Long or short nails, round, oval or pointed – as a nail artist and Global Color Ambassador for Sally Hansen, Madeline Poole knows what works and what doesn’t this summer. She reveals the latest trends and how we can easily apply them to our nails.
FACES: What’s happening on our nails this summer?
Madeline Poole: Metallic tones and iridescent colors are big this season. We are also brushing petrol and green nuances such as Sally Hansen’s “Teesta Turquoise” or all shades from violet to lilac and purple (“King of Shadows”) onto our nails.
Q: Are pointed nails à la Rihanna still in?
Madeline Poole: The current nail shape is a little less hard: it should now be round, short and natural.
Q: How can I recognize a good nail polish?
Madeline Poole: That depends on individual preferences. I recommend the “Miracle Gel” line from Sally Hansen because you can achieve a gel effect without having to really stress your nails with a gel manicure. Anyone who likes all-in-one products will be happy with Sally Hansen’s “Complete Salon Manicure”: The color polish already contains base coat and top coat, which means you don’t have to do these individual steps at all.
Q: How do you prepare your nails for a nail styling?
Madeline Poole: File your nails evenly and gently push back your cuticles. I use “Instant Cuticle Remove” and a rosewood stick for this. Then polish the nails lightly with a buffing file and wash your hands thoroughly before you start applying the color.
Q: How does the manicure last extra long?
Madeline Poole: With “Miracle Gel” you get a manicure that really lasts. You can also take precautions when applying polish: don’t forget the tips of the nail when applying polish – you can easily brush over the edge from the front with the nail polish brush. This ensures a good finish and prevents premature chipping. Otherwise, prepare the nail as described above and remove any oil residue from the nail bed before you start painting.
Q: Gel nails last a long time, but are expensive. Is there a quick and easy way to do a manicure like this yourself?
Madeline Poole: Gel nails are cool, but understandably a bit scary for home use. The best option is to use a gel hybrid such as “Miracle Gel”. This polish offers all the benefits of a gel manicure without having to cure the nails under UV light.
Q: Which nail product does every woman need?
Madeline Poole: A few files, a clean brush such as an eyeliner or eyebrow brush to easily remove excess color with nail polish remover, cuticle softener and oil for the cuticles and a quick-drying top coat such as “Insta-Dry Anti Chip Top Coat” for example.
Q: What is one mistake you should never make when applying nail polish?
Madeline Poole: The worst thing is to apply too much color and to run the brush over the nail surface too often. A few brushstrokes are enough: First, draw a straight line down the middle, followed by one stroke on the left and right and possibly a few more where color is still needed. That’s all there is to it.