took a shot at Skip Bayless over Shannon Sharpe departure.
1970-01-01 08:00
This Week in China: Biggest Reopening Fans Are Now Underweight
No valuation case seems compelling enough to keep global investors from giving up on Chinese assets. The evidence
1970-01-01 08:00
All Eyes on US, China as Shangri-La Defense Forum Starts
Defense officials from around the world arrived in Singapore Friday, with US-China tensions over Taiwan, chip curbs and
1970-01-01 08:00
