Nailing the Perfect Smile Line
Having a crisp, deep smile line can set your work apart from other nail techs in your area. It’s one of the easiest ways to advertise yourself as an above-average tech who puts extra effort into her services. CND educator Kimberly Jones, of Patrick’s of Atlanta in Buford, Ga., explains how she gets these great-looking smile lines.
by Tim Crowley
LeChat Nail Architecture Dot Design
LeChat’s Nail Architecture acrylic system was created for the fashion-conscious individual. These designer color acrylic powders come in elegant packaging, and are strong and easy to apply. The Nail Architecture system offers a spectrum of colors that will enhance the elegance and appearance of any fashionable nail art design.
Upcoming Education: Global Artist Forum, LCN Master Classes, Nail University
Upcoming educational events include the first Global Artist Forum in Kansas, LCN Master Classes taught by Somer Downes, and Shari Finger's Nail University in Elgin, Ill.
Royal Precision Brush
NSI’s Royal Precision Brush is ergonomically designed for balance and comfort.
Mini Blocks
Star Nails’ Mini Blocks are pre-cut buffing blocks designed to not only be cost effective but also environmentally friendly.
Septiblock Sanitizable File Block
Backscratchers’ Septiblock Sanitizable File Block has stick-on abrasives that come off so the block can be soaked in disinfectant.
Perfect Color Powders Collection
CND’s Perfect Color Powders Collection allows techs to custom-blend and create natural-looking nail enhancements.
How can nail techs be sure they aren’t compromising the strength of an enhancement by adding too many embellishments?
A current trend is to add glitter, mylar, and other embellishments to nail enhancements, but how can nail techs be sure they aren’t compromising the strength of the enhancement and causing premature service breakdown by adding too much? Sometimes the glitter tips I’ve sculpted break off at the free edge, causing clients to doubt my abilities. (This occurs more often in gels than acrylics.)
Clay Cane Slicing for Nail Art
Debbie from beautytech.com demonstrates how to slice nail art Clay Canes really thin. The polymer clay canes might have to be warmed before slicing, it depends on the brand of clay used (Fimo, Sculpty or any number of other brands. See www.beautytech.com/shoppe for more info on slicing and application with acrlics and gel enhancements.
Extreme Tips
INM’s new Extreme Tips have a deep C-curve and smile line for the professionally sculpted look.
Removing Acrylic Nails: A D-I-Y Checklist
For those rare occasions when one of your clients has to remove her acrylics on her own, outside of the salon, make sure she is prepared and does it correctly so she does not damage her nails. Here’s a tear-out do-it-yourself sheet for your clients and some tips from fellow nail techs on how to handle this subject with your clients.
Making A Flower Cane In Polymer Clay
Margo Therien demonstrates how we make one of our flower canes in polymer clay. These canes are used for a variety of projects, from lightswitch covers to beads to nail art.
Corsets, Of Course
These intricate designs, made from acrylic nail products, were winners of a Design-A-Corset Competition recently held in Australia.
by Sree Roy
From Russia, With Love
Check out these step-by-step nail art designs with international appeal. They were created by students at the award-winning Russian School of Nail Enhancement OleHouse in Moscow.
by Sree Roy
Quick Tips: Acrylic Backfills
OPI educator and guest artist Lynn Ackerson-Warren gives some quick tips on acrylic backfills.
by Tim Crowley
Education Across the Nation
No need to go to a show--attend one of these traveling two-day seminars.
Mini Arctic Blocks
PNI's Mini Arctic Blocks are economical and designed for one-time use to enhance sanitation.