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