The Kure Bazaar nail polish brand is all about being natural and their waterless “eco-trendy” manicure is no different.
What supposedly makes these polishes “eco-trendy” is the lack of ingredients such as formaldehyde and toluene, and the fact that it is made up of 85 per cent natural products. But will the nail polish still look good?
I tried out the “signature manicure ritual” at the brand’s stall at Le BHV Marais department store in City Walk. One of my first thoughts getting started with the manicure was “how are we going to do this without water?” When the nail technician got out the lotion-filled plastic gloves out, I got my answer. It’s a supremely weird sensation putting my hands into cold, wet gloves, but I quickly get over it. After a few minutes of soaking in the lotion, holes are made at the tips of the gloves to allow the technician to file the nail and deal with those pesky cuticles.
The lotion inside the glove is also organic and natural, with an amazing, fresh scent. The rest of the manicure goes smoothly and in a very professional manner. One of my favourite parts is a sturdy massage using the remaining lotion left on my hands from the glove. The manicure, while beautifully done, doesn’t look any better or worse than my usual manicure of choice. If you’re exploring your hippie, all-natural side, or just curious to try something new, then this is definitely one to try. Dh120 for the signature manicure ritual.
Shine bright
If you like your nails to make a bold statement, then the chrome manicure from En Vogue Beauty Center is a must-try. It’s a Gelish manicure with a special chrome powder rubbed onto the nail before the final layer is painted on.
If you aren’t familiar with Gelish, it’s quite a time-intensive process, with multiple polishes layered on and a short “curing” under a UV light between each coat.
For my chrome manicure, I asked for a rose gold shade (how millennial of me). This meant a hot pink polish was first used as a base, then a gold chrome powder was buffed onto the nail with a small sponge. The technician will pick a base colour depending on what you want the final chrome to look like; so don’t be surprised if your nails are initially painted black even though you want a purple chrome. Once the very fine metallic powder is applied, the nail magically turns into a glasslike, uniquely coloured surface that is gorgeous to look at.
A week later and my nails look exactly like they did right after the manicure. The Gelish base is solid as a rock and the chrome effect is still eye-catching, with a high metallic shine that doesn’t quit.
The chrome manicure is Dh100 at En Vogue Beauty Center (the Gelish base is charged separately).
