Brisa Lite - the Power Partner to Shellac!

Many clients have been enjoying the benefits of Shellac power polish for the past 3 years.  On like polish, wears like gel, off in minutes!   Shellac has boosted the staying power of polished nails like nothing else.  But Shellac works best on healthy natural nails. 

 

Some clients with naturally weak, peeling nails have not exactly enjoyed the same results as those who are blessed with naturally strong nails.  So CND has brilliantly launched Brisa Lite - the new power partner to Shellac.

 

Brisa Lite Smoothing Gel is a very thin layer of removable (soakable) clear gel that is applied on your natural nail under Shellac.  It adds no bulk to your nails.  What it does is provide a solution to the weak, bendy, peely nail situation by adding thin, flexible protection to perfect and smooth the surface of the natural nail.  Brisa Lite is easy on, easy off, exceptional wear! 

 

Best of all, there is no filing on the natural nail.  Nope - none!  No buffing allowed!  And it removes in the same way and about just as fast as Shellac does with the CND Remover Wraps and Nourishing Remover. 

 

Here are some before and after pictures of one of my actual clients who is wearing Brisa Lite Smoothing Gel under her Shellac power polish.  You can see for yourself how well her nails are doing after 14 days with this breakthrough combination treatment from CND.  She has been struggling for several months with her nails and we have finally found a solution that helps her continue to wear Shellac with the best results possible! 

 

Ring and pinky finger unwrapped after 10 minutes

 

 

 Middle finger unwrapped after 10 minutes

Index finger unwrapped and cleaned after 10 minutes

 

 

So if you are someone who has worn Shellac in the past but it just didn't work for you, now is the time to revisit it!  Shellac + Brisa Lite Smoothing gel is a service on my menu that takes an extra 2 minutes and ensures your manicure lasts the full 14 days as expected.  And for those of you who can wear Shellac with no problems, a layer of Brisa Lite Smoothing Gel can extend YOUR manicure to 3 weeks!

 



 



Thank You Dr. Oz :)

That wascally wabbit, Dr. Oz is back at it again.  Recently his show did another 'expose' on gel manicures, and how they are to be avoided like the plague.  This time he co-hosted the segment with an expert dermatologist.  We all remember last year when he used that popular nail goddess, Tabatha Coffey, to expound on the dangers of UV lamps.

 

Sad to say, he is more interested in creating fear in his audience, which I suspect strongly increases his ratings.  You know how the newsroom says "if it bleeds, it leads".  That apple doesn't fall far from the tree, here.

 

If you didn't see the episode I'm talking about, I'm not going to provide a link to it - you can find it at your leisure.   I'm not even going to tell you all the gory details because I'm over it.  But because some of my clients will have seen this shoddy excuse for journalism, I feel compelled to provide some balance here. 

 

First and foremost, there is no scientific evidence that using a UV light to cure gel manicures can cause cancer.  This issue has been reported to death and the studies are conclusive.  Dr. Sayre, the man who helped invent the SPF system  (Sun Protection Factor, anyone?) even says the amount of UV-A that your hands would be exposed to during a gel manicure is equivalent to 1 or 2 minutes of exposure to the sun daily.  You'll get more UV exposure driving in your car every day.  Funny, I've never seen Dr. Oz do a show about how driving your automobile is going to give you cancer, have you?    

 

So to continue on in this vein, the dermatologist suggests that if you are going to get a gel manicure, you need to find a salon that uses LED lights to cure the gel polishes, and if the salon doesn't have them then you need to leave.  Hello - LED lights emit UV-A as well.  Ooops. 

 

Now, I appreciate a good prop just like the rest of you, and Dr. Oz didn't disappoint!  He trotted out that oversized fingernail and oversized pusher and demonstrated to the audience (insert horrified gasps here) how all nail techs proceed to scrape the gel polish off the nail, thus thinning the natural nail by 50 percent.  Perhaps that's what they do where he gets his manicures done.  *Cough*   But most of the nail professionals I know have received the proper training for application and removal of the systems they use.  Why?  Because they are invested in their careers, and they want to learn how to properly perform a service.   If someone is SCRAPING the product off your nails, you need to tell them to STOP, re-wrap your nails and allow the remover solution to work.  There is a big difference between scraping product off your nail, and lightly tickling it with the end of a metal pusher. 

By the way, feel free to stop right now and read my blog entry entitled "Can We Talk About Removal" to see how it should be done (and how I do it). 

 

Now let's get serious for a moment.  Part of the segment discussed using dirty implements and giving clients infections.  I will not argue this point.  This can happen, unfortunately.   The onus is on the client to thoroughly check out the salon before they make an appointment.  Many times this is not possible, and many clients simply don't know what they should be looking for, what questions they need to ask.  If you are a reader of my blog, or my website, by now I think you know enough to make some informed decisions.

 

Anyway, I kind of like how the segment ended.  They understood that women were still going to get gel manicures, regardless, and that's where I swoop in.   Not to save you, but to let you know that the majority of professional nail techs love their career and their clients and would never do anything to harm them.  We follow all strict sanitation and disinfection (and sterilization where required) protocols.  We are highly educated and you might have to look hard to find us; we likely won't be in the strip mall discount nail salon down the street.  You might have to ask your friends or your family to refer you to their nail tech.  I won't repeat all that I do because you can easily find it on my website and some of my other blog posts if you want to poke around. 

 

So thank you, Dr. Oz for sending lots of women who want safe, healthy gel manicures my way.  I really appreciate it! 

 

Bottom line:  you get what you pay for, and sometimes you even get a whole lot more :(

 

 

 

A New Year ... A New Beginning

It turns out I am just as restless in my professional life as I am in my personal one (I am Sagittarius - it is a trait I come by honestly ;)   I am drawn to lifelong learning, so it is only natural that I continue to expand my mind.  I learned to scuba dive 7 years ago, and I'm no spring chicken.  The older I get the more I realize there are so many things I want to do, see and experience.  The only thing getting in the way of that is me. 

So on that note, I'd like to share a tiny little accomplishment.  I recently completed CND Education Ambassador Boot Camp.  Yes I am being facetious - tiny it was not.  Lots of reading and testing all throughout the month of December.  Seven full days of technical information, nail practice & assessment, plus presentation and facilitation skills that began a mere two days after New Years Day.   Not for the faint of heart.   I did things I never thought I could do because I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.  That's when the learning happens! 

The opportunity arose so quickly, I really didn't have time to think about it, and that was probably for the best!   I tend to be a bit of an over-analyzer, so it was now or never!  Sink or swim!   I first learned of CND 10 years ago when I started my nail technology training.  I've used all their products and followed the company closely ever since.  I've attended many Master classes along the way and received Grand Master status a few years ago.  But none of that truly prepared me for the onslaught of information I was about to receive.  Never mind that I'll never look at nails the same way again :) 

Passionate.  Principled.  Professional. Polished.  Bold.  These are the five attributes used to describe a CND Education Ambassador.  Throughout our training, we would visit and revisit these five key words.  Now I understand why every single EA I've ever met in person, or networked with online, displays these traits.   They are fundamental to the delivery of CND's education programs, and represent the 'face' of CND.   

So what does this mean to my clients?  Business as usual.  No change in my availability for the most part (though I will be travelling more, that tends to happen on the days my salon is closed anyway).  It means you'll have access to new products and techniques that I will gladly share with you!  You have all come to know me as an innovator, and an early adopter, and I promise that will continue.  CND is about to launch a new soakable gel product, and the season's new Shellac colours and Additives are on their way soon.

I'll continue to network with my nail tech colleagues on line and in person and hope to see some of you at my classes soon! 

Five new Canadian CND Education Ambassadors

Mississauga, ON  January 2013 

Fast Fixes for Natural Nails

I am frequently asked by my clients - as well as many random men and women - why nails do what they do.  Why do they bend?  Why do they break?  Why do they peel?  And more importantly, what can I do about them?

There are some very easy remedies for all of these common problems.  Keep reading to find out how to grow your own healthy, beautiful nails without alot of effort or expense.  I promise these helpful tips will work for you as long as you follow the instructions :) 

 

Hard Nails

What they do:  they are very dry, can flake at the free edge, crack/break along the sidewalls,  and are hard and brittle.  Sometimes they will have vertical ridging, sometimes you'll see dry, flaky white spots.   You know you have hard nails if you can't bend them by pressing down on the free edge.  This hardness actually causes the nails to break (and not bend) when they are exposed to trauma.  Often the skin around the nails appears dry as well, which can lead to hangnails. 

Why:  They lack moisture.  Moisture influences nail flexibility and durability by acting as a lubricant and a shock absorber.   Use of harsh solvents, over-washing of hands and age are all contributing factors.  If you have dry, hard nails, frequent exposure to water just makes your nails expand and contract every time, and when they contract they lose moisture.  This can cause your nail polish to chip.  Our northern climate contributes greatly to this lack of moisture in the winter months.  

Remedy:  Use a conditioning cuticle oil daily (twice-daily is best but I recommend to my clients to use it at bedtime so that it will not be washed off but absorbed by your nails overnight).  Make sure the oil contains oils such as almond, jojoba, or olive oil - the molecules in these oils are small enough to penetrate your nails.  Avoid use of products containing mineral oils - they merely sit on the top of the skin and nails and do not penetrate.  (And if you wear enhancements, products containing mineral oil can actually contribute to lifting).  Any good professional cuticle oil will contain the right ingredients to do the job properly. 

How it works:  Oils absorbed into the nails can slow down the passage of water through the nail plate.  This results in less brittle and more flexible nails.  Because oil does not evaporate as fast as water, it remains inside the nails, and increases the moisture content. 

Soft Nails

 

What they do:  they are very thin and bendy.  You know you have soft nails if they tear easily, bend and peel at the free edge.  They are impossible to grow because they will tear.  Nail polish will easily chip off these nails where they are peeling at the free edge.  Check out the picture above and you will see a perfect example of this type of nail. 

Why:  They have too much moisture, which weakens the nail plate and causes this damage.  If your nails are constantly exposed to water they can become soft and weak.  This is why gloves are often recommended when doing any kind of housecleaning (not to mention save your skin from harsh solvents and chemicals). 

Remedy:  Use a nail strengthener/hardener but the trick here is to only use it until you see that your nails are no longer soft and bendy.  If you continue to use the nail hardener past this point, you'll start to dry out your nails and then you'll have hard, brittle nails that start to crack and break!   Many clients don't know this vital part of the treatment cycle.  Look for a nail treatment that specifically targets soft, thin and peeling nails and follow the manufacturer's directions. 

How it works:  without getting really technical, they create more cross-links inside the nail plate which results in stronger nails with less room for moisture.  It's not that they dry your nails out - there is just less room for water and oil to reside.  Overuse however as mentioned above will result in nails that start to become too hard.  Too hard is never good for nails. 

Just Right Nails

 

What they do:  they have the perfect balance of strength and moisture.  These types of 'normal' nails have about 18 percent water by weight.  These nails rarely break or peel but they will bend slightly when downward pressure is applied to the free edge.   The skin around the nails is not dry. 

There is no remedy required for these types of nails because this is the optimum state for your nails.  By correctly identifying the type of nail problem you have and taking steps to remedy it as I've described, you should be able to see a big difference in your nails in a very short time.

Common Myths

There is no benefit to any nail treatment that includes seaweed, calcium or vitamins, or any other strange and wonderful concoction.  These are not absorbed by your nails and are a complete waste of money.  

 

The Bottom Line

When searching for a nail treatment I would highly recommend you purchase one from a reputable, professional nail care company or directly from a nail technician who sells these products in their salons.  I realize not everyone has access to their own personal nail tech or a salon who sells these products.  Some names to look for:  OPI (Nail Envy treatments, Avoplex cuticle oil), CND (Solar Oil) - both of these companies manufacture top of the line, professional-quality products.  In the drugstore look for Sally Hansen or other similar companies who specialize in retail nail products. 

I hope this post has helped you manage your nail care expectations and better understand the condition of your nails! 

 

Many thanks to Nails magazine and Doug Schoon for the information and images included in this post. 

 

Till next time....

 

Sick for Nails.....

With November comes the cold and flu season with a vengeance.  I've already had one minor cold come and go.  Here's the thing.

 

When I'm sick, I can't work, and I don't get paid.  I can't 'call in sick'.  I'm the boss. 

 

Not only can I not work if I'm feeling that crappy, I have to reschedule all my clients on the days I'm not well enough to work, or that I feel I will be contagious and pass along whatever bug or virus I have to you, my clients. 

 

And because I work from my home, it's not only my workplace but my home, that gets infected.  I can't leave work to go home because I am home.  And there are other people who live here, too, who might get what you got. 

 

Are you getting my drift?

 

If you are sick, especially sick enough to stay home from work, please reschedule your nail appointment. 

 

Even if you have to call me at the last minute, as you are coming down with something.  I completely understand and will appreciate it more than you know. 

When I do your nails, I am sharing your breathing space for an hour.  We sit only a couple of feet apart.  I am touching your hands the entire time.  If you are sick there's a pretty good chance I'm going to get whatever you've got.  If I'm working on your hands, there is no opportunity for you to blow your nose.  Imagine how miserable that's going to feel for you. 

 

So I'll make you a deal.  I'll do my best to protect my health so that I don't have to reschedule your appointment.  If you are sick, please reschedule yours.  My husband, my other clients and I will be very grateful.   And I won't have to deal with the 'man-cold' ;) 

Can We Talk About Removal?

Clients ask me frequently how to remove product from their nails themselves.  I advise against this and here's why.

 

Many products such as gel polishes and professional liquid and powder systems (also known as "acrylic") are removed by dissolving them from the nail.  This is a perfectly harmless procedure when done properly, by a professional.  Other products such as hard gel enhancement products need to be filed off the nails.  They aren't porous, so they will never soak off.

 

Most people don't have the patience it takes to plop their hands in a bowl of acetone or product remover and just. sit. there. and. let. the. product. do. the. work. !!  Most people will pick and pry the product off their nails long before it completely dissolves.  It's human nature, and I get that.  But what that ends up doing is wrecking your nails. 

And that's when I hear the stories.

"Fake nails wrecked my nails".

"My nails were ruined !!!"

"It took me MONTHS to get them back to normal".

 

So if you're getting your nails enhanced with either liquid & powder, or gel enhancements, please make an appointment to have them safely and professionally removed by your nail technician.  Most professional nail techs will be more than happy to make this appointment for you because it means you know and understand that you've entrusted them to take care of YOUR nails.  The same goes for gel polish.  Do not pick or peel it off your nails. 

Pictures are always worth a thousand words so take a look at the before and after pictures of one of my clients' Shellac manicure.  Regardless of whether we're removing Shellac, another gel polish, traditional hard gel or liquid & powder, I take great care to ensure their nails leave looking just like this after we remove the product.   And you should expect these results too, from your salon professional. 

 



Why I Love What I Do....

I'm a firm believer in life-long education, in whatever form that takes.  One of the best parts of being in the beauty industry is the opportunity to attend trade shows, seminars, hands-on classes and networking events with my peers and industry leaders.  It's something I'm passionate about, as most of my clients know.  Not only do I feel it is important to stay on top of ever-evolving trends and techniques in the industry, it truly inspires and re-energizes me, and keeps me connected.

Since most of the great nails shows are not held in Canada, I have partnered with another nail tech to host one in Southern Ontario every November.  It was her dream to start an event 'for nail techs, by nail techs' to focus on bringing the knowledge of popular brands and education right to their doorsteps without the investment of so much money and time off for travelling.  I am proud to say this year together we will host the Fourth Annual CNTC Nail Tech Networking Event in London, ON on Sunday November 4th, 2012.

If you are a nail tech reading this and you live in Ontario, you NEED to get to this show.   We have negotiated an excellent room rate with the Ramada Inn in London, which is where the show is being held this year.   Arrive Saturday and attend our informal and fun Meet & Greet in the hotel that evening!  Then get ready for a fabulous day of door-prize giveaways, nail art, demos and making lots of new friends in the industry. 

Here are the details.  We also have a Facebook Group - do a search for CNTC and you'll find us.  I hope you will join us this year! 

 

Canadian Nail Tech Connection

4th Annual Networking Event

Do you have the desire to expand your professional horizons?

Learn new techniques and mingle with like–minded techs?

Join us at this upcoming Networking Event!

Share ideas and techniques and discover new products

Offer your clients the best possible service and care.

 

Don’t miss the demonstrations of Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, Nail Art, Gel Polish and Guest Speakers! 

THE FIRST 40 TECHS TO REGISTER RECEIVE A GOODIE BAG WORTH OVER $150.00 IN NAIL PRODUCTS

Join us for an exciting day of Networking, Speakers, Guest Educators and Lots of Door Prizes!

Refer a friend and get your name entered into another draw....the amount of entries varies on how many friends you refer!

 

When:  Sunday November 4^th,  2012

Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

 

Where:  Ramada Inn, London

817 Exeter Rd  London, ON Canada N6E 1W1

(800) 303-3733

 

Admission:  $50.00 in advance, $75.00 at the door

Contact information: cntc@daysofbeauty.ca

519 913-0998

Meet and talk with educators who can show you new techniques

to set your services apart from other salons!

Learn about new and different services to enhance your salon menu

For nail technicians – by nail technicians!

 

THIS YEAR OUR VENDORS INCLUDE:

AKZENTZ

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES

ANGELA BEER

ASTONISHING NAILS

CND

DESIGNER NAIL PRODUCTS

EN VOGUE SCULPTURED NAIL SYSTEMS Inc.

ERICA’s ADVANCED TECHNICAL ABRASIVES

INSPIRATIONS & INSPIRING NAILS ACADEMY

INTERCOSMETICS

INTERNATIONAL PEDICURE ASSOCIATION

LILIYA SAXON NAIL ACADEMY & AMORE International

MASTERWORKS BY AMY BECKER

MONERIS SOLUTIONS (PAYD Mobile POS)

NAILGRAFX

NAILS R US

NEROZNAKNAILS

ONYX BEAUTY SYSTEMS

SIMPLICITY NAIL SYSTEMS

SPARKLES NAIL PRODUCTS

THE ONTARIO NAIL INSTITUTE

 

With more to come as they are confirmed!