Nail Design
Take a Tip From ... Color Club’s Mare Horak
Getting a good product application can be tough enough just using acrylics or gels, but when you start adding nail art embellishments like glass beads, crushed flowers, small rhinestones, or tiny seashells, you have to take extra care to prevent lifting. Art Club educator Mare Horak explains how she uses embellishments without compromising enhancement quality.
by Tim Crowley
Light Elegance Fiber Gel
Light Elegance has re-released an old favorite, Fiber Gel. Fiber Gel is a UV-cured gel that contains fiberglass mixed into the gel. The fiber is strong and can be used on fills and full-sets, and it is a self-leveling product. When cured, the fiberglass becomes locked together to form a blanket of strength.
The Lammers Method
This method for backfilling pink-and-white enhancements takes only a few seconds to learn, but it can save minutes on your service times and give you beautiful, laser-crisp smile lines. Lammers says once you’ve mastered this technique, you’ll wonder why you did it any other way.
Top Nails at Topshop
The much-anticipated grand opening of U.K. clothing retailer Topshop took Manhattan by storm in April, and nail techs Julia Werman, Mika Ogawa, and Maki Sakamoto (all of New York City nail salon Valley) were there to do mini-manicures on the customers. The techs polished the women’s fingernails with China Glaze’s Simply Stunning (a bronze), Recycle (gray), and Shocking Pink (hot pink).
What Is...Sequined?
Embellished with disc-shaped shiny beads to add sparkle and reflect light.
by Sree Roy
Freedom Flight
Step-by-step by Brenda Baker, Miss LaVon’s Beauty College, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Swirl Girl
Step-by-step by Jennifer Mather, Polished Nail Design Group Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Pure Patriot
Step-by-step by Joanne Truitt, Boca Nail Depot, Boca Raton, Fla.
Stars & Stripes Forever
Step-by-step by Ellen Nycz, Plainsboro, N.J.
Flower French
Step-by-step by Jayne Berger, Cissna Park, Ill.
Going for a Spin
Step-by-step by Julia Barrios, ASP Aspire educator, Hatillo, Puerto Rico
An Open [Nail Art] Book
Brothers Robert and Vu Nguyen are stars on the nail competition circuit, have done nails for numerous magazine covers, and taught nail workshops nationwide. The duo now taps into their wealth of expertise with their release of 1-2-3 Nail Art, a series of nail art tutorial books that feature designs from beginner to advanced.
by Sree Roy
Cell Phone Decoration with Nail Art Pens: Flower
Migi Nail Art consultant Dena Parro shows how to use the company’s nail art pens to decorate your phone.
Summer Nail Trend: Matte Finish
OPI and Zoya are both released matte-finish nail polishes this month, the perfect wear-if-you-dare trendsetting look.
Behind the Scenes: Shooting for the Star(s)
Elaine Watson, Star Nail International vice president of marketing and global education director, created our July cover’s fabric with resin and UV sealer-encapsulated nails. You can use just about anything — have your client bring in their old favorite piece of clothing.
by Hannah Lee
Summer Nail Trend: Handpainted Lace Enhancements
Set your clients up for summer lovin’ with delicate lace patterns, created with gels and airbrush paint.
Summer Nail Trend: Bright, Punchy Colors
Summer calls for manicures and pedicures in “notice-me” shades, the perfect complement to the season’s bright floral prints and gladiator sandals.