Time for Acrylic Nails

Do you know what is that first thing someone would notice in you is? Yeah, you got that right; its face and the overall appearance. But do you know what is that second thing someone would notice in you is? Don’t know? It’s the movement of your hands while you talk with somebody. This has been proved in a research conducted to find out what are the first five elements you notice when you meet someone. When I first read this research, I found it very strange and also true because hands are something that we do notice but the funny part is that we don’t realize it or in other words we all notice each others’ hands unintentionally.

May be this is the reason why we also forget to care about our own hands at time. Assuming that who will use a magnifying glass to make a critical analysis of our hands, we let go of them and don’t pay any attention to how they are looking. Alternatively, some people have a very god excuse of an extreme busy routine which doesn’t permit them to make usual visits to the Salons for manicures and pedicures and that is why, they have no option but bearing with ill-kept nails.

According to the research, which proves your hands to be the mirror of your personality, it becomes really evident that taking care of your hands is so very important. Girls who are blessed with a pretty face but are careless about the way their hands look can seriously damage their personality in a second. On the other hand if a girl possesses normal features but is particular about her hands and feet is bound to impress the other person. I remember once my best friend shared this interesting thing with me that her going-to-be husband sent her the proposal only because that girl was very particular about her hands and feet and would have rejected her if the case were otherwise despite her pretty looks and long hair! I was really surprised to hear this and when I asked her the secret, she told me that, “Well, nothing much. I only used to get my acrylic nails done every two weeks.” That day I realized how important it is to have awesome-looking nails and especially with men, it becomes a little more of an essential.

Talking about Acrylic nails, well, who doesn’t know about them! Every other girl is going for them, and not just as a fashion statements, acrylic nails have become an ultimate essential of every woman who believes in style with comfort. It adds to your personality and gives a charming and alluring finish to your poised being. Those of you, who want to know the technicalities of Acrylic nails too, let me tell you that the nails are composed of two core ingredients; the monomer and the polymer.

It’s a kind of a liquid and a special powder that and both of which are mixed together proportionately to make a hardening mixture. This mixture is then applied to your nails by a nail expert who will enhance the look of your nails and make them feel durable and long lasting. You don’t need to expose your nails to some specialized heat; they will dry off themselves under the natural air and from your body’s heat through the nails. Acrylic nails; a very easy yet an extremely rewarding process. In short- a budding treat to your nails!

http://www.nails-guide.com/time-for-acrylic-nails/#comment-21192

ZOYA FALL 2011 - SMOKE & MIRRORS


fall 2011 nail color

smoke and mirrors

...beautiful illusions

Zoya Nail Polish presents 12 enticing and mysterious new colors for fall 2011.

Zoya Smoke Collection
Jana (ZP564) - smoky mauve quartz cream
Petra (ZP565) - smoky eggplant mauve cream
Codie (ZP566) - smoky brown taupe cream
Anja (ZP567) - smoky palatinate purple cream
Cynthia (ZP568) - smoky Prussian blue cream
Dree (ZP569) - smoky camouflage green cream


Zoya Mirrors Collection
Nimue (ZP570) - smoky rich thistle metallic
Marina (ZP571) - smoky steel blue metallic
Tao (ZP572) - smoky slate gray metallic
Yara (ZP573) - sparkly olive green metallic
Neeka (ZP574) - sparkly amethyst purple metallic
Jem (ZP575) - sparkly fandango pink metallic

Zoya is the new color of fashion... The new Zoya smoke & mirrors colors were designed and inspired by top fashion designers and beauty icons.

Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are free of harmful industrial chemicals like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known to cause cancer and birth defects.

Find Zoya smoke & mirrors as well as over 300 other high-fashion Zoya shades at www.zoya.com. As always, each and every Zoya color is made for beautiful women so we name them after beautiful women.

smoke & mirrors by Zoya - available July 15, 2011 (USA)

Sug. Retail $8.00 per 0.5 fl. oz. bottle (US)

Aussie Tour in August 2011 - Mark Your Calendar !

Australia, we are coming to your area to showcase some great techniques you can use in your salon in both gel painting, gel & acrylic design sculpture, so mark your calendar and be sure to reserve your spot as space are limited ! Click on the poster below to get the details for registration. Thank you guys !

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics™ Launches New Nail Paints


PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics™ Launches New Nail Paints

Soulful


Vavavoom


Sumptuous


Provocative

August 2011 PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, the first make-up company to donate ALL of its profits, after taxes, to women’s health and human rights advocacy issues, launches four new nail paints, bottled with a new easy-to-open silver cap, extending the Eco-Smooth Nail line to eight colors ranging from a sheer pink to a midnight blue.  


Paint Me Soulful: A Deep Midnight Vampy Blue Black
Paint Me Vavavoom: Hot Sexy Deep Fuscia Pink
Paint Me Sumptuous: A Rich Classic Blood Red Burgundy
Paint Me Provocative: Hot Fire Engine True Red

Eco-Smooth Nail Paints do not contain Toluene, Formaldehyde or DBP; are made with indigenous Argan Oil which is high in amino acids; are free from animal testing; and have been rated as one of the safest paint-based nail lines by the Environmental Working Group. They can be purchased at Whole Foods, Sprouts and Wegmans as well as hundreds of specialty stores nationwide starting August 2011. Suggested retail price for PeaceKeeper Eco-Smooth Nail Paints is $8.00.

About PeaceKeeper

PeaceKeeper is the first make-up company to donate ALL of its profits, after taxes, to women’s health and human rights advocacy issues. Through its unique brand of “dual-purpose” cosmetics, PeaceKeeper encourages men and women to more fully recognize the level of abuse and inequality suffered around the globe – and to become an active part of the solution simply by how they choose a product. To learn more about the programs PeaceKeeper is funding please visit www.iamapeacekeeper.com.

Sent by pr

Until next time please have a great nail polish day. (✿◠‿◠) Share/Bookmark

Top2Bottom - I LOVE IT!

I need to rave about this awesome, awesome gel top coat ! It cures in LED lamp in seconds and UV Lamp in minutes.
What's so special about Top2Bottom is that it is a soak off system, super easy application and guaranteed to deliver crystal clear High Shine
You can use it 2 layers as a nail strengthener alternative, or use it as a base and a top coat for gel polish over natural nails, traditional gel nails(both hard/soft) or acrylic nails.
 (Do not apply over regular nail polish as a topcoat, however you can use this as a basecoat prior to nail polish application to protect your nails from yellowing and to give it that nice smooth surface to polish)
Because it is pure soakable gel, you need to wipe off the final dispersion layer with a cleanser but I promise you, it will not dull like the generic ones, You will be pleased....Very pleased at the finish :)
I'm loving it because I've used this for all my recent competition work to deliver such gorgeous finish and I just have to share this info with all the nailtechs out there because I have tried so many soak-off gel topcoat and this one just blew me away ! 

Opening the Nail Files...


This past friday, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the vivacious star of the new TV Guide Channel series 'Nail Files', Katie Cazorla!  She was here in Las Vegas with her mobile manicure truck, which was spreading nail polished tips across the nation! I have to say, she is a total doll. She is every bit as silly and bubbly as she comes across on the show, she's hilarious, fabulous, and as I described her, a total firecracker. Below you'll get to read our conversation, and see a little bit of what she's like!

In honor of meeting Ms. Nail Files herself, I knew I HAD to do special nail art for the occasion. I wish I had her reaction, because it was awesome. It completely made my day to see how stoked she was about the manicure (especially the Katie nail!!). :) I love it!

One sad thing about this manicure is that, while at work that night, I fell and broke THREE nails on my left hand (including the Katie nail!!) :( I was SO bummed, but glad that Katie got to see it before it was ruined.




Watch Katie and her crew Tuesday nights at 10/9c on the TV Guide channel! Check your local listings, or set your DVR! You won't want to miss it! (especially Episodes 3 & 5 according to Katie!)





TDN: You’re from a small town in New York, what made you move to the West Coast?

KC: Ok, so I love that question actually. I went to college for a couple years and found out that it wasn’t really my thing, and throughout college I was telling jokes at little bars, and always making my friends laugh and an agent saw me and was like “You’re funny, you should be a comic.” So she took me to LA, I ended up having a blast, and stayed. Um, unfortunately, I had no place to live, so I was kind of like one of those people that live out of my car for a couple of months until I found a place, and I was doing stand-up comedy for almost 10 years. After the 10th year, I was like ‘This is ridiculous, I need to get a life, I’m almost 30, I am gonna be eating Top Ramen until I’m 50 years old, so I had this crazy premonition and dream about my business and I drew it out and decided to really go for it.

Free mini-manicures on the Nail Files truck!
TDN: I also am from the other side of the country, from Michigan, and made the move to the west. Did you know anybody?

KC: No, I actually did not know anybody at all.

TDN: Was it terrifying for you?

KC: You know, not really, because i was 20, and I think I was kind of stupid, and thought it was going to be so much easier than it really was. So I was kind of, I guess I would like to say naive to the way LA works, and how you think you’re just going to go out there and make it, because it’s not like that. You don’t just move out there, I mean, one in a gazillion chance of that ever happening, and less of a chance for someone to move out there like ‘I’m going to get my own show, and I’m a nobody’, but it’s kind of like that’s what happened.

TDN: I have to comment on Jessica, I have no idea how you didn’t punch her.

KC: Oh my God, everyone is saying that , I think its just that Jessica is nice. The problem is is Jessica did everything wrong from what I really wanted, and I had to pay for all of that stuff. So, unfortunately, I wasn’t happy, and it was probably pretty apparent by my crying. But everyone is just like “God, she’s such a crybaby,” but that cost me $2,000, it’s so expensive, and they didn’t show all the other other stuff, the big banners and signage, and to have the main displays messed up was really a problem for me. So, you know, it ended up being kind of a problem, and unfortunately, we probably aren’t friends anymore after that episode.

TDN: Was she really laughing inappropriately when you were in a state of duress?

KC: Yes, she really was laughing like that. I think it was more of a nervous laughter, but it just didn’t come off that way, and I feel bad that she came out like that, but it is what it is, what can you do?


TDN: So, one of my downfalls, I’ll admit it every time, I love to do the nail art stuff, but I suck at nail care. What is one of your best nail care tips?

KC: Really? Ok, well here. Number one, I think you should ALWAYS use cuticle oil. You have to, because here’s the thing, even if you don’t get your cuticles nipped all the time, which, I don’t nip my own, I don’t get them nipped. I think that actually leads on my personal body to more cuticle growth than what I want, so I just kind of push them back and buff off the extra, and if there is obviously like a hangnail or something, I’ll nip that off. But cuticle oil is my best friend, I use it everywhere, hands, elbows, little dry spots, whatever. I absolutely love it.

You know what I just discovered? This product called ‘Get Fresh’ based out of Santa Monica. Oh my God, their lemongrass foot products... I want to eat. They sent me their lemongrass pedicure kit, so now we do the lemongrass pedicure in my store. Amazing, and they have a heel balm, and all these fun products you can use to do upkeep at home.

TDN: What are your thoughts on nail art? (this was a question I had planned to ask, but it got answered in the middle of a conversation about my blog...after I mentioned the huge response from Brazilian women, and their love of all nail art in general)

KC: I love nail art, and people who don’t like nail art are just not my friend. They can’t be, it’s not fair.

The contents of my goodie bag! :) Click to enlarge!
TDN: Because it’s fun! Yes, it can go into the tacky range, but it’s mostly fun. 

KC: Oh, ok, here’s where it gets tacky. When somebody’s nail is really long and it curves like a corn chip nail tip and it’s got someone’s name on it, and it’s pierced with a charm. (we both said the last part at the very same time) You get me...we speak the same nail language.

You know what’s really annoying, is when people say, “Oh, you’re not a real nail tech because you didn’t graduate from nail school” and I’m like, But I went to nail school, I just didn’t graduate because I found my salon in time and it was like ‘Oh my God, I have to get this before somebody else does.’ and I’m sorry , I want this space, it’s my dream space.” Plain and simple.

TDN: Right, when opportunity knocks, you can’t let anything stand in your way. You can always finish nail school, but that space might not be there tomorrow.

KC: I can always finish when I want, because I have hours that don’t expire. I think I have two hundred and some hours. Gosh, that’s a lot. I only need like 180 more hours or 200. I have finished almost half, but it’s 3 1/2 months, it’s a commitment, every single day, all day long.

TDN: But you’re one of those people that don’t go to college and still become insanely successful.

KC: Jet Blue guy, didn’t he drop out of college? (I looked it up...yes, he did, from University of Utah after 3 years). The Microsoft guy (Bill Gates), he dropped out of Harvard. Hello, one of the richest men in the world. (my words: bazillionaire!!) You know what, so eff you college, I don’t need you. I don’t need you today, or any other day!

TDN: Your nail pet peeve. We’ve already discussed corn chip nails, but do you have any other ones?

KC: Oh my God. You know what else I don’t like? Long, French manicured toes.

TDN: I read your interview with Michelle of All Lacquered Up, and actually cheered when I saw that.

KC: She said the same thing. It’s so gross!

TDN: It’s the worst. You see it a lot here in Las Vegas, it’s everywhere.

KC: It’s because there are so many strippers, and they love French manicured toes. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it’s just not the look I’m going for. (me: It just doesn’t look classy) I don’t think I’ve ever seen a classy stripper, but if I did, she wouldn’t have French manicured toes.

TDN: So on your first episode, Debbie Gibson came in, and you said that you have to treat celebrities like everybody else, even when on the inside you’re really squealing.

KC: I know, I totally wanted to sing Electric Youth. It was hard for me because I was like ‘Oh my God, Debbie Gibson is in here,’ and I was totally like a mall rat crazy person fan of hers and I needed to hold it together and be a normal person. She looked ridiculously amazing. She’s the type of woman that could grocery shop in a thong, and it’d probably be ok. She’s awesome.

Katie's funny hand sanitizer. Click to enlarge.
TDN: On that note, if anybody were to walk through the doors of your store, and you would absolutely lose it and go all fan-girl, who would it be?

KC: I’d love to give Ryan Reynolds a manicure.

TDN: I’d love to give Ryan Reynolds more than a manicure! (Aaron, one of the promoters commented that I was a dirty bird...oops! :-D What can I say, he’s adorable, funny, and sarcastic...need I list more?)

KC: I know, he’s hilarious, and so cute. I love it. I think that would be my number one, he’s a doll. It has to be a guy...but if it were a woman, it’d have to be Barbra Streisand, because she has the most insanely gorgeous nails I’ve ever seen in my life. They’re beautiful, and I want her to wear my polish. (Get some sparkle on her.) Yes. I want sparkle on Barbra.

TDN: So you’ve got a lovely rock on your finger, I know there is no date set for a wedding, but what color do you plan to wear for your wedding?

KC: I really don’t see myself having a wedding, if I did, it’s going to be glitter, I’m not going to do anything traditional, I’m such a non-traditional person. (What, so no french manicure?) No, maybe I’ll do a picture of Walter on my nail.

TDN: So, you’ve conquered the nail world, you’re conquering the TV world, what’s next?

So Katie did confess what she's up to next, but she also said it was kind of a secret!  Until she gives me the go-ahead to share it with you, you'll just have to eagerly wait!  It's definitely something fun!

Katie & I in front of the manicure truck - it was over 100° outside!! SO HOT!


What'd I use?

I used American Apparel Cotton as a base for all nails...

Thumb: Part of the 'Nail Files' logo

Claire's Stiletto for the red base, with Nicole by OPI OMB! over it for the glittery parts.

Index: Part of the 'Nail Files' logo

Claire's Stiletto for the red base, with Nicole by OPI OMB! over it for the glittery bottle, CND Blackjack for the cap of the bottle and for the nail file with a mixture of CND Blackjack and Orly Mirror, Mirror to shade.

Middle: TV Guide logo

Claire's Stiletto for the red base, with Nicole by OPI OMB! over it for the glittery parts, then American Apparel Cotton for the TV guide lettering. 

Ring: Katie Nail!

CND Blackjack for the background and for the eyes, combinations and layering of  American Apparel ManilaZoya DeaZoya Helen, and American Apparel Cotton for the hair, Ulta Moody Blues for the eyes. For the skin, a mixture of Zoya Helen and American Apparel Cotton, then mixed that with a bit of Claire's Stilettos for the lips. 

Pinky: Mojito! (Katie's signature drink)

For the glass outline, I used Orly Mirror, Mirror, for the mint, I used a combination of Frida Nails grass green jelly (has no color name), the Icing True Beauty, and CND Green Scene. For the liquid, I used a mixture of Frida Nails grass green jelly with Nubar Yellow Primrose, and a little American Apparel MacArthur Park to shade the ice cubes. 

Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.


Finger Paints Peace, Love & Color Summer Collection 2011...Swatches and Review

Good Morning Everyone *-*

I know it's been awhile since I posted a nail of the day.  You know how it is life can get in the way.  I am happy to show you the Finger Paints Summer Collection.   These are great to wear throughout these hot summer months.

                             Give Pink A Chance
I would call this a Watermelon Pink.  It's gorgeous...Can you believe it's opaque with one coat! I did use 2 coats.

Groovy Green 
Green Apple Green Frost.  There is some brush strokes to this one.  2 coats were used.

All You Need Is Color 
Teal and Green glitter in a clear base.  I used 3 coats to cover visible nail line. When dry it's a bit dull so I used a topcoat to bring in some shine. 

Psychedelic Sunshine
Egg Yoke Yellow in a jelly base. Packed full of multi colored shimmer yellow, green, blue, and orange.  The formula on this one was thick but applied smoothly.  I used 2 coats but should have used 3 to cover visible nail line.

Outta Sight Orange
Orange with pink and yellow shimmer.  The pink doesn't show up on this picture but it's there. Very easy to apply nice formula.

Peaceful Purple
Purple, Red, and Silver Glitter in a clear base.  This one is totally awesome.  I added topcoat to give it more shine.

I love this collection.  A nice variety for the summer.  My least favorite one is Groovy Green and you know green is one of my favorites.  It's my least favorite because it's frosty and leaves brush strokes, but I do love the color.  My favorites  are Give Pink A Chance.  It's like a coral pink and it's a one coater.  Also love All You Need Is Color and Peaceful Purple both are very nice glitters.

These can be purchased at your local Sally's Beauty Supply Store.

Do you have these already? Which ones are your favorite?

These were sent to me for review


Until next time please have a great nail polish day. (✿◠‿◠) Share/Bookmark

Just Fantasy

My entry for Mythology of the East & West @ IBS Las Vegas
This has got to be one of the most rushed entry that I had to work on, it started in Singapore and completed in the USA over 10 days in between transit and work. It was also my most fulfilling piece of creation as I love the characters of mythology and especially working with different mediums and exploring new techniques to push the level a notch higher.
Models : Fiona Otten (Greek Goddess) and Gina Silvestro (Angel) ~ Thank you xxx
As a bonus, these "girlfriends + nailtechs" of ours were fabulous as models who brought our theme and character to life

Kentucky Derby ~ Run For the Roses @ Premiere Orlando



Nailed 4 First Places in NailPro USA Season 2011

2 First Place win at Premiere Orlando 2011
Winning pose with my team mates Milena Bogasow (Germany) 2nd Place  and Lee So Young (Korea) 3rd Place in Design Sculpture Veteran in IBS Las Vegas
 
With Fiona Otten (Netherlands)
With Viv Simmonds (Australia) and Trang Nguyen (USA)
I'm ecstatic winning 4 first places in veteran - Fantasy (Kentucky Derby & Mythology), French Twist and Design Sculpture in the US recently and to top it all, our ONS Team bagged the Nailpro Cup 2011
It was truly mission accomplished for this competition season for me and being able to catch up with all my nail friends !

How about some lemonade :)

Okay, so this mani was originally planned to be way more fun, but time ran out :( I had planned on adding some nail stamping, and even some rhinestones, but as soon as I was done taking pictures, my daughter saw I was about to take a breath, and intervened, lol so my 'me' time went all down hill from there, lol. I do love this color for Summer though and so did her school friends :) This is just 2 coats of Orly Lemonade, and it applied beautifuly.






My comfort zone = black tips :)

Morning everyone!! I was in the mood for a semi basic black tip french mani, but wanted to add a tad umph to it, so on my out the door I grabbed one of my fave things, my Big Ruby nail tattoos. I started with a base of OPI Bubble Bath, because in my rush, I couldn't locate my regular go to base. OMG, on a side note, you would all gasp in horror if you saw my stash right now. In all my chaos, it looks as though a bunch of 3 year olds have been playing in it *hangs head* I do plan on getting it cleaned up, once all the birthdays have ended. Well, more organized, and hopefully start pulling some things for my first blog sale :) Okay, so anyways, back to the mani.

Here is 2 coats of Bubble Bath


I then taped off the tips, and used Wet n' Wild black. Since I'm wearing a coral shirt, I decided to use the coral seahorse, from the Sea collection of the tattoos. I love the way it turned out. So simple, yet so me :)



Oh and since it was my boss's b-day, I picked him up some balloons and goodies from the bakery, and saw this pretty little arrangement that I HAD to buy for myself, lol. It def cheered me up :) PS - I will be removing that IMO, awful bow when I get home :P

Please life......just settle down a smidge!!

Morning!!! A few birthday parties planned and the flu later, I'm just exhausted. I'm now in the process of planning my girls 9th birthday, and my husbands. Darn all these Summer babies, lol, me included. Summers are just insane lol. I really hope you guys are all doing well :) I have so many manis to show you guys. So I'm going to show you one that my husband chose for me one day that I was just to tired to choose. It's Rimmel's Violet Metal.

I just did 2 coats and forgot how insanely pretty it is on. Can you believe I did black tips on this as well, but forgot to get pics!!! I'm so sorry.