WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Nails turned punk at London Fashion Week. Annette Hanford reports

Worn down and chipped nails do not normally go hand-in-hand with the glamorous world of fashion, nor are they usually associated with Essie and the team at Perfect Nails. However, a chance catwalk collaboration at London Fashion Week saw models adorning distinctly distressed nails at the Aganovich show.

PIC: JENNY PAINTS A MODEL'S NAILS

The show’s stylist called upon Essie nail tech Jenny Longworth to create a look to complement the underlying rebellious nature of the clothing. With anarchist and urban warrior vibes, a distressed look was used to give a metaphorical two-fingered salute, associated with the punk era.

Now the buzz and excitement of the festive season has died away, use this quiet time wisely. If you are looking at taking on a new brand, use the time to train – and don’t forget those refresher courses to keep up to date with your product knowledge and techniques

DIAMOND DAY AT SPA FOR LAUNCH OF MY LINE

I had a fabulous time at The Grove spa in Hertfordshire for the launch of my line, starting with a dinner for leading beauty journalists in its fantastic and glamorous restaurant. The next morning, the journalists were treated to my exclusive Diamond Signature manicure.

Everyone loved it and we had a wonderful write-up on Marie Claire’s online magazine.
Another great launch was at Ragdale Hall, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, where I met many of the therapists – a great bunch of dedicated girls.

Read on for my CELEBRITY NEWS...

NEWSFLASH

It's that time of year again... The date for the British Beauty & Spa Awards has been announced.

The event will take place on Sunday 7th September 2008 and will return to the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The deadline for entries is the 13 June 2008, after which the judging process will begin.

CONTACT

For more information, or receive an entry form, email Dan Eversfield or call him on 020 8652 8845.

READ ON FOR THE CATEGORIES...

ROLL OF HONOUR

The Golden Globes were cancelled, and the Baftas and Oscars have been given out, but there’s still a chance to win a coveted statuette – by entering the British Beauty & Spa Awards.

Now in their 12th year, these awards have become the professional beauty industry’s very own Oscars designed to recognise and reward excellence, innovation and professionalism and the glamorous awards ceremony is a highlight of the beauty calender.

COVETED AWARDS

Receiving an award at the presentation dinner is the ultimate accolade for many salons and the specially-commissioned trophies can be proudly displayed to reflect the highest standards of work achieved.

Winning, or even gaining a position of finalist, will earn you the respect of your peers and clients, so read on and become part of the awards ceremony that showcases excellence within the beauty industry.

READ ON TO FIND OUT HOW TO ENTER...

RETAIL THERAPIES

UR Beautiful is bringing the luxury brands and services of Harrods’ Urban Retreat to the high street. Annette Hanford reports

With retail sales so important to a salon’s bottom line, finding premium beauty brands on sale in the local Boots store is not, on first impressions, a good thing. Unless, that is, you happen to live in Kingston-Upon-Thames, in Surrey, where a new salon concept aims to offer a host of professional beauty services within a traditional retail environment.

UR BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCE

UR Beautiful – a diffusion of George Hammer’s Urban Retreat brand – is a new concession within the chemist store, offering clients (and shoppers) an array of hair and beauty services, along with a wide selection of professional retail products.