Nail Talk Radio

Check out this fantastic program! Airs Monday nights at 7 PM Pacific/9 PM Central

http://nailtalkradio.ning.com/

Bio Sculpture Gel Nails in Toronto

I've had many queries about Bio Sculpture Nails and salons offering the service in Toronto lately and so as per the request of inquiring minds, here is a reputable salon that I have come across...

http://www.uppervillagespa.com/services/Hand_NailCare.html

MINX-Mas Nails

minxnails.com

X-Mas Nail Art

Hey, I never said I was a photographer! Here are some of my Holiday designs for your viewing pleasure :D

Celebrity Nails

Gaga's Stiletto Nails

Mirror ball Nails

Sparkled and Bejeweled

Happy Fingers

Domino Effect

My Fav T.O Salons

Hello Readers!

It's been a while, but I'm back and throughout my hiatus, I have done some sleuthing to bring you my personal reviews on some of my fav spots in T.O...

I made some anonymous visits to scope out the best of what these salons have to offer so I can better direct my clients to receive services which I may not be able to provide, and if I can't provide, you can be sure I know someone who can!

Number One for Nail Designs (besides myself, of course, hehe) is Heartbreaker, located at 889 Dundas St. West. Their hours of operation are: Tuesday to Friday 12-8 Pm and Saturday 10-6 Pm. They are also available Sunday and Monday, by appointment only.
They are famously known for offering Minx designs as well as hand and foot care, excluding nail enhancements. In addition to these moderately priced procedures, they also offer make up and eyelash applications as well as a full range of waxing services. This is a definite hot spot for the "trendy" individual. And while your at it, why not get your hair did? Heartbreaker is conveniently located next to it's big sister, Barberella (891 Dundas St. W.) which offers complete Hair Styling services.

Heartbreakersalon

Barberella



For pristine Nail Enhancements and Spa procedures, I recommend Lux Spa, located at 25 Bellair St. in the heart of Yorkville. They offer one of my favorite lines, SpaRitual, which is vegan friendly and free of harmful Formaldehyde and Tuolene. SpaRitual polish handles were actually designed by Ferrari for the best possible ergonomic feel to optimize performance. Painting nails with this line is just like what I imagine driving a Ferrari would be: fast, precise, and luxurious!

They offer a full range of decadence for him and her and are definitely worth the splurge. You can feel better about spending your hard earned dollars knowing that at Lux, they practice the highest level of sanitation, keeping your safety in mind 100% percent of the way.

For a full review of prices and services, check out their site : www.lux-spa.com

You may also want to consider these fabulous indulgences as a gift idea? Both establishments offer gift certificates ;)

This is an ongoing "investigation" so expect more reviews to come!

Nail Art

What Distinguishes US from THEM?

Something has got to give...

As a Nail Professional, who takes the health and safety of others as seriously as that of my family, friends, and my own, it is hard for me to sit idly by and watch as the safety of hundreds of unassuming nail aficionado's is disregarded on a daily basis.

It would astonish most to know that the only thing standing between you and a potentially life threatening condition is a matter of cents. That's right! It costs less than $1 to provide a client with a clean emery board, block buffer, and Electric File band, and yet somehow, they are still being re-used.

In knowing now what I didn't know then, it amazes me to think that in someone else's eyes, my well being isn't worth a dollar. Sure, some salons will offer you your own kit, but what good does that do when it's already been exposed to contamination in an uncleanly environment?

There is currently no official licensing by which to govern the Nail Industry in Ontario. Salons are subject to safety inspections, but with one inspector per one thousand salons, serious infractions are being overlooked and offenders are slipping through the cracks.

This is extremely alarming and leaves ample room for unqualified and uneducated "technicians" to perform services on those who would assume that they are in a safe environment, with a skilled professional.

Something has to distinguish us from them and so I feel it is my duty to keep my clients and readers informed about these dangers until one day, they can safely enter all salons knowing they are clean and regulated.

If you feel that you have the right to receive safe and ethical services, please join me in the crusade for awareness and change by contacting your MPP and/or Toronto Public Health.

Your voice today means safer services for tomorrow ;)

Nail Art

Rhinestone Cowgirl......

Fruit Slices

Wedding Nails

Ahhhhh, Wedding season!

While some choose traditional, more and more are going contemporary, opting for more modern personalized touches. Splashes of colour, exotic destinations, themes and custom gowns are all the rage as new couples branch out and break away from the norm.

Keeping in the spirit of that, many brides are choosing to brighten up their nails with vibrant designs or 3D art, as opposed to the repetitive French Manicure so often seen at weddings.
Now, I by no means feel that French is an antiquated style (it in itself can be done in countless colours and variations) but if you'll be wearing a white dress, I highly suggest wearing a colour and style that will contrast nicely. Selecting the right style and colour can actually enhance the appearance of your gown. It will also draw more attention to your beautiful ring and on top of that, you can match any colour or theme from your wedding and incorporate it onto your nails!

With endless possibilities and ways to express yourself, why settle for pedestrian on your special day ?

More Zebra!

I can't get enough of this hot Summer pattern, and neither can Zebra fans!

Sunblock and Summer Nails

Sunblock and Summer go together like Mani's and Pedi's.

SPF is the single most important thing you could wear on a daily basis and should be your best friend when venturing outdoors. Dermatologists would advise that it is a skin care necessity; protecting the body's largest organ, our skin, from the effects of harmful UVA and UVB damage, while preserving youthful looking skin.

Being as beneficial as it is, it's also important to note that if you have a UV top coat on your nails, Sunblock could compromise the integrity of the seal. The chemicals in Sunblock cause UV top coats and polish to degrade, leaving it to feel tacky and look faded. It could also cause lighter polishes to yellow and interestingly enough, cleaning products can also have the same effects.

If preserving the beauty of your nails is as important to you as preserving the beauty of your skin, simply wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap after applying your SPF. A small measure could save you time and money and make all the difference in between nail appointments ;)

No Chip Polish for Natural Nails

There has been a breakthrough in natural nail care technology that will change the face of nail polish as we know it!

Creative Nail Design has recently launched a groundbreaking and innovative product called Shellac.

Shellac is a no chip, light cure polish that uses patent pending UV3 technology and is ideal for natural nail care enthusiasts. It goes on like regular polish, but has the resiliency of Gels and leaves a flawless finish for up to 14 days. Thats right! two weeks of beautiful, long lasting colour!

It dissolves in approximately 10 minutes and there are currently 12 colours to choose from, with more to come.

For a colour guide and more info, visit their site: http://www.cnd.com/Products/Color/shellacinfo.aspx

Bio Sculpture Gel Vs. Bio Gel Truths and Myths

Have you ever been to a "discount" salon and noticed they offer "Bio Gel"? It's usually priced higher than other enhancement services, and they may have tried to up sell you on it, but have you ever wondered the difference between "Bio Gel" and other services? I'll tell you what the difference is aside from it's price...Absolutely nothing.

"Bio Gel" is actually a knock off of a revolutionary product called Bio Sculpture Gel. The greatest attribute of Bio Sculpture Gel is that unlike regular Gel enhancements, it is formulated to quickly dissolve for removal purposes as opposed to the traditional Gel removal method of filing down the application. You must also be certified by Bio Sculpture Gel in order to purchase and use their products.

"Bio Gel" on the other hand, does not dissolve and is essentially the same as UV Gel, so why are people being led to believe that it's worth the extra cash?

If you are a "Bio Gel" enthusiast, I recommend you ask your salon specifically whether it is Bio Sculpture Gel they use or not. If it is, they should be able to present their official certificate. If they cannot produce one, they are basically just misleading and overcharging you. Any accredited Nail professional will gladly display and present their certificates on their wall or by request. Don't be fooled again!

For more information on Bio Sculpture Gel, visit their site: http://www.biosculpturenails.com/

Implement Safety at Home

The cleanliness of personal grooming implements may often go overlooked, however, the importance of proper sanitation is just as necessary in the home as it is in the salon. Even though you may think it's just your bacteria, it's still bacteria, and it may not just be yours alone. You can just as easily catch an infection from your own implements as you could from those at an unsanitary salon.

Although most people don't use an autoclave or hospital grade disinfectants in the home, as all reputable salons do and should, you can still take precautions to minimize the risk of cross contamination. Firstly, it is always a good idea to wash your hands or feet before clipping or grooming your nails.

Wash clippers, pushers, nippers, etc, with antibacterial soap after each use and clean off any organic matter left behind. Once you have washed and dried your implements, place them in a glass or dish of rubbing alcohol for a minimum of 5 minutes. Although this process will sanitize your tools, it will NOT sterilize or disinfect. This process will simply reduce the risk of infection.

You can easily incorporate these cleaning habits into your routine and do your part to minimize the risk of infection from viruses and bacteria. Think of it this way: You wouldn't re-use a dirty knife and fork would you? So the next time you use your grooming tools, try practicing better sanitation and safety habits. You recognize the importance of sanitizing your hands, why not sanitize the tools that keep them in shape?

Stripers are a nails best friend!

I slacked off this month and didn't photograph many of my clients, but here are a couple of shots to end the month in colourful style......:D

Day and Night

Nails fit for a Queen! (or maybe even a practice hand, haha!)

My first attempt. This is something I've been wanting to try for a while.

Leopard Nails! Purrrrrrrrr.

Leopard toes for a lovely mother to be

Spots always look cute on short nails ;)

Some Early Summer Styles.......

I think we have officially coined this style as Tequila Sunrise

Watermelons! Mmmmmm!

Nail Enhancement Truths and Myths

It is often believed that Nail Enhancements such as Gel or Acrylic are unhealthy or bad for your nails. These beliefs are false, although some aspects ring true........

Your nail plate itself serves a purpose, which is to protect your nail bed. Your nails are actually just dead growth (like hair), and aside from their adornment properties, have little use, except for their aesthetic value or a good back scratch.

There are many myths and false beliefs when it comes to enhancements. Many people think that lines left under the nail when enhancements are removed are directly attributed to the tip itself, however this is not the case. These lines are caused by over filing, and are a result of poor service. Another popular belief is that they can carry tons on bacteria. This is true, however, they are pretty much on par with natural nails that have a long free edge, and should be cared for accordingly. I reccomend using a nail brush when you wash your hands.

Despite the safety of applying nail enhancements onto the nail plate itself, there are many contributing factors that put the surrounding areas of skin at risk, and these factors should be considered when having hand and foot services performed.

Be cautious when selecting a salon and don't be afraid to ask questions. Saving money on services (at "Discount Salons") does not equate to receiving good service. These salons break a number of laws and rules; compromising best health practices for high volume services at affordable prices. But what could it really end up costing you? Poor implement sanitation can cause a number of problems, such as Paronychia; a condition caused by bacterial inflammation of the skin surrounding the nail. This is a serious condition and if left untreated, can result in the amputation of the infected digit(s). Tuberculosis, Hepatitis A and B and Nail Fungus can also be contracted at these salons as a result of the improper disinfection of whirlpool baths (which I do NOT reccomend) as well as other implements.

It should interest you to know that everytime you get your nails or toes done, they should be using a brand new buffer block, emery board, electric file band, and a new piece of cotton for each finger/toe (when using an orangewood stick to clean under the free edge of the nails). Implements such as cuticle nippers or pushers should be sterilized and re-sterilized before every use, and work stations should be immaculate (that means no dust, food or drink,etc) Also, shaving the skin off the bottom of your feet is ILLEGAL!!! The only person(s) qualified to remove living tissue from your body is a doctor or surgeon. If there are any compromises with these standards, I suggest you go elsewhere.

24 Karat Gold Nails

The Gold accents featured in this photo are done with 24K Gold. It is the closest thing to liquid gold in it's purest form, aside from the molten metal itself. That's Right! It's the real deal my friends, and I couldn't be more excited to offer the service :D This is a subtle design, but expect to see some gold overkill real soon!

If you would like to create the look yourself at a more cost efficient price, check out Chanel's 18k Gold powder based polish, Gold Fiction. It was released as part of their Fall 2008 line.

MISA Nail Art

Check out this link, as featured in Scratch Magazine:

http://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/NEW_IMAGES/NEW%20Pages%20for%20Web/DEC%20misa%20nail%20art%20DPS.pdf

Polish Stains, Yellow Nails and Other Unpleasantries....

Do you ever notice that when you sometimes remove polish, your nails are left yellowed and stained? This is often caused by chemicals in nail polish such as formaldehyde and tuolene. It's a total bummer, I know, so to avoid yellowing from happening, I suggest using formaldehyde free polish (many brands such as Revlon and OPI have fased out formaldehyde and tuolene) and try to avoid leaving polishes on the nail surface for long periods of time. Sometimes using a slice of lemon to cleanse bare nails or using a whitening paste can remove superficial stains, but sometimes stains can be attributed to more than just polish......In some cases, yellowing of the nail (or even nails with brown or black areas) can indicate nail bacteria and/or fungus. Although it can be unpleasant to talk about, Onychomycosis (ON-i-ko-my-KO-sis) or nail fungus is extremely common, with an estimated 2 million Canadian sufferers. It is caused by infection from contact and then moves under the nail, which provides a safe place for fungus to grow. Most often, fungus occurs in toenails, mainly because the dark, warm and moist environment is the perfect breeding ground. Nail Fungus can be contracted by walking barefoot in locker rooms, swimming pools and shower stalls and can also spread to other nails. Unsterile nail tools can also contribute to nail fungus infection. Anything that damages a nail can make it easier for the fungus to move in, such as: An injury (like banging a fingernail with a hammer or stubbing your toe) or Tight shoes that pinch the toes. Nail Fungus can be embarrassing, especially for those who choose to wear their nails with French tips or au natural. If you suspect you have a fungal infection, you should consult with your doctor. Some people choose to treat nail fungus, some people don’t, but nail fungus often won’ t go away all by itself. It can keep getting worse. It may spread from one nail to another, or to someone else. Your healthcare provider will help you decide how to deal with your nail fungal infection. Here are some tips for preventative measures: -Synthetic fibre socks cause feet to perspire more, so try wearing 100% cotton socks instead -Keep your feet as clean and dry as possible. Talcum foot powder can help -Wear shoes that “breathe,” such as canvas or leather shoes -Wear shower shoes when you’ re in public swimming pools, public showers, or locker rooms -Clip your toenails straight across and file a round edge so they do not grow in to the skin or extend over the edges of the toes -Wear comfortable shoes that fit properly and don’t pinch your toes -If you get manicures or pedicures, make sure your salon follows the health standard guidelines for cleanliness.

Vee

Serena Williams: Tennis Star/Nail Technician?

It seems that as of recently, Serena Williams has been taking time out from her busy Tennis schedule to take a Nail Technician course, and I couldn't be more pleased to hear it. Many news sources have ridiculed the notion; joking that she can always fall back on buffing hands and feet, but I resent their opinions. What is so funny about an accomplished female athlete pursuing her interests? After all, according to Miss Williams "No one likes getting their nails done as much as I do". And there's your answer, ESPN! Get 'em girl!

I'm very excited to see where she plans to take her new found trade. Big congrats to her:

http://globalgrind.com/channel/gossip/content/1382533/Serena-Williams-A-Professional-Nail-Technician/

Vee

A great way to keep good nails on the go!

Nicole by OPI Nic's Sticks

This product is one of my favourites! I usually keep one in my purse because it's easy to apply on the go, and you never know when you'll need fresh nails....... It has a brush tip which dispenses colour, and is fast drying. This really is an ingenious tool and it comes in so handy if you have nails that chip frequently. They come in a variety of colours, and are around $10(CAN). Check 'em out at your local drug store or visit their link....

http://www.nicolebyopi.com/

Vee

OPI's new Hong Kong Collection and other hot picks......

Jade is the New Black

I am a HUGE fan of OPI and their full range of products. The newest line, The Hong Kong Collection, is bright, exciting, and will definitely make a statement. Above and below are two of my picks. To check out more colours and products, visit their site: http://www.opi.com/

A Good Man-Darin is Hard to Find

Alice in Wonderland inspired Off With Her Red! The Perfect Valentine's Red.

Hot and in bloom for Spring: Panda-Monium Pink.....

and Pearl Of Wisdom. Makes for a great French mani duo.

Vee

The Latest in Nail Fashion!

There are some new and exciting things happening in nails these days!

MINX ia a new and revolutionary way to glamorize your nails, and has been seen on the hands of many celebs, including Beyonce, Rhianna and Fergie, not to mention its use in countless couture photo shoots.

The MINX system allows you to select from dozens of prints, patterns and metallics, leaving a flawless finish.

What it is is a solid film with an adhesive backing that is activated by heat, allowing the transfer to fit smoothly and perfectly onto the nail. It is waterproof, can adhere to natural and artificial surfaces, and can be removed by using a heat lamp or blowdryer.

It is protected by a seal, which helps to keep it bonded. To remove seal, simply lift the corner with an orange stick or other precision tool.

For more information on MINX, visit their site: http://www.minxnails.com/dnn/

Vee