Summer Nail Color Trends

"Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now." ~Saint Teresa of Avila

marion cotillard

This summer's nail color is all about hot pinks, neon oranges and electric yellows, Bright and bold, but also classic nudes and feminine pastels. These are just a few of my favorite from my collection at home.  

The Caviar Manicure

One of the trendiest ways to wear your manicure this season is to wear a different complimentary color or design on your ring finger.  Also lots of bling, and bold patterns.  Sport-length is the most popular length; Long nails are not so much of a trend right now.  

Shellac Nails are the hottest hit of 2012! The beauty world is raving about the Shellac Craze. This new revolutionary product is changing the way women get their nails done. Shellac Nails look as good if not better than acrylic nails.  Shellac Nails last up to 14 days without losing shine or shimmer. They are hard and do not scratch or smudge. When it comes time to take them off the nail, it is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and it does not damage the nail itself.

Just as we are to care for one another as the body of Christ (the church) and take care of all of the parts, we must do the same for our own physical bodies.  It is recommended to have a mani/pedi about once a month or every three to six weeks.   Usually a person would visit a local salon/spa to have these services done, but they can be done at home for little to no cost for you.
  

There are many benefits of getting mani/pedis from a health perspective as well as an emotional and mental well being perspective. There are various diseases of the nail that can occur that are preventable with regular care. Fungal infections, ingrown nails,    misshapen nails, hard or brittle nails are among the issues that can be solved with regular nail maintenance.  Your nails can grow longer and stronger overtime with maintenance.  Keeping your nails looking healthy and strong also makes your hands look more aesthetically pleasing. Having attractive hands and nails can evoke a sense of confidence in a person that translates into all other aspects of life and daily tasks. The time it takes to have a mani/pedi is a great way to relax and unwind. The accompanying hand/foot massage can melt away any stress and has long lasting positive effects.

 In today’s economy such a luxury as regular spa mani/pedis may just not be within your budget.  However, being a professional I still recommend you visit the spa every so often, in between your at home care.  At home mani/pedis are a cost effective way to take advantage of all the benefits and still maintain your budget. This is also a great bonding experience between loved ones. You and your significant other can give each other mani/pedis for an intimate time that also has long reaching health benefits.  

So what happens in a mani/pedi? The first thing that occurs is any old nail polish is removed and the hands/feet are soaked and washed thoroughly. The nails are trimmed and shaped per your specifications and personal preference. A cuticle conditioner is applied so that the cuticles are soft. They are then gently pushed back and any loose or dead skin is removed with the use of cuticle scissors, the nails are buffed and polished.