6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
Secret Ingredient: Mica
The term MICA comes from the Latin word micare, which means to shine or glitter.
by Staff
March 1, 20082 min to read
What it is: A transparent mineral that is mined from the earth usually in thin sheets; Muscovite is the most common mica mineral. It is also called white mica.
Where it comes from: Mica is mined all over the world. In the U.S., scrap and flake mica comes from Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Canada, India, Finland, and Japan all export flake mica to the U.S.
Properties: Mica crystals are six-sided. They are relatively light, soft, and flexible. The best way to tell a mica is by the thin, transparent sheets that it splits into.
Mineralogists call micas sheet silicates because their molecules combine to form distinct layers. They are often found in igneous rocks such as granite and metamorphic rocks such as schist. Mica layers are what make some rocks sparkle. Although mica is often thought to have its own particular color, the different colors of micas are produced by the optical reflection of their multiple layers. The theory behind the colors of mica is the same as that of rainbows or soap bubbles (neither the rainbows nor soap bubbles have their own color). We see the different colors through the light interference of the mica base and the thin film of titanium dioxide coating the base.
What it’s good for: Mica is a common ingredient in nail polish, helping give it a lustrous sheen. Even though mica is naturally occurring, micas as found in nail polish, is classified as toxic and also as a bioaccumulator (meaning it tends to accumulate in the bodies of animals, including humans). Nevertheless, mica is at present classified as a low risk nail polish ingreedient. According to CND's chief scientific advisor Doug Schoon, "Mica is very safe to use in cosmetics."
Where you’ll find it: nail polish, mineral cosmetics
Other uses: It is also used as in electronic insulators (Mica is heat-resistant and does not conduct electricity.), paint (as a pigment extender and a suspension agent), in the well-drilling industry (as an additive to drilling “muds”), as well as the plastics and rubber industries as a filler. Colonial Americans used the thin sheets of large mica crystals as glass for windows.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Wellness
The Invisible Hazard in Every Nail Salon and How to Fight It
From acrylic monomers to airborne bio-dust, the air inside a nail salon carries risks most professionals never see coming. Aerovex Systems reveals the source-capture and room-purification strategies that are setting a new standard for salon safety.
Sponsored by Aerovex Systems
Nail Safety Council Warns Holiday Shoppers About Toxic 'Magic' Gel Polish Removers
Products marketed as 'magic' or 'burst' gel removers may contain methylene chloride, a federally banned, highly toxic chemical.
How Beauty Pros Can Prevent Pain: Somatic Movement for Career Longevity
Working in beauty doesn’t have to hurt. Learn how Somatic Movement helps hairstylists, lash artists, and other beauty pros release tension, improve posture, and extend their careers.
Spa Day, Safe Day: Stop Fungal Infections in Their Tracks
As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.
Federal Research on Nail Salon Safety Concludes Due to Budget Reductions
A federal initiative aimed at studying chemical exposure in nail salons has ended due to staffing and budget changes. Here’s what the project set out to do—and what its conclusion means for salon professionals.
by Anne Moratto
Opinion: What You Need to Know About Pedicure Safety
For many people, a pedicure is a relaxing beauty ritual. But what most don’t realize is that this simple service, if done without proper hygiene and sanitation, can cause serious infections and long-term health issues.
Onycholysis: What Nail Pros Should Know About Nail Separation
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. While it may look painful, it typically isn’t—at least not at first. But without proper care, this common nail disorder can lead to infections, deformities, and long-term damage.
What to Say--or Not Say--to Someone Grieving
Mckenzie Kool, Psychologist, MC, RPsych provides us with guidance on what may or not be helpful in speaking with someone who has suffered a significant loss.
Protecting Your Clients From Viral Infections
Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).
Beauty Professionals, It's Time to Take the Green Pledge
As Earth Day approaches, The Green Beauty Community Foundation and the Green Spa Network invite beauty pros to step forward and embrace sustainability through the Green Pledge--a powerful initiative designed by and for beauty industry leaders.
How Not to Be Cynical About Valentine's Day
Don’t cancel Valentine’s Day altogether, urges Jill Palmquist. Instead, think of it as a (frilly, flowery, Champagne-bubbly) wake-up call to fall deeply in love with your own life.
Temporary Burnout or Time to Hang Up the Shears?
Life coach and Culture Ambassador of Sam Villa, Andrew Carruthers, outlines how to tell if your burnout is temporary - or if it's time to make a bigger career change.
Nail Care and Cancer Treatment: 6 Tips for a Safe Nail Service
Cancer treatment can create very specific challenges for your guest when it comes to hair, skin, and also nails. Here are some tips for working with your salon client who is going through cancer treatment to help you provide a relaxing, enjoyable, and also safe experience.
Sun Patch Protects Hands from Sun Damage
For those clients concerned about exposure from UV lamps, the Sun Patch might be a solution. Sun Patches are waterproof, reusable (up to 10 wears) block 98% of UVA/UVB rays, and maintain their UPF 50+ rating all day long.
by Anne Moratto
The Nail Doctor: Onycholysis, or Nail Separation, Has Different Varieties
One of the most common conditions that affects the nail is onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. Onycholysis occurs as a result of or along with a great variety of nail traumas and disorders. Probably the most common cause of onycholysis is a fungal infection of the nail.
Standing Stretches for Physical Longevity
Hairdressing is a physically taxing career integrating simple stretches into your daily routine can reduce the strain repetitive motion puts on your body, help you stay flexible and strong and eventually prolong your career.