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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I'm a nail tech – here's the four mistakes that ruin your holiday nails and lead to annoying chips
WE all love to look our best when jetting off on holiday - and for some of us, that means having a fresh set of nails. But costs for a professional manicure or premium designs are now exceeding more than £60 a set. 3 With costs rising, more and more people are trying to do their own nails rather than going to a salon Credit: Getty And with most of us already feeling the strain on our budgets, it's no wonder that holiday-goers are looking for an alternative. Many Scots are now having a go themselves at achieving the salon-perfect manicure at home. Which means they can have a similar look at a fraction of the price. Luckily, nail technicians are on hand to help get those nails in tip-top shape. Sarah Green, a Beauty and Nail Course Tutor from Open Study College, has revealed that there are some mistakes people make when they try to do their own nails. The nail pro has shared the four things people should avoid doing if they want to make sure they stay in good condition and don't get ruined. And it means your at-home holiday nails can stay chip-free and look just as good as the pros. The beauty expert says it's all about looking after them properly in different environments. 1. Using hot water One mistake that Sarah says most people make is not keeping their nails out of hot water as much as they can. She said: "Fresh nails are vulnerable to hot water as it can break the bond between the nail and the polish. Nail tech slams 'absolutely vile' duck nails, and shares the eight other trends she can't stand "This expansion can cause the gel or acrylic nail to lift away and break. "Try to avoid hot water where you can, and if your nails have been in hot water, rinse them in cold water straight away. "Being on holiday, you'll probably be surrounded by a lot of water, so just be mindful of your fresh set of nails before enjoying the jacuzzi or hot tub." 2. Forgetting UV protection You might not realise it, but your nails need UV protection just as much as your skin and face do, and not putting sun cream on them can leave them damaged. Sarah explains: "Not only does your body need sun cream, but so do your nails! "When applying sun cream, don't rub the excess off; rub it into your hands and nails. "This will help to prevent discolouration, keeping your mani fresh all holiday. "You don't need a lot, but try to reapply throughout the day, as you would with your normal sun cream routine." 3 Experts say you shouldn't forget to put sun cream on your hands and nails Credit: Getty 3. Forgetting to apply cuticle oil The nail technician says anyone who wants to keep their nails looking their best for longer should not forget to apply cuticle oil. She explained that a mistake that many people make is not looking after their nails as much as they do their hair. Sarah advises: "Apply cuticle oil daily, especially after washing your hands or swimming, to moisturise and prevent dryness. "This intense hydration is perfect for the hot weather. "Similar to haircare, your nails can be damaged by the sun too, so these types of oils are essential for holidays." NAILS NO-NO A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted. There's plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon. But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they're even through the door. Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians. In a recent TikTok video, she revealed her "unpopular opinion" about message enquiries. She said: "I'm not replying to you if you just write to me 'how much'. "Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum's house? "Like what even happened to 'hey how are you?'. Not even a 'how are you?' Just like a 'hi'. "'Hi. How much is nails?' Or 'how much is training?' "[Just] 'How much?' Like? I'm sorry but I can't even reply because I feel like it's like a waste of my time because then I know you're not going to reply back to me again." 4. Not refreshing your top coat Some people think that once you put a layer of top coat on, it will last for ages. But in fact, it can fade quite quickly, being the first layer, and it should be reapplied every two to three days. Sarah suggests taking a small bottle away with you when you go on holiday to keep it fresh - and this also helps keep it chip-free. She said: "Top coats help to protect the polish underneath. So naturally, this is the first layer to fade away. "Once the top coat is gone, the nail will chip and be prone to breaking. "Pack a little bottle of top coat and reapply every few days. "This way, your top coat will always be fresh, and keep the rest of the polish protected throughout the entire holiday!"
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
I'm a nail tech – here's the four mistakes that ruin your holiday nails and lead to annoying chips
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE all love to look our best when jetting off on holiday - and for some of us, that means having a fresh set of nails. But costs for a professional manicure or premium designs are now exceeding more than £60 a set. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 With costs rising, more and more people are trying to do their own nails rather than going to a salon Credit: Getty And with most of us already feeling the strain on our budgets, it's no wonder that holiday-goers are looking for an alternative. Many Scots are now having a go themselves at achieving the salon-perfect manicure at home. Which means they can have a similar look at a fraction of the price. Luckily, nail technicians are on hand to help get those nails in tip-top shape. Sarah Green, a Beauty and Nail Course Tutor from Open Study College, has revealed that there are some mistakes people make when they try to do their own nails. The nail pro has shared the four things people should avoid doing if they want to make sure they stay in good condition and don't get ruined. And it means your at-home holiday nails can stay chip-free and look just as good as the pros. The beauty expert says it's all about looking after them properly in different environments. 1. Using hot water One mistake that Sarah says most people make is not keeping their nails out of hot water as much as they can. She said: "Fresh nails are vulnerable to hot water as it can break the bond between the nail and the polish. Nail tech slams 'absolutely vile' duck nails, and shares the eight other trends she can't stand "This expansion can cause the gel or acrylic nail to lift away and break. "Try to avoid hot water where you can, and if your nails have been in hot water, rinse them in cold water straight away. "Being on holiday, you'll probably be surrounded by a lot of water, so just be mindful of your fresh set of nails before enjoying the jacuzzi or hot tub." 2. Forgetting UV protection You might not realise it, but your nails need UV protection just as much as your skin and face do, and not putting sun cream on them can leave them damaged. Sarah explains: "Not only does your body need sun cream, but so do your nails! "When applying sun cream, don't rub the excess off; rub it into your hands and nails. "This will help to prevent discolouration, keeping your mani fresh all holiday. "You don't need a lot, but try to reapply throughout the day, as you would with your normal sun cream routine." 3 Experts say you shouldn't forget to put sun cream on your hands and nails Credit: Getty 3. Forgetting to apply cuticle oil The nail technician says anyone who wants to keep their nails looking their best for longer should not forget to apply cuticle oil. She explained that a mistake that many people make is not looking after their nails as much as they do their hair. Sarah advises: "Apply cuticle oil daily, especially after washing your hands or swimming, to moisturise and prevent dryness. "This intense hydration is perfect for the hot weather. "Similar to haircare, your nails can be damaged by the sun too, so these types of oils are essential for holidays." NAILS NO-NO A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted. There's plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon. But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they're even through the door. Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians. In a recent TikTok video, she revealed her "unpopular opinion" about message enquiries. She said: "I'm not replying to you if you just write to me 'how much'. "Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum's house? "Like what even happened to 'hey how are you?'. Not even a 'how are you?' Just like a 'hi'. "'Hi. How much is nails?' Or 'how much is training?' "[Just] 'How much?' Like? I'm sorry but I can't even reply because I feel like it's like a waste of my time because then I know you're not going to reply back to me again." 4. Not refreshing your top coat Some people think that once you put a layer of top coat on, it will last for ages. But in fact, it can fade quite quickly, being the first layer, and it should be reapplied every two to three days. Sarah suggests taking a small bottle away with you when you go on holiday to keep it fresh - and this also helps keep it chip-free. She said: "Top coats help to protect the polish underneath. So naturally, this is the first layer to fade away. "Once the top coat is gone, the nail will chip and be prone to breaking. "Pack a little bottle of top coat and reapply every few days. "This way, your top coat will always be fresh, and keep the rest of the polish protected throughout the entire holiday!"
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
I'm a nail tech – here's the four mistakes that ruin your holiday nails and lead to annoying chips
WE all love to look our best when jetting off on holiday - and for some of us, that means having a fresh set of nails. But costs for a professional manicure or premium designs are now exceeding more than £60 a set. And with most of us already feeling the strain on our budgets, it's no wonder that holiday-goers are looking for an alternative. Many Scots are now having a go themselves at achieving the salon-perfect manicure at home. Which means they can have a similar look at a fraction of the price. Luckily, nail technicians are on hand to help get those nails in tip-top shape. Sarah Green, a Beauty and Nail Course Tutor from Open Study College, has revealed that there are some mistakes people make when they try to do their own nails. The nail pro has shared the four things people should avoid doing if they want to make sure they stay in good condition and don't get ruined. And it means your at-home holiday nails can stay chip-free and look just as good as the pros. The beauty expert says it's all about looking after them properly in different environments. 1. Using hot water One mistake that Sarah says most people make is not keeping their nails out of hot water as much as they can. She said: "Fresh nails are vulnerable to hot water as it can break the bond between the nail and the polish. Nail tech slams 'absolutely vile' duck nails, and shares the eight other trends she can't stand "This expansion can cause the gel or acrylic nail to lift away and break. "Try to avoid hot water where you can, and if your nails have been in hot water, rinse them in cold water straight away. "Being on holiday, you'll probably be surrounded by a lot of water, so just be mindful of your fresh set of nails before enjoying the jacuzzi or hot tub." 2. Forgetting UV protection You might not realise it, but your nails need UV protection just as much as your skin and face do, and not putting sun cream on them can leave them damaged. Sarah explains: "Not only does your body need sun cream, but so do your nails! "When applying sun cream, don't rub the excess off; rub it into your hands and nails. "This will help to prevent discolouration, keeping your mani fresh all holiday. "You don't need a lot, but try to reapply throughout the day, as you would with your normal sun cream routine." 3. Forgetting to apply cuticle oil The nail technician says anyone who wants to keep their nails looking their best for longer should not forget to apply cuticle oil. She explained that a mistake that many people make is not looking after their nails as much as they do their hair. Sarah advises: "Apply cuticle oil daily, especially after washing your hands or swimming, to moisturise and prevent dryness. "This intense hydration is perfect for the hot weather. "Similar to haircare, your nails can be damaged by the sun too, so these types of oils are essential for holidays." NAILS NO-NO A NAIL expert has revealed the two words that prospective clients say that can gets them ghosted. There's plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon. But some beauty fans could ruin their chances of an appointment before they're even through the door. Nickie runs her own salon in Musselburgh, East Lothian, and also trains up other prospective nail technicians. In a recent TikTok video, she revealed her "unpopular opinion" about message enquiries. She said: "I'm not replying to you if you just write to me 'how much'. "Sorry? How much for what? How much for nails? How much for training? Eyebrows? Hair? A lift to your mum's house? "Like what even happened to 'hey how are you?'. Not even a 'how are you?' Just like a 'hi'. "'Hi. How much is nails?' Or 'how much is training?' "[Just] 'How much?' Like? I'm sorry but I can't even reply because I feel like it's like a waste of my time because then I know you're not going to reply back to me again." 4. Not refreshing your top coat Some people think that once you put a layer of top coat on, it will last for ages. But in fact, it can fade quite quickly, being the first layer, and it should be reapplied every two to three days. Sarah suggests taking a small bottle away with you when you go on holiday to keep it fresh - and this also helps keep it chip-free. She said: "Top coats help to protect the polish underneath. So naturally, this is the first layer to fade away. "Once the top coat is gone, the nail will chip and be prone to breaking. "Pack a little bottle of top coat and reapply every few days. "This way, your top coat will always be fresh, and keep the rest of the polish protected throughout the entire holiday!"
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Language expert reveals the most commonly mispronounced foods ordered by Brits on holiday - including 'espresso' and 'gyros' - so, how many have you got wrong?
A language expert has now revealed the surprising food words Britons get wrong while ordering abroad - and how you can make sure to master the right pronunciation even locals will applaud. With millions of holidaymakers heading overseas this summer, many are brushing up on their high school French or trying to master a few local phrases. But despite their best efforts, tourists from the UK are still regularly butchering the names of popular dishes. To help avoid embarrassment while vacationing, Open Study College has launched a new GCSE French course, and their Language Expert Katie Shelley has shared a break-down of the most common faux-pas' that catch us out - with the first being a common continental breakfast item. English-speakers often pronounce croissant as 'cross-aunt' - but that's not going to impress the Parisian waitress taking your order at the charming cafe along the rue. The correct way to say it - and help you sound more authentic - is 'kwa-son', with a silent 't'. Another French delicacy much loved by Brits abroad, pain au chocolat is often mislabelled as a 'chocolate croissant', so this French treat gets mispronounced regularly. British tourists tend to call it 'pan-a-chocolate' or even say the silent 't' at the end. But the correct phonetics are 'pan-oh-shoh-koh-lah'. Elsewhere, when you're in Italy, sampling some of the smoothest coffee in the world, you may order an espresso. But one of the most common café mistakes is adding an extra letter that doesn't exist. There's no 'X' in espresso - so forget saying 'expresso'. The correct regional pronunciation is 'eh-spreh-sow'. Possibly the trickiest on the list is gyros. This Greek favourite is gaining popularity in the UK, but the name still trips people up. Ordering a 'guy-ross' might raise eyebrows in Athens, as the correct pronunciation is 'yee-ross', with the 'g' sounding like a 'y'. Finally, bruschetta is a staple Italian starter - and one that's perfectly refreshing in the sweltering European summer - but one that Brits often misread. The 'ch' in bruschetta is not pronounced the English way. Instead, it should be said as 'broo-sket-tah' - with a hard 'k' sound. So whether you're after breakfast in a Parisian café or grabbing dinner in a Greek taverna, getting these names right might just save you from a red-faced moment, and even help you blend in a little better with the locals. Quite aside from language faux-pas, British tourists have been warned to avoid making a key mistake when they go on holiday - to avoid more serious mistakes. A home security expert has told Britons that putting your address on your luggage is telling burglars to 'help yourself' to their house. Carlos Dhunay, home security expert at Telcam Security Solutions, says: 'Putting a residential address on your luggage is basically saying: this house is empty, help yourself.' Many travellers put their full home address on their luggage to ensure it's returned to them if it gets lost. However, thieves might be alerted to an unoccupied property if they see the address. Instead of writing a full address, Carlos recommends just listing a mobile number, email address or even a work address on a luggage tag. He explains: 'That way, airline staff can get in touch if needed, but you're not advertising that your house is unoccupied.' And there are also a few other easy mistakes that put British tourists at greater risk of burglary. Carlos reveals: 'Leaving a light on 24/7 can actually tip people off that you're away. Instead, use smart lights or timers to mimic normal activity patterns. 'Motion-activated lights and other outdoor security lighting are also a good way to deter potential burglars.' The expert also recommends cancelling any regular deliveries while you're away and asking a neighbour to keep an eye out for parcels. And while it might be tempting to share constant holiday updates, it might be best to wait until you're home.
