FALL FOR COLOR

Fall is vastly approaching and the leading manufacturers of nail polish have already introduced their fall 2010 lines. One collection that has really made me fall for color is Essie’s fall collection. This line was inspired by cosmopolitan (quiet, smoldering, chic) runway fashion. The colors are strong and confident, neutral and bold, yet trendy and classic! They are perfect autumnal pops of color that are the perfect touch to complete this season’s hottest fall fashions. With colors like: In Stitches, Limited Addiction, Sew Psyched, Merino Cool, Velvet Voyeur, and Little Brown Dress, you are sure to be polished in fabulous color that is always in style.

Read the descriptions below to see which color(s) you will fall for. This may be a hard decision to make, but it doesn’t have to be. The colors look great on all skin tones and can definitely fit your various moods and fabulous fashion sense. In the words of Essie, “Life is a runway, so let your fingers do the walking!”

 

In Stitches – “This cheeky, blush pink knows how to work the room. Wherever she goes, her bubbly laughter is positively contagious.” -Essie

Limited Addiction – “Supremely covetable, infinitely appealing. Too much is never enough with the hottest red of the season.” -Essie

Sew Psyched – “This cashmere-soft pewter sage perfectly suits the season’s darker hues. Dressed up or down, it’s sure to start a fashion frenzy.” -Essie

Merino Cool – “Soft and sensuous, this mulberry purple is laid back, yet elegant. Perfectly balanced for day or night-its chic to be neutral.” -Essie

Velvet Voyeur – “All eyes are on you in this decadently dark amethyst. Seductive and slinky, it’s enough to make a good girl turn bad.” -Essie

Little Brown Dress – “Surprise! The cocktail party just got more interesting. A new classic, this beguiling black coffee is a real head-turner.” -Essie   

Lasting Color for Natural Nails

Over the years, there has been an increase in all things natural, especially in nail care. Many individuals have opted out of nail enhancements and opted in for healthier alternatives. The one thing that natural nail clients despise is the fact that nail polish does not have longevity on the nail. The wear of polish on natural nail does depend on the quality of nail preparation, base and top coats, and color lacquer used, as well as the type of work performed by the hands.

Two leaders in the nail care industry, OPI and CND, have come up with a solution for individuals who want to remain natural and wear nail color.

Almost a year ago, OPI introduced Axxiūm to the world. Axxiūm is a soak-off gel lacquer system that is polished onto the nail and then UV cured. This system provides flawless color for up to two weeks. It comes in many of the OPI nail lacquer shades you love! Axxiūm soaks off in approximately 15 minutes.


A few months ago, CND came out with Shellac: their breakthrough patent-pending UV3 technology which combines the ease of polish with the permanence of gels. It is truly an innovation in chip-free, extended wear color. It is applied like polish, UV cured, and can be removed in as little as 10 minutes.


The great thing about Axxiūm and Shellac is that there is zero dry time! Since both systems are UV cured, clients don’t have to worry about smudging their nail polish before or after they leave the salon. Axxiūm and Shellac also add extra protection to natural by minimizing nail breakage. Both products wear very well; however the application process and removal process of Shellac is less time consuming. Both products can also be applied to toenails for a chip free pedicure!

So now you can have natural nails with the confidence that your nail color will last for up to 14 days! At this time, Sole Elegance (SE) is only taking new clients by referrals only. If you are not an existing SE client and do not have a referral, you can visit www.opi.com or www.cnd.com to find a local salon that provides these services.

You Get What You Pay For

Since I’ve been into nail care, I’m always amazed at the number of individuals who sacrifice quality service for cheap, bottom-dollar service from discount nail shops. I totally believe that you get what you pay for. This means that if you pay for a $25 pedicure, I guarantee your walking out the door with just as much dry and callused skin as you walked in with, as well as cuticle build-up, ridges, and possibly bacterium or fungus. Never the less, your nails will be esthetically pretty but the polish will only last for a couple of days…then its peeling and chipping time! If you get a $10 manicure, you may get cut from the nippers and develop hangnails within a day or two. If you get a $12 acrylic fill-in, your acrylic probably lifts within a week. Another downside of receiving service at a discount nail shop is that you don’t know what quality, professional brand name products, if any, they are using.

On the other hand, if you go to a professional nail salon or spa, you know that if you are paying $40 and up for a signature or spa pedicure, $20 or more for a classic or spa manicure, and $25 and up for artificial nail services, you are more than likely receiving quality service.

So f you’re searching for professional quality nail care service, please contact me for my service menu or the name of a shop or spa in your area (MD, DC, VA).

Have a Simply Beautiful Weekend!

All or Nothing!

If you wear any type of nail polish on your fingernails or toenails, I’m sure you have experienced some minor or major chipping. This can be frustrating and most of us continue to allow it to chip instead of taking it off and applying new polish. But I am here to tell you that you must make sure you have even and complete coverage of polish.

Causes...
Chipping is bound to happen! How soon and how much are determined by a number of factors:

1. The type of work performed by the hands
2. How the nail was prepped before the polish was applied
3. The quality of the polish (base & top coat, color polish or nail strengthener)
4. Health conditions that affect the fingernails and toenails

Do’s and Don’ts...
Since I’ve been into nail care, I’ve learned to adopt an “All or Nothing” mentality when it comes to nail polish; and I suggest you adopt this same frame of thinking. Polish makes your hands and feet “pop with color” and adds personality and interest. So if your nail polish has begun and continues to chip, remove the polish. Never put another coat of the same or a different color on top thinking this will cover the chipping. Now you have created a situation in which your polish is uneven: thick in some places and thin in others. Not to mention, when you finally take the polish off, it will take more cotton, remover, and time. Even clear polish chips and peels and when that happens, you are left with shiny spots here and dull spots there.

Solutions...
Some solutions that may help minimize chipping and keep polish “looking fresh, shiny, and bright,” is to put a clear coat of polish on your nails every two days, wear gloves when washing dishes or your hair, do not tap your nails on surfaces or put your fingers in your mouth.

So Now...
So remember, think, nice, even, complete coverage when wearing polish and adopt the phrase “All or nothing!”