That's My Jam

{proceeds donated} Nepal Relief Wraps Available til Friday, May 8

2015-05-07T08:22:00.001-07:00

Jamberry is donating 100% of net proceeds from this exclusive design to UNICEF in their efforts to aid Nepal after the disastrous earthquake.

Only available thru Friday, May 8th so order place your order now at: http://maureenheck.jamberrynails.net/product/nepal-relief#.VUuCp0ZHaJK

Flash Sale this Wednesday!

2015-04-28T15:11:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday 4/29 (HUMPDAAAY!) I'm giving people a chance to buy from my inventory without tax or shipping, AND get a multiple-sheet discount! It's happening live on Facebook. You might just find something awesome like a retired or exclusive design that's no longer available... Share, post, tell a friend - everyone loves a deal!

1. Just follow this link and JOIN so you get a reminder: https://www.facebook.com/events/1574835642795182/

2. Log onto the Facebook party page at 7PM PST and as I start posting pictures of my stash, just comment on the sheets you want to claim. It's first come, first serve!

Prices as follows:

1 sheet $15

2 sheets for $25

4 sheets for $40

I'll accept PayPal payments to maureen.s.heck@gmail.com OR a $25/40 gift certificate purchased through MY Jamberry site: maureenheck.jamberrynails.net

3. As soon as I receive your payment and confirm your selections I'll get them in the mail and you'll be jammin' in just a few days!

Choosing a Jamberry Base Coat

2015-04-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

Using a base coat under your wraps is a great way to protect your nails (or ensure longer wear under lacquer). If you're having trouble deciding which Jamberry base coat to try, here's a visual for you.

I've been using the strengthening base coat under my wraps for around a month, and it thickens and protects my nails very well. However, today I wore a glimmer (metallic) wrap which shows every little ridge! (See pinky nail in the photo above). After doing my pinky nail and noticing the ridges, I quickly applied the Smoothing base coat on the rest of my nails and look at the difference! It gives that thick, smooth, almost acrylic-like look. Like pools of liquid metal.

It's more noticeable in person so I took a quick video too (you might need to go full-screen if possible):

Just to reiterate, my pinky nail has Strengthening base coat and the rest have Smoothing. I'm normally very happy with the strengthening base coat and it makes my nails feel thicker, stronger, and protects them from the super strong adhesive. But if you have severe ridges or wear a lot of the metallics, I would choose the smoothing base coat.

Here is a direct link to the base coats: http://maureenheck.jamberrynails.net/category/nail-lacquer

It's subtle but it does make a pretty big difference live and in living color!

{monthly exclusives} April 2015

2015-04-03T10:44:00.001-07:00

New month, new exclusive designs! The April Sisters Style Exclusive is the Italian inspired Bellagio...

You can find the April SSE here: http://maureenheck.jamberrynails.net/product/bellagio#.VR7QP0ZHaJI

If you have a qualifying party in April and earn 3 months of Hostess Exclusives, you could earn the newly-released June seashell design...

Find the current Hostess Exclusives here: http://maureenheck.jamberrynails.net/shop/hostess_exclusive/

Quick Change

2015-03-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

Did you see my cute St. Patrick's Day on Facebook? I'm an Irish girl, for sure. But now I'm over it, so today I quickly swapped out my St. Patrick's Day shamrocks for a monochromatic mani.

Before:

After:

They're so freakin' sparkly and look like honest-to-God glitter polish, except they're not a pain to remove!

One more time...

Before, #shamrockinjn :

After, #midnightskyjn (which is now retired but the new Tungsteen sparkle is very similar):

You get the picture :)

{giveaway} The 2-wrap Jamberry pedi

2015-03-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love the feeling of a fresh Jamberry pedi, especially knowing it will last a couple of months. It's hard to believe you get a full pedi from just 2 wraps. I'm sure you have seen this diagram floating around Pinterest and Facebook:

True, the 2-wrap pedi requires a little more trimming and takes a little more time than doing your hands, but you get more out of your sheet this way. Plus it lasts so long it's worth the extra effort. And I LOVE not worrying about smudging my toes when I'm done. Sometimes I try to take a shortcut and put a wrap on my big toe and paint the rest, which always end up smudged and with gunk sticking to my little toes. Ew.

Anyway, I just want to elaborate on how to get a perfect 2-wrap pedi. So of the two largest wraps on the sheet, choose the one that fits your big toe. Big toes can be shaped weird so if you want a custom fit, try this trick.

Then cut the other one into 8 sections, like so:

I used the curved corner pieces to do my 2nd and middle toes, and the square pieces with the straight edges to do my 4th and pinky toes (they usually have a pretty straight/square cuticle anyway).

You just need to trim the little corners off to fit the width of your little toes. I just hold it up to the toe and eyeball it. Then heat, apply, and trim as per usual. Oh, and I use clippers instead of filing - timesaver!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Much better!

Want to try for yourself for free? Either sign up for my mailing list or subscribe to my blog and comment to let me know you did, and I'll send you a free pedi! While supplies last.

{monthly exclusives} March 2015

2015-03-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

This month's SSE is a colorful stripe inspired reminiscent of a beach towel, aptly named Spring Break. It's only available in March, so if you like it, snap it up here!

We also get a preview of the May Hostess Exclusive, a minty green Santa Fe sort of design. It coordinates beautifully with so many of our wraps.

When you host a party (on Facebook or at home) you can potentially earn the 3 upcoming exclusives - so a $400 party in March would earn you the March, April & May Hostess Exclusives (plus so much more). You can request a party here, or just hit me up anywhere!

March Stylebox

2015-03-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

I am in love with Stylebox this month. Love. You get two exclusive, matte designs: a chevron/floral and pastel ombré mixed mani. Did I mention I love these?

Since I don't have pictures of the ombré on hands yet, here's a video preview too: http://youtu.be/ltTjwBBHbRk

To get the March box you need to subscribe by 3/15, you can do so here: http://maureenheck.jamberrynails.net/stylebox/Start.aspx

I can't wait to get this chevron on my toes!! It's going to be so cute.

And now BOTH products in every stylebox will be exclusive, how awesome is that?! Exclusives are very easy to trade! What are you waiting for?!

{WINNER} February Stylebox giveaway

2015-02-28T16:58:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Laura R. - You won my February Stylebox giveaway! Thanks for subscribing :)

Facebook Party in Progress!

2015-02-25T17:50:00.001-08:00

Online parties are trending right now, and if you want to see how it works, follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1576050652638404/

I'm having an open-invite party to salute the many designs being retired at the end of the month. Join the party to be entered in a Starbucks drawing, and if you have fun, you can host your own party and use your hostess rewards on all the awesome new designs coming out March 1st!

A glimpse of some of the retiring wraps (see them all at http://maureenheck.jamberrynails.net/category/going-going-gone )

{GIVEAWAY} February Stylebox with bonus sheet!

2015-02-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

Jamberry is at New York Fashion Week, how cool is that?! How I wish I were the nail tech backstage wrapping models and celebs! Here's a little fun fact for ya... Jamberry is similar to Minx, a professional manicure made famous by stars like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. My friend has had both (Jamberry and Minx) and says it's the same darn thing! Anyhoo, inspired by Fashion Month, the February stylebox exclusive is this cute, springy, wavy check graphic... And you also get Teal Mini Polka, and a file and orange stick bien sur, AND this bonus card with some of the NEW deigns that will be coming out in March!!

All that for 25-bucks and free shipping (less than the cost of 2 sheets)! It's too late to subscribe since the cutoff is the 15th but I will share mine!

If you would be so kind as to subscribe to receive posts by email, and comment to ensure you're in the drawing, then I'll pick a random winner at the end of the month :) The winner will receive 1/2 of the exclusive design, and if I get at least 10 new followers, I'll pick a second winner who will get the bonus sneak preview. Winner will be announced in a new post, so make sure you verify your subscription so you don't miss it.

So 1) subscribe 2) comment 3) good luck!

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{Monthly exclusives} February 2015

2015-02-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks late but nonetheless, a new month brings new designs to Jamberry fans! This month's SSE (Sisters Style Exclusive) is Serendipity, a gorgeous watercolor-esque in shades of pink.

And the April HE (Hostess Exclusive) has been released, another pink floral to celebrate spring. (Hostesses can receive the upcoming 3 months of exclusives, which is why they're releasing April in February).

Check out our awesome hostess rewards program, the rewards start at just $100 (and the average party is $300)! I'd love to do a Facebook party for ya, just comment or message me for details!

Order at www.maureenheck.jamberrynails.net
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New Charity Wrap! American Heart Association

2015-02-16T15:20:00.000-08:00

Jamberry has introduced a new design to benefit the American Heart Association, available for a limited time. How CUTE is this for nurses, too?!

Check out these celebs wearing it on the red carpet...

Order here!

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Free Jamberry for my hostesses!

2015-02-05T09:18:00.001-08:00

I'm looking for ladies who want to host an online party in February! I'm offering a mani/pedi (that's a 1/2 sheet) to my hostess with the mostest PLUS all those sweet hostess rewards. Then you can spend those hostess rewards on the new catalog in March!! (Party must reach $50 for the 1/2 sheet, and it's in addition to the hostess rewards).

Have I told you how EASY it is to host a Facebook party? I set it up and do all the work and you just invite your friends and play along. There's even a prize or giveaway for one of your guests!

Jamberry hostess rewards are very generous, they begin at only a $100 party!

3 ways to store your Jamberry nail wraps

2015-01-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

If you have the Jamberry application kit or a similar sized cosmetics bag for your manicure supplies, that will hold a few sheets nicely. But when your collection grows, there are some cute, inexpensive storage options...

Get a little photo album from the dollar store!

Or an accordion folder from Target or the dollar store.

I have both because the album is a nice way to display my inventory, and I use the accordion folder for my personal stash and I'm able to separate the exclusive designs, from the pedis and used sheets/leftovers, etc. Simple and cheap, what could be better?

>>> Order from my link and I'll send you a little starter album and some extras: www.maureenheck.jamberrynails.net/shop (Order 2 or more sheets, no gift certificate payments please). Comment to let me know you've ordered, and email me your mailing address!

{love this look} French manicure accent nail

2015-01-27T10:56:00.000-08:00

I was always a fan of acrylic French manicures, but I'm too cheap to maintain them. I LOVE the Jamberry French tip wraps, and I'm just starting to love this trend of wearing it as the accent nail. Normally I would wear all French with one fanciful accent, but reversing it such a cute twist. Jamberry even makes tips in colors, florals, animal prints and more. Here is a direct link to Jamberry French tips.

Basic Jamberry Nails application video showing 4 methods (includingbaggie, rice bag and spoon pusher)

2015-01-23T17:03:00.000-08:00

I try to keep my videos short and sweet with loads of helpful tips. This one is on the longer side but I promise you'll learn a lot! It covers the popular "baggie method" as well as other options for that final heat/press step. I'll highlight some of the key points below:

Prep

Condition the nail with oil and hand cream several times between applications.
It's good to use a cuticle remover at least occasionally.
Clean nails with alcohol or vinegar prior immediately before applying new wraps.

Application

Handle the wrap with a cuticle pusher to keep the oils from breaking down the adhesive
Use a rubber tip cuticle pusher (or a wine cork!) to seal edges
Do one whole hand before you trim/file the excess (this allows a little cooling time)

4 options for the final heat/press step

Just apply more heat directly to the nail and use your rubber tip cuticle pusher again to seal the edges and tips
"The Baggie Method" wrap a plastic sandwich bag TIGHT around each nail, then apply more heat for simultaneous heat/pressure
"The Rice Bag Method" heat a rice bag in the microwave and pinch it around the fingers
Warm the metal spoon pusher and use it like an iron to seal edges

Here is what a spoon pusher looks like, it's good for prep too! You can get it at the beauty supply but it's MUCH cheaper online. This is an affiliate link:

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"The Tape Trick" for trimming Jamberry wraps to fit odd shaped nails (with video)

2015-01-23T16:23:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while, someone will have that one funky nail -- maybe it's a little crooked or maybe the cuticle is a bit tapered. I have a nail like that (tapered) so sometimes I trim one of the larger wraps down so it fits perfectly. (Sometimes I'll just use a smaller wrap and have some exposed nail, but I know that would drive some people cray cray). I can't take credit for the idea, I picked it up from a fellow consultant, but it is brilliant and easy. You make a reusable template from painters tape or masking tape! This is really great for big toes which usually have a weird angled slope on one side. And it's an EXCELLENT way to use the leftover wraps that are too large and trim them down to get a 3rd manicure from a sheet, or if you just need an accent nail. The video is pretty short (3 minutes), and here's a series of pictures if you prefer:

Helpful tips on how to hold the wrap when applying Jamberry nails

2015-01-22T18:41:00.002-08:00

For beginners! A quick video showing 3 different ways to hold the wrap when applying your Jamberry... the "fold back", the "thumb close up" and the "balancing orange stick". Your very first application might feel awkward but once you get in the groove you will be a pro before you know it! Some people use tweezers, too, which I haven't tried yet. The main thing is to avoid touching the wrap too much because the oils from your fingers can break down the adhesive. After I made the video I remembered a 4th way -- stick it on the end of the cuticle pusher (as pictured above) and this also prevents the wrap from curling too much which can make the application challenging.

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What is Jamberry Stylebox?

2015-01-20T11:23:00.000-08:00

If you already love Jamberry, you definitely need to know about Stylebox! StyleBox is a beauty subscription for your nails! You get exclusive products delivered each month, plus it's discounted AND you get free shipping. Honestly, if you love Jamberry, you can't beat it.

Here's the official video...

So each month you get 2 sheets (or 1 sheet and 1 lacquer) -- at least 1 of the designs is exclusive, sometimes both. (>>>UPDATE in March, Jamberry announced that going forward both products will be exclusive designs!). They also add a file and an orange stick because you always need more of those. And sometimes there's another bonus, like this pink lipstick that came in the January box.

In October we got these cute bonus decals...

You can start with as short as a 3-month plan, and then go month to month (which is what I did). You can gift your box and even skip a month once per quarter. If you sign up in a party, the hostess gets credit/rewards on the whole subscription value -- that's why I usually recommend the hostess orders it in her own party. Are you suddenly feeling like having a party?!

I know what you're thinking and no, you don't get to pick the wraps. And yes, there is a risk that you'll get something you don't like. But I can help you trade if you don't like it, so don't fret!

When you sign up, you take a quiz to find out your style, but, between you and me, it won't change what's in the box - they're all the same. But each month they make a cute video with style tips. Take the quiz here!

Jamberry January Stylebox (order by Jan. 15)

2015-01-15T11:19:00.001-08:00

I'm in love with this month's Stylebox-- two exclusive wraps and a bonus lipstick! If you don't know what Stylebox is, read this first.

Here I am sporting the lipstick, it's really intense but softer if you blot or gloss over it. Feels good on the lip too!

The sparkle ombré is indescribably beautiful...

The other sheet has three designs. I love the arrows which I'm wearing with Pink Tint French tips and Melt My Heart.

You can sign up for Stylebox on my Jamberry website!

It's a great deal because discounted and you get free shipping.

Video: How to trim Jamberry Nail Wraps for Square Cuticles

2015-01-13T17:28:00.002-08:00

Here's a very short video showing how to trim down a wrap for a squared off cuticle, and "tuck" the wrap under the cuticle with the cuticle pusher. Easy peasy!

Video: Official Jamberry Removal FAST & EASY

2015-01-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick (4 1/2 minute) video showing how I remove my Jamberry nail wraps. It's the official method that's on the back of the packaging, and my preferred method. (Eventually I'll talk about some of the other methods). If you don't make it to the end of the video, here are some important points that I don't want you to miss:

break the seal near the cuticle, soak in non-acetone polish remover around 20 seconds, peel gently to the tips, soak another few seconds, and slip the wraps off
tinted nail polish removers have added moisturizing/strengthening ingredients that will leave behind a residue that will interfere with the bond when you apply your next set, so make sure you always prep with alcohol or vinegar and never nail polish remover
I recommend removing your wraps in the morning and using nail/cuticle oil and hand cream throughout the day to recondition the nail before reapplying at night (or the next day)

I hope you find this helpful! Click here for the YouTube link.

Free Shipping Today 1/11/14

2015-01-11T12:06:00.001-08:00

I'm celebrating 100 likes on Facebook! I'm offering free shipping today (Sunday Jan. 11, 2015) -- if you order thru my site I'll personally reimburse your shipping cost. (You cannot use a gift card with this offer.)

Since the blog is still new, many people won't see this but I still want to get in the habit of posting my specials here! So follow me on Facebook or Blogger so you don't miss any deals! Hopefully in the future I will have the ability to give shipping codes but for now I have to either reimburse you, OR you can PayPal me and I'll order for you and have it shipped to you.

Jamberry is cute on short nails too!

2015-01-03T19:49:00.001-08:00

Contrary to what you might think, Jamberry nail wraps look super cute on even the shortest nails! They even help nail biters grow out their nails. I just hacked mine off and here's me wearing Sweet Whismy in matte finish.