FASHION Magazine

Nails have sort of taken a backseat for a couple of seasons now, with nudes taking over. However, with cool new products surfacing, it seems like the world of nail polish is about to get a lot more interesting. Nail polish can be a perennial fave for anyone who has an ounce of interest in the beauty […]

The post The top nail artists in the industry predict future trends and share their dream products appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Gel manicures have become quite popular in the last few years, most of all thanks to their ability to last a long time without chipping. Although gel nail polish can be difficult to remove (FYI, read our tips on how to remove gel nail polish at home here), many of us have embraced gel manis as an easier alternative to traditional nail polish. However, according to a new study from the Skin Cancer Foundation, there may be more serious reasons to reconsider our dedication to the gel manicure.

As nail techs and anyone who’s tried out a gel manicure will know, UV-emitting devices are used to seal the polish to the nail. But how safe is it? In a statement released by the Skin Care Foundation, Vice President Elizabeth K. Hale confirmed what many already suspected: UV-emitting nail lamps are carcinogenic to humans. Although Hale describes the skin cancer risk for gel manicures as “very low,” it is not insignificant enough to ignore. The statement indicates that the risk is greatest for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the second most common skin cancer. “SCC is mainly caused by chronic UV exposure and is very common on the hands and around the fingernails,” Hale said.

See all 5 CND Shellac spring 2013 colours! »

CND Shellac, the iconic nail salon service product line, has announced their new spring 2013 collection. Titled Sweet Dreams, the collection includes five new shades of Shellac that celebrate the joy and romance of spring. With names like “Grapefruit Sparkle” and “Lilac Longing,” the five colours are pastel shades of pink, blue, purple and green; each with a softness that is perfect for springtime.

Shellac—which is pretty much the most ubiquitous brand in the gel nail polish game—is applied like regular nail polish, but because it’s cured under UV lights it can last up to two weeks without chipping. Shellac is also easy to remove without damaging the nail, which is important for those of us who like to frequently change our manicures. And what’s exciting about the CND Shellac spring collection is that these new shades can be worn on their own or, like most Shellac polishes, layered to create unique combinations of something new.