HOT Product Picks!

NSI Acrylic

NSI Colored Acrylic..... 45+ colors!

New Service Added to the Menu!

Now Offering

 Acrylic Nail Enhancements

Prices

Acrylic Fill                                          $15

Acrylic Full Set                                  $25

Acrylic Pink & Whites (P&W) Fill      $25

Acrylic P&W Full Set                         $35

Color acrylic powders coming in 2 weeks!

Book an appointment!

 310-940-3442

Naomi.e.reed@gmail.com

Mani-Pedi Special for $25 in July

Receive a manicure and pedicure for only $25 for the month of JULY!
Refer a friend and receive $5 off your next regular priced service.
Services include natural nail manicures and pedicures, moisturizing paraffin treatments, exfoliation scrubs, soak-off gel nails by OPI AXXIUM and nail art.

COMING SOON!: ORDERLESS/Low oder acrylics and sculpting gel nail enhancement services. (Sculpting gel and soak-off gels are not the same.)

Effects of Over-Drilling/Filing on the Nail Plate

A lot of the damage comes from a common malpractice in some nail salons - aggressive filing or drilling on the natural nail plate.

We’ve heard it all so many times before; women complaining about their damaged natural nails “caused by acrylic nails.” As educated nail techs, you know that acrylic (or gel for that matter) is not the issue. A lot of the damage comes from a common malpractice in some nail salons - aggressive filing or drilling on the natural nail plate.

Why Do Some Nail Techs Do It?

The nail plate is made up about 100 densely packed sheets of flattened cells. It’s a super-tough, non-living structure primarily made up of keratin. It’s also a smooth surface, which is why light filing (to remove the shine) is necessary during prep to ensure adhesion. This light filing only removes 3-5 layers of the nail plate, which is safe and non-damaging.

Aggressive filing or drilling can quickly move through 25-35 layers of nail plate or more! Now, you are applying product to the, spongy porous layers of nail plate. Enhancements will grab the porous layers, like pouring Elmers glue into shag carpet. Pretty difficult to remove Elmers glue from shag carpet, but it comes off linoleum easier. Most filing is done in zone three; the regrowth area with younger, softer cells that have not completely flattened. The cost is the health of the natural nail. Proper preparation of the natural nail includes a number of steps to ensure adhesion. Pitting, etching or drilling on the nail plate is an outdated, damaging, unnecessary step to natural nail prep.

What Are the Effects?

Here are a few symptoms of aggressive filing or drilling on the nail plate:

#1) Onycholysis: This is the loosening of the nail plate without shedding and it usually starts at the free edge and can continue to the lunula. The nail plate is held to the dermis (or skin) by a groove and rail structure. That is how it stays on track as it moves or grows. Aggressive filing or drilling can dislodge the plate from the groove and rail structure, leading to Onycholysis. Onycholysis can lead to secondary infection and in severe cases, lead to nail bed scarring.

#2) Splinter Hemorrhage: This is caused by physical trauma, which can include aggressive filing or drilling on the natural nail. Under the nail plate, the nail bed contains blood vessels which carry nutrients and oxygen to the nail bed, as well as remove toxins. When the nail plate is damaged (in this case by aggressive filing or drilling) the blood vessels can leak blood into the nail bed - staining the nail bed in a vertical direction. The blood stain may last long after the trauma has healed.

#3) Rings of Fire: These are red, painful patches that develop on the nail plate from aggressive filing or drilling on the natural nail. Rings of fire are more commonly found in zone 3 (around the cuticle) when caused by drilling. When used at an angle in the cuticle area, the edge of the barrel bits cuts into the natural nail – ouch!

Rules to Live By

NEVER use a drill (aka electric file) on the natural nail. Even with a light abrasive, they are simply to powerful and run at high RPMs. File on the natural nail with a light hand using a 180-grit file or higher. A lower grit is too abrasive for the natural nail and should only be used to shape or remove acrylic or gel product. Educate your clients as you are prepping their nails and explain why you are doing what you do – to maintain the health of the natural nail.

Gels vs. Acrylics

Q: What is the difference between gel enhancements and acrylic enhancements? Which one is healthier?

Regardless of the system you use, the main source of natural nail damage is not the product, but the technician. Over-filing, rough abrasives and nipping loose product are all ways to break down the integrity of the natural nail. Either option is equally healthy for the natural nail.



Q: Which one is stronger?

UV Gels are slightly more flexible than acrylics, and acrylics are slightly harder than gels. What makes an enhancement tough is a combination of strength and flexibility, which is achieved with proper design and apex placement.



Q: Which service costs more?

Gel products generally are slightly more expensive than acrylic products.



Q. How long do they last and how often do I need to come back for maintenance?

A general rule of thumb is to maintain acrylics every two weeks and gels every three weeks. Of course this will vary from region to region, technical ability, client’s lifestyle and length of enhancements.

Another Bun in the Oven

I am 8 weeks pregnant; due December 6th, 2011. There is only ONE gestational sack, so thank goodness it's not twins. So far this pregnancy is a lot different than the first one. I'm very sleepy and I have never had this many cravings before-- Top Ramen, Claim Jumper's Apple Crumb Pie, cucumber and tomato salads....

I hope this one is a boy so the family can be complete. If not, we still need to search for baby girl names.

Going mobile!

I am now offering mobile manicures in Los Angeles and surrounding areas! Check back for more details!

Hair Styling Accessories

Here I go again! My new found love for sewing has brought me to a new niche hobby which is taking off rather well. I'm making hair styling accessories for salon professionals and clients.

Products:
Silk Scarves
Silk Pillow Cases
Styling Capes/Cutting Capes
Aprons
Pressing Pads

Coming soon... Shampoo capes and heated neck pillows!

My new found love: sewing (I think)

My first project, for someone else, is for a photographer. I am creating several (so far 9) backdrops for his photography studio. I LOVE my new seger sewing machine. I have the Brother 1034D. It makes everything so professional looking and clean. So far I've made silk scarves with rolled hems, silk pillow cases, backdrops, curtains and I'm working on a pattern for clutch purses.

Naomi's Blog: My new toy.....

hsn.com

My new toy.....

I have been in the zone using my new serger sewing machine by Brother. I love it. I bought it from HSN (Home Shopping Network). I should've been buying from HSN a long time ago. I am in the process of  designing silk pillow cases and scarves for the hair. like I did back when I owned my own salon. Now that I have my own serger I can get back in gear and get the ball rolling on these new products. Hopefully I can't these products into a few stores.

Nails 411: Why are my gel nails cracking???

Are you getting a gel overlay  ON TOP of your regular nail polish? That will explain why your "Gel Nails" are cracking. They are being done incorrectly!!! Nail polish does not go underneath your gel overlay. Now certain gel nail brands carry colored gel that is supposed to be used as "nail polish" that isn't effected by acetone nail polish remover, or will chip like normal nail polish. A UV gel top coat is supposed to be applied on top of the gel to protect the gel surface giving it that long lasting affect., THEN nail polish can be applied on top of the UV top coat.

I hope this makes sense to those of you with gel nails. Just wanted to give you a little "411"...

Naomi

Toxin Free Nail Polish

The following nail polish brands are free from 3 toxins DBP, formaldehyde and toluene:

BB
OPI
Sally Hansen
and more...


More will be posted as they become available.

NEW Nail Services Coming SOON!

It's time for something new!

I have worked in a day spa for about a year and now it is time for me to spread my wings and offer my nail care services to MY OWN clients. What most people complain about regarding nail care is the lack of cleanliness and sanitation at most of the nail salons in Los Angeles. These unprofessional nail salons are taking our hard earned money and do not care about the quality of service they provide. They provide the minimum and charge extra for services that should be included in the standard service.

Why would someone pay extra for callus remover when a callus doesn't even exist??

Wiping the cuticle nippers with alcohol and cotton does not cut it when the nippers haven't been washed and disinfected properly before performing a service on the next client.

Well ladies... here I come!

Stay tuned for when and where I will offer my nail (AND hair) services.

Naomi

Brazillian Blowout

Has anyone gotten the "Brazillian Blowout". If so, how do you like it? I am considering offering this service to my clients.