Student budgets don’t often leave room for luxuries such as manicures. When you’re scrimping just to afford Sainsbury’s Basics wine, nails can take a back seat. But I think after all that time slaving in the various, but all equally depressing, computer clusters on campus, you need a little luxury. Not only will onlookers be envious of your computer finding abilities (seriously, it’s hard out there) but they will be positively green when they spot your flawlessly manicured hands. But of course, if you’re going to blow a significant part of a week’s budget on nails you had better make sure it’s worth the dollar. I recently forayed into the trend that is gel nail polish with a Gelish manicure and am now ruined for all other nail polishes. I was lucky enough to have my nails done by Charli Jepson, who has worked for Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen (I know) so you won’t surprised that I’m head over heels with the finished result.
Photo: Aimée Grant Cumberbatch
It’s pretty simple: once applied, the polish is cured in a futuristic LED lamp for 30 seconds, or it takes two minutes in traditional UV lamps if you’re using it at home. The best part of this product is that it lasts for up to three whole weeks! I can vouch for the fact that, after two weeks, my nails still look major. And I mean that. There are salons around Manchester that use Gelish Nail Polish such as Bella Nails on Oxford Street but you can order the polishes online if you’re a fan of the DIY style of pampering.
The only downside is that taking off gel nail polish has to be done properly or else your nails will be damaged; you either have to buy the Soak-Off polish remover or find a salon to do it for you. If you’re desperate you can use acetone but please do so with care!
So while Gelish manicures might do nothing for my quest for a computer in the Learning Commons they definitely work wonders for my stress levels, which is a miracle in itself.
