We don't need a special day once a year to tell someone we love them, but it never hurts to make an excuse to step back from our busy lives to treat them, or to spoil ourselves. With Valentines only a week away, (which we'll be spending at London Edge), I took the opportunity to treat myself to a valentines look. I found the perfect dress, the perfect shoes, and now I needed some Valentines inspired nails.

Revive Salon is located at 47 Adams Avenue Northampton, it is a beauty and well being clinic that provides beauty treatments, manicures, allergy testing and colonic irrigation. Adriana is the beauty therapist who has made this her new home. I was invited down just after her opening to experience some acrylic nails with gel polish. The communication before was great, we shared lots of ideas, and wanted to include some of the latest trends such a metallic glitter pigments, gems and heart tips.
Upon arriving, I was welcomed in and shown to my seat by the beautiful Adriana. I was offered a drink from the very fancy drinks machine that was sat in the waiting area and we talked about the beginning of the salon and what I wanted for my nails that day.

Adriana cleaned, trimmed and prepped my nails ready to start. With my thumb nails already being long, they were filed into the almond shape I had asked for, and layered in acrylic. Adriana then began sculpting the acrylic on the rest of my hands. After it was applied they were filed and buffed. I was then shown to the toilet for a break and to wash any dust off my hands.

We had decided on using the colours red, white and metallic silver, to match our valentines theme. The red was applied to my thumb, my index finger and my little finger, a white was applied on my forth finger and a black was applied on my middle finger, in between each layer they were put under UV lamps to instantly dry them. Now the detailing was added, the hearts were hand painted to the tips of my fourth fingers and the glitter pigments were buffed on top of the black gel, again being put under the UV lamps after every layer. Lastly the gems were added around the heart and a top coat was added, and they were put under the UV lamps to set them for one last time.

After my nails were finished it didn't stop there, Adriana inspected her work, making sure each part was perfect to her, she did not rush, she took her time to make sure each step was done well and she made time to get to know me and make sure that I was happy. Once she was satisfied that everything looked the way she wanted, she massaged my hands with a beautiful scented lotion. I noted that I had never had this done after having acrylic nails before, but I really appreciated it as I realised how stiff my hands felt from holding them in the same place.

I would definitely recommend Adriana at Revive Salon, I am so happy with my nails, not only do they match the valentines theme I wanted but they also fit in with the vintage look I love. I felt so at ease with her and the atmosphere of the Salon was peaceful and friendly. I love the fact you can tell how much Adriana loves her job, It shows in how much care she takes doing it. You do not feel rushed, you do not feel like another number, you feel welcomed and cared for and you leave feeling like you have been out with a friend.

 

* This treatment was given in exchange for a review, however all opinions are my own.