Resumes Do's and Don'ts

    Most Prespective employers will want you to produce a resume.  Many people are unsure of what to put and all that nice stuff.  Here I am to save the day and tell you a bit about resumes.
     A professional resume describes personal and prefessional characteristics in a brief, concise manner.  Some of the things to include in the resume(in order as they should appear on the resume) are: Personal data (name address phone email), Educational background , Additional Training, Previous employement, special skills or areas of expertise, and special awards or recongition.  Also  include: References, interests, objective. 
    Most Microsoft Word programs have a template that will help you make the best resume possible while spell checking it all.
     Try to keep it to one page.  Also look up scannable resumes now.  It's the new thing in resumes.  So you might make a scannable resume.  You can learn more about how to properly write a resume in any technical writing class, or go to the library to get a technical writing book for reference.

A Nail Tech Searching For A Job? This Is For You

    Successful people in any industry do the following: Define their goals, plan ahead, keep an open mind, and continue to learn.  To find out about nail care locations and possible job locations that are hiring or interviewing for future positions, consider several of these methods:talk to nail techs in your area who are employed they will know of any available positions, check the classifieds, talk to distributor sales consultants, (if you have a good school) check the school bulletin boards, mail out your resume to local salons and spas, check out websites of nail product companies and see if they know of anything.

Nonverbal Communication & Clients

    Nonverbal communiation is also called body language, messages are exchanged without ever even speaking.  Appearance, posture (my one flaw), poise, touch, facial expression, gestures, eye contact, and slience on your part are all nonverbal communication examples.  A person who sits bowed over and not sitting up straight (ME) shows the client you are not sure of yourself.  Eye Contact tells your client that he or she has your full attention.  Simple eye contact can validate and reassure a client.  It's a universal sign of acknowledgement and attention.

Ancient History of Nails

    For Thousands of years, a wide range of natural and manufactured products has been used by different cultures and classes to enhance and sustain the beauty of hands and feet.  For example: In some culturesm attractive hands and nails were simply seen as a part of good hygiene.In other cultures, well-manicured hands were set apart from the upper class and high society, or as a sex symbol.  Of course the tools of the trade have changed over and over again over time including to the present day.
    Much like estetics industry, the practice of nail art and design has been around for centuries.  THe chinese wore nail art as early as 3,000 B.C., and so did the ancient Egyptions since around 3,500 B.C.  The Chinese found ways to use gum arabic, egg whites, gelatin, and beeswax to create nail varnishes and lacquers. Egyptians used henna to stain their nails. 
    Egyptians used red to show the highest social class. It is said that Cleopatra's nails were painted a deep red, Queen Nefertiti sported a flashier rudy shade of red.  If a commener painted their nails a royal color it was punishable by death. 

How Does Essy Name Their Polishes

   Did you ever wondered how the polishes get their names that are printed on the bottom.  Bahama Mama, Shocked 0, Fairy Dust and so on....  Here is a video from Nail Pro letting you know how Essy names every bottle herself!

http://www.nailpro.com/watch-how-essie-nail-polishes-get-their-names

MINX Live Webcast Minxy Mondays For Nail Technicians

      As you all know I am a person who absorbs knowledge where ever I can grasp it.  Being in the middle of the country, with no real city to depend on, continueing my education usually ends in me driving a ways away to get education.  I cannot afford the fees, and gas is outragious! So therefore I look to webinars, nail pros test yourself, and other things.  Well Minx Nails has done it!  
     Minx Nails offers a weekly free live web broadcast that is available to nail technicians worldwide with the purpose of supporting them as they learn and perfect their Minx nail design applications.
     Minxy Mondays, a live Web broadcast which takes place at www.justin.tv/Minxinc most Monday mornings, 8am to 10am Pacific Time, helps manicurists who are just getting started to support them through the learning process. It also guides them through problems they might have come across in their experience applying Minx. Minxy Mondays is live and includes a full chat feature, which allows manicurists to bring their questions to the table in real time and get their answers in real time. Not only are questions answered verbally, but the problem and solution demonstrated.
     I did not find this till today.  I will repost after I have attended a web broadcast.  Until then keep learning!

The Secret Recipe Callus Softners What?!

     Callus softeners are potent liquid formulas applied to heavy callus areas to soften them for more effective pedicure filing. So what exactly is in these softeners? Here’s a generic low down of three of the most common active ingredients in callus softeners today. . The softeners are typically left on the callus for about five minutes, though this varies from brand to brand, and care is advised to limit skin exposure to only heavy callus. Techs are advised to wear gloves during applications and to make sure healthy skin does not come into contact with the softeners.  So what exactly is in these softeners that make it so volitile? Here’s a profile of three of the most common active ingredients in callus softeners today.
      Urine! But wait not the kind of pee we are thinking of, read on...Urea is an organic compound that has a super-hydrating effect on skin cells. Its function within callus softeners is to over-moisturize and hydrate the tough, thick callus so that it becomes soft and supple for the pedicure file to have a greater effect at filing it down. It is a naturally occurring chemical that is produced within many organisms. In humans, the liver produces urea as a nitrogen waste carrier in the metabolic process to take waste out of the body in urine. Most industrial urea is synthetic and produced from carbon dioxide and ammonia. (It’s also used in animal feed and fertilizer as a relatively cheap source of nitrogen.)
     Salicylic acid is an organic acid that derives originally from the bark of willow trees. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which has made its source compound, salicin, a model for aspirin. It also has the ability to break down fats and lipids. As of now, it is the only chemical the FDA has approved to be marketed as a callus “remover,” and acts to lift the dead skin cells off of callus for enhanced filing results. (It is also used to treat plantar warts and for exfoliating treatments for acne and psoriasis.)
     Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound that makes for a strong callus softener depending on the amount in the formula. It degrades the protein in the callus cells and works quickly to soften even the toughest of callus in preparation for filing. Cuticle removers often contain a small amount of potassium hydroxide to help clean nail plates. (It is used in many industries including in the production of soap, fertilizer, and biodiesel and can even be used as a disinfectant and cleaning agent on surfaces that can withstand its corrosive properties.)
    Now that you have the low down on callus softners, you will understand why gloves are needed.  I am one of those that sees something and says why the heck do we need gloves?!?  So I feel I should share my ah ha! moment!

Beau's Lines Last Installment With Picture

Mee’s lines are transverse white bands that frequently affect multiple nails, and are classically associated with arsenic poisoning.

Children and active adults commonly have one or more white lines or spots on one or more nails, a condition known as leukonychia.

Changes in the color of the moon (lunula) can be revealing—heart failure can turn it red, while tetracycline therapy can make it yellow.

I hope this helps break down what Beau's Lines are.  I found it interesting.  I realize it isn't as fun or exciting as my other feeds but I thought this to be informative for a few nail techs.

Beau's Lines installment 3 Treatment

How To Treat Beau’s LinesDespite the long list of causes, there are a few things you can do to help a client with Beau’s lines, and a few things your client can do to help herself. The first step in preventing this condition from coming back is to refer your client to her doctor. In many cases, she may have a history of the above conditions. As a nail technician, you are not able to diagnose or treat her condition, but her doctor will be able to give her instructions on how to proceed.
After your client has seen her physician and gets the green light for a nail service, you then have a couple of options. Offer her a set of enhancements, especially if she considers the lines unappealing. But do not apply enhancements if the client has yet to see a doctor to evaluate the cause of the Beau’s lines. You can also provide your client with a natural nail manicure and polish the nails with her favorite color. But be careful; the grooves on the nail mean there isn’t as much nail growth, so you don’t want to file the ridges in an attempt to smooth the nail, as this will cause further damage by making the nail very thin and fragile.
Beau’s lines are caused by a variety of conditions. As with every set of nails at your station that seems out-of-the-ordinary, you need to proceed with caution. The good news for you and your client is that these grooves won’t put an end to her nail services—it’s just a bit of a pause on the road to beautiful nails!

Nailgasm The Nail Art Movie link included

    There's a mini movie targeted at nail technicians.  "Nail Art Movie: Nailgasm" explores the endless creativity and work that goes into nail art.  This movie enbodies the global culture as well as its many fans.  The movie shows the taboo aspects of nail art as well as the artistic avenue of the art form.  Nail art is "an artform" that has morphed into many different areas in the past 20 years.   Find out why nails are making the headlines by watching this 4 minute 35 second film.  Here's the link to watch: http://www.nailpro.com/nail-art-movie-nailgasm 

Enjoy I did!

Webinars From Entity Beauty Be The Best You Can Be!

     Previously I have posted a thread over taking Nail Pro Magazine's quiz they offer online and on the last page of every issue.   I take these quizzes and always get a wonderful certificate.  Today I have found another way to futher your education.  I have yet to try it, so if anyone who reads this tries it please feel free to let us know.  I will repost another thread once I have given it a try.  I am talking about Webinars from Entity Beauty.   These are online seminars given through power point.  I believe whether or not the state you are working in doesn't require continueing education units, it is on you to be the best you can be by futhering your education on your own. 

The links are: http://www.nailpro.com/entity-beauty-schedules-webinars
                        http://www.entitybeauty.com/app_public_relations.aspx

Hope you choose to further your education, the only people your hurting by not continueing your education is yourself and your client!

Nail Pro's Certificate of Achievement Program

          Besides getting your license for doing nails, I am continueing education kinda person.   I always feel theres nothing I wouldn't wanna learn.  I love google on my IPhone.  I also love Nail Pro Magazine.  It's where I get a lot of my article ideas as well as nail art ideas, so Nail Pro is a must have for me personally.   Nail Pro offers a certificate of achievement through their test yourself quiz.  If you ace it you get an actual certificate of achievement that looks good as well as make you feel good.  The quizzes are liget quizzes and the questions actually do teach you something.  You can go to www.NailPro.com/testyourself  good luck on getting an A ;I love getting my certificate in the mail.  By the way, do not EVER stop learning, you will only limit yourself to what your cappable of.