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Posted by on Aug 1, 2011 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

Sheer Nail Options with CND Shellac

This is partially in response to Pearl’s questions from this post on Romantique Shellac
The sheer nail option video is finally up. I get a lot of questions about sheer/semi-sheer nail color and this video shows you the difference between top sheers. It is also to display the white nail pencil I’ve been using the last year for sheer nail users. Developed in the 20’s/30’s, this pencil goes in and out of fashion over the years but always manages to resurface. I started using this as child because my aunt introduced me to this tool at a very young age. I mean young.

What I love about this pencil is that someone can get sheer Shellac and use this to get a very natural looking, temporary french for special occasion or when they want to switch things up. If you’ve tried this in the past and found it didn’t work for you, watch the video and see if you had it done right. It’s easy once you get the hang of it.

PS You might not believe your eyes. I actually have my nails done in the last segment.  Beau with custom blue/silver/holo glitter mix on almonds.  And yep, that other frame I was experimenting with crackle.

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Posted by on Jul 31, 2011 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

CND: Shellac Layering: Hot Chilis

NEW! The header tab at top of the page contains swatches

Not sure if a combo is a do or do not? I’ve layered and swatched all 24 colors of Shellac to make visualization a breeze.

Looking for options? CND’s Shellac can be layered to create a near infinite number of color combinations, just like the Colours & Effects line. Keep checking back for updates. It’s taking a while to sort and crop but I hope you’ll find it worth the wait.


Hot Chilis over the darker colors create beautiful eggplant.  Today was actually too bright for the best photography, but you can see the range Hot Chilis adds when layering.

Hot Chilis over Fedora

Hot Chilis over Black Pool


Hot Chilis over Masquerade

Hot Chilis over Tutti Fruitti

Hot Chilis over Tropix

Hot Chilis over Strawberry Smoothie

Hot Chilis over Rose Bud

Hot Chilis over rock Royalty

Hot Chilis over Red Baroness

Hot Chilis over Hot Pop Pink

Hot Chilis over Gotcha

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Posted by on Jul 28, 2011 in Uncategorized | 3 comments

Q: Who created the world’s first foot spa? A: They’ll be at Cosmoprof

Oh yeah, he’s from Wisconsin.

I’ve been searching for professional level foot spas lately and I tell you, there is a lot to be desired. Between wanting good design and a decent starting price and trying to get something to fit into our historical architechture, it has been frustrating. I remembered a sweet little number called PediCute and was doing research when I found out it could be placed into a very cool looking chair. As I searched further, I discovered the brand was manufactured right in my own backyard: New Berlin, Wisconsin.
I made a couple of trips over and, even though the team had the majority of inventory shipped out to Las Vegas for the upcoming Cosmoprof, they were incredibly helpful and I ended up taking one back with me.  How did we end up with not one, but two of the premiere pedicure chair and foot spa manufacturers in the world in Wisconsin?

Back in 1975, John Meyerovich created the world’s first pedicure chair and created a whole new world of pampering foot care.  Along came partner Joe Galati and the two teamed up to create European Touch, which dominated the industry.  The pair sold the company in the lat 1990s but have recently returned with a whole new concept in chairs, ala Continuum.

Since Cosmoprof is around the corner I really wanted to share the current products as well as let you hear about the new items coming out and SHOW SPECIALS (yes, show specials) you can get by visiting their booth.

I really loved the look of the PediCute.  If you’re looking for a portable model, here are my thoughts:

  • Forefront of sanitization concerns by offering foot spa liners that are recylable – can be tossed into your regular city recyle bin.  So convenient!
  • Beautiful design. Cherry Wood veneer
  • Aesthetically pleasing and ergonimic foot supports
  • Water conservative at 1.5 gallons max
  • Still luxurious with 3 levels of water vibration and heat

If you are looking for a portable unit that doesn’t scream drugstore model, I highly recommend the Pedicute.  It is completely professional in look and feel.  It looks like the Belava unit beautifully encased and on wheels. The Simplicity chair adds back massage (and new Shiatsu models will be on the floor at Cosmoprof) and the look of a pedi throne.

If you can pipe in, you’ll really enjoy the look of the Maestro and Echo.  Plus, they have new models to reveal.

And they’re all designed and made in Wisconsin.  My husband did tell me this was the center of the Universe!

  • Continuum Foot Spas
  • Cosmoprof Booth C12409 – Say hi to Joe when you stop by
  • website
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Posted by on Jul 25, 2011 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

Facebook for Nail Techs

Do you Facebook but find yourself faltering?  Today’s guest post is by Australian Tech and founder of Nail Salon Success, Trish Rock.  She sheds a little light on the topic, sharing tips she’s used for creating a more successful facebook presence.

Facebook for Nail Techs – Why and How?

Many Nail Techs are using Facebook now as a part of their overall marketing strategy and are doing it quite effectively. There are however still many that are just not quite there yet in regards to using this social media platform correctly and for their best results.

I want to give you some do’s and dont’s and help you to get the most out of this fantastic tool.

Facebook can be a real asset for your Nail Salon business. You can connect with your clients easily and for free, you can connect with new clients and you can also use it to advertise available booking times,weekly specials or new services. If you are new to Facebook as a marketing tool, here are some points to remember when setting up your Nail Salon business page:

  • The name is important and ideally should be the name of your salon! However, try not to make it too long(with added extras apart from the salon name) as it gets hard to remember.
  • When you are filling in your information section, write as much as you can about your salon, the services you provide, anything you specialize in and maybe even some words from happy clients?
  • Make the access to your salon information easy, for instance your contact details, appointment times, email and address are important elements
  • Include a tab for salon services/menu. Some people add this to the information area which is ok also but I think a whole tab (page) for the prices/services looks better
  • Include lots of photos of the work you do especially the unique services you provide.
  • Have your salon logo on the page to match all of your other advertising material for eg if you have a website too. If you cannot get the logo to fit in the banner/side area you will have to change the size either by doing that yourself or getting professional help with that.(shouldnt cost a lot and there are many services/companies that do Facebook branding now. Look around though as some are still a little over the top price wise)
  • As soon as you have 25 likes on your page, get your Vanity URL. This allows you to have an address for use on other marketing for instance your website and advertising materials such as fliers and business cards. An address with -http://facebook.com/your salon-  name looks a lot better than the long one with numbers etc that you see before you get the url!

I would also like to give you some points here on what not to do/say and what would be advantageous to do/say!

DO

1. Interact with your clients and friends positively.

2. Advertise specials

3. Advertise vacant appointment times

4. Advertise new services/products to your nail salon

5. Show images of nail designs, nail art and results your clients have received at your nail salon

6. Survey/ask questions of your clients as to what they would like to see introduced to your nail salon or what they find the best thing is about the salon etc.

7. Show a human side and let your personality shine through to all who see. Your clients already know you to be the wonderful person you are but new clients need to see and feel that energy through the page.

8. Add some interest with advice on nailcare or tips on how to’s with the other services you provide.

DONT

1. Use your business page as a venting ground! If you want to complain about clients being late/not showing up/nastiness/gossip/hassles at home etc etc, please do it either on your personal page or private message another nail tech for support and understanding! I totally know how it feels by the end of some days after 10 – 12 hours in the salon! If you want to let some emotion loose, do yourself a huge favour and dont do it on your business page!

2. Discuss too much about personal life and people etc. Do discuss events that have been special and have been great at the weekend etc because that will make you more human and your clients will join in on the joy and positivity!

3. Set up the page and forget about it. You need to be on there for at least 30 minutes once or twice a week to comment and make posts. This is a way to connect with more people who are your ideal clients and for many, this is the way they will find out about you.

4. Get involved with any negativity or bad mouthing etc that other people may begin in a comment thread. If it is bad, delete the post. If you add fuel to the fire sometimes things gets worse. If someone is upsetting you through your business page, call them or email them to sort it out.

Your Nail Salon business needs many different marketing strategies, many of which I cover in the Gloss System Home Study Course. This is just one of them and if used correctly can be a major contributor of new clients to your salon.

I hope this has given you some fresh ideas and if you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you!

To Your Success

Trish

ps. The clients I work with in the Gloss System and also through my mentoring/consulting, get my help with their website and Facebook page

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Posted by on Jul 23, 2011 in Uncategorized | 3 comments

Breaking: Amy Winehouse found dead in home

They tried to make her go to rehab, again and again and again.

That beautiful, blowsy singer that killed it before anyone ever heard of Adele has died at age 27. Causes are “Unknown” although Amy’s drug addiction, disappearing frame and dental condition all point to the fact: Crack is Whack. She most recently had to cancel her European tour after appearing confused and forgetting her words onstage at a number of venues.

I debated posting these sad photos of where she let life lead her, but I think it is better to remember what really happened if it will help even one person from going down that road. A few years ago I saw several interviews with Amy’s anguished father. She had taken a tumble with her troublesome boyfriend and the parents were desperately trying to get her off of drugs. They claimed the boy was dragging her back down.

It wasn’t that this woman didn’t have help. She did. She had just gotten past the point of wanting it, and was surrounding herself with people on the same addictions. It’s a terrible place to be and to watch.
It’s a horrible loss of talent for the world, a void that allowed others to step in. Hoping for peace for her parents tonight.

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Posted by on Jul 22, 2011 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

glo Professional: Tonics and Serums

I’ve been working with the glo products for some weeks now and need to play catch-up on my reviews.  Now I’d like to cover tonics and serums because both really do work in conjunction.

My last post covered the face wash aka glo Purifying Gel Cleanser, and I’m still pretty happy. If you remember, my skin was a bit raw from a reaction with some other products.  I was given the gloConditioning Tonic to use after the wash.  I think many feel tonic serves to simply wipe off makeup that dioesn’t come off with cleanser, but the purpose is really deeper than that.  Tonic also serves to condition the skin and drive any serums or moisturizers with it down to penetrate layers of the skin.  It preps for absorbtion of active ingredients.

glo ‘s Conditioning  tonic/toner is very pleasant smelling.  Aside from that it has a great indredient list, including Hyalauronic Acid and Glycerin (both natural humectant attractants), rich anti-oxidant oils and spin trap which is used to scavenge free radicals.  Unfortunately I noticed the great smell comes from fragrance oil, which can be a combination of  synthetics or it can be proprietary scent.  Even with that, the toner is pumped full of many great anti-aging ingredients, and is affordable under $30.  It works as a system.

Serums

I can’t say enough good about the serums.  I was placed on two different types: Repair Serum and Super Serum. 

The repair complex is for “aging, sun-damaged, wounded, post-treatment” and is only for locations with a physician on staff.  Luckily, GLOW in downtown Milwaukee, the location I was at, does have this advanced option.  The gloRepair Complex is the core of the glo brand, and focuses on product performance through four specific ingredients: Spin Trap, Carnosine, Amia, Niacinamide.  These four work in conjunction to drive water soluable Vitamin B, dipeptides and more to stimulate collagen synthesis, healing, balance skin and decrease inflammation. 

While the Repair Complex is clear and has a bit of a medicinal smell, the Super Serum is rich and creamy with a delicious citrus scent.  While serums are never to be replacements for moisturizer, I couldn’t help but feel my skin was getting a double dose of hydration just using the product. 

Additional Notes

At the time I was given the products I was told there may be a point about two weeks or so into it I would begin to experience bumps or breakouts, and that was normal.  Sure enough, I did end up with small, hard bumps across my chest and face. They were hardly noticable unless you touched that area.  After about a week and a half they all went away, and my skin is better for it.  My skin healed faster, and my décolletage is so much smoother.  That, my friends, is an area where neglected skin gives everything away.  Luckily, it doesn’t seem to have as many secrets to spill these days. Overall, everything is evenly hydrated, looks firmer, and the redness has toned down.  Very happy.

Next up: glo Conditioning Hydration Cream

gloProfessional carries a full line of skin care, professional skin treatments and mineral makeup sold only at salons and spas. You can also purchase online at gloprofessional.

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