Know Before You Go!

Did you know that on June 1st, 2016, Durham Region Health Department will launch the new Personal Services Settings Inspection Disclosure Program called Know Before You Go Durham.  

As personal services establishments come up for annual inspection in 2016, they will be issued one of these signs which must be displayed at the entrance to the business, clearly visible to members of the public.  During the second phase of the Disclosure Program, inspection results will also be posted online for viewing by the general public.

Examples of Personal Services Settings include:

• hairdressing and barbering
• manicures and pedicures
• tattooing and micropigmentation
• body piercing and ear lobe piercing
• massage and tanning
• electrolysis and laser hair removal
• various esthetic services

To briefly summarize what each colour-coded sign means:

• Green means there is significant compliance with Ontario's Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Personal Services Settings as of the inspection date noted on the sign.  
• Yellow means there is significant non-compliance with Ontario's Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Personal Services Settings as of the inspection date noted on the sign.  
• Red means the premises are CLOSED and that the Public Health Inspector is of the opinion that an immediate health hazard exists. 

For more detailed information on this program please visit the Durham Region Health website.  

All persons in Durham Region who regularly obtain the services listed above should be aware of the new signage which will become mandatory June 1, 2016 (once the 2016 premises inspection takes place) in all Personal Services Settings, including home-based businesses.  

Laura

Paying It Forward, 2016 Style

Once again it was my pleasure to participate in my third "Pay It Forward" Pamper Event at the City Of Pickering offices recently.  This year their charity of choice was St. Paul's On The Hill Food Bank.  

Participants received a manicure in either Shellac or polish (Vinylux or the new Creative Play) and one lucky winner won a gift basket of CND products worth over $75.  Proceeds were donated to the charity.

I look forward to this day of giving back to our community every year.  And on that note, please donate to your local food bank.  This time of year their inventory is running low but the need is still there.

Until next time,

Laura

Creative Playing

It's been awhile since my last post, but it's time to catch up with the latest products from CND!  Recently launched, Creative Play is CND's new regular polish line, available in 80 glorious colours.  

This is regular, normal-dry polish that comes with a base and top coat.  It doesn't replace Vinylux nor does it compete with it.  Vinylux shades are fashion-forward and trendy.  Creative Play will bring your nails to the next level of fun!   If bling is your thing, this line has plenty of it.  Big chunky glitters that look lovely over solid shades.  Soft shimmers and bold bright shades with lots of pigment. 

Book a manicure or pedicure appointment to see these up close and we promise you'll fall in love with your nails again!  

Until next time,

Laura 

Top Choice for Durham Region

I recently found out that Scratch My Back Nail Studio won the Top Choice Award for Best Nail Salon in Durham Region.  I want to thank all my valued clients for this wonderful honour.

The fact is, I couldn't have done this without your votes.  I value and appreciate each and every one of you and the fact that you trust me to take care of your nails is how I measure my success.  

So from the bottom of my heart, I will simply say thank you very much!  

Until next time.

Laura

2014 - The Year In Review

I can't believe it's been half a year since my last entry!  Time surely flies when you're having fun and keeping busy!

The last few months have seen me cross the country (literally) and back.  In October I flew to Bathurst NB to teach a CND Master Painter class.  Then in early December  I travelled to Vancouver to help launch our newest collection for Spring 2015 called Flora & Fauna.   The months in between saw an absolute flurry of activity as I attended many CND Canada events including several charity functions.  I truly enjoy my association with this highly-respected brand and the support they give to me and countless other Education Ambassadors is second to none in this industry.

Flora & Faunch Collection Launch - Hotel Vancouver

November saw the 26th Annual Contessa Awards, which recognizes Canadian beauty professionals across the country.  The Gala event was held on November 9th at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.  CND sponsored the Gala webcast as well as the Manicam and we worked hard on all the stunning sets of nails for the Revlon Professional Canada stage performance.  I was a part of the CND Canada team backstage where all the magic happens prior to the performances!  

Contessa Awards

November 12th was the Greta Constantine S/S 2015 show where CND Canada provided nail looks for the models.  Our team scored a huge hit with the media.

Greta Constantine S/S 2015

I am truly grateful for my wonderful clients who support my career, not only in-studio but who encourage my participation in these events and love to hear the details.  In return, they are thrilled to experience "Runway to Real Way" at every appointment, which is only made possible by my involvement with CND.  Let's see what 2015 brings!  

Would YOU Give An Arm and a Leg?

Recently a series of disturbing photos crossed my Facebook page and they've prompted me to write this post and share this information.  Now that the summer is finally here, many of you are looking forward to your next pedicure.  There is nothing better than prettying up your toes with some fun summer colours, am I right?  Armed with the information I'm about to share, hopefully that's all you go home with.  

This recent (June, 2014) video from a New Zealand TV show should make you sit up and take notice.  At the very least, it should get you asking the right kinds of questions when you decide to pop in to that nail bar in your local shopping mall for a quick pedicure.  

Remember that in Durham Region, it is illegal to reuse one-use items on clients, even if they are only used on the same person.  The salon cannot reuse, nor store items on its premises.   One-use items are anything that is porous, so that includes files (other than metal files), pumice stones, toe separators.  Basically it's anything made out of paper or porous plastic.  It may say Sanitizable or Disinfectable on the item, but if it's porous, it doesn't pass the high standards of our local health unit.  

A good practice is to use disposable pedi liners in the pedicure bowls, the service provider should wear gloves, and cuticles should never be cut unless something like a hangnail is obvious (that goes for hands too). Never wear used pedicure slippers the nail bar offers you while your polish is drying.  

Credo Blade

Although the use of a Credo blade is not illegal in Durham Region, it is a dangerous weapon when put in untrained hands!  I have not been trained in its use and I do not use one.  I would hazard a guess that most nail bars have not received proper training either.  This tool can easily cut too deeply into your foot, causing bleeding, pain and if you're not lucky, a real infection.  Calluses are on your feet for a reason; they protect the soles of your feet.   Built up over years, calluses are based on the way you walk, the weight you carry and the shoes you wear.  Remove them by cutting them off, and they will grow back just as thick, if not thicker because you haven't changed the way you walk, the shoes you wear, or the weight you carry.  There are other, less invasive ways to smooth and reduce calluses.  Any properly trained nail professional will know how to do so.  

Please be assured that I follow every health requirement to the letter at Scratch My Back Nail Studio.  You will always be able to take your file home with you (please don't bring it back!) and you can always ask me about the steps I take to ensure the safety of my guests.  My studio is annually inspected by the Durham Region Board of Health.  

Yes, I Do!

Part of my role as a CND Education Ambassador is to provide support for events such as the recent Yes, I Do! Bridal Bar hosted by Revlon Professional at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in downtown Toronto on June 4th, 2014.

The event showcased Revlon Professional's bridal hair collection with five glorious model brides.

The Runway Show

Each model was fitted with beautifully adorned nail tips to complete her look.  

Attendees were treated to mini-manicures featuring CND Vinylux weekly polish.

Attendee's nails manicured entirely with CND Vinylux weekly nail polish (even the artwork!)

CND Vinylux weekly nail polish is available for retail purchase at Trade Secrets, Chatters and some salons.  Ask for it by name!