Putting them to the test, the company gives the pros, the cons and each one a rating on how they satisfy hunger; their ease to follow; expense; and most importantly, the impact they can have on overall health.

HANDS ON THIS!

We've teamed up with the lovely people at Mavala to offer one lucky reader a complete professional manicure tray set, which is valued at £130.

The kit contains more than 35 products, including some of Mavala's best selling lines, including Scientifique and Colorfix.  Displayed in a tray, the kit contains everything a manicurist could ever need to achieve perfect natural nail care results.

The fantasic prize comprises:

* 24 Nail Polishes * Scientifique Nail Hardener * 002 Basecoat * Colorfix Top Coat * Cuticle Cream * Cuticle Remover * Ridge Filler * Mini Emery Board Pack * Mavadry Nail Polish Dryer * 6 Pack Manicure Pills * Thinner * Hand Cream * 1 Hoof Stick * 6 Emery Boards * 6 Manicure Sticks * Blue Nail Polish Remover.

QUESTION

Mavala entered the UK market in 1959 with the revolutionary...

A:  Scientifique penetrating nail hardener

B:  Nail polish remover

C:  Glitter polish collection

Click HERE and put your answer in the subject heading, not forgetting to include yours and your salon's name and address in the body of the email.

CLOSING DATE: 31 December 2009

In response to the negative press regarding the use of UV light for nail enhancements, OPI comments:

UV LIGHT FOR NAIL COSMETICS AND THE RISK OF CANCER

by Prof Dr. rer.Nat.habil.Ralf Janda, director of research and development of the Wilde Group (manufacturer of LCN products)

Light curing units to cure nail resins cause cancer - really?

Title stories of previously published newspapers discussed the risk of UVA-light emitted from light-curing units to cure nails resins. Although some papers cited doctors from the sunny state Texas in the US who have seen skin cancer on the hand of one lady, the readers shall keep in mind that the outer surface of the hand is always completely unprotected against strong sunlight - who is biking with gloves?

Based on these yellow press publications there are many concerns in public about nail cosmetics using light-curing nail resins. However, based on scientific knowledge, all these concerns are absolutely not justified. Reports about the worldwide economic crisis have been stressed for many months and therefore, have now become boring. Other shocking news is needed to keep up papers' sales.

What is the situation?

UVA-light curing devices to cure nail resins have been used in the nail industry for approximately 25 years and millions of women are treated every year with these devices. No articles in medical literature were found reporting about a single case of tumours on women's hands caused by UVA nail resin curing devices.

As it is known to everybody UV-light is always present in our life, the risks of over-exposure are widely discussed and a broad scientific knowledge is available. The effects of UV-light on humans have been well investigated and standard values are defined especially with regard to tanning beds.

UV-light is differentiated in UVA- (wavelength 320-400nm) and UVB-light (wavelength 290-320 nm). It is proven that over-exposure of UV-light can cause different types of skin cancer (melanoma). Whereas UVB-light causes severe sunburn, UVA-light is responsible for pigmenting the skin and therefore, UVA-lamps are used for tanning beds. Since no sunburn is caused by UVA-light, it was considered to be rather safe for a long period of time. However, science learned that UVA-light penetrates skin to much deeper regions and therefore, it represents a high risk for the development of tumours and it is proven that fast skin ageing occurs.

However, UV-light (UVA and UVB) is not only risky but also healthy - the dose is decisive. It is necessary to synthesise vitamin D in our bodies which is important for a sound bone structure. It also positively influences the immune system, the metabolism, blood pressure and other physical and psychical factors. UV-light is also widely used for many medical therapies.

What are the hard facts?

For the nail curing devices only the UVA amount is of interest. The irradiance of an LCN curing device is approximately 70 W/m2 in comparison with a tanning bed performing approximately 300 W/m2.

Literature reports that UVA-radiation doses of around 100.000 Ws/m2 is needed to achieve an even noticeable tanning of the skin. This means you would have to be in a tanning bed performing 300 W/m2 for at least 6 minutes (representing a radiation dose of 108.000 Ws/m2) to see just a little pigmenting. Normally people spend around 20 minutes in a tanning bed to get a nice cosmetic appearance what represents a radiation dose of 360.000 Ws/m2.

Within 2 minutes curing the LCN curing device performs a radiation dose of 8.400 Ws/m2 which is approximately 40 less than 20 minutes tanning bed. It has also to be regarded that the whole body surface (2 m2) is irradiated in a tanning bed in comparison with the irradiation of hand surface 0,015 m2 in a curing device.

Furthermore, literature also reports that European regulatory authorities, including those in the UK and Sweden, have given exposure standards for UVA. For the spectral region of 315-400nm (UVA), the total irradiance incident on unprotected eyes and skin for periods of greater than 1.000 seconds (approximately 16 minutes) should not exceed 10 W/m2, and for exposure times of 1.000 seconds or less the total radiant exposure of unprotected eyes and skin should not exceed 10.000 J/m2.

Comparing the radiation of the LCN curing device with these given standards the situation is as follows:

The irradiance incident is 2 minutes (one curing cycle) and therefore, the exposure is far below the standard. Expressed in J/m2 the LCN device performs 8.400 J/m2 which again is below the standard. Please keep in mind that the standard is also valid for unprotected eyes meaning that the 2 minutes curing cycle does not even damage the eyes. However, LCN instructions for use claim adequate eye protection to make the process absolutely safe.

Conclusions

Hands are normally totally unprotected against sunlight or the lights of tanning beds. Especially during biking or sunbathing the outer surfaces of hands are extremely exposed to UV-radiation. These facts elucidate why skin cancer is observed on hands.

No reports are available proving that tumours are caused by nail curing devices. Compared with tanning beds the LCN curing devices are 40 times safer. Consulting existent standards for UVA irradiance of unprotected eyes and skin the LCN devices can be considered as totally safe when properly used. Moreover, light-curing nail cosmetics have a crucial positive impact on our health when compared with archaic powder/liquid technique. Therefore, it is unjustifiable to strike terror to people.

However, there is an easy way to eliminate peoples' fear completely - use disposable gloves and cut off the fingertips. This is also more hygienic.

However, it is always a concern of research and development to make safe things safer and to improve quality of life. Since 2007 LCN offers the LED curing device skyLED which emits almost no UV-light and in the middle of 2009 LCN will introduce skyLED-2 performing an emission completely above 400nm.

All clients of well-trained nail professionals can be sure and confident that the light-curing technique is the most safe and health oriented nail cosmetic known in our days.

WATER BABIES

They may just look like babies in buckets, but this is apparently the closest these youngsters will get to life back in the womb. The babies took a dip after a baby massage class for new mothers in IJmuiden, The Netherlands.

The TummyTub - a Dutch invention - is being given the thumbs up by maternity hospitals across Europe. The makers say it helps to ease the transition from the comfort of the mothers womb. They say: "It makes bath time enjoyable from birth; the TummyTub's special design ensures that babies adopt and relax in the familiar and natural foetal position. Baby can be immersed up to shoulder level safely and remains warmer for longer.

The TummyTub is recommended for children up to three years old.

Source: couriermail.com.au

Here's singer Rachel Stevens popping into a beauty salon near her home in London. 

Perhaps she's popping for a Darphin facial or a pampering pedicure after wearing those killer heels!

Let us know if you have any famous clients.

PIX: Beretta/Sims/Rex Features

RESIDENTS USE "UNCOOL" LIGHT TO DETER TEENS

A pink 'acne light' is being used to drive teenagers away from troublespots, reports The Metro -- CLICK TO READ FULL STORY.

Pockmarks and blemishes are shown up by the light -- usually used in beauty salons -- causing the teens embarrassment.

PIC: John Powell/Rex Features

Jane Iredale, The Skin Care Makeup, is offering a limited edition Sweet 15 kit to readers of Health and Beauty Salon, to celebrate the mineral make-up company's 15 year anniversary.

With 15 award-winning Pure Pressed Eye Shadows (one for each year), three top-selling Pure Pressed Blush shades, and three Just Kissed Lip Plumpers, this is a must-have collection for any make-up devotee or make-up artist.

With new colours and old favourites, the limited-edition colour kit can be used to create a host of looks and styles to suits any skin tone and type.

The lucky winner will also receive the popular Moonglow -- four shimmering bronzer shades.

Total prize value is £100+.

QUESTION How long has Jane Iredale been pioneering mineral make-up?

A: 10 years

B: 15 years

C: 20 years

Email your answer HERE along with your name, salon name and contact number, before the end of September 2009

The heated lava Stone spa bed at Nao Salon + Spa   (Photo: Jeremy Liebman)

We've all heard of hot stone massage, but this treatment looks more like you're lying on a driveway. Click HERE to read more.

Having a luscious golden tan is de-rigour for summer. So, with this in mind, and being aware of sun safety, Health and Beauty Salon has teamed up with top (and unisex) professional tanning range HE-SHI to provide one lucky reader with a six-product regime - worth £100 - that promises a fabulous tan in hours.

The products are :

He-Shi Exfoliator (150ml) : prepares and smoothes skin pre-tanning

He-Shi Facial Gel (100ml) : refreshes skin with extra moisturisers and self-tanning bronzer

Tanning Mitt : provides a quick, easy and precise method of application

He-Shi Day to Day Gradual Tan (200ml) : gradually builds up a natural-looking bronzed glow over time

He-Shi Fusion Bronzer with Bronzing Brush : adds a luminous bronzed glow

To win all this, answer a simple question: Where does He-Shi originate from?

A  England

B  Ireland

C  Scotland

Email your answer HERE putting HE-SHI in the subject line, along with your answer and salon contact details in the main body of the text.

Closing date: 31 August 2009 

We've teamed up with the kind people at Spa Find to offer one lucky reader some Renewed Radiance -- the company's new energising facial range of products.

OPI was part of the Brand New You! beauty retreat hosted by celeb fashion stylist and TV personality Robert Verdi at Luxe Laboratory.

"We were thrilled that Paris Hilton specifically requested OPI for her post-Oscars party look. Pink is definitely her signature colour," said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive vice president & artistic director.