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Posted by on Mar 31, 2011 in Uncategorized | 5 comments

I’m going to CND’s Boot Camp!

Next Friday I’ll be heading out to La Jolla, CA  to represent Wisconsin with a bevy of other nail techs from across the nation to complete the final segment of “intensive training & testing” for CND Educators.  This is on the trail of a long goal and dream, and it is hard to believe it is happening!  I’m not sure how much more I can really say but I’ve been asked why I haven’t posted to share the news.  Trust me, I’m elated, and will also share as much as I can during the time.  Here’s to the countdown (and some sunshine, golf courses and pine trees)! 

To the other CND Boot Campers, if you read this, I’d love if you’d introduce yourselves.  Drop me an email at solessencenews AT gmail.com

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Posted by on Mar 29, 2011 in Uncategorized | 7 comments

Wow! Shellac Service Failure!

Don’t try this in your salon! 
This client was getting Shellac manicures at another salon – no cuticle work ever done, no removal, just layer after layer and all peeling from the back and front. She thought because some of it was staying on well past the polish point, that was the point. 

Sort of shiny, but not very pretty is it?  She cleaned up nicely with a ton of cuticle work, beautiful new coat of Rosebud and layer of Negligee over it and left smiling all the way.  Remember, PEP is critical (Perform manicure, Eliminate surface contaminates, Purify nail plate).  Shellac should look smooth and shiny and even toned from the moment applied until removed.  Only the tell-tale growout should be the issue.

As a comparison, here is a properly applied Shellac (ayup, with glitter) that was on 6 weeks (client could not get in due to travel and sick): 

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Posted by on Mar 28, 2011 in Uncategorized | 16 comments

NOTD: Nailed from London Fashion Week

A few weeks ago Kimberly tweeted me about a nail look she saw during London Fashion Week and asked my opinion.  It was pretty cool!  I asked if she would ever try it, and she said yes – let’s book.  I was on it! 

Here’s the original look:

She arrived and said she wanted me to do whatever I wanted, AND that her philosophy was “there can never be too much bling” I was elated.

Kimberly is fashion director for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal spring fashion pages and was stying a contestant for the Mrs. Wisconsin pageant.  Looking at her skin tones and clothing preferences, I went with a layered CND Shellac using a base of silver glitter, Shellac Black Pool, Shellac Negligee and top coat.  I added a final stone to cap things off.  I placed it at the top because I liked how the line ended at it, and *mildly interesting nail fact*, stones placed near the top of the nail are a Russian trend, while other countries tend to place them by the cuticle. 

The best thing about this? She has a long lasting look but the Shellac will remove in about 10 minutes.

The end result is flashy and understated all at the same time, and a very cool departure from the norm.  We were in uncharted territory so it took a while to pick and choose and go through, but she happily exclaimed, “It was sooooooo worth it!”   Thanks for the adventure Kimberly!

Tomorrow: Do your clients need discretion?  How to glitter in a subdued manner.

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Posted by on Mar 23, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Moroccan Oil Shampoo & Styling Cream

It started as a sad two weeks for Solessence. First, I’ve been using this Moroccan Moisture Repair Shampoo because after a stint with ombre, my ends were getting a bit dry. Oh, the shine and the softness were divine! But not realizing I was slipping into a depression that was leading to what is almost hair suicide, as I was begging for a perm over the last several days.  Where did this come from? It hit me today as I went back to Leonor Greyl that the Moroccan shampoo is just too smoothing for my hair. However, if you’ve got a noggin’ that can wear it flat, you will love this stuff:

I fared much better with this styling cream. You can feel in the consistency that it is easily absorbed into the hair strands, wet or dry. I found two pumps were best for my hair, and I kept it mostly in the lower 1/3rd of my strands. No weighing down, actually allowed for a bit of lift.

The great thing about this product is the versatility. Mix a pump of this with a pump of Moroccan Oil to get super sleek, shiny straight hair with just a flat iron.

Two thumbs up for conditioning and styling.

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