3 Week Manicure – Nails Inc.

Posted by dulwichmum on Tue 1 September 2009

Name of product: The 3 week manicure

Price: £50

The blurb: The 3 week manicure is also known as the everlasting manicure. This involves applying a layer of gel over your natural nails that is set under a UV lamp. The gel leaves your nails incredibly smooth and glossy and because it doesn’t set until it’s under the UV lamp, the manicurist has time to ensure it is absolutely perfect.

This revolutionary treatment is available in a variety of gorgeous colors as well as the classic French manicure.

The 3 week manicure is 2 manicures in 1. You can paint over the top of your gel if you fancy a change and if you remove the polish with an acetone free nail polish remover; your 3 week manicure will remain perfect underneath! Your chosen shade will remain chip free and super glossy for up to 3 weeks.”

First impressions: This enamel is incredibly glossy and eye-catching, if it lasts as well as they claim, it is the perfect mani for the uber busy working mother (c’est moi!). I love to wear strong colors on my nails, but any chips or flaws are immediately obvious, it a very high maintenance look (bats eyelashes).

Ease of Use: This treatment is actually as impressive, glossy and super long lasting as the claims. I have been digging sandcastles on holiday with my bear hands (where is the damn au pair when I need her?) and the sand has not abrased or affected the glossy nail enamel one jot! Be sure to have a very short manicure when you have the gel applied, or the nails become uncomfortably long before next mani. One cannot file ones own nails without disturbing the gel and upsetting the manicure (damn!).

Pros: This super glossy manicure remains perfect and rock solid for at least 3 weeks. It grows out a little, at the nail bed, but not so that it looks obvious or unkempt.

Cons: It is essential to book one’s next manicure well in advance (approximately 2 weeks) as it can be difficult to get an appointment for this popular treatment at the last minute. Don’t attempt to book Leah at Westfield – she is mine, all mine (mwahahaha)!

If you decide to keep the treatment up, you should be sure to purchase a loyalty card, as otherwise it will cost £20 to have the gel removed and this can become expensive. When the gel has been removed, the surface of the nail is a little rough, but nothing that cannot be covered with clear polish.

The nail technicians actually use Bio Sculpture Gel for this treatment, so if you do not live near a branch of Nails Inc, check out your local beauty salon to see if they use this product and you could have it done locally.

Value for money: 5/5 At £50 per manicure, it is not cheap, but if you purchase a loyalty card for £150, you can have 4 manicures and soak offs for the price of 3, without paying for the soak offs at all! Each card will keep you glossy for a full 3 months and this treatment cuts down the amount of time spent having manicures dramatically (for those of us who are time poor)!

Dulwichmum verdict: