Hot hot hot!...

How hot is it? In the UK its pretty hot right now and instead of being able to go out in the sunshine and get inspired by the summer for nail art I've been stuck indoors cleaning and having my washing machine fixed! However I plan on doing some summer inspired nail art over the next few days which I'm excited about. Anyway until then, heres what I've been up to nail wise:

I ordered a polish rack and got some free 3D bows which i've been wanting to try forever! so I did myself a tip and overlay, a glitter fade (inspired by the lovely sunny weather of course, but would also look great in the autumn-think golden leaves) then I stuck on the bow. I thought it might catch on everything but it doesnt and I really like the look...

Here's my polish rack. Its only tiddy but I dont have that many polishes at the moment and I use paint mainly for my nail art, polish is usually just used as a backdrop for my work. Alot of techs think it looks unproffessional to use all different brands instead of sticking to one brand. They also think you shouldnt use cheaper brands. my motto is 'if it works for you, go with that...' and this works for me. I like that they all look different, its a bit untidy like me, haha!

And finally here's my acrylic art master tech course nails. I got all my work back and marked and have gained 3 certificates which means I now have all the qualifications that I want right now to start work!

Keep your eyes peeled for my summer inspired nails over the next few days, and enjoy the sun it could be snowing next week ;) - Laura Bell x

Scratch Star awards...

The Scratch Star awards took place last night at the Café de Paris in London. It is the first event solely recognising the work of nail professionals. The awards were presented by Daybreak presenter Dan Lobb.
Here were the categories and winners:

Nail Harmony UK: winner of The Tom Holcomb Shooting Star Award

Gigi Rouse: winner of Services to the Nail Industry

Sweet Squared win again!! Winners of Industry Innovator

Palms Extra Ltd: winner of Best Customer Care

Louella Belle: winner of Best Marketing & Support

Sweet Squared: winner of Best Education & Training

Denise Wright: winner of Nail Stylist of the Year

Jenny Longworth: winner of Session Stylist of the Year

Kirsty Meakin: winner of Nail Artist of the Year  (So pleased for Kirsty, she really deserves this award!)

Nailspa, Huddersfield: Highly commended Nail Salon of the Year

The Hand & Foot Spa, Chelsea: winner of Nail Salon of the Year

Bodylines, Kent: winner of Nail Salon of the Year - In Salon

Pebble Sanctuary: winner of Retail Salon of the Year

Ela Losczcyk: winner of Gel Tech of the Year

Margarita Belska: winner of Liquid & Powder Tech of the Year

Claire Graham: Winner of Mobile Nailist of the Year

Agnieska Mirz: winner of Pedicurist of the Year

Emily Skinner: winner of Manicurist of the Year

Elise Scholes-Pilkington: winner of Gel Polish Stylist of the Year

WELL DONE to all the winners and to the Scratch team for organising it all! I only wish I could of been their to watch the awards being handed out and to have met the Scratch team and my Nail idols! I am 100% going next year!

http://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk

twitter @ScratchMagazine and @scratchstars

Been busy...

Hi everyone, I've been so busy nail wise and the next few weeks are going to be even busier! I will be writing about why in my last column for scratch magazine in the near future. I think that will come out in august so you'll have to wait till then to find out my news!

I entered the Essential nails Easter nail art competiton which I didnt win, but it was so fun. Here's my entry:

I've also continued making my jewellery and accessories from nail products. Here's a picture of a keyring I made as part of my Mom's easter present:

The keyring has cracked ice and crushed shells as well as glitter acrylic all encapsulated with clear acrylic and a bit of freehand nail art over the top.

I've also been doing lots of manicures lately on family, Here's a picture of my Mom's hands before her manicure:

Then I gave her a spa manicure and a french polish, afterwards:

My mom was very pleased with the results as she had very dry hands before, she said they felt very moisturised afterwards.

Here I am doing some nail art on a stall for the day in town on my friend Heather:

Thanks for taking these pics Heather :)

I entered the INSA/Sophy robson/Nail Porn Nail art competition. Which was to basically create a set of nails based on the very talented graffiti artist Insa's work (I already love his work so I was very excited!!)
http://sosoflynails.tumblr.com/post/19301069647/sophy-robson-x-insa-x-nailporn-nail-design
I was'nt going to enter as I new there would be some crazy talented people entering, but I thought 'what the hell, why not?!' Obviously I did not win, the standard of work was as I expected, AMAZING! But here's my entry which is also featured on Insa's blog http://www.insaland.com/ as well as the other entries:

I loved creating these nails, I would have loved to have spent longer on them. Unfortunatly I had a very poorly guinea pig whom I had to keep looking after so I couldnt fully dedicate myself to this competition as my little Boris needed me. RIP Boris <3

So that's why I havent been blogging lately! I've filled you in on all my nail news, see you soon! :) - Laura x

Easter time...

I got my first Easter card of the year yesterday. It was such a cute card and inspired me to do myself some easter nails. All paint apart from the topcoat:

I'd love to see your Easter mani's, comment below with links to your pictures. xxx

Flower...

I went out with my lovely husband last monday and it was a bright sunny spring day, looking around at all the gorgeous flowers I was inspired to come home and do some flower nail art. A very simple design, but I just wanted to share it with you guys!

In love with the french...

I've battled with the french manicure for 1 1/2 years! I can do edge stiletto nails, I have completed the master tech freehand course with top marks but I could not master the simple french! I cheated a lot, I used a striping brush to create the perfect smile line then I coloured it in with white paint or white polish. The paint chipped and the polish was applied to thickly because I'd tried to perfect it too much and kept applying more and more polish. I was always aware that I'd cheated and wanted to achieve the look properly.
But since I started EN's Manicure course I can finally do it! Hooray for me!!! Once I'd watched the dvd I gave myself a french mani for the first time! Ive only given myself two so they are'nt perfect but I am so pleased! Looking back I'm not sure what I found so difficult :)

Review of Dream's topcoat...

http://www.essentialnails.com/product/66/polish/eng/polish-11ml.html

Out of all the topcoats I have used, this is by far THE best. It literally is the 'dream' topcoat. It has everything you could want: its fast drying, long lasting and it has an EXTREME shine! for £4.95 you will not be disappointed. It glides onto your nails easily with a smooth shiney texture. It will leave you with glass like nails. I use it on nail extensions, over polish or paint and it has the same results over everything. Follow the link to essential nails to take a look!