Renée's Aesthetic

PERMANENT POLISH     ...the long-lasting manicure Hey lovelies!

Going on my 6th year as an esthetician in the beauty industry, I've definitely had the experience figuring out the best products and services for my clients.  I've been a huge advocate for Gel Polish/Shellac since it has originally been launched.  A lot of my clients simply want to enhance what they have, so this is the perfect product.  We, as industry professionals, and clients as well have to understand that nothing is permanent.  This product (whether it be OPI, CND, LCN etc.) is fantastic, but may not be for everyone.

There are a ton of factors to take into consideration when it comes to our nails.  For example: stress, damaged nail beds, proper application, wear and tear, climate, oily nail beds, and at home maintenance to name a few...  These can ALL play a role in the game of "well-being" for our nails.  So here are a few pros, cons, tips and tricks from myself, to hopefully help all of you out there have a more thorough understanding of the "go-to manicure-permanent polish."  It is always better to be educated about any product or service you're about to receive.

Pros

• Can last up to 3 weeks (new application recommended after 2 weeks)
• Great color selection!
• Stays shiny and color true the entire time
• Does not damage your nails (as long as you DO NOT pick them off yourself)
• Looks natural (goes over top your natural nail, no nail enhancements)
• No drying time, dry as soon as the service is done!
• No damage (if properly maintained throughout and after)

Cons

• Time spent (removal 20 minutes, application 30-45 minutes every 2-3 weeks)
• Cost, $10-$20 more than a regular manicure (dependent on removal or not)
• Can possibly peel, chip or lift if not careful
• Doesn't last the anticipated 2-3 weeks (see above comment)
• Possible nail damage (if you do not get them soaked off professionally)
• Drying (if not properly maintained throughout and after application)

Tips

• Permanent polish/shellac is best suited for clients who want to maintain a natural looking nail using a product that lasts longer than regular nail polish.
• Most permanent polish products are not well suited to clients who have extremely damaged nail beds, splitting, peeling, or brittle nails.
• WEAR GLOVES, at all times.  If you are doing dishes, cleaning the house, gardening etc, gloves are a crucial item that can help ANY manicure last longer.
• DON'T pick.  I know it's hard, but trust me, picking will only encourage chipping/lifting.
• Have an honest, open relationship with your esthetician.  This way, the two of you can figure out the best course of action for your future nail goals :)
• Apply cuticle oil everyday, even with the gel polish on, around your cuticle and directly under your free edge.  This will help prevent drying.
• Get them professionally done/removed, always.  There's a reason why we went to school to learn about these services and products.  We truly care about the end result and the well-being of your body.
• The harder you are on your hands, the more chance of it not lasting. (But heck, 2 weeks without a chip is way better than any time I've had regular polish on...)

Hope this helps!

-né

the fresh perspective...

FULL AGAIN

This product is bananas!  It makes your skinny hairs full.  The amount of thickness you can get from this little bottle is mind-blowing!  I know I'm sounding a bit pumped but...I'm pumped.

Depending on the amount of hair you have, you have to be careful not to use too much.  I used a bit more than I should have once, and my clients hair felt just a bit too full. (hee hee)  It felt a little too producty... ( Yes.  I made that up.)    I know you all know what producty means...  When you go to touch your hair it feels like it's full of gooey, goop, products.  Hence, producty.

Just a couple more pointers about this gem of a product.  It has very little hold and may need to layered with a mousse or styling product to achieve better hold.  It is a thickening lotion and should not be confused with a volumizer.  It does make your hair feel full and a bit bigger.  It just depends what type of hair you have.  It may work as a thickener and volumizer for you fine haired folks and maybe just a thickener for those of you with an average amount of hair.

If you're curious, ask about it when you come for your next appointment.  For those of you who are not from around these parts, look for Kevin Murphy products in your area or ask your stylist.  That's the fresh perspective...

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the fresh perspective...

OPI GELCOLOR

There's a real permanent polish phase going on and I thought I should touch on it a little.  Permanent polish is a service similar to gel nails.  It's a basecoat that you cure, followed by a thick nail polish that needs a UV or LED light to set or 'cure'.  Then you put a topcoat on and cure again.

The look?  Perfectly polished hands that can stay this way for up to 2 weeks.  The service is about an hour-long because you need about 10 minutes to remove the previous polish.  If you're getting it done for the first time it takes less than an hour and is dry instantly! No need to wait around the shop, or get someone else to dig into your purse to get your keys...when the topcoat is cured you can do anything you like.  The gel hardens and is set.

Remember everyone is different.  My permanent polish has lasted a week and that is a small victory for my hands and I.  At one point permanent polish only lasted on my nails for up to four days.  This is my first time trying OPI's permanent polish and it worked really well on me and finally lasted an entire week!

If you are a permanent polish lover and haven't had OPI's GelColor then you are missing out!  That's the fresh perspective...

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the fresh perspective...

SOMA HAIR TECHNOLOGY

This is a line that we just started carrying a few weeks ago.  We only have the wet line available and won't be carrying any of their styling products.  I've washed some heads and I will say I am thoroughly impressed!

Soma is 100% vegan, gluten-free, cruelty free, paraben free.... The free list goes on and on.  The shampoos have a nice rich lather and the conditioners are silky.   They aren't over scented and because of their low pH they will actually help heal and repair your hairs.

Strong healthy hair has a pH of between 4.5-5.5 and every Soma 'wet line' product should be balancing the pH of your hair with every use.  Because of this, you should notice that your hair eventually gets stronger, and healthier and shinier.  It's a great product (and in conjunction with our recycling program) you can't go wrong!

Come on down and try some today and ask about the recycling program!  That's the fresh perspective...

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the fresh perspective...

In light of our new Esthitician and trying to equip her with the best products,  I've run into a few problems that have been making me think a lot about the performance of green products.

I wrote about ingredients and our certification on tfp in may, but I didn't cover performance.  Many of us want to use products that WORK even if they aren't great for us and now with the ability to research EVERYTHING,  we can decide to keep using harmful things or not.  I have decided for myself that maybe 'eco-beneficial' (made that one up) nail polishes aren't for me.

I've tried a few types and I am just about to give up.  It's just that because the products are staying directly on my nail bed I am a tad concerned.  I will see Renee in the next few days and she will give me a proper manicure and a proper polish and we will see.  I don't want to have to be painting my nails every two days because my water-based polish that cost me $20 doesn't stay on, whereas my $9 (3-free) bottle delivers for about 5 days before it begins to chip.

One of the company's, Scotch Naturals, added a wee disclaimer to their brand saying that when you make the switch it does take some time for your nails to adjust.  Keeping this in mind I keep on, but for those of you who have tried a 'better' polish and have noticed that it's performance was not as good as your 'regular' polish, be patient.  Take the time to think about what bothers you more and be happy with your decision even if it may mean sticking with your regular bottle.  There are other ways to eliminate toxic products from your life and if the polish you love is not the 'best', so be it!

I have not yet made up my mind.  That's the fresh perspective...

the fresh perspective...

Priti NYC So as most of you know, we have a new esthetician and are now carrying this 3-free polish line out of New York called Priti NYC!  I've been using it and must give my opinion.

It doesn't stink as bad as other polishes (I know this because my husband complains when I paint my nails, and in the few times I've used it, he has said very little).  Even their soy-based polish remover has a decent scent.

This polish is available in a plethora of colors and really does the job on delivering on the shade-you-see-is-the-shade-you-get thing.  I know I'm very hard on my nails, which causes them to chip.  I don't use gloves to clean and I treat my nails like they are made of Teflon.  I polished my nails on Tuesday with LUNGWORT (a blu-ey color) and I did notice some chipping today...  I will be re-polishing this weekend and I feel like as long as I'm aware that I have polish on, maybe I'll be less harsh?  I find that the greener a product is, the less it usually performs (that is my own opinion and I'm sure some of you out there may disagree with me).

To say it again, for the month of June we are giving all you loyal peeps, and even new clients, a chance to experience our luxurious spa manicure or pedicure (complete with paraffin bath and Malie products) for the price of the regular mani/pedis.  Please call the salon for more info---204-414-9023 or 'like' us on facebook to get more details.  It's a great way to give Priti NYC polish a try.  Let us know what you think.

This polish is good, and new, and fresh, and taking Winnipeg by storm so....get ready!  That's the fresh perspective...

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