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Posted by hillary on Jan 11, 2013 in Beauty, Nails |

And now a big THANK YOU…we won Nails Magazine January Cover!

After months of waiting, the issues are shipping and I can finally speak! Thanks to all who voted to put Hammered Metals on the cover of January 2013 Nails Magazine. It is such an honor, and so exciting to have been alongside the many creative entries from fellow nail professionals all around the world. It was equally exciting for my fabulous hand model, Mary Beth Gahn and photographer Alan David Charles, the team that made it possible.

Nails Magazine is available through subscription or in pdf form here. Inside, you’ll also be able to see all finalists and a roundup of notable entries that made the cut.

Want to try the hammered metal nails? Behind-the-scenes photos and step by steps available at Nails Magazine online.

I am not one for a lot of resolutions, but this year I am pushing all personal boundaries in nail design. The cover was a wonderful way to start things off. Thank you again, and I hope to see your entry this fall for Nail Magazine January 2014.

Posted by hillary on Jan 10, 2013 in Beauty |

Schedulicity ushers Sally Beauty/CosmoProf into digital scheduling

If you are in the beauty industry, chances are you rely on an online scheduling system to support your clientele and business needs. Schedulicity (I’ve been a fan for several years) is a major player in this field, and has announced today a partnership with Sally Beauty’s CosmoProf. Read more in the official press release:
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Local technology company Schedulicity has partnered with a division of Sally Beauty Holdings, one of the world’s largest salon products and support companies.

The partnership aims to add Schedulicity’s digital scheduling technology to SBH’s business support division, CosmoProf, to help streamline appointment scheduling while pushing the roughly $3 billion company further into the digital and social media age. SBH will do this by advertising Schedulicity to the more than 1 million beauty professionals who buy SBH products through digital and email marketing, direct mail, and Schedulicity merchandizing in the more than 130 CosmoProf stores across the country.

“It’s just something that their company’s very excited about. Quite frankly, I was shocked at the excitement and aggressiveness with which they pursued this partnership. They have bought in wholeheartedly,” said Jerry Nettuno, CEO of Schedulicity, in his office on Tuesday.

Nettuno declined to discuss the partnership’s specifics, but said no portion of Schedulicity was sold to SBH, though as subscribers are added, “there’s potential for added integration” into the CosmoProf business.

Schedulicity, which is headquartered in the Jacob’s Crossing building on East Main Street, provides automated scheduling for those working in service industries, from stylists to plumbers to surfing instructors. It currently has about 20,000 subscribers and has facilitated more than $1 billion in commerce since it began in 2010.

The deal validates Schedulicity and the way it has run its business, Nettuno said. But while looking at the potential for five-fold growth has those in the company walking on air in some regards, they are focused on making sure it’s able to accommodate a potential spike in users as the CosmoProf marketing campaign rolls out this week.

“We don’t know what it’s going to be like at this stage,” Nettuno said.

John Golliher, president of Beauty Systems Group, which runs CosmoProf and is a subsidiary of Sally Beauty Holdings, said that Schedulicity was “by far the best” scheduling technology company in the market and cited its track record of increasing stylists’ revenues.

Posted by hillary on Dec 30, 2012 in Beauty |

Work of art – Nail Polish Aquarium

Asian belief is that placing water – like an aquarium – at the front door of a business absorbs bad luck. This mesmerizing piece does double duty as a drying station (watch for the UV lamps) and nail polish color candies. Gorgeous work!

Posted by hillary on Dec 19, 2012 in Beauty, Nails |

Top 5 Treats for Nail Techs

Quick! Nail that last minute gift for the nail tech in your life with these internet order-able items:

1. A gift subscription to trade magazines

Of course we want People magazine in the salon, but in our spare time, nail techs just wanna have fun looking at other nails. It’s also a swapping of stories of business, community, technique and style. You can get a hardcopy delivery(most people like a page turner) and/or digital gratification. Here are 3 top publications:

Nails Magazine

Nail Pro

Scratch

2. Give them a Nailgasm

This documentary on nail art and what it means to our civilization is available as a rental or inexpensive purchase. Techs everywhere will recognize many in this film, making it more up close and personal.

3. Techs like tools of the trade:

LaVaque Collection – FNF Combo

Like all nerds, techs sweat gadgets too. I saw this cute, useful and affordable little ring palette a while back, but LaVaque paired up with Holly Schippers (aka Fingernail Fixer) and made this into a sweet set. For $32 you can get the ring, a full sized spatula with spoon and a mini spatula with spoon. Guys, I know I said ring, but this doesn’t exactly cross into jewelry territory. Still, it’s a gem of gift for the nail artist.

4. Art Supplies

Nails techs can never have enough glitter or paint. A deluxe box of acrylic paint will send fingers flying into a frenzy, as well as $25 worth of foil:

5. Professional Help

Is the beauty industry a bona fide career for your nail tech? Then she/he will take it seriously and focus on professional training along the way. Continued education in nail skills, that’s a given. Focusing on business development? That’s going to give them the edge.

From personal products to pampering spas, Susan Cox has spent the majority of her consulting career working with major beauty companies like Joico, WeCare and CND at events worldwide. If the world’s largest nail company finds her training so valuable it is practically mandatory for all staff and freelancers, it’s worth a peek into it for your tech.

Susan has audio DVD’s for personal pace learning. If you are in powerhouse mode, Remote one-on-one training is available at an hourly rate. Contact her directly for more information or to order at susan(dot)coxceo (@)gmail.com

What else would you add to the list?

Posted by hillary on Dec 17, 2012 in Beauty, Nails |

Top 5 Nail finds for your Nailphile

When she talks double digits, she means five on the left hand, five on the right, and possibly an additional set at her feet. She couldn’t make gift giving any easier for you. Here are top five selections to keep her happy these holidays:

1. Tom Ford Nail Lacquers – 16 piece set $480
This Neiman Marcus exclusive will slay the fingertip fashionista. A beautiful range of colors from pale to pow (including my favorites, Indian Pink and violet Noir), there is just no nail set comparison. Utter opulence. This set might polish off what’s in your wallet, but you can opt instead for the equally sexy four piece ($120) or custom mix at $30 per individual bottle.

2. Julep Maven $20-$200+
A series of nail parlours in the pacific northwest, Julep has taken nail polish sampling to new level. Surprise with a premix set (shown in GEM), or purchase 3, 6, or 12 months of Maven boxes for a surprise every 30 days. A foot scrub, lippy, hand mask or some other surprise beauty item is always tucked in with the polish. I just completed a year of gratis Maven service with Julep and found the testing to find personal style fun, and eagerly looked forward to the unique black packages each month. Plus, I’m fantasizing the new copper color called Hilary in the Bombshell collection (my style) was named after me!

3. Zoya Dream Boxes $24
A staple at fashion week, Zoya churns out an enormously creative number of colors all year long. They’ve introduced Dream Boxes, a way you can select three of your favorite colors to create a custom box of colors. These black beauties are the same high quality, custom foam fit boxes Zoya houses their Fashion Week designer color collections. Another bonus? All Dream boxes ship free.

4. Essie + Bauble Bar $50
Pick a color, any color. It comes with a matching bracelet! Now pick another bracelet of your choice. And another. Now, put your polish and three bracelets into the tote Essie gives you. Voila – one classy Christmas. Sign up now and get an additional $10 off.

5. CND Shellac Gift Certificate $35-$60
Let’s get real – some woman have neither the time nor talent to polish their talons. Those ladies might be pining for the authentic two-week, no chip Shellac service that can only be found in salons. Hit up a nail technician and add a paraffin dip to the tab for an especially pampering service. Search CND.com for the salon nearest you.