Tried and Tested: Mobile Manicures

Created on 16th May 2009

In this issue, Sarah Hedley discovers if beauty-on-the-go can compete with the just-stepped-out-of-a-salon feeling

What is it?
Nails at Work is a new mobile manicure and pedicure service that will currently visit any office or home in London, with plans to extend the service outside of London in the near future. Specially designed portable manicure tables have been custom-made for the service and all the kit you'd expect to see in a salon is carted to venues in wheelie cases.

Dubious as I was - having had so many mediocre, could-have-done-that-myself type manicures in salons - I elected to try a classic French manicure at my office, which would take up around 45 minutes of my time.

What really happens?
The only difference between my Nails at Work manicure and the average salon manicure - except for the fact that it was good -was that instead of using water to wash or soak hands, gel hand cleanser and creams were used. First the gel went on, then the nails were clipped and filed; my hands were then placed in bags of a specially formulated hot softening cream, which has the same effect as soaking and feels as satisfying as playing in mud when you're three.

After the pseudo soak, my hands were massaged, and cuticle remover was applied before the frayed skin was pushed back and trimmed. At this point, Teresa, my nail technician and founder of Nails at Work, reprimanded me for cuticle abuse. With a string of awards and a four-week waiting list at Harrods' nail bar behind her, she knows her stuff, unlike a lot of today's nail technicians whose so-called qualification is the result of a quick two-day course.

Cuticles apparently act as a barrier to protect against bacterial and fungal infections; I'd developed a cuticle remover habit and had been applying it too regularly and cutting my cuticles myself (this should be left to a qualified nail expert). Teresa prescribed SolarOil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner, to be rubbed in daily, and I'm pleased to report my dry jagged cuticles are now supple again.

The next step was buffing - oil was rubbed into my nails before a three-way buffer was used to smooth the surface ridges. Teresa explained that buffing helps the oil penetrate the nail. She then used polish remover to clean the nail plates before putting on varnish.

Top tip
Teresa also taught me how to ‘cap' nails to prolong the finish - simply ensure your top coat goes over the tip of your nail where varnish is most likely to chip. I'd never bothered with topcoat before, but I do now and it makes my varnish last at least a week longer.

Did it work?
Yes - and not only did I get a perfect manicure, I got an education in nail care and the rare luxury of being pampered at work. If you're thinking of buying a friend a birthday present, or sending your mum flowers, send them Nails at Work instead.
CS&AM