SESSION NAIL TECHNICIAN ANDREA FULERTON GETS TO GRIPS WITH DOMESTIC GODDESS NIGELLA LAWSON DURING THE FILMING OF BBC SHOW NIGELLA EXPRESS
Throughout the summer of 2007, I had the pleasure of maintaining the natural nail overlays of TV chef, author and mother Nigella Lawson for her BBC series
Nigella Express, which, fortunately for me, was filmed close to where I live in Battersea. I've been doing Nigella's delicate digits for several years now, using Creative's Retention liquid and powder, and Nailtiques' oil to name but a couple of my preferred products. Nigella also really likes Essie's nail varnish colours - Potato Fields, Mademoiselle and Chanel are among her favourite shades, and she especially likes a classic red for her toes.CLOSE UP
While filming the series, which aired weekly, I in-filled the re-growth around every 10 days as her nails grow pretty fast. During filming, continuity is crucial. There are lots of close-ups and focus on Nigella's hands during filming, so her nails not only have to look identical throughout each programme, but throughout the series in case of any retakes. However, apart from photoshoots and covershots, she rarely wears a colour on her fingernails so keeping things uniform wasn't a major issue. We also found time to shoot the images for her accompanying book in between filming.NEAT AND TIDY
As for the shape and length, we work together to keep them short and manageable for when she's handling food - how many of us have sliced off a protruding nail while chopping onions? This also allows her to keep them looking neat and tidy for when I'm not around, or between all-important set visits
SEALED TIPS
I tend to keep the acrylic overlay as thin as possible to
look nice and natural, and I blend the powder with clear to make the lightest hue of white achievable for the short length, always ensuring that I seal down the tips with a three-way buffer to avoid lifting.
REHYDRATE
I'm afraid I've never been particularly good at sticking to brand families, so presently I use Leighton Denny oil after in-fills as I love its fresh fragrance. Failing that, I always have a Nailtiques oil to hand in my personal bag - rehydrate, rehydrate, rehydrate - especially at this time of year.
HANDY CREAM
Following this mantra, just like Nigella, I keep a bottle of hand cream by the sink. At the moment it's from Crabtree & Evelyn's Cooks range. I also have one under my pillow, and an OPI one in the car too - I'm a sucker for great-smelling products.