From the Editors: a Nails Magazine Blog

Blink 182’s Almost Nail Salon Gig

NAILS Magazine — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:15:49 GMT

On Blink 182’s online schedule today, the band was incorrectly listed as kicking off their summer tour by playing in a Cleveland, Ohio nail salon. According to the MTV News, fans logged on to the band’s Interscope Records website and became puzzled and excited to see the first date as Alice’s International Salon and Spa.

A representative for Interscope quickly stated that the location was an error. But a healthy buzz had already circulated through the Blink fans, and the employees of the salon were constantly taking calls from fans inquiring about the show.

It’s too bad it turned out to be a mistake. I guess it is a little odd for a big band like Blink 182 to put on a show in a nail salon, but I like the randomness of it.

— Tim

Nail Art Celebrates Michael Jackson

NAILS Magazine — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:04:02 GMT

Charlotte, N.C.-based salon owner/nail tech Topaz Woodruff sent us these pictures she did to celebrate the life of Michael Jackson.

RIP MJ.

— Hannah

On My Mind: What If You Hit the Jackpot?

NAILS Magazine — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:47:05 GMT

If you had all the money in the world, would you quit your job?

When we asked nail techs, “Would you continue to do nails if you were financially independent?”, I expected to see a bunch of “Are you kidding me?” replies. At the very least, I thought there would be a few people who said that while you love what you do, you’d take off to some extravagant island to sip fruity drinks and spend your days in the spa — getting pampered yourselves. Sure, I figured there would be a few of you who love your jobs so much you’d still want to work no matter what your financial situation might be, but I didn’t expect the unanimity of your responses.

I guess I underestimated the passion of nail techs, because every single tech who responded to the question answered with a resounding “YES!” It seems the love you all have for your clients and the impact you have on their lives is why you do what you do in the first place. And I commend (and honestly, admire) that attitude. I have met so many of you throughout my 10 years here at NAILS, I guess I should have known how you would respond. I mean, how many trade shows have I been to over the years where I see the energy and excitement about new products, techniques, and styles?

We did ask a follow up question: “If the answer is yes, would you change the way you do business?” And here is where we saw the chinks in the armor — and an opportunity to improve your work life without a windfall. While the techs said they would keep working, they wanted shorter hours and more help. One tech said her focus would change so she could do more charity work. And more than one said they’d do more for their clients — work at a more leisurely pace, offer more extras and treats, and upgrade to larger spaces with better equipment.

I’ve always read that people who win the lottery or get a big unexpected inheritance end up with more money-related problems. So for fun, let’s separate the money factor from what seems underneath to be a true desire to change your work — even just a little. If you said you’d work shorter hours if you were financially independent, that means you’re working too many right now (I doubt you said this if you’re a part-timer). So ask yourself: How can I cut back on hours, yet make the same money and serve my clients just as well? The answer might be a price increase, a change in the type of services you offer, or the addition of an assistant. I don’t think you need the winning lottery ticket to do that.

Are you someone who’d give her extra time to charity? How can you combine the need to make money and the desire to give it away? How about launching a charitable event in the salon that gives a percentage to charity? What about hosting a “Manicure-a-thon” or some other special event to help support a favorite good cause?

Even I, who imagines myself lying on a Hawaiian beach forever if I had lotto winnings in the bank, would eventually want to get back to work. As much fun as a break from the routine sounds, life is meaningful when you’re productive, giving back, and looking forward to the future.

So what do you think? Would you keep working? Or would you take a nice, long break from the salon? Leave your response in Feedback.

— Hannah

California Licensing Scam Warning

NAILS Magazine — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:41:16 GMT

I just received an e-mail with the following message and wanted to share it with you all immediately.

The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Cal-BBC) has posted a warning on their website, of a scam targeting beauty licensees in this state. Please pass this warning on to every California licensee you know.

Here’s the official Cal-BBC statement.

Licensing Alert

A business called the California License Renewal Service has been mailing renewal notices to Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensees.

The California License Renewal Service is neither associated with nor endorsed in any way by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. The Board will mail you its own notice within 90 days of your license’s expiration date with instructions on how to file for renewal directly with the Board. There is no service charge associated with filing your renewal directly with the Board.

This business is operating out of a postal service box office and there is no record with the County of Sacramento for a fictitious business application to operate in Sacramento County. A search of the Secretary of State website California Business Portal indicates that there is no corporate, LP or LLC entity by the name of California License Renewal Service. The principals of this entity are unknown to the Board. The notice offers to file the licensee’s renewal application and fee with the Board in exchange for a “service fee” of up to $40.

Copy of the bogus bill: DO NOT PAY THIS!

— Hannah

Take a “Bubble Bath” for a Good Cause

NAILS Magazine — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:26:43 GMT

This summer, each time a client purchases a bottle of OPI’s Bubble Bath lacquer, she can be glad to know she is helping women undergoing cancer treatment feel better.

Look Good...Feel Better, a national public service program that helps women cope with appearance-related changes from cancer treatment, has partnered with OPI Products to honor both groups’ 20th anniversaries: OPI launched its nail lacquers 20 years ago, the same year Look Good...Feel Better conducted its first workshop. To mark these milestones, during July and August, OPI will contribute a portion of the proceeds of every bottle of its Bubble Bath nail lacquer sold, with a minimum contribution of $25,000, to the Personal Care Products Council Foundation to benefit Look Good...Feel Better.

“We are very excited to support such a worthwhile initiative for Look Good...Feel Better and to be a part of this wonderful tradition of caring,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, executive vice president and artistic director for OPI . “The partnership was a natural fit because OPI shares the common goal of helping women to look and feel beautiful.”

Point-of-purchase displays will provide more information about the Look Good...Feel Better program and where to find available workshops. For more information, visit www.opi.com.

— Judy

Salon Inspection on YouTube

NAILS Magazine — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:00:15 GMT

I just found a professionally-done video by the Washington Department of Licensing of a nail salon inspection. You can watch the six-minute video here.

The video is geared toward consumers (advising them of what to look for in nail salons, including recommendations to ask to view the pedicure cleaning log and to visually inspect the spa), and includes a quick interview with the salon owner Cuc Tran (who thankfully seems to be on the up-and-up and has her salon ready to pass an inspection). Washington inspector Lloyd Wright offers some insight into what he looks for during inspections.

Is the video helpful? Leave me a note in Feedback.

—Sree

Premiere Orlando 2009

NAILS Magazine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:00:07 GMT

Earlier this month, I went to the Premiere Orlando International Beauty Event; this is the first time I’ve attended this show, and I felt an energy and excitement there that I haven’t felt at any of the other beauty shows I’ve been to. I’m sharing some of my pictures here.

CND Launches Colour Effects

NAILS Magazine — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:43:05 GMT

Last week I went down to Oceanside, Calif. (just north of San Diego) to attend a special launch party for CND’s new enamel line. Called Colour Effects, it’s an open stock line of 50 crème enamels and 15 shimmery “Effects” that you can layer on top of the “Colours.” CND says the line has a richer, two-coat, three-free (no toluene, formaldehyde, or DBP), faster-drying formula. The Colours come in a full spectrum palette from the whitest white (Brilliant White) to the blackest black (Blackjack), with neutrals, pinks, reds, and bolds in between. The Effects are the “accessories” and can change the tone dramatically. They come in Pearls (fine opalescence), Shimmers (a little more dramatic), and Sparkles (mica for more bling) in a variety of hues (from lavender to gold).

The new bottle is an interesting shape, (for improved ergonomics, it’s designed to fit perfectly between the thumb and forefinger), with a wider, flatter brush and a rubberized cap that is easy to twist.

The party was held at the Oceanside Museum of Art, and guests were asked to wear black and white. CND employees asked us to imagine a world without color (and served crisp clear water to accentuate how plain life would be without it). They then took us through their own exhibition where color (and colorful fruit juices) were introduced, followed by shimmery, sparkly effects (and cocktails). Finally, we were treated to a try-on bar with CND’s entire new line. I chose Inkwell, a dark aqua-black, and Gold Pearl, a subtle Effect. I also loved Putty (a great neutral for my skin tone).

CND’s Jan Arnold and John Heffner also took a few minutes to thank employees for their continued dedication to nail professionals. The company is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this September. Look for more in the September issue of NAILS on the company’s anniversary.

And once the new bottles and colors hit your dealers, I’d love to hear what you guys think. Leave me a comment in Feedback.

After we left the world of black and white behind, we were treated to colorful fruit juices…

…and presented with a closer look at the new line of Colours from CND.

CND co-founder and artistic director Jan Arnold toasts a room full of CND employees, nail techs, dealers, and select members of the press while introducing the company’s new Colour Effects line.

We were then led through a room of glittery curtains and accessorized mannequins as the Effects portion of the line was introduced.

Finally, we were allowed to try on the Colours and Effects.

CND’s Roxanne Valinoti, Jan Arnold, and John Heffner were also getting an early start on celebrating the company’s 30^th anniversary.

I enjoyed the festivities at the Oceanside Museum of Art with Elyce de Brown (in addition to a number of other things, she manages CND’s enamel line) and Jan Arnold.

--Hannah

CNN Lauds Manicurist as Hero

NAILS Magazine — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:32:37 GMT

Have you heard about Washington D.C.-based manicurist Lidia Schaefer, who sold her home and her car in order to raise money to build a new school in her native village in Ethiopia? All we can say is wow — and bravo.

Her story begins in the 1990s when she paid a visit to Feres Mai, a large village in northern Ethiopia where she was born. According to a story on CNN, which named Schaefer a “CNN Hero,” she was troubled by what she saw: children walking three hours each way to attend classes held not in a school, but under a tree. When she learned in 1998 that one of the girls she’d met on that visit — Medhine — had been attacked and killed by a hyena after falling behind other children during the long trek home from school, it spurred her to take action.

Schaeffer, who works at Fusion Day Spa in Washington D.C., began by setting aside a third of her salary and all of her tips. She also lobbied the Ethiopian government to donate land in a central location so the school could serve children from several nearby villages. The decision was made to build a secondary school, since the nearest one was more than 18 miles away.

“I was working two days for the school, four days for me,” she told CNN. Her clients and coworkers rallied to help, holding raffles and making contributions. Several clients bought individual doors or windows for the school. But that wasn’t enough. So in 2002, she sold her home and her car.

Schaefer ultimately raised more than $250,000 for the school, which was completed in 2006. When she went back for the dedication, she was honored with an elaborate procession through the village. “I was so happy, I can’t even describe it,” she recalls.

Today, nearly 1,500 students are educated in the school, which boasts an eight-building campus with 16 classrooms, a science lab, and library. Schaefer still sets aside her tips and wages to support her school and has kept up her fundraising efforts to buy supplies. Her next goal is to equip the school with computers.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution, go to www.lidiaschool.org.

— Judy

IBS Las Vegas 2009

NAILS Magazine — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:34:15 GMT

I just came back from the IBS show in Las Vegas. The show was a little smaller this year but there was still a good turnout with lots of manufacturers showcasing their latest wares. Here are some photos from the show.

Nick La, executive of sales and marketing at Lexor, proudly talked about Lexor’s new “Smart Technology,” which automatically drains and fills basins for techs.

David and Raisa Ionis patented the Rada Pro to help manicurists from getting cramps throughout the day during service.

Nail Labo was showcasing its new Presto Gels and Colored Acrylic Powders, with executives Shinya Fujinami, Toshiaki Seki, and Yoko Ohno present to answer any questions.

Cynthia and Rich Wiesen were there to present RAM Products’ new E-File Portable with lightweight handpiece.

Gayla Burnett, owner of Gourmet Spa Essentials has a new product line that allows techs to create custom-scented scrubs and lotions. The lotions and scrubs come unscented, but with three different extracts that can be added for your own custom blends and flavors.

OPI competitor John Hauk brought his game face to the competition, with fellow Team OPI member Vu Nguyen focused as well in the background.

I learned that Lynn Lammers isn’t the only competitor in the family, her husband Bret competed in the novice category for the tip-and-overlay relay competition. Here they are with Lynn’s model Jenny Tam on the right.

The fantasy nail art competition had some strong entries. The theme was psychedelic ’60s with the stipulation that contestants could not use flowers — that would be too obvious. Model Melanie Murad (left) poses with Gina Silvestro of Akzentz and Tammy Warner of The High Road to Education.

Pattie Yankee Williams was doing demos for Dashing Diva.

Young Nails educator Denae Sambrano captivates the crowd with her toenail enhancement demonstration.

Go to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nailsmag) to see more photos from the show.

— Tim