Nail looks
Nail looks for deep skin
Style ideas to show your nail technician, with plain facts about shape, length and upkeep, and how to wear acrylics and gels safely.
Everyday
Wearable shapes and colours for work, school and weekends.
Milky nude
A sheer, glossy nude that flatters deep skin.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores
Short & glossy caramel
Work-ready, easy to type with, kind to the natural nail.
Infill every 2–3 weeks
Chocolate ombré
Rich brown melting into nude at the tip.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores
Pearly gold glaze
A soft chrome shine that catches the light.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores
Cocoa with gold foil
Short nails with flecks of gold near the tips.
Infill every 2–3 weeks
Tortoiseshell
Amber and brown, glossy and classic.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores
Deep burgundy
One rich colour, high gloss.
Infill every 2 weeks; catches easily
Emerald & ivory
Deep green with one ivory accent and a fine gold line.
Infill every 2 weeks; catches easily
Ankara accent
Mustard and terracotta with wax-print accent nails.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores
Matte black, gold tips
Bold and sharp: matte black edged in gold.
Infill every 2 weeks; catches easily
Bridal pearl
Pearly white with a few small crystals at the base.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores · Raised gems or charms
Luxe
Statement sets for parties, weddings and owambe.
Old-money nude
Short, flawless and quiet. The jewellery does the talking.
Infill every 2–3 weeks
Diamond French
A crisp French tip edged with a line of tiny diamonds.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores · Raised gems or charms
Pearl inlay
Ivory nails with a fine line of pearls at the cuticle.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores · Raised gems or charms
Sapphire & diamonds
Midnight blue with a fine row of diamonds at the cuticle.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores · Raised gems or charms
Emerald heiress
Deep green with a slim gold edge.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores
Rose gold & blush
Blush pink with rose-gold tips and tiny crystals.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores · Raised gems or charms
Champagne & diamond dust
Shimmering champagne gold with one diamond accent.
Infill every 2–3 weeks; more care with typing and chores · Raised gems or charms
Liquid gold
Mirror-gold chrome with a single diamond accent.
Infill every 2 weeks; catches easily · Raised gems or charms
Onyx & gold filigree
Jet black with raised gold detail on two nails.
Infill every 2 weeks; catches easily · Raised gems or charms
Crystal stiletto
Fully crystal-covered for the red carpet.
Infill every 2 weeks; catches easily · Raised gems or charms
Owambe royalty
Gold and coral with beaded accents, made for the party.
Infill every 2 weeks; catches easily · Raised gems or charms
Wear it safely
- Choose a clean salon that opens new files and buffers for you, or disinfects metal tools between clients.
- Ask what liquid they use. MMA (methyl methacrylate) is not considered safe for nails and is banned for this use in many places; it has a strong smell and is very hard to remove.
- Acrylic and gel can cause allergy: itchy, swollen or blistered skin around the nails or on the eyelids and face. If it happens, stop and see a doctor; the allergy can be lifelong.
- Never pick or pull a set off. Soak it off, or have it removed at the salon, so the natural nail is not torn.
- Have lifting nails fixed quickly. Water trapped under a lifted nail can let infection in.
- Give your nails a break between sets. If they are thin or peeling, try the "Recovery after Gels & Acrylics" program.
- Under a UV or LED lamp, use broad-spectrum sunscreen on the backs of your hands or fingerless gloves.
Gems, pearls and charms. Raised gems, pearls, charms and 3D art catch on fabric and hair and can lever the nail up. Ask for them to be fully sealed under top coat, and keep them to one or two nails for everyday wear.
Long nails. Long nails take more strain at the tip. Be gentle with typing, phone screens and opening cans, and file a chip before it tears.
Important
See a doctor if
- Redness, swelling, pus or throbbing around a nail
- A green or black patch under the nail, or the nail lifting off its bed
- An itchy rash on the fingers, eyelids or face after a new set
- A dark streak along a natural nail that is new or changing
Emergency in Nigeria: call 112 or go to the nearest hospital.
Style ideas only: no salon, product or price recommendations. Content pending doctor review.