We get ahead on the trends for AW18 and learn some valuable lessons about running a nail business

AW18 CATWALK REPORT

CND for Ryan Lo

CND for Sophia Webster

Morgan Taylor for Mulberry

Artistic Nail Design for LCF

Gareth Pugh for CND

Bio Sculpture for Marques Almeida

The pro nail brands were out in force at London Fashion Week in February to create inspirational nail looks for AW18 designer collections.

It wouldn’t be winter without lashings of black, and CND brand ambassador Marian Newman came up with two distinctly different twists to breathe new energy into the trend.

She kitted out Ryan Lo’s twilight French maids with subtly glittering oval extensions that encapsulated holographic glitter under CND Vinylux in Black Pool. And to complement Gareth Pugh’s extreme power dressing, she painted sharp stilettos with holes punched into the tips using the same shade.

A softer side of black was shown at LCF, where session tech Michelle Class used Artistic Colour Gloss to paint intricate geode stone looks onto press-on tips. Class used a marbling technique to blend earthy shades with white and black.

Deep blue also featured heavily on the season’s runways and was the only shade used at the Osman show, where techs used Artistic’s metallic blue shade Bah Humbug on long stiletto nails for a disco-inspired vibe, while back at Gareth Pugh, the CND team topped royal blue nails with a semi-matte finish.

Crystal amaze

On the other end of spectrum there were catwalks awash with glittering, opulent embellishments. At Marques Almeida nails were kept short and square with a smattering of gold glitter Bio Sculpture Gel, while models at Mulberry had chunky circular Swarovski crystals stuck to their nails over a base of pale pink nude Artistic Colour Gloss in Sweet Surrender.

Tracey Lee and the CND Design Lab team went for playful glam at Sophia Webster’s ballroom-dancing-inspired presentation. Nails were dipped in bright orange and red tones and drenched in crystals. There were ombré effects, glistening French tips and nails covered in tiny pearl accents.

5minutes with

Amy G , celebrity nail artist and owner of Amy’s in South Ockendon, Essex.

I’ve been doing nails and beauty for four and a half years. I was one of those teenagers that didn’t have the right guidance when I needed it the most. Doing a beauty therapy course gave me purpose.

About eighteen months ago, I decided I wanted to open my own salon. Renting nail stations was no longer for me; the process tested my patience, passion, belief and determination. After a lot of hard work and persistence, I succeeded and opened Amy’s.

My career as a celebrity tech started when I was asked to do an urgent appointment for Charlotte Crosby from TV show Geordie Shore by mobile beauty service Secret Spa. I was recommended after working on behalf of OPI and Rimmel at the Glamour Festival.

My nail art collection with Edge Nails took nearly a year. After a long elimination process, we finally selected the 81 products that now make up the Amy G Nail Art Collection.

I love the Platinum Gels and Pigment Colours. The gels are so dense that they can be used for full coverage or fine line detailing, and the pigments allow you to create an ombré look.

I’ve learned that it’s important to create a team you can trust and who know the meaning of teamwork. My team do everything I require of them to my standards.