Swooning over Swoon: Where to get the perfect Calgel manicure in Glasgow
It’s not an understatement when we say your wedding manicure is probably the most important manicure of your life. Especially if it’s your first ever professional manicure. So it’s important to do your research and choose a salon you trust, as Hood’s style editor Laura Hudson (now Mearns!) found out.
Being something of a manicure novice (read: never having had a professional mani in my entire life, ever), I was in something of a quandary when it came to what to do with my nails for my recent wedding. I only knew two things: I wanted something pretty and long-lasting, that wouldn’t damage my nails, and that I wanted to be in very safe hands.
Spurred on by endless positive reviews and recommendations from those in the know, I booked in for this most momentous first manicure at Glasgow’s Swoon nail bar, with none other than founder and head technician, Lia Clarke. Lia’s renowned as one of the best nail techs in the country, and I can see why.
From first contact through to aftercare, Lia was a dream to work with, and reassured me that not only would my wedding nails look beautiful, but my natural nails underneath would still look good too, even after the gels had been removed. She even went as far as to ask what my wedding shoes were like, to determine whether a matching mani-pedi would be necessary.
Lia and Swoon only use Calgel, with Lia being the brand’s only Creative Brand Ambassador, so she really knows her stuff. Calgel had been recommended to me by various people, as it’s gentle on the nail and allows healthy growth and hydration of the nail, so I was keen to opt for this, to limit damage as much as possible. Calgel is a soft gel, which has flexibility and stretch, meaning it moves and bends with the natural nail, without breaking, lifting or chipping, and it causes less damage to the nails than traditional hard gels. Lia’s very passionate about the brand which is very reassuring for those concerned about the health of their hands post-gels, she can give you lots of information about the product itself, and lots of guidance on the correct aftercare to help you make the most of your manicure.
I arrived at Swoon’s studio in central Glasgow the afternoon before my wedding, to find a party atmosphere very befitting of the occasion. Think disco balls and a very danceable playlist, with a team of fun and friendly staff – it felt like the perfect place to get pampered before a big night out or, in my case, a big day.
Even in my slightly frazzled, jittery state, Lia helped me to feel super calm and relaxed. She’s got great chat, and such a calm, fun demeanour – I felt instantly at ease and ready to celebrate! We discussed some ideas for the colour and style, whilst Lia got started on my pedicure by soaking my feet in a warm bath, before tending to my toes. I opted for a soft blush pink, ‘In the Nude’, on both fingers and toes; it was soft, pretty and super glossy, the perfect cool shade of pink that wasn’t too bright, too subtle or too ‘bridal’ – not that I’m a fussy customer…
The pedicure was quick and thorough, and quite honestly, my toes had never looked better. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the feeling of having my cuticles snipped and tidied, or my nails buffed into smooth submission, but it was painless and over in minutes – it’s just a little jumpy if you’re particularly ticklish like me.
The gel is applied in layers, curing under a UV lamp between coats, which dries it almost instantly and gives it an amazing glossy finish. Sandal-ready in what felt like seconds!
Toes freshly painted and polished, we moved on to the all-important manicure. Lia filed my nails into a soft almond shape, and prepped them in the same way as my toes; snipping the cuticles, buffing the surface and tidying the edges, for a smooth base ready for the Calgel application.
For the design, I envisaged something simple and delicate, with a nod to the theme of our wedding, so I asked Lia to create an accent nail on each hand, with a rose gold botanical design. Lia found the perfect shade of rose gold glitter, and after painting my nails with the same blush tone as my toes, she deftly painted on a beautiful fern design in the glitter on my ring fingers. Delicate and so pretty, they were perfect!
The appointment finished with some tips on aftercare and nail maintenance. Calgel is termed a low-maintenance option, but that doesn’t mean you can just let them run to wrack and ruin. Some quick and easy care is required to keep them looking as fresh as possible, for as long as possible; three to four weeks is the expected lifespan of a Calgel manicure, and six to eight weeks is predicted for a pedicure.
Regular application of cuticle oil is actively encouraged, as well as using an acetone-free polish remover every few days, to wipe away the clear topcoat and any grease or grime on the nail – you then reapply a coat of clear polish to protect the colour. Lia encourages you to wear gloves when cleaning, washing up or doing any manual jobs, and washing and drying your hands thoroughly after using anything with a high oil content, such as SPF, cleansing oils or body butters, to prevent the gel lifting prematurely. Swoon also sell Calgel-approved lotions, creams and hand sanitisers so that you can carry on your regime carefree.
So, how did they hold up for me? I got three and a half weeks out of my manicure, which I was delighted with. It saw me through my wedding and honeymoon beautifully, and stood up to a week back in the office, typing all day too. The gel itself didn’t lift or chip at all, and the colour and design looked as fresh as the day they were applied. My toes are still looking fresh, glossy and ready for sandals at a moment’s notice – it’s a revelation!
Consider me a Calgel convert – Lia, I’ll be seeing you soon!