The work Christmas do is usually the first date in the diary, and after that the weekends fill up quickly. Somewhere between saying yes and deciding what to wear, most of us look down at our hands and wonder whether they are ready for a room full of photos.
Here is how our team in Parnell would choose nails for the season, whether you have one party coming up or a whole run of them through to Christmas Day.
For the work do
If you want glossy colour that is dry before you walk out the door, gel polish is the easy choice. It is set under a lamp, so there is no sitting with your hands in the air, and it lasts around two to three weeks before it needs removing and redoing.
A Basic Gel Polish Manicure New Set is $55 and takes 25 minutes. Already wearing gel? The Basic Gel Polish Manicure Refill ($65) soaks off your old colour before the new one goes on. If you would like a longer treatment, add gel to a Regular, Spa or Deluxe Manicure with the Gel Polish Add On to Manicure for $20. Rather not have the e-file? Book the No E-file Manicure with Gel Polish ($80).
Because gel polish lasts around two to three weeks, think about which date matters most to you. If your work do and Christmas Day are close together, one set may see you through both. Read more about our manicures and gel polish.
For nails that need to last into the holidays
BIAB is a builder gel by The Gel Bottle, which is HEMA-free and TPO-free. It goes on like gel polish but in a thicker layer, so it adds strength as well as shine. It lasts 2 to 6 weeks depending on aftercare, and as it grows out we can infill it rather than starting again.
Book Builder Gel on Naturals New Set ($80, 45 minutes) for BIAB on your own nails. Our booking page suggests an infill after 2 to 3 weeks of growth, and a Builder Gel Infill Short and Medium is $80. Want more length? Book Builder Gel with Extensions New Set ($95), or have a look at our nail extensions.
Still deciding? Our post BIAB or gel polish, which one suits your nails goes through the differences. In short, choose gel polish if you love changing your colour every few weeks, and BIAB if your nails bend or break easily.
Over the holidays, use cuticle oil every day and wear gloves for washing up, which is worth remembering after Christmas lunch. Please do not pick or peel BIAB off, as that can take layers of your own nail with it. Book a removal or an infill instead. Verdo Cuticle Oil 15ml is made in New Zealand, for dry cuticles, and you can order it from our shop.
A little sparkle
Party season is a good excuse for something extra. When you book, you can add French Tips ($20), a Chrome Effect ($20), an Ombre Effect ($20) or a Cat Eyes Effect ($10), which uses magnetic gel. For glitter, gems or hand-painted nail art, the Nail Art or Design Add On starts from $5, and for more detailed nail art, contact us for a price. Nail art also comes in four tiers, depending on the design.
For Christmas Day and jandal season
Summer in New Zealand means bare feet, and for plenty of us Christmas Day ends up at the beach. For toes that keep their colour, book a Basic Gel Polish Pedicure New Set ($55, 30 minutes), or add gel polish to any spa pedicure with the Gel Polish Add On to Pedicure ($20).
The Spa Pedicure ($85, 45 minutes) is our most popular, with a Pure Fiji coconut bath milk soak, a callus remover, a sugar scrub, a relaxing foot massage and a heel treatment. If you choose regular polish rather than gel, please bring your sandals or jandals for afterwards. If you already have gel on your toes, add a removal when you book.
Your hands are free during a pedicure, so bring a book and we will make you a cup of tea. We wrote more about that in The Benefits of a Pedicure, With a Cup of Tea and a Good Book. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a foot or nail infection, please check with your GP or podiatrist before booking a pedicure.
Hands and feet in one visit
For everything at once, our Combo Pedi and Mani is a Spa Manicure and a Spa Pedicure together. The Paraffin Pedi and Mani ($139, 1 hour 30 minutes) finishes the combo with a paraffin wax treatment on hands and feet, and we also offer a Naked Shellac Pedi and Mani ($105). Every combo is listed on our services page. Prices can change, and the latest prices are always on our booking page.
Getting ready with friends
Coming in with friends before a Christmas do? Our booking page has a group appointment option, so you can book for yourself and others. We are also available for birthdays and girls' nights.
Booking your appointment
You can book online through Fresha at any time. You are welcome to walk in when we have a chair free, but we are a busy salon, so booking online is the best way to get the time you want. We are usually open 7 days, and until 8pm on Thursdays. We ask for 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or move your appointment.
A manicure also makes a lovely Christmas present, and you can buy a gift voucher online through Fresha.
However many parties are on your calendar this year, we would love to get your nails ready for them. Merry Christmas from all of us at the salon.
The Verdo team
Questions we often hear
How long does gel polish last?
Around two to three weeks before it needs removing and redoing. It is set under a lamp, so your nails are dry before you leave the salon.
How long does BIAB last?
Our BIAB by The Gel Bottle lasts 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how quickly your nails grow and how you look after them. As it grows out, we can infill it rather than starting again.
Can I have gel polish on my toes?
Yes. Add gel polish to any spa pedicure, or book a Basic Gel Polish Pedicure.
Can I walk in, or do I need to book?
You are welcome to walk in when we have a chair free. We are a busy salon, so booking online through Fresha is the best way to get the time you want.