Celebrity nail technician Leighton Denny shares his nail care tips.
Leighton Denny may seem a somewhat unlikely candidate for the moniker of the United Kingdom’s leading nail technician. Originally a forklift driver, his dramatic change of career was prompted after he discovered the American nail extension culture on a trip with his mother. He retrained and it proved to be a hugely successful move. Dennny won the prestigious British Nail Technician of the Year award so many times (2001-2004 inclusive) the organisers banned him from entering and made him a judge instead!
As well as working on his eponymous nail care line (available online at www.leightondenny.com), Denny travels the world, tending to the talons of famous names such as Penelope Cruz, Jade Jagger, Joan Collins, Jerry Hall and Kate Moss.
His handiwork has appeared in a whole host of newspapers and magazines and he is also responsible for creating the world’s most expensive manicure, which features real diamonds, rubies and sapphires and a breathtaking $35,000 price tag.
But behind the bling and the jet-setting lifestyle, the affable Denny is passionate about nails and believes regular nail care should be a key part of any beauty regime. He says, ‘You will only need to spend about 20 minutes a week to have beautiful and healthy hands and nails to be proud of.’ Here are some of Denny’s tips to keep nails and polish looking great.
Apply cuticle cream to the base of your nails on a daily basis. This will stimulate circulation, promote quicker growth and even prevent hangnails from forming.
Always apply a cream or lotion after washing your hands. Soaps and cleansers tend to have a drying effect so you should keep your hands and cuticles well moisturised. Use a moisturising hand scrub once a week as well.
File nails using a soft grade natural nail file. Coarse emery boards can damage nails, causing them to split and peel. File nails in one direction only, from the outer edge to the centre. Sawing back and forth will damage the nail.
Always apply a base coat under dark colours so you don’t stain your nails, and always wear a topcoat to prevent chipping. If your polish does chip and you don’t have time to fix it, remove it all and buff to a glass-like shine.
If one nail breaks, cut them all down to the same length. Consistency is the key, and if nails are all the same length they will look manicured even if they’re not.
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Inside outNutrition has a big impact on the condition of your nails, and a good diet can help to keep them healthy and strong. ‘Your diet should contain plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to supply the necessary vitamins and minerals,’ Denny says. ‘In particular, you should ensure a good supply of iron (found in green leafy vegetables, raisins, almonds and dates), zinc (pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, steak and oysters) and Vitamin A (codliver oil, liver, eggs, carrots, spinach, broccoli and watercress). ‘Other nail-friendly nutrients include protein found in meat, cheese, dairy produce and eggs, as well as grains, legumes, oatmeal, nuts and seeds and Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in sardines, mackerel, salmon, pilchards, sprats, tuna and trout.’ Denny’s dos and don’tsMetallicsDo go for metallic on the toes. Metallic polish will look very glamorous at a special event or a big night out. Don’t rush the application if you decide to opt for a metallic shade as they have a tendency to streak if you don’t allow enough time for drying between coats. Pale shadesDo go for a stronger shade on black skin and try one with a white pigment in it. Don’t go for pale, fleshy colours if your skin is very pale; bare shades with vanilla or pink tones will be more flattering. PinksDo experiment with bright pink. If you want to try something different, shocking pink tips give a perfect funky French effect Don’t pick a pink that is too close to your natural skin colour. If your skin has a very pink tone these shades are not for you. DarksDo use a base coat under a dark polish so you don’t stain your nails. Don’t be tempted to reapply more varnish over the top of chipped dark polish. The thickness will be clearly visible so always remove it and start again. French polishDo opt for bright white tips on toenails or if your fingernails are short. Always opt for a natural white if nails are longer for a more natural-looking effect. Don’t use a French polish effect if nails are inconsistent in length and shape, as it will make it more obvious. |
