Nail file No. 8 June 2016

Issue 8

Landslide

June 2016

Climate change

The winter colour palette

victory International Championship looks

Home

run Nail service maintenance tips

Several shades

of grey Unauthorised distribution channels

2016 Your chance to recognise and reward your favourite supplier The aim of these awards is for salon owners, spa managers and therapists to nominate their favourite suppliers.

We will then create a shortlist and you can then vote for your top supplier. The one who gives you the best service or products.

The Professional Beauty Industry Awards allow your suppliers to be rewarded by you, their very important clients. These awards will help suppliers get closer to their customers by receiving feedback on their service.

Nominate your favourite supplier: • Best Supplier – Skin Care • Best Supplier – Nails • Best Supplier – Equipment/Supplies • Best Marketing • Best Training • Best Sales Rep

NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE SUPPLIER NOW! Visit

www.probeauty.co.za and click on the ‘Awards’ tab.

The winners will be announced at the Professional Beauty Gala Dinner on 28 August 2016

What’s inside Nail File

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16

26

28

9

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36

Industry News

Winning Ways

Nail Preparation

Stay in the know

16 Ask the Experts

How does my client maintain her services once she’s left the salon?

22 Business

The DIY conundrum

24 Style Savvy

As the temperature drops, hot colours rise!

26 Salon Focus

International Nail Championships – Professional Beauty London

31 In the Market Product Hub

33 Grey Importing

The importance of authorised channels

34 Industry Issues

Maintaining the integrity of the industry

Clean start

38 Know Your Chemicals The chemistry of colours

40 Nail Health

Busting myths

42 / 44 /46 Step by Steps Pastel palette Swish Linen tweed

47 Top Tech Talk

Minell Van der Merwe

A place to be pampered Nail File Issue 8

June 2016

Welcome

Cover: Shutterstock

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NAIL FILE A Professional Beauty Supplement Published by T.E. Trade Events 1st Floor, Rapid Blue Building 263 Oak Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg PO Box 650291, Benmore, 2010 Tel: 011 781 5970 / Fax: 011 781 6079 Additional pics: www. shutterstock.com

Publisher Mark Moloney mark@professionalbeauty.co.uk Editor Joanna Sterkowicz joanna@probeauty.co.za Art Director Ursula Wong ursula@probeauty.co.za Technical Consultant Sonette van Rensburg sonette@probeauty.co.za Advertising Sales 011 781 5970

n this issue we place a big emphasis on maintaining integrity in the nail industry. Integrity will help us to achieve the highest professional standards, and in so doing, uplift the industry as a whole. By integrity we mean using only authentic products from professional brands (and not counterfeit products), ordering and purchasing products from authorised distributors, and ensuring that we do not mix and match brands and systems when performing treatments. It’s time for the industry to make a stand in this regard.

Another emphasis in this issue is on educating clients on how to maintain their nail services, be they gel, acrylic or lacquer, once they have left the salon. Our three experts each have a lot of advice to offer on this extremely important topic. The better your services last, the happier the client will be.

Finally, we urge all creative nail techs out there to enter the Nail File Showcase Nail Art Competition. The inaugural edition of this competition, which comprises the Photographic and Tip Box Nail Art categories, was held last year and attracted some stunningly beautiful entries. This is your time to show off so please refer to page 19 for details on how to submit entries for the competition. We look forward to receiving loads of dazzling entries!

Joanna Sterkowicz Editor

To advertise in Nail File, please call 011 781 5970 To contr ibute to editorial, contact Joanna To join the conversation Visit www.probeauty.co.za and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

TWINCARE

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

With Over

Soak Off Gel COLOURS

That WOW!

,

News

9

NEWS

Information at your fingertips

OPI relaunches GelColor and Infinite Shine In an effort to raise brand awareness for OPI’s GelColor and Infinite Shine in the South African market, local distributor, The Prestige Cosmetics Group, held an event for salon owners at Katy’s Palace Bar in Sandton on 12 April.

O

PI national education manager, Bonieta Sonnekus, noted that GelColor is a 6th generation LED gel with well over 100 colours to choose from, which are also available in OPI’s nail lacquer.

She continued: “GelColor needs only a 30-second LED cure and lasts between two and three weeks. Soak-off is 15 minutes. This gel uses state-of-

Correction We refer to an article printed in Nail File Issue 4 entitled, ‘Countering Counterfeit Product’. In the article, we included a quote which referred to a product called Bluesky Shellac. We failed to give Mr Grant Poulton, owner of the

The Prestige Cosmetics Group’s Lauren Nielsen, Jodie Forsyth, Andrew Boberg, Bonieta Sonnekus, Leigh-Ann Wagner and Chantelle Parsons

the-art cross-linking polymer technology.

“OPI’s strategy with GelColor is to give power to the nail professional because it’s easy to apply and remove. The big point of difference with OPI is that we don’t use cheap ingredients and we have been ‘3-free’ since 2006, meaning that our formulations do not contain DPB (dibutyl phthalate, company responsible for the distribution of this product, the opportunity to respond prior to our publication of the article. In this regard we sincerely apologise for any offence it may have caused or damage to the reputation of Grant Poulton. We can confirm that the company premises

formaldehyde or toluene.

GelColor bottles are black to prevent the gel from UV light.”

Sonnekus noted that the Infinite Shine bottles are also black for the same reason.

“OPI created Infinite Shine for customers that want easy application and removal like nail lacquer, coupled with the shine, appearance and durability of gel.” are professional in appearance with a spacious and wellpresented layout. In addition, the company is making every effort to differentiate itself from any other similar named products. Bluesky Shellac values its reputation and we apologise for any damage our article may have caused.

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News

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Bio Sculpture hosts international educators The focus of the four-day Bio Sculpture International Educators’ Conference, held recently at the Zuikerkop Country Lodge in Clocolan, was on Evo2, Bio Sculpture’s new gel polish.

E

ducators representing several countries attended the event, which was hosted by Bio Sculpture Gel founder, Elmien Scholtz.

“We introduced Evo2 to our delegates and demonstrated techniques for this product. In particular, training focused on the Evo2 Oxygenating Base.

“Educators from Great Britain, USA, Israel, Australia, Estonia and Cyprus were inspired by the qualities exhibited by this evolutionary base gel.

We also demonstrated the Evo2 Glueless Tip – another nail gel industry first from Bio Sculpture,” explains Scholtz.

Elmien Scholtz and Tania Oliver, Bio Sculpture’s head of education

After intensive training, fun was had by all delegates at the awards presentation ceremony, celebrating Bio Sculpture’s Disco Dolly Collection, soon to be available in South Africa.

Online sales training launches Close That Sale! online, a sales training programme created

by Kerry Hewitt-Snyders, has been launched in South Africa through Capri Beauty.

Says Hewitt-Snyders: “Close That Sale! online was specifically created for the beauty industry.

One of the biggest downfalls of South Africa’s beauty and leisure industry is that not everyone can access wonderful training.

For example, therapists in little towns don’t get the benefit of having training on their doorsteps.

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June 2016

“Online sales training is now accessible to all salespeople in the far corners of South Africa through a year’s membership, with 24/7 access. Close That Sale! online takes the best of the best sales practices and rolls it into a five-session course. It is a self-paced course that covers the four steps of closing that sale.”

Hewitt-Snyders has worked

in the beauty industry for more than 15 years. She qualified through the Isa Carstens Academy and worked in education with the likes of Steiner Leisure and Training, Estee Lauder, Gucci, Dolce&Gabbana, Bobbi Brown, La Mer and Jo Malone.

ICONIC OPI SHADES SHINE-INTENSE LASTS FOR WEEKS CURES IN 30 SECONDS

.

The Prestige Cosmetics Group Marlborough Gate, Hyde Lane, Hyde Park, Johannesburg Phone: 021 442 7700/ 011 325 1000 Email: OPIorders@pcgroup.co.za

A DATE FOR YOUR AUGUST DIARY Exclusively for your beauty, hair and spa business The must attend event for your profession

JOHANNESBURG

28 & 29 AUGUST 2016

Register now for your free ticket: www.probeauty.co.za

News

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Twincare launches Nail World Twincare International will host the inaugural Nail World Education and Expo Event on 15 August, at its head office in Sunninghill, Johannesburg.

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articipating brands for Nail World are Artistic Colour Revolution, IBD and Twincare’s very own, newly launched mani & pedi and waxing range, Screaming Beauty.

“Nail World is a one-day seminar that is designed to educate and excite our clients with the aim of making Twincare the industry leaders in South Africa,” says Twincare’s retail manager, Lindzey Turton.

Seminar topics include: Building and Sculpting Nails – Build Your World; Nail Art Demo & Trends (presented by an international artist); Nail Education – Different Mediums; and Business – Salon Owners.

The theme for Nail World is ‘The World of Rio Carnival’.

Turton continues; “Our theme is all about colour, excitement and fun and about using your imagination to create designs and expressions for nail artists.

We will turn Twincare into that world of the Rio Carnival.

There will be carnival stalls showcasing all the different brands, as well exciting activities throughout the day.”

Competition An important component of Nail World is the Nail Artist of the Year Competition, which is open to all qualified nail techs over the age of 18.

The two competition categories are: Customised Gel Art and Multi Medium Nail Art. Both categories fall within the Nail World theme of ‘The World of the Rio Carnival’.

Five finalists will be selected for each category based on their portfolio and will then

perform their artistic talents at Nail World. The winners of each category will go on to participate in the Professional Beauty Nail Competition (29 August – Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand) and will be featured in Nail File magazine.

Link to the Online Entry Form for the Nail World Event: http://www.twincare.support/ nailworld/ Alternatively the shortened link will also work: http://bit. ly/1YELA4L

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News

Salon owner launches mani range Tsebetso Nghalaluma, owner of Pamper Perfect in Linden, Johannesburg, and a beauty therapist with 18 years of experience, has launched her own manicure range, featuring a hand cream, a hand & body scrub and a cuticle oil.

T

he Pamper Perfect range has been in development for nearly two years: Says Nghalaluma: “The reason I developed my own range is because I wanted affordable, quality products to use in my salon. So many salons are forced to shut down because they use expensive imported products and because their overheads are so high.

“I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to access better resources so have been able to work with a top contract manufacturer to

right was the most difficult part of the process.”

formulate my products. Getting the fragrance of the products

Some of the ingredients found in the Pamper Perfect range include coconut oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, avocado oil, kernel oil and citronellol, among others.

Twincare gets ‘Artistic’ Cult nail brand Artistic Nail Design is now available in South Africa through Twincare International.

Gauteng salon owners were exposed to the brand at an event held on 16 May at Summer Place in Johannesburg.

Said Twincare retail manager Lindzey Turton: “Artistic Nail Design is an edgy brand that is headed

by World Champion Nail Artist and published author, Alisha Rimando Botero.

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June 2016

This brand prides itself on consistently developing innovative products that encourage nail artists to push the boundaries and explore new levels of creativity through their personal artistry.”

Twincare has brought in Artistic Nail Design’s new range, The Huntsman Winter’s War Collection, an exciting collaboration with the major motion picture of the same name.

Also highlighted at the launch

were Rock Hard LED Gel and Artistic Colour Revolution, an extended wear laquer.

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Ask the Experts

Making it last QUESTION: How does my client maintain her services once she’s left the salon?

SAM BIDDLE Why should your client have to maintain her service after she has left you? Educating your client to look after her investment (her new enhancements or polish) will not only give her a sense of added value, but you’re going to have an easier job the next time she walks through the door. By maintaining her enhancements for those two weeks, your client is going to have 10 perfectly polished nails when she returns.

This means your reputation and word of mouth endorsement can only be positive.

Clients don’t want to leave with a list of rules and regulations, so make it fun and easy for them to remember. I find that three simple metaphors work best for my clients: ‘Jewels not tools’ – this is to remind them that they should not be using their nails to open cans of cold drink, pick off labels, dig out weeds in the garden, or scrub burnt bits in the pan. Tell your clients to protect their nails with gloves when in water and in the garden.

‘Fix it, don’t pick it’ – if there

Sam Biddle is renowned worldwide as a nail technician and educator.

She is an international judge and competition winner and the creative director of Jealous Cow Ltd.

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is any lifting of enhancements, or a break in the nails, you should advise your client to call you and get it fixed. You could tell her how to do a home repair with glue until the next appointment, but that is up to you.

‘Oil is Royal’ – always tell your client to oil and moisturise her nails and cuticles daily, twice a day if she can. Using hand cream not only maintains the look of the nails and skin but helps with the future growth of the nails.

Nail biters are tricky customers as picking at their nails and skin is their habit, so lifting their fingers to their mouth is a subconscious action. Suggest the following metaphor that they can repeat like a mantra: ‘Fight it, don’t bite it’.

Ask the Experts

YVETTE NEL As nail professionals it is our responsibly to be up to date in terms of education about retail and home care products, so that we can share that information with our clients.

And, it is a fact that people buy the products that you tell them about.

If you are fortunate enough to have regular clients for pedicures, you need to recommend home care for those feet or they will look shocking again in a month’s time. Ideally you want your client to work with you so that together you can achieve permanent results. The basic requirement for your client’s pedicure home care routine is to remove dead skin once a week with a foot file. Most important is to moisturise daily with a proper foot cream, as a body cream/butter does not do have the same effect on feet as an actual foot cream/balm.

she has on, so she can have perfect nails all the time.

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Cuticle care is of vital importance. When cuticles become dry and hard, clients start picking at them and may cause their professionally applied product not to last the way it is meant to. Keep her cuticles soft and reduce the urge for a client to start chewing, scratching or hacking at her cuticles.

Yvette Nel started out in 2002 as a passionate nail technician working with all nail systems. In 2007 she had a complete career change, from nail tech to sales & area manager for Looking Good LCN. Nel loves sharing her knowledge and expertise with anyone who takes their business seriously.

Then of course the nail file. I know nail professionals don’t like clients to file their work, but if she is going to get a nail file from somewhere else – you will lose out on the sale. Rather teach clients what file grit to

use and how to file correctly.

Your client should always have a nail file handy in case she breaks a nail to just file a rough edge smooth. V

Maintaining her nails at home will allow the client to go a week longer in-between salon maintenance, which means your schedule opens up for new clients, more treatments, and more retail opportunities. So go ahead and sell the colour matching nail polish to the colour gel Nail File Issue 8

June 2016

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Ask Askthe theExperts Expert

SONETTE VAN RENSBURG As a professional you make every effort to provide your client with the best possible service that offers the most effective results, however there is only so much you can do in the salon environment.

Once the client leaves the salon they need to maintain their service at home and often when something does go wrong, they will blame the nail professional even though you may have performed a good service. If the client does not know how to maintain their service and is not informed about what to use and how to take care of their service once they leave the salon, it is inevitably the nail professional’s fault!

Recommend and sell a good quality nail and cuticle oil as not only does it benefit the client’s natural nail and cuticles, but is also good for nail enhancements, gel polish or any nail coating. A good quality cuticle oil, which consists of natural ingredients particularly light penetrating oils, will not only toughen up the natural nail and hydrate the surrounding skin tissue, but can greatly benefit enhancements, preventing them from cracking and lifting while maintaining the health and condition of the natural nails and skin.

Suggest that your client use products such as hand lotions Nail File Issue 8

June 2016

Suggest that your client use products such as hand lotions and nail serums regularly.

and nail serums regularly. She should also wear gloves when using household detergents to protect the client’s hands from the daily rigours of housework and environmental damage.

It is NOT recommended that the client change her nail enamel too often, as this will only expose them to lifting or cracking which she could start picking or filing at, which will only give you more work to do when she comes back to your salon for a rebalance.

durable than her own natural nails.

Follow up after your client’s first time appointment with a phonecall between seven to 10 days later to make sure everything is going well with her nail enhancements and to confirm her follow-up and rebalance appointment.

Advise your client NOT to clip, pick or bite their nail enhancements or nail coating, as this will only lead to cracks or more serious problems.

Recommend a wearable and reasonable length that suits your client’s lifestyle.

Advise your client not to use her nail enhancements or coatings as tools, although they may be stronger and more

Sonette van Rensburg has been in the industry for 26 years and consults with salons and spas and trains salon professionals in all aspects of nail technology.

Showcase Nail Art Competition

2016

Showcase your artistic skills in the Nail File Showcase Nail Art Competition, with two exciting categories to enter.

Photographic Nail Art Competition - Capture your artistic skills in the form of a photograph and show more than just your nail art capabilities. The nail stylist must create a beautiful set of nails done in any style or type of nail art and send in a professional, high-res photo of their work to be judged. Photographs must be no smaller than 8 x 10 inches in size and may be mounted and presented in any artistic way the nail stylist wishes. The theme is open to allow for complete artistic freedom.

Tip Box Nail Art Competition - For the Tip Box Nail Art category, the theme which has been chosen and must be adhered to is ‘Jungle Book’. The nail stylist’s entry and artwork is to be designed and created on nail tips and placed in a transparent box frame or display case, which allows the competitors’ work to be seen. Displays may be shop-bought or homemade. However the boxes should not be smaller than 25cm in length and width and no less than 10cm in height.

The Top 5 entries in each category will be featured in the next issue of Nail File, which will be bagged together with the September issue of Professional Beauty magazine. Thereafter, the Top 3 in each category will be announced and exhibited at the Professional Beauty Nail Competition on 29 August, which takes place as part of the Professional Beauty Johannesburg Expo at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The Top 3 finalists and winner in each category will also be featured in the post-show issue of Nail File.

All entries must be submitted by no later than 30 July. Entries must be delivered to the Professional Beauty offices at: T.E. Trade Events, 1st Floor Rapid Blue Building, 263 Oak Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg.

For more information about the rules & regulations of the Nail File Showcase Nail Art Competition visit

www.probeauty.co.za

or contact the competition director on 076 585 4191 or email sonettevr@gmail.com

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Business

The DIY

conundrum

Sonette van Rensburg looks at DIY (Do It Yourself) nail services and questions their place in the nail stratosphere.

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ith the beauty industry having become so competitive and offering a multitude of hand, foot and nail services, treatments and products, clients now have so much at their disposal and such a variety of salons, treatments, services and products to choose from.

Even the grocery store and kitchen pantry are a great source for finding raw natural ingredients, which can be used to create some fantastic concoctions, lotions and potions. For instance, one can quickly and easily mix up some sugar and oil, and ‘Voila!’ you have an exfoliating hand

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scrub to perform a manicure with. But, will it offer the same benefits and provide you with the same end results as a professional brand’s hand scrub?

I am, however, not just talking about creating your own basic DIY hand, foot and nail products at home, but about those that are readily available.

Clients now also have the option to pop over to their nearest pharmacy or cosmetic store and purchase absolutely anything and everything, from a basic nail polish, to gel polish and even nail enhancement products.

Everything you need to perform a service with is now

available for your client to do it yourself at home.

DIY hand, foot and nail services and products have been on the market for a while now.

As new technology, trends and products are introduced into the professional industry, so too are the latest DIY products, in the attempt to stay up to date with the professional industry, but these quick fix services and products sometimes come with their own set of problems.

Do DIY services and products provide the same benefits and results as professional services and products, which have undergone strict research, development and testing? Most importantly, are they supported

Business

with proper education and application procedures and are they backed by professional recommendations and advice?

In my opinion they most certainly are not, they merely offer a quick fix and nothing else.

Why your client should NOT go the DIY route Salon services and treatments are performed with professional products and equipment, and done by skilled, knowledgeable nail professionals.

Retail of professional products is linked with, and backed by, professional support and expert advice on how to achieve the best results and prevent service breakdown.

Negative effects

Professional recommendations and advice – the advice a client receives from a salon professional can benefit them in many ways such as:

DIY services are not made to replace professional services and products, as the effects of these services versus professional services can end up having very negative effects on salons, the industry and most of all, on the people who use them.

• Keeping them up to date with the latest in nail, colour and fashion trends.

• Client consultation to ensure that the client benefits from the correct service prescription and product type.

• Advice about nail conditions, diseases and disorders, which could be contraindicated for certain treatments.

• Homecare advice on how to use a product to get the best result and how to get the best wear and longevity from their services and maintaining their hands, feet, skin and nails in a good and healthy condition.

So often a client sitting in front of you may comment and say, ‘That looks easy! I’m sure I could do it myself ’. What the client doesn’t realise though is that they do not have the same know-how or skill as a professionally trained nail technician. This is where you, as a professional, need to step in and educate your client and explain that it is not advisable to do some of these services at home, especially gel polish applications and nail enhancements, as they could end up damaging their nails. I don’t even recommend that clients soak off their own enhancements or nail coatings at home.

So why would a client go the DIY route then, rather than visiting the salon for a professional service? Certain factors such as affordability, time, convenience and perhaps

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location, could influence them in making this choice.

Most women, however, would still rather prefer to go the professional route and not compromise on quality, professionalism or the luxury of being pampered. But there are always inevitably those clients who will give it a go at doing it themselves.

Professional investment Salons invest a lot of money on well-known reputable brands and products that are synonymous with fashion and the industry, offering professional high-end quality hand, foot and nail services and products. Professional brands offer everything a salon and nail professional requires, providing not only a full complement of professional and retail product lines, to perform

professional quality services and treatments with, but also the necessary education and support.

So, how do we protect our businesses and make sure clients rather choose to visit our salons for treatments and purchase their home care products form us? It all begins with making sure your clients understand the importance, value and difference of investing in a professional service and products, as opposed to doing it themselves.

The difference between having a salon service and using professional products as opposed to DIY services and products is that they are performed by knowledgeable professionals and backed by professional recommendations and home care advice.

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Style Savvy

As the temperature drops,

hot colours rise!

Bio Sculpture Romantic Gothic Collection Beauty Of Perfection

With the cold winter weather setting in, there is one way to warm things up – superhot nail colours that absolutely pop.

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are to be inspired by this season’s multi-platform Pantone colour forecast that displays a palette of distinctive shades that speak out in a language all of their own, evoking a mixology of feelings and emotions.

In the search for tranquillity and peace, comforting and uplifting blues lead the way

and make their debut, with colours like deep riverside blue and airy blue, a lighter weightless shade that soothes all your cares away. Depend

Purple LA Best of everything

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Can’t get past my reflection

My crystal dream

Granate London

Style Savvy

Amore at the Grand Canal

O Suzi Mio

It’s a Piazza Cake

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Gimme a Lido Kiss

Bio Sculpture Romantic Gothic Collection - Wilting Bouquet

on unexpected neautrals like sharkskin grey to offer stability and to match with both brighter and softer shades. Earth tones like potter’s clay instil a sense of being grounded, while taupe takes on a warmer approach as it complements the contrast of colours for the season. Feel energised in vibrant lush meadow green, as it connects you with Mother Nature.

Look elegant and feel powerful in aurora red, a classic hue that exudes confidence.

Be bold and bodacious in hot, pinkish purple, or spice things up with an accent of mustard yellow to add a touch of individuality. Finally, tone things down with dusty cedar, a muted pink inspired by rose quartz to enhance a distinctive palette and selection of shades that inspire your creativity and excite the senses.

I Orchid You Not

Prim-Rose and Proper

What’s Your Poin-Settia

Bio Sculpture Romantic Gothic Collection Gorgeous Decay

Bio Sculpture Romantic Gothic Collection nail art

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Salon Focus

A place to be

pampered

Sibusisiwe Ngeleka

On 28 May 2016, The Loft Nail Bar in Dainfern Square, Johannesburg, celebrated its first birthday.

Owner Sibusisiwe Ngeleka talks to Joanna Sterkowicz about the salon’s history and ethos.

S

ibusisiwe Ngeleka describes herself as ‘a corporate girl’, who spent 15 years working for multinationals like HP and Microsoft. This begs the question why someone with no background in the beauty or nail industry would want to open a nail bar.

“I travelled a lot during my corporate career and was exposed to overseas nail bars, particularly in the US, where you get pure nails bars that only offer nail services,” says Ngeleka. “So I started thinking how much I would love to create my very own nail bar – a place that would be like a home away from home, where clients could relax and be pampered for an hour or so. That’s why I offer my clients wine, champagne and coffee. I also offer free Wi-Fi for those clients who wish to work during their nail service.”

Starting up Once Ngeleka decided to open her own nail bar, she ‘hopped around Johannesburg’, visiting nail bars and salons to see what she liked, what she didn’t like and what she could improve on, before coming up with her own concept.

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Salon Focus

“Most of the nail salons I visited were fully booked, so I wanted to offer clients the option of either booking an appointment, or being able to walk-in and know that their nail needs would be attended to the same day,” she explains.

Choosing the locale of the upmarket Dainfern Square Shopping Centre came about by chance, when Ngeleka happened to visit a friend in the area. “I saw that a new shopping centre was about to be built, so I contacted the developers and presented my concept, plans and financials and was accepted as a tenant.”

When entering The Loft Nail Bar, one is struck by its stylish, compact look, all encased in a warm cream tone.

Ngeleka notes that she designed the nail bar herself, taking some inspiration from Pinterest.

“I chose cream as my design colour as I particularly wanted to have a warm setting without clichéd pinks and greens,” she continues. “In addition, I didn’t want the place to look overly feminine as I get about three male clients a day who come in for manicures and pedicures. My male clients feel comfortable in this environment with its clean lines.”

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Infrastructure and services The Loft Nail Bar boasts five deluxe mani/pedi stations complete with built-in back massagers and footbaths. There are also three manicure stations.

In addition, one corner of the salon is dedicated to non-nail services, namely threading, lash and brow tinting, and lash extensions.

Ngeleka employs seven full time nail techs, who work with the following brands: Gelish, Morgan Taylor, Harmony, CND Shellac, CND Vinylux and MediHeel. OPI nail polish was recently introduced due to client demand and Ngeleka is currently trying out China Glaze.

“We’re fortunate in that we have quite a large loyal client base and average between two and three new clients every day.

The Loft Nail Bar is definitely a growing brand and I plan to open another branch in Johannesburg before the end of this year,” concludes Ngeleka.

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Nail Competition

Winning Ways –

Professional Beauty London The International Nail Championships, held as part of the recent Professional Beauty London Show at Excel, recognised the talents of some outstanding techs from across the globe.

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Nail Competition

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N

ail technician Alexandra Mehesz was crowned the International Nail Master and the International Nail Art Master at the International Nail Championships. She also won the Pink & White Competition Style category.

South African-born and bred nail technician, Tracey Lee, who is now based in The Netherlands, won the Photographic Classic category.

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Nail Competition

The International Nail Championships

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In the Market

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Product

Hub

Our round-up of the latest product launches in the exciting world of nails.

Pause for effect SpaRitual’s Pause Collection for Fall/Winter 2016 features six intricate hues: Eye For Detail (pearly cream shimmer), Artisan (deep red and gold duo speckled with chrome glitter), Modern (rich plum infused with red micro glitter), Intricate (satin navy shimmer), Bespoke (gunmetal micro glitter grey), and Hand Made (copper and gold glitter).

021Â 552 6999

Two-in-one The LCN Recolution 2in1 Bond & Seal combines a bonding agent with a high gloss sealant, making it ideal for nail polish gel pedicures. This combination results in faster application, a higher profit per client and perfectly polished nails for up to four weeks. It contains Piroctone olamine for the prevention of fungal infections.

010 593 3293

A question of style Crisnail has launched its Nail Lacquer Style Collection, which combines stylish trends from catwalks in London, New York, Paris, and Los Angeles. The four new colours are bold maroon (Granate London), sophisticated vintage grey (Gris New York), quirky violet (Violet Paris) and chic deep purple (Purple LA).

011 791 4027

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In the Market

Gorgeous garden

Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer presents its Winter Collection 2016 – Winter Garden – with six gorgeous floral colours in bloom. This lavish collection comprises Rose-Y Cheeks; Warm up the Car-Nataion; What’s Your Poinsettia; Don’t Pansy Around; Prim-Rose and Proper; and I Or-Chid You Not. 011 447 0659

Kitted out IBD’s Acrylic Kit contains sweet intoxicating shades of neon, glitter and pastel acrylic, to let the nail tech’s imagination run wild. Included in the kit are 12 acrylic colours, and IBD’s Grip Monomer.

011 305 1600

Put a sock in it

The Milk Solutions Moisturising Gloves and Softening Socks are the first of their kind in South Africa and can be used both in-salon to enhance treatments and provide deep nourishment for the skin of the hands and feet, and as allin-one, on-the-go, waterless mani and pedi treatments for mobile technicians.

011 454 8119

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Fruity cuticle remover Essie’s Apricot Cuticle Peel is like a high-end facial for the cuticles. This formula gently removes old cuticle cells to reveal smoother skin. After applying two to three drops and letting them dry for 15 seconds, the nail tech can gently push back the cuticle and apply Apricot Cuticle Oil to instantly condition and nourish.

011 286 0969

Grey Importing

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The importance of authorised channels Grey importing refers to companies that operate parallel to authorised distributors of products. Nail File looks at how this practice affects the industry.

Why should you buy from a brand’s authorised distributor? Buying from an authorised distributor gives you the correct product training from the start. This means that you will apply the product correctly and therefore not have issues with incorrect use.

You will also have access to support should you have any issues with the product or a client. In addition, you will also be the first to hear about new products and techniques and also benefit from any follow-up training going forward.

An authorised distributor has spent a considerable amount of money in promoting the product, thus creating the public awareness and the reason your client asks for the product in the first place.

Debbie Kayle of Sparkle Cosmetics, the official distributor of Gelish, Morgan Taylor, Hand & Nail Harmony and IBX, notes that she has experienced problems with the unauthorised sale of some of her products in South Africa.

“My advice to salons and nail techs is to respect people’s brands as you would like your own

businesses to be respected. The people that operate parallel to authorised distributors do so by benefiting from the millions of rands that authorised distributors spend on advertising, marketing and brand building.

“There is necessary training and education provided by authorised distributors that unauthorised distributors are not qualified to give and also do not insist upon. This training and education is imperative to the quality control and outcome of the treatment and therefore the return business of the salon.

“Authorised distributors cannot guarantee any treatment done with their brands when sold by an unauthorised distributor and without training.”

Kayle notes that an unauthorised distributor will sell a single product to anyone, whereas an authorised distributor will sell compulsory opening orders only to the professionals in the industry. The content of the opening orders contains all the tools and products needed to correct application and removal of the brands.

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Industry Issues

Maintaining the integrity

of the industry

As the nail industry continues growing, so too are some very concerning issues that are affecting the professionalism and standards we are so desperately trying to uplift, writes Sonette van Rensburg.

T

he word integrity means ‘honesty’, ‘truth’, ‘honour’ and ‘reliability’, while the antonym of the word is ‘dishonesty’. If you believe in running a professional, reputable nail business that offers professional services, then there shouldn’t be any place for dishonesty or compromising the products and brands you use and how they should be used.

Never compromise the quality of your services, your professionalism, your salon’s standards, and most importantly, your client’s trust, for the sake of saving a few bucks here and there.

Counterfeit products Counterfeit products have found their way into the professional market. Although you may not see much harm in buying a fake, famous brand handbag, purse, watch or even perfume, it is quite different when it comes to buying professional salon products. The imitation handbag could fall apart in less time than the original would and

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Industry Issues

does not seem to potentially harm anyone, however buying counterfeit nail products does, as it is usually the more well known, popular brands that are counterfeited.

There may be serious injury and/or adverse reactions related to the use of counterfeit nail products. It is very unlikely that counterfeit products are manufactured under strict quality control, or that they contain high quality ingredients. In fact, counterfeit products often don’t even list their ingredients. Counterfeit products are designed to ‘mimic’, not ‘duplicate’.

These products may have the potential to injure or harm salon professionals or their clients.They often contain cheaper substitute ingredients, which may not be safe and could lead to severe service breakdown.

Mixing brands and systems Another concerning problem is the substituting of certain products within a system.

Don’t be mistaken into thinking that you can mix and match products from different brands. Products and systems from one particular brand are manufactured to be chemically compatible

with one another, so as to get the best possible results.

For example, when using an enhancement system, you can’t use liquid monomer from one brand and the polymer powder from another and the same goes for gels, which are made specifically to be used with a specific LED or UV lamp, Mixing brands and systems could lead to service breakdown. The ingredients which go into these products are very specific in assisting one another in the way they react and respond to be able to be fully effective. You may think that by purchasing a cheaper substitute you are saving money, but don’t be fooled as it could cost you dearly in the long run.

Each and every product and brand has their own specific purpose and unique qualities and are therefore formulated to complement and work in synergy with one another.

Financial implications Unfortunately all of the above-mentioned issues, as well as grey importing (please see article on page 33), have a major negative effect on the industry financially. Plenty of research and financial investment goes into the

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development of professional brands and products, and the technology behind what makes them tick in order to get the best results

Solutions I believe that we all need to stand together and make a concerted effort to take action and do something.

So therefore, only purchase your professional salon products from reputable, authorised distributors who offer professional training and support. Likewise only purchase high quality professional products and avoid purchasing cheap counterfeit products.

Always use brands, systems and products strictly according to manufacturers’ instructions and training protocols. In addition, be knowledgeable and know what is available in the professional industry and who’s who.

Report anyone who you suspect is participating in any of the above activities and notify the authorised manufacturers and distributors.

Never compromise the quality, professionalism or the integrity of your products, your salon or yourself.

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Nail Preparation

Clean start A good artist will never create his work of art on an unprepared or dirty canvas. Like an artist’s canvas, the natural nail becomes the nail professional’s canvas.

A properly trained nail tech would never apply a nail coating on a dirty nail plate, writes Sonette van Rensburg.

T

he nail plate needs to be perfectly clean and free of any products, contaminants, debris and anything that can act as a barrier between the natural nail plate and nail coating. So your first step is the simple process of washing your client’s hands with an antibacterial hand wash.

Should your client be wearing nail polish, then first sanitise their hands and remove the polish. Always make sure that all traces of nail polish are thoroughly removed prior to her washing her hands.

Hygiene and sanitation is exceptionally important in

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preventing the spread and cross-contamination of diseases.

The ‘mini mani’ As the nail plate grows, the eponychium will shed a thin layer of skin onto the nail plate, and the cuticle will most likely be adhered to the nail plate too. Therefore it is important to perform a ‘mini manicure’ with thorough cuticle work, to push back the cuticle to expose and remove all non-living skin tissue from the nail plate.

Some nail professionals believe that cuticle removers and water should not

be used at all during the preparation stage and prior to the application of coatings or enhancements, as it will interfere with the application.

In fact, it is far more harmful to push back cuticles that are dry as they could tear. So use a good quality effective cuticle remover that will soften and assist with pushing back the cuticle and removing nonliving skin. Be sure to scrub the nails with a nailbrush and clean soapy water afterwards and rinse well to remove all traces of product, skin and debris. Dry the hands and nails thoroughly. Only once the nails have been cleaned and dried,

Nail Preparation

proceed with nipping away any loose, dry, non-living skin.

Be extremely careful when using a metal pusher, as aggressive manicuring techniques could cause serious damage to the eponychium and nail plate. Also be careful not to cut the eponychium or living skin tissue as this could lead to infections and the skin becoming thicker.

No rough stuff!

It is a dangerous misconception to think that nail enhancement products and coatings don’t adhere unless you roughen up the nail plate. So much damage is done to clients’ natural nails through overfilling. Buffing and can be very harmful as heavy abrasives strip away layers of the natural nail plate, leaving it thin and weak, with no supporting structure for the enhancement or coating to adhere to. It can also cause all sorts of other problems such as allergic reactions, painful burning sensations, infections and even loss of the nail plate.

Surface oils Professional nail enhancement brands and systems all have a natural nail cleanser. These products play an important role in removing surface oils and other contaminates from the skin and nail plate that could interfere with proper adhesion. They also assist with eliminating and reducing pathogens and fungal spores, which could lead to infections.

Skipping this step is the major cause of nail infections, and can also cause enhancements to lift at the cuticle area and sidewalls.

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this can be proved by placing a nail clipping into some primer for a couple of weeks, or even months, and it will still be there.

When using primer less is definitely more, so apply an ultrathin coat of primer to the exposed nail plate only. Always wipe out the brush of your primer on a clean, lint free wipe to remove any residue it may have picked up from the nail plate, before replacing it back into the bottle.

Primer Last but not least a primer or bonding agent is applied to the natural nail. This will help with the adhesion of the nail enhancement system, especially with liquid & powder and gel systems. It is untrue that primers eat into the natural nail;

Should the nail plate have any oils which need to be removed, this can be done by using a very soft grit block buffer, very gently, buffing once only over the nail plate and in the direction of the nail growth.

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Know your chemicals

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The chemistry of

colours There has been much controversy over the years around the safety and use of some nail products, particularly neon and metallic colours, glitters, pigmented powders and acrylic paint. Sonette van Rensburg investigates.

I

t is important not to compromise on high-end, good quality nail products.

The cost of a product is determined by the quality of the raw materials used, hence the more expensive they are, the better the quality.

Products available from retail stores, the internet or from a hobby shop may contain some of the same active ingredients, but will most definetely not contain the same quality or quantity of raw materials that are used in professionall nail products, purchased from reputable, authorised nail suppliers.

Neons In May 2012 the nail world was rocked by the announcement that neon nail polish – one of the season’s biggest trends at the Nail File Issue 8

June 2016

time – was actually illegal in America. Without knowing what the reason was, one couldn’t help but assume that there was something harmful in the chemicals. But nobody seemed to know what the actual fuss was really all about.

Because there are not many neon pigments that have actually been registered with the FDA, this does not necessarily mean they are dangerous; rather they are somewhat untested. Certain neon pigments can undergo unexpected changes, meaning that pigments could be absolutely fine when combined with some ingredients and products, but not in others such as polish solvents.

Because pigments contain a dye, which is protected by a resin coating, they may dissolve in solvents undergoing

a chemical change and releasing the chemicals inside them, creating an intoxicating odour, which may seem harmful.

Some brands claim that all the ingredients and additives in their products have been tested and approved for use in cosmetics, but have they really? There has been speculation that some companies who supply these products could be using automotive pigments.

When nail polish was first developed, it contained soluble dyes. However, nowadays polishes contain

Know your chemicals

39

Because pigments contain a dye, which is protected by a resin coating, they may dissolve in solvents undergoing a chemical change and releasing the chemicals inside them, creating an intoxicating odour, which may seem harmful.

various types of pigments which give them a specific colour. The ability of a pigment to mix well with the solvent and other ingredients is essential and is what will determine a good quality product. While the FDA maintains lists of pigments that are considered acceptable in the use of nail colours, there are also those which are restricted.

desired colour tones and shades. Common additives are micas, which are tiny reflective minerals, the same as pearl or fish scale essence. Pearl or guanine is literally made from small fish scales and skin, suitably cleaned, and mixed with solvents such as castor oil and butyl acetate. The guanine can also be mixed with gold, silver and bronze tones to create metallic type finishes.

Metallics

Acrylic paints

Besides the usual colouring pigments that can be added to polish, other ingredients can be added to achieve the

Acrylic paint is not a traditional option for nail art, which prompts questions regarding the safety of using

it on the nails. This type of paint is comprised of pigments suspended in an acrylic polymer, containing small amounts of ammonia and formaldehyde, which could lead to allergic reactions.

Apparently certain colours contain metal pigments, which are believed to be toxic and carcinogenic.

Therefore only use acrylic paints that are specifically for use on nails and skin and contain ingredients which are approved and safe to use.

Glitters Most glitters are made from very thin, clear polyester sheets, which are painted with pigments and then cut into a variety of different shapes and sizes.

Polyester is a material deemed as cosmetically safe for use on skin and nails, as are all other polyester ultrafine, pearl, chunky and microfine glitters. Some ultrafine opaque colours have a mix of metallic glitter in them and are not solvent resistant, or considered as safe for use on skin and nails. However, these are not often used as they don’t lend themselves to the multi-dimensional look.

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Nail Health

In the fourth part of the Busting Myths series of articles, Sonette van Rensburg continues to investigate misinformation in the industry.

T

hrough the years there has been plenty of misinformation that has circulated throughout the industry and caused people to believe certain things that just aren’t true. The only reason this happens is because people are uninformed and quick to believe the horror story rather than the truth.

The answer is to be knowledgeable and not to make assumptions without doing the proper research before making statements that are not true.

MYTH – Nails need to ‘breathe’

You so often hear people say that they should stop wearing nail polish or enhancement coatings for a while as their nails need to breathe. This must be one of the biggest myths in the industry. Nails most definitely do not need to breath, because the nail plate is made of keratin, which is a protein and non-living substance that does not absorb or

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Nail Health

take in oxygen.

One way we can tell for sure is that when the natural nail is damaged, it does not repair itself the same way as the skin does; any damaged nail has to grow out in order for the new nail to take its place.

Therefore it is of the utmost importance to take extra care of the natural nail plate and make sure it does not get damaged through improper manicuring and application techniques.

If you know your natural nail anatomy you will understand this much better.

MYTH – Nails need to take a break from enhancements Some people may believe, as discussed above, that your nail enhancements or coatings need to be removed regularly to give them a break and allow them to breathe. This is in fact actually not necessary, as we have learnt that the nail does not breathe.

However, if the nail plate or surrounding skin shows signs of moderate to serious damage, injury, infection or adverse skin reactions, nail enhancements

should not be applied. Why? In most countries, including the US, nail technicians are only permitted to provide cosmetic services on healthy skin and nails. Unhealthy nail conditions are ‘medical conditions’, which should be examined by a doctor (or podiatrist) who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment, if required. Nail technicians are not licensed to practice medicine. In cases of adverse skin reactions, discontinue use until the client’s doctor can be consulted as to the actual causes and possible solutions.

MYTH – Ice water helps to dry polish quicker Absolutely not as nail polish dries through a chemical process. Once nail polish has been applied to the nails, the solvents within the nail polish slowly start to evaporate, which results in

41

the nail polish drying. Placing your nails into ice water will actually stop this process, as the solvents have nowhere to evaporate. The best and only way to speed up the drying process is with air, or applying a quick dry spray or drops.

These will usually have an oil base and should not be applied immediately after the polish but a short while later.

There are also very effective professional quick-drying top coats available that assist with speeding up the drying process.

MYTH – Yellowing nails can’t be prevented Yes they absolutely can! The only reason your nails will turn yellow is because the nail plate is porous so it will absorb most things, such as oils, moisture and colour pigments. Many people believe that polish causes their nails to yellow; yes it can, depending on the shade you wear. But there is a very easy and simple solution to this is – simply make sure a base coat is applied to the natural nail prior to the application of nail polish, especially those with darker and stronger pigments.

A good quality professional base coat will protect the nail and also assist with making your polish last longer.

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Step by Step

Pastel palette Although we will be working with pastels, there is nothing subdued about this design. The base of the design is created with black gel, which creates a dramatic outline to the pastel shades that are later layered on top of it, writes Tracey Lee.

1.

Apply a layer of nude or camouflage to the entire nail. Cure.

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2. 3.

Using a Brush-On French Gel, create a deep smile line and paint on the French extension.

Using a fine application brush and black gel, create a line around the smile line. Start thicker in the centre of the smile line, thinning out the line towards the corners of the smile line. Using the same black gel, create a similar line around the lunula. Cure.

Step by Step

4.

Using a medium dotting tool and the black gel, create dots around the smile line and lunula. Start from the middle of the smile line with the largest dot and move towards the corners of the smile line, using less pressure and thereby creating smaller dots. Cure.

6.

Using a fine application brush and the black gel, create random flowers on the French free edge.

Cure.

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5.

I have used bright colour gels mixed with the French white gel to create pastel shades. Using pastel pink and the fine application brush, repeat the steps from step 3 to create the line of the smile line and lunula, however apply slightly less pressure creating a slightly thinner line.

Using pastel green apply dots into the centre of the existing black dots with slightly less pressure to create smaller dots. Cure.

9.

Using pastel green, add accents into the leaves.

Using pastel yellow, add the hearts into the flowers. Cure.

Finish off the design by sealing the entire nail with top gel. Cure and cleanse.

7.

Continue creating flowers, this time spreading them towards the nail bed. Cure.

8.

Select more pastel colours to colour in the petals of the flowers created in the previous step. Cure. www.tracey-lee.com Nail File Issue 8

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Step by Step

Swish 1.

Do a full set nails with LCN FibreTech Gel.

3.

Select three complementary colours and place them on a palate. The following three colours were used in this step by step guide: LCN Recolution Bubblegum, Grape Sorbet and I Will Do Anything For Red Velvet. Use a nail art fan brush and lightly brush Recolution Grape Sorbet over the nail in thin, light feather strokes and cure (LED one minute/UV two minutes).

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2.

This pretty design was created

by Franzelle de Villiers

Apply two thin layers of LCN Recolution Marshmallow. Cure after each layer under an LED lamp for one minute or a UV lamp for two minutes.

4.

Using the same brush and technique, apply Recolution I’ll Do Anything For Red Velvet over the nail and cure (LED one minute/UV two minutes).

Step by Step

45

5.

Repeat the same step with Recolution Bubblegum over the nail in thin, light feather strokes and cure (LED one minute/UV two minutes). If a lighter effect is desired you can apply Recolution Marshmallow (the same colour that was used for the first two coats to give the base colour to the nails) with a nail art fan brush in thin, light feather strokes over the nail and cure (LED one minute / UV two minutes).

6.

Finally seal with LCN Ultra Shine to achieve a high gloss finish and cure (LED one minute/UV two minutes).

Franzelle de Villiers is a salon owner, LCN expert and master educator for Looking Good LCN, with 15 years of experience in the nail and beauty industry. Doing nails is not an ordinary job for her but an extraordinary passion.

She is also passionate about educating young nail techs and inspiring them to be the best professionals in their field.

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Step by Step

nailista file

linen tweed This clever nail art look was created for Essie by Rita Remark.

2

Add a coat of pearly white on top and let dry

of e coat, oat of ttle

4

rush draw l and s

1.

2.

coat, followed by a coat of Spin the Bottle.

on top and let dry.

Blend with a coat of allure, and add a Applylayer a layer of to go Add a coat of of good First Base base top coat for shinePearly White

Rita’s tip

Make sure the lines cross hatch over one another

et the design dry before plying top coat thoroughly

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3.

4.

Dip a stripingshades Blend with a brush in Blanc coat of Allure, and draw short and add a layer horizontal and of Good to Go spin the bottle vertical lines. top coat for pearly white shine.

TIP: Make sure the lines cross hatch over one another. Let the design dry before applying the top coat thoroughly.

blanc allure

Rita Remark is one of Canada’s top nail artists.tool Her impressive body of work spans international Fashion Weeks as well as Canadian magazines. She is known for her natural manicures and wildly graphic nail art. Her eye for detail striping brush has earned her the reputation of a nail perfectionist and a true visionary.

Q&A

47

Top Tech Talk In this issue of Nail File, we put the spotlight on nail artist, Minell Van der Merwe, whose salon in Cape Town is called Minelliart.

What do nails mean to you?

For me, doing nails is like working on a little ‘art canvas’ that I can turn into small masterpieces. These masterpieces then start looking like the client’s personal trademark. I think people notice nails even more than a painting that hangs in a gallery, where only a few people may notice it.

My clients tell me at each appointment how many people have noticed their nails and have asked if they are ‘Minellies’.

When did you open your nail salon?

I have had Minelliart for two years now. The name is an amalgamation of my name

(Minell) and ‘i’, which stands for something small or cute, and the ‘art’ is for all forms of art.

For how long have you been a nail tech?

I did my Bio Sculpture Gel training in Stellenbosch in 2008 part-time, as I got a job as a sales representative for the company and would visit salons in the Western Cape.

After two years I started a mobile salon for a few months. This is something I would never do again as my working hours were 06h00 to 23h30! I was then given an educator’s position which I

did for a year, but I missed being creative and doing nails.

Where do you get your inspiration for your nail art?

I get my inspiration through Instagram and from everything about fashion. I try to stay up to date with overseas trends.

Were you good at art at school?

We did not really have art at school but I was fortunate that my mom had an art shop in Bredasdorp, where I grew up.

She had evening art classes so art was all around me and my younger sister, who is now a fashion designer. V Nail File Issue 8

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Q&A

What is your own personal favourite style of nail art?

I absolutely love doing line work on nails!

Do most of your clients show you pictures of nail art that they would like you to do for them or do they leave it up to you?

I have the most fantastic clients – they show me pictures of what they like and then the leave me to do my own thing.

Do you find there is a demand for seasonal nail art?

I can say that about 20% of my clients are seasonal with their nails but the other 80% is more focused on fashion trends. I mean, who wants Christmas nails in sunny Cape Town? Definitely not me, as Nail File Issue 8

June 2016

it’s my birthday the day after Christmas and a few days later, New Year’s Eve.

When would you say that nail art really took off in South Africa?

Nail art has been around for a while already, but with social media we see it more and more. Social media has helped to grow the popularity of nail art among the general public.

Are nail embellishments like gem stones and bows big at the moment?

Gems and bows were more of a trend last year but are still OK on a set of nails if

Q&A

placed in the correct setting with a design. (It’s called planning!)

What is the most challenging nail art design that you’ve ever done and why?

Well, a few years ago I got a message out of Thailand asking if I could paint an image of a client’s boyfriend on her nail. I said yes, although I did not really think that I would be able to or that she would actually book me. But she did. So she sent me a picture of her boyfriend (now husband) in cartoon

form for me to practise. Not knowing the size of her nails I practised on one sample stick nail. But when she arrived I was dismayed to find that her nails were very small. However, I proceeded to confidently work out the setting of the little man’s body on the nail. When I finished the nail I was so overwhelmed.

When did you first encounter the Gel-it brand and what appeals to you about the brand?

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dropped some of their products at my salon in June last year. I was a bit afraid to use any other product as I only knew one product.

However I loved the fact that Gel-it is so affordable and has a wide range of colours. Today it is the only colour range that I use. I absolutely love the colour pigment.

Eleni Fourie from Gel-it

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June 2016

䔀嘀伀 䤀匀 䐀䤀䘀䘀䔀刀䔀一吀⸀⸀⸀

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