Haven Deluxe Manicure

Your manicurist will start by having a thorough look at your hands and nails and discussing what shape, length and colour you want to go for. This also gives you a chance to talk about the general health and state of your nails as well as any worries you may have, such as nails that break easily, ridges, white spots or flecks, and age spots that won't go away.

The first step to any manicure is to remove all traces of old polish with a gentle, acetone-free solvent, which will help prevent nail brittleness and drying out.

Filing and shaping nails are the next stage - the ideal shape is oval, the strongest, square and the weakest, pointed. Using long sweeping strokes, your manicurist will file in one direction only- from outer corner to centre; never backwards and forwards as this can produce heat in the nail plate, which will dry out the natural oils causing flakiness.

After filing, a good soaking of the fingertips in a bowl of warm water enriched with a few drops of oil is the order. This rehydrates the nails and softens the cuticles. When hands are dry it's time to tackle your cuticles. Your manicurist may apply some cuticle remover before gently easing back the cuticles with a hoof stick wrapped in cotton wool. Cuticle nippers may also be used to remove any excessive or damaged cuticles (it's not as painful as it sounds!).

Your hands are covered in warmed paraffin wax and put into heated mitts to aid the hydration and conditioning. This part of the treatment is also excellent for relieving stiff joints and arthritis

After giving the nails one last clean and dry your manicurist will start to apply the polish - a base coat, two thin layers of enamel and a clear top coat to give protective shine. Then after a few moments drying out, you'll be free to flaunt your fingers to the world.

Water Lily Spa Manicure

The treatment is similar to above, but the paraffin wax is replaced by a warm mask to aid hydration & conditioning.

The nails are soaked/ tidied /filed/cuticles attended to, before they are soothed with a warm mask to hydrate, condition and restore. All finished with a nail polish of your choice