Salon System GELLUX Free Spirit

Welcome in the happy, carefree season of summer with a collection of vibrant nail shades, with something for everyone, be it: sassy neon pink, fresh mint green, happiness inducing orange, vivid cerise, a blue hue the colour of the Mediterranean Sea or a pared back dusky pink, which one speaks to you? Brand leaders in professional beauty, Salon System, have announced the launch of its new summer collection, Free Spirit. The eight new shades have everything from neon’s to nudes, the feel-good colours boast fabulous names such as: ‘Joie De Vivre’, ‘Untamed’ and ‘Run Wild with Me’ and are the latest must-have’s for creating a showstopping manicure and beautiful nail art this summertime.

Salon System GELLUX Free Spirit has been developed in collaboration with nail artist and Gellux expert Julie-Anne Lariviere. Inspired by her childhood memories and creativity, this collection is all about having fun…

“My inspiration for the collection was originally the rainbow. I wanted a collection which was bright, varied, colourful and fun. I was also inspired by my home country, Canada. The Free Spirit theme reflects how I see myself as an expat and as a creative mind. It’s full of happy colours and to be creative with the shades also brings happy memories of where I come from.”

“This is a second GELLUX collaboration, we launched our first last year very successfully with session nail technician, Karen-Louise. We’re loving being able to bring Julie-Anne’s expertise and creative eye to the forefront with this new Free Spirit collection. Julie-Anne has worked closely with us for many years now for both our creative shoots and social media content and this was an ideal opportunity for us to take the relationship to the next level. We adore Julie-Anne’s vision and energy she’s created with this new collection,” explains Kathy Holroyd, Salon System Marketing Director. 

Each GELLUX gel shade is both chip and wear resistant leaving nails with a long lasting, ultra-glossy finish. GELLUX polishes can be light-cured with either UV or LED. GELLUX gel polishes come in a range of gorgeous glossy colours, whether it’s seasonal shades or on-trend tones you are after. The patented technologies within the GELLUX formulation promotes excellent adhesion and wear properties, while still allowing for removal by soaking in acetone. Plus, Salon System has incorporated colour filled caps for ease of selecting from the shelf or kit bag. Suitable for use on a natural nail, nail extension system, Acrylics or Fibreglass, GELLUX polishes last up to fifteen days and are UV and LED compatible.

We caught up with Julie-Anne about the launch of the new collection, and asked her some burning questions.

How did this collection come about?

I was asked by Salon System if I would like to collaborate with them for their 2022 Spring/Summer collection after Karen Louise put the idea out to them. I have been working with them for almost 9 years so it was such an honour to be asked!

What inspired you to choose the names and colours?

My biggest inspiration for this collection was my home country, Canada. I’ve always said that if I could have a collection it would have something to do with it. Whilst I had to keep to a free spirited theme, they were subtly named after things that reminded me of where I come from. The collection is bright, bold and fun as colours like these bring me joy!

What type of client do you think will want to wear your shades?

It is suitable for any type of client. I have carefully picked colours that I believe people will love for the Spring/Summer months.

The collection is called Free Spirit, how did you decide that name and what does it mean to you?

I was originally given the theme free spirited and thought Free Spirit was a great pick for this collection. You have to be free spirited to leave everything behind and move to another country and start a new life. When I moved to the UK I marched to the beat of my own drums and chased my dream to become a successful nail tech. The name of this collection is my reminder of all that I achieved.

What were the best bits about creating a collection with GELLUX?

For me was finding the shades. It was such a long process but so much fun at the same time. Whilst I have been involved in a lot with Salon System over the last few years I had never had such a close insight on how they pick their colours. I don’t think I’ve ever tested so many colours, my store room is full of sample bottles ha ha ha.

Were there any challenges that you had to overcome?

It is by no mean an easy process. We worked on this for almost 18 months and the collection is nothing like it was going to be right at the beginning of the process. Colour samples don’t always come out like you want them to and then you are back at square one but that is all part of it. Choosing the colour names was also a challenge, there were a lot of back and forth conversations involved as what you may think sound good may not be suitable for the brand and that is totally understandable.

Which is your favourite shade?

Now that is a REALLY difficult question to answer. I have picked those shades so I love them all hahaha. If I do have to pick it would have to be either Be A-Maize-ing or Joie de Vivre. I have fallen in love with Be A-Maize-ing the moment I saw the bright saffron yellow shade in the sample bottle and Joie de Vivre is my Quebec blue shade (my home province’s flag colour) that I’ve always wanted.

What is your favourite colour combination?

There are lots of great combos that can be made from this collection but I really love Joie de Vivre with Glorious and Free, and Be A-Maize-ing with Maple Dreams Come True. But Go With The Flow and Free Spirit is also a really nice combo. So difficult to choose! 

Have you been using the colours on your clients - what do they think?

I have done for a few weeks now and I am so happy that they all love them just as much as I do!

 What were the best bits about creating a collection with Julie-Anne?

Julie-Anne’s enthusiasm and creative spirit. She knows exactly what she wants, and we all had fun getting there.

Can you talk us through the process of creating the collection?

Usually, we’d be able to sit together and look at an array of different swatches. However, lockdown challenges meant a lot of video calls and trips to the post office to get to the final colour selections.

Where there any hurdles that you had to consider/overcome as a brand for this collection?

Not really, Julie-Anne has worked closely with us for some time on the GELLUX collections, so this was a natural step to work with her on her own collection. We’re a great team!

This is your second collaboration with a Salon System nail expert, how did this direction come about and is it something we’ll continue to see more of going forward?

There is so much talent in the nail industry, so many new and fresh ideas. Our experts are vital to the success of our brand, and we hope to continue to work closely with them.