JennLoves Posh Perfectly Posh Giveaway

If you haven't heard of Perfectly Posh by now you need to go and read my last blog post.

I love this stuff so much that we're selling it in the salon and I'm using it exclusively for my acrylic and gel nail services.

Go check out our Posh website and come back here and enter to win a posh to meet you bundle with two of my favorite Posh products and a Chapstick. You can buy this bundle yourself for only $20. It's a great way to try out Posh but also a great gift.

The Posh to meet you bundle is a perfect gift for yourself or others because you actually get to pick the difference hand cream trunk and lip balm that you want.

Enter here and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3D Nail ART

3D Nail ART

Sculpted nails used to be synonymous with Acrylic nails. Now it's a whole new world or nail art that can start with you sculpting acrylic but not just into pretty natural looking nail shapes. Sculpted nails are now taking Nail Art to the next level. Acrylic manufacturers have developed slower setting acyclic products with lower viscosity to allow nail artists to sculpt beautiful creation on the nail bed.

 

 Flowers to pop art, you can find all kinds of amazing examples. Some are just subtle and surprising when your realize the design is in 3D. Some are stunning and wild, and hard to believe people can function with them on. 

But in the ever more elaborate nail art world,  Dhemere Ford and Sarah C. Awad, two NYU art students, calling themselves The Laser Girls are producing the easiest and coolest sculpted nail art in a press-on. Yes! A press on! "It seemed like every aspect of fashion was being 3D printing is being used in anything, and now thanks to these brilliant young women it's come to our world!!  Celebrities and fashion designer have using over the top 3D nail art to make a statement on the runways for a while. These girls are making the big statement available to everyone, everywhere. 

 

 I am out of my mind enthralled with this idea. Check them out on tumblr or at their shop!

 

 

 

Who gets nail art done, really?- Nail ART 101 For clients

Nail ART 101-For clients

Every so often I have a client in the chair that asks me, "Do people really get nail art done?".  My first thought to that is, "Are all my clients hermits??".  I look over at my coworker and wonder if she knows hers are all gloving up as they leave.....

I know that's not the case but I think when I ask people if they want nail art, they immediately think of the long bright nails on our salon magazine covers with 3D bows and dangling Navy anchors or pearl strands.  For example:

January 2014 Nailpro Cover by Max Estrada

 

That's a lot to take in, and it's not even one the more out there designs we see on our industries magazines and even shows.  But that's not all nail art is.

 

Nail art runs that gamete from crazy sculpted creations like Max Estrada's design on this month's cover of Nailpro Magazine to the simple pink and white French manicure that your sweet Mimi has worn since your mom was little.   Most people think of the Frenchie as less done then polish but it is in fact nail art. Some of my favorite nail art manicures are different French designs.

 

  Web Image search of 'Nail Art' produced these and hundreds more.*

 

There is so much and so little you can do to spice of your nails a bit.  They don't have to be all over the place and catching your clothing.  They can be! And I'd LOVE to plan something out with someone! =))

If you are interested in the bolder stuff but hesitant to do your whole hand, find as wild an design as you could wear and do it on one finger or two and match a solid color polish to the other nails.  A bold design on the index and ring fingers only is my current favorite format.

If you want something simple start with a single swirl or stripe on all 10 nails.  Really simple on 1 nails seems like a safe idea, but usually look like you thought about it and quit.

While writing this I decided I should do a quick little project of my own for the post, on my winter wrecked nails.  What do you think? Simple and I loved it because it was quickly done while I was finding images and writing this post.

 

If your curious at all about having some nail art done, ask you nail tech to show you her designs.  If you like her skills, ask her to try a couple ideas, you two come up with, and have them on swatch for you to see next time you come in.  I'd be glad to plan ahead so much, so my client leaves in love with her nails and I am sure your girl would too.

*None of these nail art images are from my clients or myself. You will find them in the top 100 images on bing images if you search Nail Art, January 9th 2014.



Gel polish and Acrylics care tips and a mini OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers Review

Do you wear gel polish like Shellac, OPI Gel Polish, Gelish? Acrylic or gel nails?  Do you ever have problems with your gel polish peeling off early, or the acrylic or gel lifting (when your extension product starts to separate from your nail be)?

The problem might be how your caring for your hands and prepping for your services, not with the product or your nail tech.

The first culprit to look at is your hand & body lotions.  Products that contain mineral oil, lanolin and petroleum-based ingredients can cause lifting.  It's a fact, that has been know by the industry for years and why companies like OPI, CND and Tammy Taylor all developed and manufacture their own hand and body lotions that don't contain those ingredients.  It's such an old discovery it isn't talked about much anymore because it's a given.  Mineral oil, lanolin and petroleum-based ingredients soak into your skin and then can work back out threw your nail and skin, since they are not permanently absorbed by our body.  They are used just to seal in the moisture so it can soak in.  That stuff gets between the product and your nail and separate the two.

 

Your nail tech may never have told you because they may assume if you've worn overlays then you have been told by your old nail techs. As a practice I tell all my first time overlay clients and they can tell me they already know. I don't want to take any chances and want my clients to love their nails from the moment I am finished until they walk back in for a fill or reapplication in two weeks.

 

You can still use you normal body lotions, just be sure wash your hands well immediately afterward so it doesn't soak in and use a nail service safe product like OPI's Avojuice, or CND's Scentations on your hands. They a quick to absorb and contain mostly moisture and don't leave a slick or greasy feeling from the mineral oil, lanolin and petroleum-based ingredients. I know they don't feel as covered or rich.....but that isn't moisture like other brands want you to believe , it's a coating.  Even Lubriderm and Eucerin have those, but that is really what they are for. They are more to protect and seal then moisturize.

The other big factor can be what you do in the hour before your nail service appointment.  For acrylic, gel polish, and any overlay service besides standard polish you shouldn't be getting your nails soaked.  That should only be done for non gel manicures and pedicures.  You should come to your appointment having washed hands and scrubbed nails in creases and under nail with a nail brush and giving them ample time to thoroughly dry out your nail.  Do not put on lotion or oils after washing.  Your nail tech should sell brushes for less then $2 or if not you can by buy at any beauty store or even target and Walmart have so sort of nail brush in their health and beauty sections.

You just want your nails as clean and oil free as they can be before we apply your gel polish or acrylic.

Hopefully, you can use these tips and your acrylic and gel applications will be more beautiful longer and your nail tech will be that mush happier to see you when you come back in.  Well maintained services are easier and quicker to fill or maintain by her.

If your going to go find a nail safe lotion, I highly recommend OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers.  They come in a huge variety of scents, so good, I often call them flavors.  They have a few scents they keep year round but always have new ones to try.  Avojuice is a great fresh feeling moisture that doesn't have a lot of fillers and mineral oil, lanolin and petroleum-based products that can wreak havoc on a beautiful nail job.

OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers are pretty reasonable for a professional product you can buy for home. It can be found at all quality beauty supplies stores like Beauty Brands and should be available from your local Nail Tech.

If you need more protection on your cuticles and fingertips, don't go for that thick greasy lotion. Apply a light application of OPI Avoplex or CND Solar Oil.Both amazingly protective and softening but also a natural protectant.

Hello and Welcome to my World!

Welcome to my blog, In Love and Lacquer!

This is my first official post on this blog, that I have created to share my love of all things nails, polish and art with the rest of the world as I rediscover the craft, career and art of manicuring.

I thought I'd start off with a bit about myself.  My name is Jennifer Love K. and I got my manicuring license in 1995.  I started cosmetology school, but realized I was a 'natural' at nails, and they became my obsession.  I loved doing sculptured names, nail art, and finding ways to beautify and correct problems with natural nails.  I've done competitions at shows, and peer pressured almost all of my clients into art of some type.

My husband and I have 5 children in our blended family and 2 boys at home.  I am pretty spoiled by them and you'll see some little and big boy hands every now and again, as these guys will do anything for me!

My hands and nails won't always be in awesome shape and never hand model shape, but I'll try to hide the cuts and bruises!  I do other peoples nails, throw pottery, and clean a house full guys, dogs, and other pets and do a lot of volunteer work.   Most pictures will be of either my nails, clients, or friends.

                                       The normal me, not poking fun at swatches, just myself!

I am in love with color and sculpture and indulge in both though my work and play with natural and sculptured nails.
I will be indulging myself in the artist aspect of nail design, with posts on polish color, nail art styles and tutorials, sculptured nail design, but also in the professional aspects of my career and technical subjects like sanitation safety and product review.  I will also be posting color swatches weekly as I buy and try new lacquers obsessively.  And believe me, this is all coming off a lot fancier the it will be!

　
Hopefully you will find my blog entertaining and informative.  I'm new to this so bare with my pictures, grammer, and rambling.  I would love feedback of all sorts, comments, suggestions, and sharing! I am also setting up a Facebook page so you can follow me there and here on blogspot and not miss a thing.