A CBD manicure may be just what you need

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Beauty

CBD has found its way into pretty much everything from our wine to water, yoga and cupcakes. Now it has entered our beauty routine. The CBD manicure has landed at Young LDN. But is it worth the £50 price tag? We sent Charlotte to put it to the test…

Most of us have had many a manicure, and know what the process entails. At Young LDN, the experience is already slightly elevated with super comfy chairs, a chic environment, delicious Detox teas and the option to watch any show from your very own iPad with Netflix.

The CBD Mani is a special for this summer – with no green varnish or marijuana stencils in sight. It’s a spin on their Deluxe Mani with the addition of CBD oil; one of the most potent antioxidants around. The 45 minute treatment is finished off with a CBD cream hand massage.

What is CBD oil?

Believe it or not, cannabis is a current big thing in beauty – minus the psychoactive extracts.

“CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of more than 80 chemical cannabinoids found in Hemp/Cannabis. While derived from cannabis, CBD is not medical marijuana, it is not psychotropic (unlike THC, the most commonly known cannabinoid) and so will not get you high,” says Elena Lavagni, founder of Neville Hair & Beauty.

She goes on, “our bodies are receptive to cannabinoids as we have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) of receptors that allows for cellular communication and regulation, which CBD taps into.”

CBD oil is the perfect finishing touch to a manicure, serving to hydrate the skin. It is anti inflammatory, calming, and a potent antioxidant. CBD also contains vitamin E oil, which is known to protect the skin.

Plus, “introducing CBD into your daily diet may have an extremely positive effect on your immune system and in turn, can give you beautiful glowing skin,” says Oli Summers, founder of Signature CBD (@signature_CBD)

Big business

It’s not just manicures. CBD has found its way into our facials and massages too, and it’s a booming market.

In April 2019, Wowcher found that UK sales of products containing CBD had increased by a colossal 99 per cent, with celebs like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow helping to popularise the use of CBD in beauty.

The treatment

My mani proceeds much as normal, though it is worth noting that Young LDN has recently added the Artistic Nail Design brand to its repertoire, after feedback from customers that the new formulation from CND wasn’t long lasting enough.

After my nails are perfectly painted a bright red, and my gels are left to dry in record time, my manicurist takes Young LDN’s home made scrub and adds in a few drops of CBD oil.

It feels silky smooth, much like any other oil, and rich, with none of the strong smell I generally associate with cannabis.

The verdict

The CBD scrub at Young LDN feels wonderful and leaves my hand super soft. Is it a gimmick because CBD is trendy? Quite possibly. However, it’s certainly no worse than any other oil or scrub, and while a £50 price tag is hefty, the experience is a nice one and it’s fun to try something new.

Finally, a CBD cream is rubbed on, for the ultimate in hydration.

If you’re into the CBD trend, give it a go, though if you’re wondering if I felt more relaxed than usual, no, I didn’t – so don’t expect to.