We open our books 2 months in advance & book up quickly on Saturdays and after 4pm on weekdays (we're closed Sundays) so if you're banking on an appointment within these times don't forget to set your reminder!
There are a few things to know about your nails before your appointments. A big one is knowing your natural 'breaking point', meaning the length your nails will grow naturally before cracking and breaking. This will help inform on how realistic different nail lengths would be for you - we always recommend playing it a bit safer so you don't experience any breakages before your big day.
If you've struggled with Gel lifting before, let us know at your appointment as we can apply primer so you get the most out of your manicure.
With the above info in mind, we always recommend at least 3 Builder Gel appointments (3 months of manicures) before your final wedding appointment. This will help protect the nails and allow them to grow stronger, reducing the likelihood of breaks. You can get nail art at these appointments if you're wanting to test out your ideas!
This is a great opportunity to experiment with your nail length, different colours and nail art and just gives you a little more strength if you're trying to grow your nails.
We recommend having your nails done a minimum of 3 days & a maximum of one week before your wedding day - if there are any emergencies this gives us time to rearrange your appointment and your manicure won’t have grown out by your wedding day. It'll also help your stress levels - once they're done it's one thing off your list!
Book a removal if you’re needing one - gel removal takes a minimum of 20 minutes and forgetting to book this can mean we’re unable to do your nail art or even go ahead with your appointment.
Have your inspiration photos prepared to show your Therapist at your appointment. If you're not sure what tier of nail art your ideas fit into, you can send any ideas to us in advance via email or Instagram and we can let you know what to book.
We've had clients bring in photos of their colour scheme, their wedding shoes and even scraps of fabric to show the detail and colour. We will always do our best to match or find complimentary colours, whatever you're wanting!
You don't have to have a specific type of nail art because it's in this season! Go with what feels like you, and what you'll be happy to look back at in your photos in years to come. Know your vibe and choose nail art you can wear with pride (or simple colour or Builder Gel, if that's your style!) Again, if you're not sure what you'd like, we recommend a few trial appointments so we can get it exactly right.
Some clients opt for neutral Builder Gel with no nail art, and some go all out with a Tier 4 design - it's totally up to you. You should feel like yourself when you look at your manicure!
Check your nails yourself at the end of the appointment - your Therapist has a different viewpoint to you and you need to make sure they’re perfect. It's much harder to fit in a change at a later date than when you're sat in front of your Therapist.
It'll be hard in the run up to the wedding but avoid using your nails as tools for those last-minute jobs, for example picking tape & lifting boxes. Have someone else open that can of Diet Coke for you!
Wear gloves when cleaning as harsh chemicals can cause your nails to lift.
Similarly avoid soaking your hands in water as this can weaken the gel's bond to your nail.
Keep an eye out for products containing petroleum or lanolin as these can also reduce your gel retention and cause peeling.
We always recommend wearing cuticle oil - apply twice a day, once in the morning and again before bed. This product is designed to keep your nails moisturised and strong, promote growth and keep the gel adhered to your nail. Just don’t put this on on your wedding morning as it’s oily and can stain!
We sell our own cuticle oil formulas, created by NIBA, and offer £1 off your next bottle when you bring your empty bottle back in for us to recycle.
While this is slightly dependent on our Therapists’ availability (we can’t guarantee that we can get you in for a repair on the morning of your wedding for example!), if you have any problems with your manicure within a week we will repair it free of charge. You can’t book this in online and you'll need to send a photo of the nail to us via Instagram or email so that we can see how long it'll take to fix.
