TIS the season of glitter, sparkles and snowflakes — and that is just on the ladies of Bolton's nails.

Abbey Johnson recently scooped an award for her nail art from the National Hairdressers' Federation and Christmas is the perfect time for her to showcase her skills.

The 21-year-old, who has worked at Masquerade Hair and Beauty, Scholes Bank, Horwich, for 18 months is on hand to create a range of eye-catching designs, from nails adorned with Christmas trees to ombre manicures with a gradient effect of colours.

Abbey, who lives in Aspull, said: "I do acrylic nails, eyelashes, more or less most of the beauty except massage and facials.

"Acrylic nails, spray tans and eyelashes are the main things.

"I do 3D nail art where you can sculpture flowers and bows.

"I've been doing those since I started, they are more popular in the summer.

"For Christmas, I have had a lot of people wanting red nails and spray tans — things like that.

"I've got special transfers you put on the nail like snowflakes and things to do with winter.

"I had some that I did last week with a sculptured Christmas tree and baubles.

"I'm more of less fully booked now.

"My clients that come all the time, they booked three months in advance so they get the slot at their time."

Nail art has been growing in popularity in recent years, since the catwalks of autumn/winter 2012, lead by designers including Henry Holland whose models wore blue and black houndstooth patterned nails.

Abbey said: "I like it more when people come in and say I can do what I want.

"I like doing funky designs rather than the French manicures.

"I think a lot of people like it when they have different colours, I do ombré with glitter.

"You can have up to three colours (on one nail).

"I do Shellac gel polish, there's lots of different designs I do with that.

"I have done freehand snowflakes, roses and things like that.

"You can do lots of different designs using Shellac, a lot of the time, it's just knowing what you can do."

Over the past 18 months, Abbey has completed several courses in beauty and nail art and loves to create eye-catching designs, in different shapes and colours.

She said: "I worked in a nursery before being full-time so I couldn't really have different colours, they had to be white and pink — plain colours.

"Now I like to have all different colours. I can play about a bit more."