One thing every woman wants and envies is a nice set of pretty fingers, whether it’s in clear polish or colored coats. Enhancing with sculptured nails made of acrylic has become quite the fashion, but the high maintenance aspect (they can host fungi) is not for everyone. So when I heard about gel nails and how it was done, I just had to try them!

Unlike sculptured nails, gel ones snugly fit your natural nails with no space in between the gels and the faux ones. No more yucky fungus growth! Sculptured ones have a tendency to break, but my gel ones lasted longer without a chip. But, of course, this would depend on the length you’ll decide to have.

How are gel nails attached? A lightweight form of clear gel is brushed on to your own nails, and put under UV light to cure the mixture for at least two minutes. It’s that quick and easy!

Now that you have long, fierce nails, you can enjoy wearing the hottest nail colors for this summer to match your pedicure. The Face Shop’s brand manager, Maureen Abenoja, shares: “Summer, being the hottest season of the year, is the time when people wear open-toed footwear and go to the beach. Summer is all about having fun with bright colors inspired by the dazzling yellow sun, blue skies and seas, and green fields. It’s time to enjoy the outdoors and have a blast, and only bright, hot colors can best complement this season’s happy and vibrant mood.”

Orly also has a great collection of limited-edition shades for this bare-it-all season with its High Voltage and Carnivale sets—it will be hard for you to pick just one. Local brands such as Bobbie also have vibrant hues, but are placing their bets on muted neutral polishes for the conservative Pinay. Lastly, don’t forget to take care of your nails (polished or not) and hands by keeping them moisturized with products such as Paul & Joe’s hand and nail care kit.

California Nails and Day Spa has branches at Market! Market!, Club SixFifty Sports Center in Libis, Robinsons Galleria and Festival Mall, to name a few. Bobbie Nail Care is available at most department stores, leading drugstores, convenience stores, supermarkets and department stores nationwide. Orly is sold in PCX outlets, Marrionaud, Watsons Makati, Jesi Mendez Park Square and Nail Tropics.The Face Shop is located at most SM, Robinsons and Ayala malls nationwide.

For comments and suggestions, email me at janietulip@gmail.com.