STYLE - Photo Galleries

Winter Product Jubilee

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 2:08:38 PST

With the winter season well on the way, there’s no time like the present to roll out the new holiday-themed sets and sweet-smelling treats that clients wait for all year. This festive time of year is perfect for offering special gifts and holiday services that are sure to appeal to the merrymaker in everyone.

Hauntingly Hot Products

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 4:14:09 PST

Nails get eerily enchanting for Halloween with tons of vampy polishes and glittering appliqués. Glow-in-the-dark gels and mysterious side effects add fun details for the spooky month.

Join the Fight to End Breast Cancer

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:32:12 PST

This month the beauty industry is passionate about pink. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, your favorite nail manufacturers are making donations to life-saving charities when you purchase their products.

Freed From Your Apron Strings: Designer Salon Aprons

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 4:47:32 PST

Designer salon aprons are being developed by apparel designers as chic alternatives to your basic cover-up with two strings and a pocket. This trend combines the functionality of typical aprons (like water repellence and bleach resistance) with the style the beauty industry is known for. Here’s a sampling of some of the cutest designs.

For more designer salon apparel, visit:

10 Cute Salon Uniforms

Fall 2010 Color Trends from the Pantone Institute

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:21:50 PST

Designers continue to exhibit a degree of caution for fall 2010, yet offer a palette of beauty and excitement with a blending of colors, some with similar undertones, in surprising and intriguing combinations. Inspired by the ongoing phenomena of film animation, vivid colors are often juxtaposed in inventive ways, creating arresting and extraordinary color combinations, according to the Pantone Color Institute.

Colors and images in the slideshow are from Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2010 (excerpts reprinted with permission). To view the full report, visit www.pantone.com/fall2010.

Pantone Colors displayed here may not match Pantone identified solid color standards. Consult current Pantone for fashion and home color system publications for accurate color. Pantone and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC.

For more on the latest trends, visit:

Polish Preview Fall 2010: Back to School

Fall 2010 Nail Trends from Fashion Week

Polish Preview Fall 2010: Back to School

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 4:19:40 PST

Nothing quite rings in the fall season like the toll of school bells indicating that class is back in session. So pull out your trusty highlighter and be sure to take notes during this lesson on the new fall colors. (Your clients might surprise you with a pop quiz later.) With reds, blues, purples, and grays all on the syllabus, you’ll want to keep these polishes on your supply list until at least winter break.

Photography by Vu Ong
Nails by Elsbeth Schuetz
Written by Sree Roy

Just My Type: Catering to These Four Common Client Types

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 5:30:43 PST

Get the down low for how to cater to four common client types — the glamour girl, control freak, escapist, and eco-conscious client — with nail styles, colors, services, and more that are fine-tuned to the needs of each.

Fall 2010 Nail Trends from Fashion Week

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 5:50:50 PST

Greige, variations of the moon manicure, and gritty textured nails were the hot nail looks on the runways at New York Fall Fashion Week, which took place last spring. This gallery is an expanded version of the article in the September 2010 issue of NAILS Magazine. Photos where a city isn’t identified were taken during New York Fashion Week. To submit your own Fashion Week photos for NAILS online and print consideration, e-mail photos with captions to Sree.Roy@bobit.com.

For more of the latest trends, visit:

The Style Channel by NAILS Magazine [Trends]

Go Greige: Trendy Gray-Beige Polishes

Steps to Hosting a Salon Party

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 6:00:19 PST

ManiPediCutie! (MPC) in Hermosa Beach, Calif., shares its timeline for hosting a successful mani-pedi party. (MPC should know — they host about 10 parties a month!) See the steps starting at 14 days out to after the guests leave.

Get salon party insights directly from clients with this related story:

Party Crashers: NAILS Crashes a salon party to get insights directly from the clients: from picking the salon to creating a party atmosphere and gauging client satisfaction.

Franken-Web: 17 Awesome Salon Website Features

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:23:34 PST

Stitched together from the best of the web, the Franken-Web is a compilation of 17 awesome salon website features we’ve found online. Use these examples to inspire your own salon website, and watch your business come alive.

By Tim Crowley, Hannah Lee, Judy Lessin, and Sree Roy

Spring Polish Preview 2010: Out with the Old, in with the Bold

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 3:28:13 PST

By Hannah Lee

Photography by Vu Ong

BIG. BOLD. BRIGHT. COLOR. That’s what we thought when we opened the 2010 spring polish collections. This season’s new nail colors are the brightest, boldest, most vibrant hues we’ve seen in years. So instead of showing you a few colors from each collection (which frankly wouldn’t do them justice), we decided to showcase the collections in full so you can get the same dramatic effect. For once, we have no props, no gimmicks, no stories — we’re simply letting the colors speak for themselves.

For more Spring 2010 trends, visit:

Spring 2010 Color Trends from the Pantone Institute

Spring 2010 Nail Trends from Fashion Week

My Little Black Book (And Other Organizational Secrets)

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 1:39:10 PST

Nail techs share how they keep their work spaces clutter-free and ready to go.

To view more photo galleries with salon organizational tips, visit:

A Little Privacy, Please: Creating Privacy Without Actual Walls

Great Looking Pedicure Areas to Inspire Your Inner Designer

Spring 2010 Color Trends from the Pantone Institute

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:26:04 PST

Designers bring splashes of sunshine to the runway for spring 2010. Vibrant brights add a sense of excitement to the color palette, while practical neutrals provide a safety net for cautious consumers. “Now more than ever, women are vigilant when it comes to spending,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Instead of reinventing their wardrobe at the start of each season, consumers want pieces to complement what they already own. Pairing a bold color with a basic piece or freshening up their look with bright accents addresses the need for practicality, as well as fun.”

Colors and images in the slideshow are from Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2010 (excerpts reprinted with permission). To view the full report, visit www.pantone.com/spring2010.

For more on the latest trends, visit:

Spring 2010 Nail Trends from Fashion Week

The Style Channel by NAILS Magazine [Trends]

Cover Tech Winner: Double the Fun

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 4:08:34 PST

With the voting for this year’s winning cover tech image too close to call, NAILS has done something it’s never done before: We ran two different covers for the same issue. Some of you received an issue featuring black and pink striped nails on the cover and some of you got a blue and green plaid design. In either case, you’re enjoying the handiwork of Julie Kandalec of Jenniffer & Co. in Mentor, Ohio.

The Winner: JULIE KANDALEC, Jenniffer & Co., Mentor, Ohio

“When doing a shoot, I am usually inspired by a polish, accessory, or wardrobe piece. I like to do something that isn’t in my portfolio yet,” says cover tech Julie Kandalec, who, despite being based in Ohio, has an impressive number of editorial and fashion credits, including work at Fashion Week in New York and Los Angeles. (Check out her portfolio at www.juliekandalec.com.) A tech for 13 years, she has made gel nails her specialty at the salon. “My clients love how light and natural they are,” she says.

Both sets of nails she did for our covers, however, use Minx. “We just started offering Minx at Jenniffer & Co. and I wanted to utilize a variety of their many designs,” she says. “I chose pink and black stripes with all the crystal and silver jewelry to let the color of the nails stand out, and I chose the bright teal/lime Minx to contrast with the model’s dark hair.

“I gave Colleen, my model, a spa manicure a few days before the shoot. If I had done it too close to the day of the shoot, the Minx would have had trouble adhering properly. The day of, I gave her a great dry manicure. It took me about an hour and 15 minutes for the nails. I also did her hairstyle and makeup. In all, it took me about 2.5 hours.”

Congratulations also to 1st runner-up Ayako Kukuda of Ci-z International College in -Tokyo, 2nd runner-up Yuiko Naito, also from Ci-z International College, and 3rd runner-up Michina Koide of New York City.

A giant thank you to all who entered and helped make this a fabulous contest yet again.

Make It a Man's World

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 5:55:33 PST

According to NAILS’ 2009 Big Book, the percentage of male clients in a salon’s appointment book averages about 8.2%, but with more men becoming concerned about their personal appearance, we’ve heard from salons that can boast that 25% of their clientele is made up of men. Here are some products specifically for men, and some tips on how to get those guys into your salon and keep them there.

7 Ways to Find a Man and Keep Him

1. Privacy for pedicures. One of the easiest ways to take apprehension out of male clients is to have a pedicure area that is secluded so he doesn’t feel like he’s on display. A simple curtain or partition can work for a quick fix, just so long as he feels like other customers aren’t watching him while he gets a pedicure.

2. Men’s magazines. Make sure to have some magazines that guys like, like Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, or This Old House in the waiting area. It can help get male customers to come back because they’ll feel like they were expected to be there.

3. Matte top coat. Having matte top coat, especially ones that are specific for males, can help show that you take male clients seriously, and have products just for them. Tell them about the protective benefits and if they decline, offer them a light buff.

4. Televisions. Most men love to watch TV, so if a male client comes in and you have a TV, ask him if there’s anything he’d like to change the channel too. He’ll appreciate the thought, and if a game is on he could become thoroughly relaxed and comfortable.

5. Referrals from hairstylists. An easy way to help promote male services is to partner with local hairstylists who have male clients and ask them for referrals. You can provide an incentive for the hairstylists, like offering discount services for every referral. If you have hairstylists in your salon, even better. Make sure they talk up the excellent nail care services to all of their male clients.

6. Gift certificates. Try to sell your regular female clients on buying gift certificates for the men in their lives. Dads, sons, grandparents, and husbands would all enjoy the pleasure of a pedicure but might not take the initiative to walk in the door. Show your client how much they would enjoy it and have gift certificates ready for their purchase.

7. Host a “man day.” If you’re able to get a lot of female customers to purchase gift certificates for their men, think about hosting a “Man’s Day” where you book all the guys around the same time. Taking a Saturday to specifically cater to men could help get them comfortable and even excited about coming in. Have drinks on hand, music, and maybe some sports and they’ll be sure to come back again.

Matte is the New Black

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 2:35:54 PST

Showing up everywhere from automotive paint to mannequins to a myriad of beauty products (including lip colors and even hair products), the no-shine matte look has recently exploded in the nail industry too. More than a dozen professional nail polish brands have launched either a matte color line, a matte top coat, or both — and many of these launches were announced in just the last few months. “It’s all about a unique texture on the nails and a matte finish is very fashion-forward,” says Essie Weingarten, founder and president of Essie Cosmetics; Weingarten developed Essie Cosmetics’ first matte formula to match the matte finish of Mercedes-Benz Black Series during last season’s Fashion Week.

Once relegated to men, a matte finish is now being touted by women everywhere as a fresh, edgy, and confident style. The lack of glossiness increases the impact of the polish color itself, letting it “wow” without any distractions.

On a microscopic scale, a matte finish has a rough surface, explains Doug Schoon, chief scientific advisor for CND. A matte polish or top coat formula will include an ingredient, usually some kind of powder (like silica), to make the polish scatter light rather than reflecting it back to the eye. “Mirror finishes reflect light back to the eye, while matte finishes scatter light,” Schoon says.

Because the formula and the look are different, experts offer their advice for how best to apply these products:

> Work quickly, because matte polishes dry more quickly than traditional polishes. “The ingredient added to cause the matte finish does not need to dry. Therefore there is less solvent in the coating, so it dries faster,” Schoon says. Mattes will usually feel thicker during application, he adds.

> Don’t use a top coat or drying products during application. A glossy top coat will ruin the matte finish, making it appear glossy instead. You can try using a matte top coat (normally used to turn a glossy polish matte), which will keep the finish but may distort the color.

> Experts differ on whether to apply a base coat first or not. (Check the bottle to see if your manufacturer makes a recommendation.) On Zoya Nail Polish’s blog, the company says, “If you apply a matte polish to a base coat that has not fully dried, what occurs is that the polish and the base coat dry at completely different rates causing problems shrinking, rigidness, and a goopy mess that may take all day to dry.” The manufacturer goes on to say you can use a base coat with its matte polishes, but you must wait for the base coat to dry.

> Advise your clients that a matte polish will usually not wear as long as a traditional glossy polish (especially if you’re not using base and top coats).

> Don’t apply cuticle oils or lotions to the fingernails during a matte manicure. This will make the surface reflect more light, which will make it look glossy. However, once the oil wears off, the matte effect will return.

> Celebrity manicurist Elle, who helps create Barielle’s color lines, recommends applying a matte top coat with a striper brush to create texture between glossy and matte finishes for an eye-catching new nail look.

> Suzi Weiss-Fischman, executive VP and artistic director of OPI, suggests wearing OPI Matte together with the traditional gloss formula of the same OPI color (like on this month’s cover). “You can do a matte nail with a matching gloss tip, or a gloss nail with a matte edge. It’s like mixing different textures of the same color in an outfit.”

Click here to see a step-by-step of our December cover featuring a matte variation of the French look.

Spring 2010 Nail Trends from Fashion Week

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 2:25:45 PST

Matte finishes, moon manicures, metallics, and nudes made up an exciting nail scene at New York Fashion Week, which took place September 10-17. This gallery is an expanded version of the article in the February 2010 issue of NAILS Magazine. Photos where a city isn’t identified were taken during New York Fashion Week.

To submit your own Fashion Week photos for NAILS Magazine online and print consideration, e-mail photos with captions to Sree.Roy@bobit.com.

For more of the latest trends, visit:

The Style Channel by NAILS Magazine [Trends]

How to Remove a Stain (Polish Preview: Fall 2009)

A Little Privacy, Please: Creating Privacy Without Actual Walls

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 1:57:42 PST

Space is at a premium at most nail salons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use clever design tricks to make the best of it. Salon owners share how they created privacy in their salons without actual walls — using drapes, dividers, or whatever else was at their disposal.

To look at other salon design galleries, visit:

Bringing the Outdoors In

Designed for Comfort: Salon Waiting Areas

How to Remove a Stain (Polish Preview: Fall 2009)

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 2:05:09 PST

A modern spin on the classic 1950s “how to be a better housewife” tips, we’ve got you covered in common stain removal. And to put the final twist on it, we present you with a myriad of coffee, red wine, and lipstick stains all made out of this fall’s new polish collections. From browns to deep wine-colored reds and bold pinks and oranges, come on inside to find out which of these colors you’d like to spill all over your clients’ fingers and toes! (No stain removal necessary.)

What nails did you wear at the show?

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 5:47:50 PST

NAILS takes you inside Premiere Orlando (2009), IBS Las Vegas (2009 and 2010), ISSE Long Beach (2010), and ABS Chicago (2010), to view the hottest nail styles at these prominent beauty trade shows. This gallery includes nails published in NAILS Magazine, plus bonus nails exclusive to the Nail Art Channel.

To view other nail styles worn by nail technicians, check this nail art gallery too: “I Do” Nails: What nail look were you sporting at your wedding?

“I Do” Nails: What nail look were you sporting at your wedding?

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 5:18:35 PST

Whether fashion-forward, classic, or trendy, nail techs share the nail styles they were wearing at their own nuptials.

View other bridal nail art designs in these galleries:

Here Comes the Bridal Nail Art

Rhinestones Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Crafty Custom Colors

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 12:35:32 PST

Even with the multitude of polish colors out there, some techs and clients aren’t satisfied with the standard, stock options. These four techs have made sure their clients get a unique service and color by creating their own custom looks: Maureen Solan, Moesnailz, St. John, Ind.; Diana Bonn, Identity, Muncie, Ind.; Darlene Sammons, Bei Capelli Salon and Spa, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Deb Blowars, Artistic Trends Salon, Sellersville, Pa.

Fall 2009 Color Trends from the Pantone Institute

Fri, 29 May 2009 3:44:07 PST

Subtle contrasts make up the diverse color palette for fall 2009, according to color authority Pantone Inc. “The fall 2009 palette is more unique and thoughtful than the typical autumnal hues of years past,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Designers recognize the desire for fundamental basics that speak to current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers’ eyes and entice them to buy.”

Colors and images in the slideshow are from Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2009 (excerpts reprinted with permission). To view the full report, visit www.pantone.com/fall2009.

Disclaimer: Pantone Colors displayed here may not match Pantone-identified solid color standards. Consult current Pantone fashion and home color system publications for accurate color. Pantone and other Pantone, Inc. trademarks are the property of Pantone, Inc.

For more on the latest trends, visit:

Fall 2009 Trends From the Fashion Week Runways

The Style Channel by NAILS Magazine [Trends]

Love is in the Air - Expressive Valentine Designs

Wed, 27 May 2009 11:05:27 PST

Ah, Valentine’s Day. Your clients have love on their minds, and you want to create the perfect Valentine-themed designs to go along with their romantic moods. Four talented techs show us their Valentine’s Day nail art using only the colors red, pink, white, and silver.

Featured nail artists include Erica Plyter, Wet Paint, Fort Stewart, Ga.; Donna Davis, Sun Palace, Medford, Ore.; Trena Martin, OPI guest artist; Adela Muñoz, Artistic Bride-All, Fontana, Calif.

Photography by Kelly Bracken

Fall 2009 Trends From the Fashion Week Runways

Wed, 20 May 2009 6:22:16 PST

From Feb. 13-20, New York Fashion Week showcased upcoming Fall trends. Here’s a closer look at some of the runway nails. This gallery is an expanded version of the article in the May 2009 issue of NAILS Magazine.

For more of the latest trends, visit:

The Style Channel by NAILS Magazine [Trends]

Spring 2009 Polish Preview gallery

Bringing the Outdoors In

Tue, 12 May 2009 11:04:06 PST

Stop and smell the roses with these nine ways to get Mother Nature to be a regular at your salon.

To look at other salon design galleries, visit:

How did you choose your salon’s color palette?

More Great Looking Pedicure Areas

Hop to It [Easter Nail Art]

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 3:13:32 PST

Celebrate Spring with these nail art designs, inspired by colorful Easter eggs. This gallery mixes the Easter designs from NAILS Magazine’s April 2009 issue with related art from previous magazine issues (plus bonus Easter egg-inspired nails), so you can get all of your inspiration in one place!

Photography by Kelly Bracken

To view toenail designs befitting of Spring, visit these galleries:

Toes in Pastels

Show Those Toes

Your Guide to Manicure Tables

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 4:43:44 PST

You spend the bulk of your day sitting behind it, so you may as well find one that’s functional, beautiful, and versatile. Here are 14 of the latest designs.

For more salon design inspiration, visit

Great Looking Pedicure Areas to Inspire Your Inner Designer

Designed for Comfort: Salon Waiting Areas

Contessa Winners 2006 - present [Canada’s Nail Art Awards]

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 2:30:13 PST

The Contessas are an annual beauty award program that shows off the best Canada’s salon professionals have to offer.

2010 – Nail Art Technician of the Year: Ashley Ann MacKenzie (The Blobar, Toronto, Ontario), Nail Enhancement Artist of the Year: Jessica Marie Ellison (The Blobar, Toronto, Ontario)

2009 - Nail Art Technician of the Year: Angela Fuhrer (Impressions Hair Group, Sherwood Park, Alberta), Nail Enhancement Artist of the Year: Jennifer Mather (Polished Nail Design Group Inc., Burlington, Ontario).

2008 – Nail Art Technician of the Year: Jessica Marie Ellison (Yorkville School of Makeup and Esthetics and Lux Hand and Foot Spa, Toronto, Ontario), Nail Enhancement Technician of the Year: Kali Howden (At Your Fingertips, Kelowna, British Columbia)

2007 - Nail Art Technician of the Year: Janis Tecson (Vault Salon & Spa, Winnipeg, Manitoba), Nail Enhancement Artist of the Year: Jennifer Bennett (Hair Factory, St. John’s, Newfoundland)

2006 - Nail Tech Artist of the Year: Jessica Marie Ellison (Yorkville School of Makeup and Esthetics, Toronto), Nail Enhancement Artist of the Year: Rheanne Thackeray (Kenneth Blair Salon & Spa, Lloydminster, Alberta)

To see other award-winning nails, visit these galleries:

NAILS Cover Tech Contest 2009

NAILS’ Nail Art Mural Contest (from 2003 to present)

Blast from the Past: OPI Brings Back 12 Lacquer Shades

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:47:32 PST

To celebrate 20 years of color, OPI has released “colorcopia,” a limited-time set of 12 lacquer shades from the company’s illustrious past. “The 12 shades I’ve chosen for colorcopia are based on the feedback we’ve gotten over the years from our wonderful OPI fans,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive VP and artistic director. “These shades each made a big impression in the season they were introduced, and each helped capture the fashion essence of that season. We feel these shades are just as relevant today, and wanted to bring them back for one more bow!” View the 12 lacquer shades in this online gallery.

To view other hot colors, visit these galleries:

Spring 2009 Polish Preview

Rainbow Connection: Colored Gels

How did you choose your salon's color palette?

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 5:55:29 PST

Your color scheme says a lot to clients about your salon. Is it upscale? Low-key? Bohemian? Five salon owners share their true colors and the stories behind their design choice.

To look at other salon design galleries, visit:

Designed for Comfort: Salon Waiting Areas

Great Looking Pedicure Areas to Inspire Your Inner Designer

Spring 2009 Polish Preview

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 11:25:32 PST

Looking to find out what colors are going to be hot this spring? Well look no further. We've got more than 100 colors for you to choose from.

“Year of the Ox” Nail Art

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 5:22:06 PST

Celebrate the Vietnamese new year — which runs from Jan. 26, 2009 through Feb. 14, 2010 — with “Year of the Ox” nail art. This gallery showcases bonus art not published in NAILS Magazine.

To view more multicultural designs, look at these other nail art galleries:

Multi [Nail] Denominational Nail Art

International Sensations: Swedish Nail Art

More Great Looking Pedicure Areas

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:45:40 PST

Designing an exceptional pedicure area for your salon takes instincts and resources. These innovative salons use both to create pedi areas that are functional, comfortable, and draw you in with captivating salon décor.

Be sure to check out the original gallery, "Great Looking Pedicure Areas to Inspire Your Inner Designer."

Toes in Pastels

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 4:46:28 PST

Ah, spring. The snow is finally melting, flowers are beginning to bloom, and toes are emerging from the dark depths of boots and socks, signaling the start of the hotly anticipated sandal season. Get your clients in a pedicure mood by adding a touch of pastel on their toes. Not only do light shades of green, pink, peach, and blue go hand in hand with the season, they also help liven up toes with a soft dose of color. To get you inspired, we asked a few nail artists to come up with charming designs using pastel colors you can recreate on your clients.

Designed for Comfort: Salon Waiting Areas

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 9:38:16 PST

NAILS Magazine asked salon owners: How do you make your waiting area comfortable? Here is a selection of their responses.

To have your salon’s waiting area added to this online gallery, e-mail a picture of it to Sree.Roy@bobit.com, along with a short description.

For even more design inspiration, look at these other galleries:

Great Looking Pedicure Areas to Inspire Your Inner Designer

My Favorite Piece of Salon Décor

Rainbow Connection: Colored Gels

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 1:07:04 PST

Looking to add even more color options for your clients? Why not consider an easy-to-apply color gel application? From soft pastels to solid bolds, color gels can be a longer-lasting alternative to traditional nail polish. Adding them as a service can be an easy way to impress your clients and increase your revenue.

Oh, Cupid! [A Valentine’s Day Nail Art Gallery]

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 4:32:18 PST

With bonus nail art not printed in NAILS Magazine, this gallery showcases stylish, salon-friendly Valentine’s Day designs.

To look at more romance-ready designs, look at these other nail art galleries:

Rhinestones Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Here Comes the Bridal Nail Art

Photography by Kelly Bracken

Deck the Salon Halls: A Holiday Decor Gallery

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 3:13:45 PST

Salons get into the December holiday spirit with a slew of themed decorations. Get inspired and learn how to add a little holiday pizzazz to your own space. To add your salon photos to this gallery, just e-mail a digital photo and a caption to Sree.Roy@bobit.com.

It's Your Birthday Nail Art

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 4:38:09 PST

How’s this for special birthday nail art customized for each month? Michele Baker of Van Goe’s Salon and Day Spa in Cumming, Ga., is developing a year’s worth of nail art based on each month’s birth flower and birthstone to share with NAILS readers. All products listed are from EZ Flow Nail Systems’ Boogie Nights and Color Powder Collections. This gallery will be updated throughout the year.

Photography by Kelly Bracken

To view other embellished nail art designs, look at these other galleries:

Rhinestones Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Iron Techs: Creative Techs Work With What They’re Given

NAILS Cover Tech Contest - 2009

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 3:59:04 PST

In the year 2000, the editors of NAILS decided it would be fun to have a nail technician reader create the cover for one issue and so we started the Cover Tech Contest. Every year, we get hundreds of beautiful entries, creative concepts, and astonishing photographs. Browse through the best of the contests through the years. If you're interested in learning how to submit material for the next Cover Tech Contest, contact Judy.Lessin@bobit.com for details.

Agents of Style: Nail Art on a Mission

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 7:35:01 PST

While providing only minimal directions and options, the editors at NAILS commissioned five nails agents to create individual works of art on three separate missions. The first group had to use black and white polishes to create nail tips, the second use any and all shades of red polish to create nail tips, and the third group use white, silver, and gold polishes to create nail tips. The "agents" we enlisted for this special project were Sayaka Sako of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Yoko Dykes of Marysville, Wash.; Elsbeth Schuetz of Orange, Calif.; Mia Kim of New York, N.Y.; and Christie Lovett of Ocean View, Hawaii

All Tatted Up -- a Tattoo Nail Art Gallery

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 3:48:51 PST

Looking to offer an edgier style of nail art to your clients when butterflies and flowers just won't do the trick? Get inspired by these tattoo nail s to push the boundaries and appeal to a different type of client. Click these links to see the image that made NAILS cover in November 2008, and read a full story of the amazing artist behind this concept.

What We Wore - Nail Styles Through the Years

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 9:34:39 PST

Throughout the last two decades, NAILS has chronicled the best of nail styles, from thick and square to thin and oval. Here, a look back at the highlights — the fabulous, the frivolous, and the truly influential.

Nail styles have come into their own especially during the last 100 years. During the 1920s, nails progressed from snowy white nail tips in the early ’20s, to crimson-colored nails as the ’30s approached. The most unusual technique was referred to as Paris Nails. They were deep pink at the edges with a paler pink in the center of each nail.

Square nails become fashionable around the mid-70s, probably due to nail competitions — judges can critique a C-curve more easily in a square nail than an oval nail. Exceptionally long nails are also accepted then and nail tips are used more and more.

The ’90s and early 2000s gave way to a back-to-natural look. Elegance and romance were prevalent as an ongoing trend. Nails were delicate and feminine in appearance, showing off that natural, well-kept look that stands true today.

Nail Art Designs Created with Colored Gels

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 4:55:51 PST

Colored gels are poised to make a splash in nail art. Different formulations allow techs to create unique nail art or build beautifully colored enhancements. Some colored gels are for sculpting, others have been designed to act as paint. Some colored gels are transparent, some are non-translucent.

Some collections feature a multitude of shades, others leave the mixing to the techs. Now more than ever nail techs really can have it their way when it comes to colored gels. Here are some designs from other nail techs to give you some ideas of gel's versatility.

NAILS Cover Tech Contest - Years 2001 to 2003

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 7:44:48 PST

NAILS Cover Tech Contest - Years 2007 & 2008

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 8:36:28 PST

Rhinestones Are a Girl's Best Friend

Sun, 5 Oct 2008 10:09:48 PST

Never mind diamonds. Get your clients’ nails sparkling and looking like a million bucks with a dose of rhinestones. While they may rather be wearing diamonds on their fingers, a little sparkle on their nails is a welcome — and much less expensive — alternative.

We asked several nail artists to come up with fun nail designs incorporating rhinestones to help inspire you to come up with your own creations. Be sure to tell your clients that while diamonds are forever, rhinestones on nails are a fun (and temporary) spin to add some bling to their look. Photography Kelly Bracken

Mother's Day Nail Art Designs

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 7:43:22 PST

Ten nail artists say “thank you” to moms everywhere.

Paper Dolls (Polish Preview: Fall 2006)

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:26:25 PST

Get back to your inner child with this month's fall polish preview. play dress up wtih your client's hands and allow her to let out her playful alter ego. Not just for little girls, our paper dolls make dressing up your clients' nails as easy as child's play -- now snip to it!

Nails by Elsbeth Schuetz, photos by Glenn Campbell, imaging by Danielle Parisi.

Here Comes the Bridal Nail Art

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 2:14:23 PST

Seven nail artists were asked to create a range of designs for brides-to-be using the most popular wedding themes — beach, country, fantasy, and garden. Taking into account the varying levels of every bride's personal style, they've created designs from “simple” (any bride would feel comfortable wearing), to “middle of the road” (some brides would prefer) to “out there" (adventurous nails that most brides wouldn’t wear — but they’d look amazing if they did!).

Our Nail Artists: AMY TOMLINSON, At Your Fingertips, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada; ANGELA JONES, Beauti Fetish Salon, Modesto, Calif.; JENNIFER BRICKL, Especially Nails by Jennifer, Madison, Wis.; COCO HAYANO, Ville de CoCo, Honolulu, Hawaii; LORRAINE DIANA TISDALE, NailMania, Goose Creek, S.C.; JEN HLADKI, California Nail & Spa Supply, Citrus Heights, Calif.; and YELENA KAKUSCHKE, Absolutely Nailart Inc., Weston, Fla.

Nail Art photography by Kelly Bracken

10 Cute Salon Uniforms

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:38:55 PST

“Uniform” doesn’t have to mean identical, cookie-cutter, or always consistent. Check out these fashion-forward salon uniforms — perfect for salons with a sense of style.

International Sensations: Swedish Nail Art

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 9:13:51 PST

Our friends at Swedish nail magazine naglar i norden turned us on to two nail sensations in Europe. Ukrainian-born Iryna Giblett lives in Stockholm, Sweden, where she runs the popular nail salon Iryna’s Nails. She’s been a nail tech for eight years and has trained with EZ Flow, Christio, and Kinetics Professional Nail Systems. Check out even more of Giblett’s nail designs at www.irynasnails.com. Margarita Belska is an international educator for Kinetics Professional Nail Systems and recently opened her own nail school in London, where she’s now based. Check out even more of Belska’s nail designs at www.margaritabelska.com.

Mini-Masterpiece Contest Winners Revealed (2008)

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 2:42:45 PST

2008 winners: For the second year in a row, the extraordinary talent of nail tech Dawn Minton won over the judges of NAILS’ annual Mini-Masterpiece Contest. Minton, a tech at A New Beginning Salon & Spa in Rensselaer, Ind., took third place as well. Amy Butler of Paradise Hair & Nails in Casper, Wyo., earned a second-place win. Both Butler and Minton chose a work of Pablo Picasso as their inspiration. A big thank you and a round of applause go to everyone who entered. Click on "View Photos" to enjoy a sampling of their fine artwork.

View a gallery of the 2009 Mini-Masterpiece winners here:

American Beauty: NAILS 2009 Mini Masterpiece Winners

Pardon My French

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 5:59:36 PST

Break free of the usual pink-and-white constraints with this creative gallery of alternative French nail art styles. Get inspired with bold colors, unique filing, and clever smile lines. Photography by Kelly Bracken.

Mining for Color: Fall Colors Strike It Rich

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 4:24:23 PST

There's a sparkle and shine to the fall's latest nail polish colors. When we saw them all, we had a "gem" of an idea: to shoot the polishes as if they were creating the gemstones themselves. Most polish makers this season had a jewel-box of colors: hearty blues, emeralds, and anthracite. The red palette covered the spectrum from rubies to orangey-golds. The red-browns were luscious, going purple-sapphire to lilac and aubergine. View the fall's latest offerings in this photo gallery.

The Boutique: Cool Retail Items

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 6:36:06 PST

This gallery showcases unique goods available for retailing in your salon. General information and website links give you the scoop on cool items to enliven your retail business.

NAILS Cover Tech Contest - Years 2004 to 2006

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 5:38:58 PST

Great Looking Pedicure Areas to Inspire Your Inner Designer

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 7:22:13 PST

There is nothing that can more quickly relax a client (or tech) than a beautifully designed pedicure area. Peruse these pedicure areas for ideas on chair placement, ergonomics, decor, color schemes, and furniture choices.

For added inspiration, visit More Great Looking Pedicure Areas.

Show Those Toes

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:56:20 PST

With summertime heating up, clients are going to be eager to show off some bare feet and cool their heels, and what better way to sport the look than with some fun and fashionable acrylic toenail art.

My Favorite Piece of Salon Decor

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 4:45:50 PST

Do you have a chair or lamp in the salon that you just adore? Most nail techs do, so we asked our readers to tell us why they loved a certain furnishing.

History of Nail Care

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 5:59:54 PST

We hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane. Please email your stories, memories, historical photos, and archives to us so we can consider them for this ongoing history "exhibit." Submit stories to cyndy.drummey@bobit.com.