By celebrity nail technician and Seven Seas ambassador Lucy Tucker

Check out this season's trends

Check out this season's trends

Lucy Tucker has worked her magic on the hands and feet of celebrities including Kimberley Walsh, Ella Eyre and Ellie Goulding. Here she shares her secrets on how to get bridal-ready ahead of your big day…

It can take up to six months for your nails to grow out from the cuticle bed to nail tip, so if your nails are short and in bad condition, it's best to start treating them as soon as possible. Fingernails grow about 1/8 of an inch per month, so adding oils high in fatty acids, anti-oxidants and nutrients will help with nail growth. It's best to apply oil to clean nails before sleep so you can allow the oils to soak into the tissue overnight.

Diet is important for nail growth, so make sure you're eating protein and good fats. However, we don't always get enough vitamins and minerals from our food so for that extra beauty boost take a supplement rich in zinc and biotin like Seven Seas Perfect7 Woman. Get yours here: http://www.boots.com/en/Seven-Seas-Perfect7-Woman-30-caps-30-tabs_1521204/

Use the right tools. A boomerang nail file is great for reducing the thickness of nail extensions, but they allow smooth filing in awkward areas. When filing natural nails it's important to use an emery board. Use strong strokes in one direction, i.e. from left to right each time. Avoid doing a sawing motion as you will damage your nails and they will become weak.

Strengthen your nails by putting a teaspoon of finely chopped garlic into your base coat. Apply three times a week to natural nails for a quick fix. It strengthens nails really well (some people claim it also helps them grow faster) for a fraction of the cost of some of the top nail strengtheners.

Keep your nails protected by using a good quality base and top coat. People think by not applying a base coat their nail polish will dry quicker; it's absolutely not the case. Painting polish without using a base coat will not only turn your nails yellow, it will give you an uneven base to apply colour. A top coat will always dry nails and keep them looking glossy. For a really quick fix when polishing nails I recommend Nails Inc. Paint Can Spray Polish. It's fun to apply, really easy and dries quickly.

Embrace the season's nail trends. This year brides are staying away from the typical French manicure and instead opting for a pink or pale creamy white nail. Some brides like to have two featured nail art nails, especially on the wedding finger. This could be some simple lines in gold or silver or some diamantes.

Don't neglect your hands! Exfoliate once a week and invest in a good hand cream. Crabtree & Evelyn do a great one - it's natural and smells divine. Massaging hands and cuticles not only helps you to relax but it will also boost your circulation and encourage nail growth ahead of your big day.


Tagged in