NAIL THIS SEASON
Expert tips to get your digits on point…
Leading Australian beauty artisan and official manicurist for Chanel Australia, Jocelyn Petroni, shares her expertise on all the latest in nail health, trends and manicure matters.
What are your tips to get nails in their healthiest state?
Always follow an inside out approach. So much of your nail health is determined by your diet. To promote healthy nail growth and maintain strong nails, a diet rich in vitamins, calcium and minerals is so important. A key mineral is silicium [silicon], which is like “cell cement” and helps nails to grow faster and be more resistant. Externally, it’s important to care for your nails with specialist treatment products and regular manicures.
What are some common complaints?
The biggest concern we face in the salon is nail strength, which is evident in so many different nail problems like flaking, peeling, splitting and brittle nails. To remedy this widespread concern, we have developed a Naked Manicure at Jocelyn Petroni designed to focus on strengthening and conditioning nails in the long-term. It’s a colour-free experience that concentrates on “treating” the nail. I also advise my clients to use an at-home nail strengthening product like Mavala’s Scientifique K +.
What are your nail no-nos? Don’t compromise on quality with your nails. Always visit reputable destinations that have meticulous hygiene and care standards. Salons should practise hospital-grade disinfection and autoclave their tools between clients. Surprisingly, most salons do not have the machinery or allocate the time for disinfection, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungal infections to
spread. Every step of a nail treatment has the potential to transfer a fungal infection, so only have your nails done at a reputable salon. What are the hottest hues for autumn/ winter?
Chanel have a new collection of colours launching in a couple of months, which include a colour named After Glow. This translucent beige is feminine and has a soft natural shimmer that highlights the nail plate for gentle luminosity – it’s amazing! What about shape and length?
Nail length is remaining short and natural, however the free edges of the nail are now starting to curve so the nail is not such a blunt square shape, but slightly more feminine.
What are your top tips for at-home care? At-home care is so important to keep the momentum going between visits to the salon. Think of it as investing in self-care and take the time to treat your nails while watching your favourite Netflix show and relaxing. You can push your cuticles back when your skin is soft and soapy in the shower or bathtub, just use your thumbnail to gently push back the cuticle at the base of the nail plate.
How do you get the most out of your manicure?
The best advice I always give my clients is that a manicure or pedicure is only as good as the time and effort that goes into the preparation and protection. It is crucial to prepare the nail bed with a great exfoliant and groom the cuticles beforehand. A base coat is just like painting a house, it’s the
foundation for the end result. Use a topcoat that is durable and chip-resistant to ensure you get up to a week from your home manicure. Always wear gloves when doing the dishes. What treatments do you offer at your salon? We are able to offer clients a Chanel Manicure with the latest colour trends off the runway. Another signature is the customblend manicure, whereby our therapists combine two polish colours to create a unique nude colour that perfectly matches your individual skin tone.