For my last pampering session of 2014, I wanted to get festive New Year’s nails that will go with my celebration outfit. So after some shopping I headed over to the newly opened Beauty Express branch at Dunes Verdun to do just that. Beauty Express is a full service beauty institute across Lebanon that offers everything from facials, to makeup art and nail care. They also happen to be the exclusive distributors of China Glaze and Le Ciel, a French brand I tried for the first time and loved, so you can imagine what a range of colors I had to choose from.

My aesthetician Sandy who also happens to be Beauty Express’s professional nail design artist started me off with a luxurious manicure followed by a soothing hand massage. She explained to me that in order to achieve perfectly polished nails and best results, it was vital nails were perfectly manicured first.

But before she began painting my nails she applied a coat of their customer- favorite Le Ciel Ultra Hardener.

I chose a color palette of hot red, black, white and silver glitter from China Glaze and Le Ciel. The base would be China Glaze’s Rouge Baiser and Liquid Leather.

Next the fun began. Sandy carefully hand crafted two feline designs on my ring fingers, the first a cute black cat with big eyes and a diamond collar and the second, silver and white paws on a base of black.

I have to say I’m absolutely obsessed, I already have a long list of designs I’m hoping to have done at Beauty Express soon and I promise to be sharing them with you. Also make sure you ask for Ivy’s Choice at their Dunes Verdun branch to get this design. Happy 2015!