Leave it to the experts

Last night I had my monthly trawl of Sophy Robson's blog. I love it so much I like to save it up (anyone else do that with their favourite bloggers?)

I'd watched her how to videos before, but this time I paid pull attention to the Chanel nails tutorial, looking for some tips, and boy, was I blessed!



Here's what I learned:

• Don't put too much pressure on the brush. I think my three coats obsession is a result of my pressing too hard and making polish streaky, rather than the formula being disappointing. If you think about it, two slightly thicker, more even coats is better than three thin ones, right?
• Watch how she applies, paying attention to how much is on the brush, then painting the nail bed before sweeping the polish along the nail. My three-lines method seems positively slapdash in comparison.
• Nail dehydrator? I'd never even heard of the stuff! But now I've been paid I'll be investing on some ASAP.

So, inspired by Olivia Palermo's signature red nails I tested my new skills with Essie Red Nouveau.

Much neater than my usual efforts, much better coverage than I generally get with three coats, and altogether more impressive results. I'll never be a nail goddess like Sophy, but in 10 minutes, I think I improved my efforts by 50 per cent.

Hard as nails

Anyone with a well-manicured fingure on the fashion pulse will know nails are having their moment.

I've recently ordered a whole host of new polishes to see me through summer, but until then I'm fantasising about some seriously fancy talons.

The Miu Miu-inspired nails above from stop it right now blew me away - they are some incredibly skills (and spare time)!

And those cheeky chanel sparklers from the genius that is sophy robson would go with absolutely anything.

Unfortunatley I don't have the artistic talent for panting tiny little swallows on my (pretty short) nails, so I'll have to settle for a sweep of amazing all-over colour... when my recent ebay haul arrives from America.



I've been wanting to try out Wah! Nails in Dalston for such a long time... in fact, I've wanted a seafoam leopard look like their beauties above for about three years, so that's definitely on my Summer to-do list - when I get an hour to myself. But until then a friend and I are about to book a summer-ready mani pedi to reinvigorate our tired tootsies after a looooong winter... somewhere a bit more budget along Stoke Newington High Street I think. Will post the results!