RAISING FUNDS FOR HABB DAY

ACTION STATIONS FOR SUN AWARENESS

Summer sun came courtesy of St Tropez and a troop of 30 models who stripped off to enjoy one of the hottest days of the years at London's St Pancras International railway station.

Bemused commuters looked on as the bathing beauties helped to highlight safe alternatives to sun exposure, as well as support the launch of Sun Awareness Week.

HOLDING OUR OWN AS THE

CREDIT CRUNCH HITS

Hellen Ward is managing director of Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa and wife of celebrity hairdresser Richard Ward.  The salon is in its 15th year and in 2005 moved to new premises in London's Sloane Square, where Hellen re-branded the beauty area as Metrospa.  The four full-time therapists and two manicurists offer the salons new DCL and Keraskin Esthetics treatments, as well as Aromatherapy Associates, OPI and St Tropez

READ MORE...

 LONG-LASTING EXTENSIONS

BioSculpture offers its clients pink perfection with its newest arrivals.  For long-lasting extensions that won't fade or chip, the gel formulas are available in colours ranging from the softest baby pinks to the most vibrant cerise -- and most shades in between.  The company is also offering matching nail polishes.

SUN KISSED SHADES

Jessica is puckering up with Sun Kissed -- six shades for the beach or the  pool.  Formulated with vitamin A and UVA/UVB protection are: Bikini Blue (sky); Summer Lovin' (irridescent pink); California Dreaming (candy floss pink); Hit the Waves (pale lavender); Beat the Heat (peachy coral); and Soak Up the Sun (hot pink).

HOT NEW OFFERINGS

Think pink this summer with Essie's hot new cocktail of offerings.  With something to suit all skin tones, the six strong range features hot fuchsia, rose and strawberry shades along with a pinky tangerine and hot coral for a totally tropical taste.

BRIGHT IDEAS FROM OPI

Things have just got brighter with the expansion of OPI's Bright collection.  The vibrant Mod About Brights line features Mod-ern Girl (tangerine), The 'It' Colour (yellow), Brights Power (coral), That's Hot! Pink (pink), Green-wich Village (apple green); and Dating a Royal (royal blue).

AROUND THE WORLD POLISH

Take an adventure in colour with IBD's Around the World gel polish collection.  Just a single application of the vibrant, shimmering colours ensures nails will stay chip- and peel-free for at least two weeks.  The kits contain Shanghai Red, Bali Blue, Emerald Isles, Sahara Sands, Parisian Purple and Tuscan Terracota shades, along with cleansing bonding and sealing products.

The store has stepped things up this year by using a world-famous model who will appeal to all age groups. She's Yasmin Le Bon - the wife of Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran fame.

andrea@andreafulerton.com

DENNY'S DIARY

Hurrah its summer at last!  I've been so busy I feel like I need to be cloned three times over.  That's why I'm looking forward to my holiday at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu.  And talking about far flung places, my brand is now going international...

TAKING ON THE WORLD

* Is the world ready for Leighton Denny?  Well it must be as my brand has now launched in New Zealand and is going into 10 spas straight away.

* I am also about to conquer the German market by launching onto the German QVC shopping channel.  It's been so exciting, my team and I have been on a whirlwind visit, training the QVC presenter and more than 100 staff.

* My brand is now building up a strong following in Ireland, where I recently hosted a master class for the Irish media, followed by a black tie dinner.

GERI'S IN THE PINK

I've been spending lots of time with my pal Geri Haliwell. 

I painted her nails in her favourite shade Butterfly Wings -- a pretty iridescent pink for an appearance on The Friday Night Project.

Geri also invited me to her book launch at London Zoo.  As it was a delicious book for children featuring a feisty character called Ugenia Lavender, I took my cute little goddaughter Emel and her mum Joleen along with me.

DEAR LEIGHTON

Q I'm thoroughly confused about cuticle care.  The way I was taught at college 10 years ago seems to be totally out-of-date.  Can you give me a clear guide to pass on to my staff?

A No problem -- this is the advice on cuticle care that we teach during my own training courses. 

The cuticle is the edge of the skin above the nail matric; it protects the soft new nail as it emerges.  The cuticle skin is very thin and at the extreme of the body.  Less moisture is delivered to it and it is prone to dryness, so condition frequently at home and in the salon with specialist cuticle oil.

I would not advise cutting the cuticles as cuticle scissors, nippers or knives can cause damage, even in skilled hands.  Cutting cuticles will only encourage thicker and tougher growth, while damage to the cuticles can allow bacteria to enter the body causing infection.  Only use the cuticlesnippers to clip off loose (snags) cuticle or hangnails to prevent the client pulling these off themselves....Ouch!

To look attractive, the cuticle needs to be freed from the nail surface and shaped to an even contour.  An exfoliating cream with AHAs will shed the skin gently and naturally, while moisturising at the same time.  Cuticle products with traditional formulations containing alkaline ingredients (such as potassium hydroxide) should be avoided as they can damage the skin.

TOP TIPS

How to achieve a long-lasting polish

Achieving a long-lasting, even polish is easy if you follow the golden rules for painting.  Painting nails is really just like decorating -- if the surface is not prepared properly, no matter how well you paint on your polish, it will not last.

* Remove old polish thoroughly with a non-acetone remover.

* File and shape the nail with a crystal nail file to seal and smooth the free edge of the nail, which prevents polish chips on the extreme edge of the nail.

* Polish will not adhere to cuticle, so use an AHA cuticle remover to clear the nail plate.

* Buff and treat dry ridged, flaky nails to ensure even paint coverage.

* De-grease the nail plate with polish remover.  Make sure it has completely evaporated before proceeding.

* Prime the nail with a matte treatment basecoat designed to grip on to the nail and chosen colour.

* Apply two thin coats of polish.  Look after your polish.  It should be in tip-top condition and exactly the right consistency -- too thick and your polish will not dry; too thin and it will stripe.

* Coat the nails with a proprietary topcoat, preferably with UVA filters to keep the colour fresh.

* Fix with a silicone-based fast-drying product.

Set among sophisticated Parisian boutiques and cafes, The Anne Semonin Spa at the five-star Hotel Le Bristol is the perfect urban day spa retreat.

CELEBRATING IN

STYLE

Champagne flowed as the third Pevonia awards ceremony was held in London.  Annette Hanford reports

Growing year on year, and now firmly established as an annual event, Pevonia hosted its third awards ceremony at the five-star Grange City Hotel in London to acknowledge the achievements and of its account holders.

TOP - Rat Pack tribute singers entertained guests

MIDDLE - Artspa, Gloucestershire, Best Newcomer of the Year, represented by Kim Eeles

BOTTOM - Employee of the Year dispatch supervisor Gavin Murrel with Daniela

SHARON MOORE is the company director of Face etc... medispa, which merges traditional and advanced beauty in one establishment.  Four years after opening, the beauty clinic has gone from strength-to-strength, recently relocating and expanding to a 14-room, three-storey premises in York city centre, with a VIP suite and extensive treatment menu.

What is your greatest business achievement?