Looking Back in 2016 & Moving Forward into 2017...

Hello Friends! 

It’s that time again … Happy New Year!

While 2016 was controversial, dividing the country and throwing some shockers along the way, for me, it was a year of clarity. As well as some big personal changes including moving to Tottenham …

And getting engaged to @carlosbournphotography  :-P

2016 was all about settling into a new state of mind. Having experienced 9 years of doing makeup,  4 years of doing nails and 7 years of working and living in London, I felt 2016 was the year I finally accepted London as home. 

[Above - Volt Magazine Sunday Best - Photography Helen Kirkbright]

For the longest time, I had a true love/hate relationship with the city. While I craved the cultural diversity, opportunities for work and most importantly the open mindedness it offered,  I didn’t realise that to really feel fully content in London, I needed to reach a point where I’d defined a style for myself which gave way to a growing confidence in my ability. No longer feeling the need to prove myself to anyone, I felt pretty liberated and 2016 was in turn an exciting year! It took time to develop this contentment and required a certain realisation that it is what you make of it. Hard work does pay off and with a positive head space you can achieve what you set out to do!  

[Above - The Edit SS16 shot by Kate Forster ]

Last year,  I continued to work with some fantastic regular clients. Focusing mainly on commercial work, pop up bars and showcase events, I collaborated with regular clients including: Lazy Oaf, Push PR, Paper Mache Tiger & Wolf + Moon 

[Above - Lazy Oaf SS16 shot by Michael Mills]

[Below -  M Project AW16 shot by Joanna W ]

Through recommendations from mutual friends and some good old fashioned networking I had and made the opportunity to start working with some new brands too including : Oliver Bonas, Tatty Devine, Jump From Paper, Longflint Cocktails, River Cottage Productions, Rock N Roll Bride & Clean Beauty Co. 

[Above : Tatty Devine AW16]

[Above : Oliver Bonas Face Painting Event]

[Above - Wolf & Moon SS16]

As well as working on look book campaigns and events,  I also got to be key makeup artist for a charity  music video  :

Work on a small feature film (The Lift, which is coming out this year) : 

And work on some FUN editorials with some of my favorite creatives (including photographers  @matsitek , Sophie Ellen and Fabiana Delcanton as well as florist Harriet Parry.) I also met some amazing new creatives!  Thanks to all the lovely teams I got the chance to shoot with! I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for us :) 

[Above - work with Mateusz Sitek for Institute Magazine]

[Above - work with Sophie Ellen for Kit Magazine]

[Above - work with Mateusz Sitek for Institute Magazine]

[Above - work with Mateusz Sitek for Bridal Musings]

[Below - work with Anna Fearon for Austere Magazine]

Nails Nails Nails

Oh yes… and last year was the year I truly found my new groove… in nails … 

There was a huge increase in my Pop Up Nail Bars as well as regular clients. With nail art only getting more and more popular,  it was a great year for manicurists.  It was fantastic collaborating with so many fun brands including :

Here are just a few of the  pop up nail bar menus and nails I created in 2016 with marbling techniques, decals, stamping and all kinds of fun nail art materials : 

LFW

I also had the pleasure of working as key manicurist for the LFW presentation of Mason Makaram at The Ritz with PR Twenty-Nine London ! This was pretty exciting as it was my first time at the venue which was definitely a place to remember. Myself and my trusted assistant Antonia Catalano worked alongside amazing hair stylist Errol Douglas and makeup artist Phoebe Taylor to create a clean nail look for the designer. 

[Below - Image curtsy of Phoebe Taylor]

Going forward …

So, with all this behind me I’m feeling excited about the new year. Here are a few updates and some news of things I’ll be rolling out in the next few months! 

February Price Increases

“Nooooooo” I hear you say! Yes it’s true, I’m so sorry but my prices will be increasing from February 1st this year. This over due annual price increase is necessary to keep up with inflation and the increase in overheads year on year. I’d been putting this off for awhile but after having an experience last year where I booked myself in for a birthday manicure, paying well over the prices of what I personally charge and receiving a seriously below par service, I realised that I needed to implement an increase to reflect the value of service I deliver. Of course, I greatly appreciate your business and hope you understand my need to implement this policy. I pride myself in my level of professionalism, care and quality experience I give consisnstanly. I hope this extra cost will not put you off booking with me, but reassure you that when you book an appointment with me you will be getting a fantastic service. 

❤  New 2017 PRICE LIST - Taking Effect in February  ❤

This new price list will take effect from Feb 1st.. hopefully it won’t come as a shock! I use a variety of brands including Gelish, CND, Models Own, Mavala, Barry M, Ciate, Kure Bazaar, Topshop, OPI, Cuccio, Cheeky, Essie & MoYou London. Add nail art of your choice for an extra £1 per nail on top of any service.

Manicure £20

​Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + A Polish of Your Choice ​ Express Manicure £20

Shape, Polish & Go!

Vegan Manicure £25

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + A Polish of Your Choice Unlike a regular manicure, Tabby has tailored the products used in this service to be vegan friendly & all products used in it are also cruelty free.

CND™ Shellac™ Brand 14 + Day Nail Colour Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Shellac Polish [14+ days of longwear high shine polish]

Rockstar Shellac Manicure £35

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Shellac Polish + Your Choice Of Glitter [Glitter is for life, not just for Christmas]

Shellac/Gelish Removal £5

Available When Booking Any Other Manicure Service

Gelish™  Soak Off Gel Manicure £35

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Gelish Gel Polish  [21+ days of longwear high shine gel polish]

Rockstar Gelish™ Soak Off Gel Manicure £40

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Gelish Gel Polish + Your Choice Of Glitter [21+ days of longwear high shine gel polish]

Lemon & Lime Luxury Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Lemon & Lime Citrus Milk Bath Soak + Gentle Citrus Moisture Skin Polish + Green Tea & Citrus Massage + Your Choice of Polish

Lavender Therapy Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Lavender + Honey + Dead Sea Salt Hand Soak + Lavender + Honey Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Lavender Massage + Your Choice of Polish

Pepperminty Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Revitalising Dead Sea Salt + Peppermint Hand Soak + Peppermint Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Citrus & Green Tea Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Rose Water Revive Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Rose Water & Rose Geranium Hand Soak + Rose Water Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Rose Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Honey & Milk Hand Bath £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Honey & Milk Hand Soak + Roswe Water Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Honey & Grapeseed Oil Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Coconut Crush Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Coconut Milk & Pineapple Hand Soak + Coconut & Pineapple Sugar Scrub + Coconut Hand Massage + Polish of Your Choice

Pom Pom Party Mani £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Vanilla & Orange Milk Pom Pom Soak + Vanilla Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Honey & Grapeseed Oil Massage + Polish Of Your Choice

Flower Power Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Shape + Citrus & Rose Water Flower Hand Soak + Rose Water & Rose Geranium Sugar Scrub Exfoliation + Rose Massage + Polish of Your Choice

The Detox Manicure £30

Cuticle Tidy + File + Light Buff + Shape + Citrus Hand Soak + Baking Soda & Lemon Nail Scrub + Treatment Polish of Your Choice

Don’t despair! It’s not all doom and gloom! I’m also going to be adding some really fun new things to the menu! 

Coming Soon

Gelish Matte Top Coat 

For those of you who fancy something a little less shiny ! 

Shattered Glass Effect Nails 

For those of you who fancy something a little more shiny! The “crushed ice” look is a trend that’s here to stay. Get ready for even more diamond inspired, amethyst looking nails this year. 

Marbalized Nails 

While this trend has been in the nail industry for awhile, the effect is usually hand drawn and doesn’t ever quite mimic the “unruly” natural texture of real marble (unless created with water which doesn’t work with gel!) After much playing around, I think I’ve cracked it (excuse the pun) and found  new way to create this look with shellac/gelish while maintaining an authentic marbleised finish! I can’t wait to unleash this in 2017 as I know these nails are as popular as ever. No longer just a trend, the marble nail is as classic as a red nail. Get ready for some fun nail art coming your way! 

3+ More Bookings = Mobile Nails For You & Your Friends

2017 will also see me implement smaller group bookings. If you have at least 3 people interested in a nail service I will come to you. Previously I have been working from home or through large corporate/fashion events. As more and more companies work towards outsourcing freelancers with flashy offers and discounts, I realise I need to step it up! Myself and my shiny new kit bag will be at your service :) Plan a fun evening with your favourite girl gang and get your nails done at the same time! What’s to loose! 

Group Makeup Lessons 

Last year I also noticed a real interest in my one on one makeup lessons. Many of you asked me to show you how I do my signature flicked liquid eyeliner, how to contour cheeks naturally and more importantly how to get your makeup looking fresh when you have limited time. While I spent much of last year focusing on pop up nail boutiques this year I will be emphasising my makeup artistry once again. If your looking for a bit of down time with your girl gang and fancy learning some tips and tricks along the way why not get in touch to arrange a session. I can come to you with all my tips and tricks and an armful of tools to show you the tricks of the trade! 

New Editorials Coming in SS17

Keep an eye out for some new work coming out early this year!  A full on glitter cover shoot for Aether magazine featuring k-pop band Kero Kero Bonito (available in Selfridges), a red inspired editorial for NR Magazine ( available in Selfridges) shot by Sophie Ellen and a super colourful spread in the March issue of Rock N Roll Bride (available in most large Sainsburies and local newsagents.) 

Year in Review. Done! Bring on 2017! 

beginners (2011) dir. mike mills