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!

Joesph Simon Beau Review Article In Nail Pro's Newsletter For Subscribers ONLY

    Today's Nail Pro Newsletter, there's an article titled "Nail Clinic: Beau's Lines" written by an author unknown. I am going to do a series of feeds over this article.  I am going to be breaking it down into mini books.  This installment of the blog will be the introduction.  The blog starts in "1846 when French physician Joseph Honoré Simon Beau first described horizontal grooves on the nail, or transverse ridges. Beau was best known for his research on the heart and lungs, but the nail community remembers him for noticing this condition. Beau’s lines, as they have come to be known, occur when the nail matrix is injured and the growth of the nail is slowed. This eventually causes grooves in the surface of the nail plate. Affecting finger- and toenails, this condition is most commonly caused by an injury such as slamming a finger in the door or dropping a heavy object on a toe. Transverse ridges can also be a sign of a systemic illness—an illness that affects the entire body rather than just one organ—or of a congenital disease, which means it was acquired during the body’s development in the uterus.
Whatever the reason for the slowing or halting of nail growth, it will result in transverse ridges on the nails, which look like pale bands lying horizontally across the nail plate. They first appear at the moon (lunula) and then progress with the growth of the nail. In cases where the ridges are not caused by a systemic illness or congenital disease, Beau’s lines will grow out with the nail and disappear. Fingernails take approximately nine months—about one millimeter per week—to grow out completely, with the middle fingernail growing most rapidly, and toenails take approximately 18 months to grow out. With this in mind, by measuring the distance from the transverse groove to the cuticle, you can sometimes estimate the date of the injury or illness."
   The next installment book 2 will be the causes of this illness.  It's rather interesting so be looking forward to telling you about it!

Pomegranate & Fig Mani Pedi Soak Fabulous

     Cuccio Naturale has done it again!  I bought Cuccio Naturale's pomegranate and fig manicure or pedicure soak.  I found that these are best used as manicure soaks, just because of their size.  Perfect for manicure bowl.   These soak balls are antioxidents enriched with pomegranate and fig extracts. This soak will whiten nails,revitalizes skin and cuticles, and replentishes the exact amount of moisture your feet or hands will need. 

     I use this product on my friend as well as me yesterday for our pedicures.  I had already added Heel to Toe rock salt to the soak, so I couldn't smell it very well.  The rock salt was over powering. That's why I am suggesting you use these great lil balls for just manicures.  I will be giving my mom her manicure today, and will use these.  If it does better for manicures I will comment on my own blog later to update.  I think in a smaller bowl it will have more of a pomagranate and fig smell. 

    I bought the 24 count fizz balls not hte 100 count.  If you have a high clientel base you will want to get more than the 24 count.  I could tell by looking at the tube that I had already taken 2 out.  24 count isn't going to last that long, so for me it may be an addon for paying customers.  I am satisfied with my purchase, however, I cannot give it 5 stars.  I am going to give this a 4 goddess stars for now.  If the manicure goes well it could get bumped up to 5 star status.

    Heel to Toe Spa Collection Sea Salt Glow Scrub was designed to be used individually or as part of a regimen. A natural way to reduce stress, focus energy, uplift your spirits, reduce anxiety or just relax. Gently polishes and conditions the skin. Great for feet legs or any where on the body.
    I used this today.  Absolutely wonderful product.  Heel to Toe never ceases to amaze me with their products.  Let me tell you! My feet are so soft and smooth it is unreal!  I figure I cannot write a review or use this on clients unless I take the job of being the guinea pig.  I was glad I tried it.  The scrub comes in this gorgeous deep purple color.  The grains of salt were the perfect size, not to big but not to small.  I used my foot file to rub the salt grains in.  I scrubbed for maybe 3-5 minutes. 
   Overall I am happy with my purchase, and I am excited to use on my clients.  I give this 5 goddess stars!

Two Pedicure Items That Are The Easiest To Upsell For You To Make More Cash

     There are two things that are a no brainer when it comes to upselling to my client.  They are two addon items that are easy to apply and they speak for themselves.  The two items are paraffin dipping and pedi masks, and these two items can also be used on the hands.  The items can be used in pedicures as well as manicures, a double whammy for any nail technician. 
    The only high cost from you as the technician for paraffin dipping is the actually dip system.  I use a gorgeous crock pot to heat up the paraffin, but I also only currently offer it for hands.  I do not have a dip system because they run $100-250.  However, the blocks of paraffin are only $10.00 at Sallys and they have a multitude of choices.  I got vanilla which smells heavenly, the school I just graduated from used peach and even though I hate peach it smelled good!  Once you leave the paraffin on for 10-15 minutes you will peel it off like a glove.  The skin gets lefted as soft and smooth and you can imagine.  Once I have got the customer addicted those clients come in every month just for paraffin as an addon to their already good service!  I mean it, it sells itself!
    Another item that has been overlooked is pedicure masques.  It's not just for pedis either!  I rarely read about masques in magazines, and it seems to be overlooked.  I am going to bring this other item into the light for you!  Christine Ashley makes a masque called Barefeet, professional foot care pedi masque.  It's a 8 oz tube, so you have enough to last you a good while.   This masque is the perfect pampering treatment.  It conditions and softens skins while soothing and energizing tired muscles.  This masque leaves feet feeling cool and revitalized.  This masque is simple to use as well, use after exfoliating the feet.  (You can use this on hands too)  Lightly coat each foot with the masque.  Allow the masque to ry for five minutes then return feet to bath and rinse off.  The task has been completed!
    I promise you that these two items sell themselves as long as you get the client to try the items the first time.  Just like pringles "once you pop you can't stop!"  As my teach in nail technician school would say, "The best way to know about a product or service is to have it done to you".  You need to try out anything new to explain it the best way you can.  A little dulgance on your part can lead you to more cash flowwing days!

The GODDESS of Nails...: China Glaze's Fast Freeze Personal Review two thum...

The GODDESS of Nails...: China Glaze's Fast Freeze Personal Review two thum...:      One of the items that came in my kit when I started nail technician school was China Glaze's Fast Freeze Quick Dry.  It's a super-fast drying agent that you put on once the top coat has dried for sixty second.  It will completely make the tack go away.  I realize it an expensive item for me to purchase with my beauty license so I can only imagine how much a customer must pay.  Even though the item is expensive, this is one of the few items I will say it worth every penny.  I have clients that come in for no more than a polish change or to have polish applied, and those clients will also ask specifically for the "green liquidy stuff".   Those clients won't even have poish applied unless I have it.  I try to tell them it isn't a make or break item, but they stand true to it.  I deem this one of the cheaper best investments a nail technician can buy!  More product reviews coming today!

Client consults, make more cash

    One aspect of making more money that, for some reason, falls to the way side is client consultations.  Every client deserves that client consultation before beginning services.  It doesn't matter if the client has been a client of yours for 1 year or 10 years, everyone gets a consult at every service!
   When greeting the client make a firm handshake and eye contact.  This accepts your client and establishes a connection between you and them.  Going along with the established connection, never send your client to the polish and say pick out a color.  Rather, a nail technician should walk the client to the wall and help pick out a color.  Last offering a drink is a plus.  Whether it be wine and cocktails or coffee and water, client like feeling pampered. 
     When sanatizing hands, you can ask the client is they hae any medical conditions that you should know about, allergies, and what concerns the client may have.  While explaining this, it is best to end with what the client will recieve in the booked service as well as the upgrade options. 
     If giving a pedicure to the client, when he/she sits down in the chair ask the same questions as you did with a manicure while sanatizing their hands.  You can offer masks and other upsells during this phase.  I find the best and easiest thing I can sell is a hot paraffin dip on hands and feet.  I charge $5 a pair on paraffin dipping.

Introducing the Goddess of Nails!

     I realized that after the start of the year 2012, I was ready to start a career.  I have always been the artsy one in my family.  I love to pay attention to detail... I am a perfectionist.  I have a loving heart.  So I started polishing nails out of my own house (yes it is illegal), but I experimented with friends.  Amazingly I was freakin good!  Wow! I thought, could you do this the rest of my life?  Answer was yes!  So I enrolled in Arkansas Academy of hair design.  It's a private school of sorts not regulated by the State so much. 
     I have found out a tons of new things about myself, like I am an amazing artist.  I love to pay attention to details and the really small things in nail art.  The more introcate the better!  I have currently learned nail enhancements such as acrylic, gel, fiberglass wraps, & silk wraps.  I also know a few little tricks that I will reveal later. 
      I will be keeping you posted on articles out of nail pro magazine and give brief synopsis of articles I love personally.  Keep you up to date about the newest fads, newest products, ect. 
I will be working at Sheer Glitz Heriloom, 210 S Pruett, Paragould, AR 72450 come the end of August.  I graduate from school July 7. The school is throwing me a party, kinda gonna miss the place. I am ready for my life and rise to the top.  Remember me I am gonna be famous some day or a really awesome business owner.  Hope you will join me for something you won't regret.
     I am a 3 college degree holding nail tech!  I have booksmarts as well as a fabulous artistic side.  I did originally started out an art major so I have had many art class on the collegate world.
    A little background on me: I am a married mother of a 5 year old genius daughter named Addison.  My husband is my best friend, and my heart and soul.  I am his queen he says.  I live in a town of sixtenn hundred people.  It's a small town but it has its good points.  I miss living in Texas.  Texas is my home now, not this place I grew up in.  I have been in beauty school for some time now.  I am so ready to get out and spread my wings and fly.  I am also ready to get rid of the immatureity of the girls in beauty school.  Sometimes it's as if I am in Jr. High again, but it has taught me quite about myself.  Anger management, self-controll, trust, hard work, ethics, laws of the state, sobriety, and confidence are just a few of the things I have learned.