Tag Archives: nail varnish

Salt and Chocolate Nail Bar, South Kensington

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Salt and Chocolate nail bar stands out from the crowd, not only because of its quirky name but also because of the high quality and thorough nail treatments on offer.

I spent over an hour in the salon receiving the most indulgent manicure from an expert beautician. It being located a short walk from South Kensington tube, I could definitely get used to having Salt and Chocolate as my local nail bar.

S&C has an extensive range of Opi and Essie colours on offer allowing customers to choose any hue they desire. After the usual debate of bright or dark, pastel or shimmer – I opted for a unique shade of pastel pea green, an unusual colour from Opi.

I tried the Sweet and Salty Luxury Manicure, the most indulgent treatment on the menu! After all the usual nail preening and trimming, my therapist gave me the most invigorating and relaxing hand and arm massage I have ever had. After my hands were suitably soft the painting began. Due to its iridescence, I needed to have three coats of the green varnish so that the colour appeared as creamy and rich as on the bottle.

I was impressed with the gorgeous range of special homemade products. The Lavender Salt and Honey Scrub left my hands super silky and smooth and removed all dead skin after only one use. This exfoliator scrub comes in two ‘flavours’, I was lucky enough to take home a small pot of the lemon variant.

I have no doubts that Salt & Chocolate will continue to thrive, London needs more nail bars like this!

Visit the Salt & Chocolate website here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 105

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I am a self-confessed Chanel nail varnish addict. When I worked in Knightsbridge, it was the only thing I could afford during daily lunchtime excursions to Harvey Nichols, and so began my collection. I especially look out for the occasional limited edition colours, the gorgeous one-off hues that escape the shops as soon as they arrive on launch day.

The newest limited edition Chanel colour, for Summer 2012, is appropriately named ‘Holiday’, a bright punchy rich red-orange shade that evokes memories of the beach, sand and sea.

It was set to arrive in shops on May 25th, the date was emblazoned on my memory and marked in my diary. I’d need all my energy to be at a Chanel outlet early enough to get one! In fact there was no need – killing time at Marrakech airport last week, I was amazed and delighted to come across a few lonely bottles of ‘Holiday’ in the Chanel section of duty free! Apparently they always come out early at airports, and yet even here the stock was running low. I bought two, and boarded my Ryanair flight, very happy and smug.

The ‘Holiday’ varnish is the ultimate summer colour and another hit from the Chanel limited edition range. There might still be a few left if you hurry.

Coco’s Nail Bar, Portobello

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In my opinion there aren’t enough nail bars in London… I love nail colours and design so much I’d have my nails done every day if I could. Trying out the newest art and technology in this field is great fun and exotic nails can accessorise an outfit perfectly.

Last weekend while the rain poured copiously outside, I enjoyed a little pampering in Coco’s Nail Bar on Portobello Road. I’m not sure why I’ve never spotted this place, located in the middle of London’s most famous market it is the ideal location for tired shoppers.

Inside, the salon is smart and chic with a girly theme. Coco’s is one of a kind… the only nail bar I’ve visited with a fully stocked bar and barman: cocktails, champagne, coffee are all on offer. I enjoyed a specially made virgin mojito while getting my nails done. The salon is fully equipped with everything you need for hand and foot pampering including tanks filled with darting little fish for Fish Spa therapy.

I chose to try the Coco Signature Pedicure, the ultimate nail maintenance and grooming with cuticle treatment, cleansing, massage and paraffin therapy with heated mitts, designed to leave your feet soft and silky. All while sitting in a very comfortable stress-buster massage chair. Minx is a technique I have been desperate to try for some time and at Coco they adapted the pedicure so that I could have the minx. The whole treatment was very thorough and relaxing, my nails felt so clean and tidy! With a special hot lamp the gold foil minx is melted onto the nail then trimmed and smoothed down, the final look is psychedelic and amazing!

I highly recommend Coco’s Nail Bar, either for a quick fix polish and paint manicure or for a luxurious longer treatment.

Visit the website to book here.