Shellac update

So far I have practiced this on 4 people and have had it on my nails for 4 days now. No chips,no wear and tear yet on my end. One of the girls had the polish on her index finger pop off the day after having it applied BUT she was cleaning her bathroom sink and toilet with scrubbing bubbles and a sponge.

Shellac ,while extremely resistant to chips and flaking is sensitive to chemicals. So gloves should be worn when using and cleaning products or you may loosen the gel.
Next week is week two of practice and we will try to remove a set and see how easy it comes off.


My real quick first impression of this process is very positive! I usually cant make a manicure last three days . I have massaged people washed my hands,hair,been careful to wear glove when cleaning and it looks beautiful like the day I got it. It may not last two weeks for everyone and you have to use common sense when using your hands (no using the tip of your nail as a tool) if you expect it to hold up.Overall I think it's a good buy and does what it should!
LOVE IT!!!
Two thumbs up!
or ten fingers! :-)

What's all the Shellac about??

This new type of Manicure is PERFECT for people like me . Who's that you ask? People that hate or can't sit still long enough to let their nails dry properly after a manicure. I try honestly I do. And I DO nails for other people so I know the importance of dry time. Trust me,nothing irks me more than telling a client to sit long enough to not wreak the nice polish job I have done for them .Then they reach into their purse for something and wham SMUDGED!!

OR how about you do go through all that dry time and the next day the dang blasted polish chips right before your leave to attend the event you had them done for in the first place!!??

Well say goodbye to all that misery! CND has developed a manicure that can last UP to two weeks. Chip free and beautiful for UP to two weeks! I'm excited and you should be too!.

It is a new product that is a cross between a gel and regular polish. It requires some light curing and some soak off. I have followed three of my clients that have been getting this done for the last three months. My questions about this were as follows,

1. Does it damage the nails?

2. Does it really last as long as they say?

3.Is it dry right after the curing?

4. How bad is it to soak off?

5. How expensive?

After watching the results that they have had the overall answers are,

 No damage on any of them. Nails looked fine after removal as long as you didn't wait longer than two weeks. Seemed to be harder to remove after that length of time.

Yes it lasts up to two weeks and sometimes longer. The cuticles started to look a bit shabby going into week two but not bad.

Yes it's totally dry after your done.NO dry time after the top coat is cured under light.

Soak off time is approx 10 to 15 minutes and usually is an xtra charge at salon,but can be done at home.

Cost is around $30.00 give or take a couple bucks.

Colors available may be limited as this product is new . Colors may be combined to make different colors.

This needs to be done on natural nails. No tips are done with this process.

The salon I work in will be starting to offer this service by July this year. Check us out!

Sunscreens are they good or bad for us?

There has been much reporting lately on the harmful ingredients that are in most sunscreens. As a skin care specialist I know that to get overexposed to the sun and burn your skin is not what you want to do. This can cause ageing brown spots and skin cancers. But in our rush to protect ourselves from these effects of too much sun exposure we have endangered our health by smearing toxic chemicals all over our bodies and those of our young babies and children.

Some sun is GOOD for us!! we need the healing Vitamin D . Too much can harm our bodies largest organ (the skin)
I have cleared out my cabinets from toxic sunscreens and have tried hard to find the safest most natural sunscreen possible.
I have included a link to a site that rates the best. You can type in the name of your sunscreen and they will tell you all about it!.
It is a wonderfully helpful site and I highly recommend it.
With the summer months ahead please be informed about sun exposure . But don't become so afraid that you rob yourself of some much needed time outdoors! Hats are great and some loose breathable clothing can be worn if you are going to be outside for long periods of time.

Enjoy the summer!! If it ever gets here.

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/

The Day Spa newsletter for April 2011

The Day Spa at Salon Elizabeth "Treat yourself to the perfect gift"!
April, 2011	35129 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights (586)264-3820
Main Article In this issue Just HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN????? Since you took time 'for you'.....called a friend or favorite family member  and booked an appointment for  just the two of you?  Have you checked out your skin lately?  Winter elements create havoc with our face, arms, legs and feet - check the knees and elbows too! At the Spa - we have something for everyone and every skin problem! The New Iontosonic Facial Treatment (add a facial massage and deep pore cleansing) An Anti Aging Facial A good old fashioned full facial! A body scrub or hot oil body wrap! A full pedicure - ah - that awesome leg massage! A professional manicure! Time for electrolysis or waxing! Shh - a body massage - relax!!.....               A Hot Rock Back Treatment - ex-foliates, hydrates and relaxes. The new Bamboo Massage - have to have one to know! Hot Stone Massage...you remember! *********************  And...you can enjoy our newly redecorated lobby!  Thanks Mary and staff!! Connect to: newhorizonbooks.com http://mim.io/feb4d APRIL SPECIAL OFFERS.......there is no way you can say - I can't do it this month! Get a 'jump start' and use these specials right now - you don't have to wait until April!!! _______________________ $5.00 OFF any service $25.00 - $45.00............. $10.00 OFF any service $46.00 - $80.00............. $15.00 OFF any service $81.00 and over! Just decide what service/services you would like, and then use best offer! Yes, you may use a 'special' for EACH service!  What a deal!!!!! All specials good thru April  30, 2011 -not to be combined w/any other offer or special! Please mention this newsletter when you call to book your appointment! 586-264-3820 Mother's Day  is next month.... get that Gift Certificate Now!!! Or call and schedule an appointment for her - -  surprise her and spend the day  at The Spa with her!!                        35129 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights       586-264-3820

Lash and eyebrow tints

It is surprising to me how many people out there did not know that we can safely tint lash and eyebrow hair.

Tinting the lash hair can define the eye area. It darkens the hair to the base of the lash. Perfect for blonds, redheads or anyone who wishes their lashes to be darker. If you have an allergy to mascara or wear contacts and are sensitive to mascara this is a perfect solution. It will not thicken or lengthen the lashes but it will make the hairs considerably darker. This is also for those people that want to go on vacation and swim and not worry about mascara running. A typical lash tint will last approx 3 to 4 weeks.

Doing this in conjunction with the new lash lengthening solutions out there and you could have beautiful dark thick lashes without ever wearing mascara again!

Why tint eye brow hair? This is perfect for those of us that have light brow hair or have some grey or white hairs starting to come in. This procedure can also make fine or sparse brows appear thicker and fuller. This also lasts about 3 to 4 weeks.

It is important to note that we DO NOT use hair dye to do this with. These are safe vegetable semi-permanent dyes that are made to be used on the eyes or eye brows. A low 2% peroxide is used to activate the color process. Most people can get this done without a problem. But as with any product there will be some people that may have sensitivity to having this done. A good technician will stay with you while the process is done and watch for any adverse effects.

With summer coming this may be something you would like to try out! It won’t run or smudge in the heat!

Salon Elizabeth remodel!!

Times have been hard around the Detroit area as I am sure all of you who live here know and all of you that don't, have heard. This area has been feeling the effects of this recession at least a year ahead of the rest of the country. All small businesses in the area have been getting hit really,really hard. Many have closed down. Some of the Spa chains like the Green Door Spa have closed down and many other spas I know are struggling to keep the doors open.

In times like these while over head keeps going up we  in the industry have not been able to raise prices to off set these increases. In fact we have to run specials all the time to keep up with competition.So with all of this going on it is really hard to plan any type of make over or decor upgrade.
This is a picture of part of our lobby,

Not bad,but it's looked like that for several years now.
I would love the spa to take on some of the following looks,

But alas we do not have a spare 1/4 million to implement these types of renovations....so sad.
So what we ARE doing is starting with a nice fresh coat of paint . Doing a two tone look up front.A Teal accent wall with a Macadamia color on the rest of the walls.
Getting new stream lined black product displays. Changing up the wall art and putting in a fire place!OK ,well, not a REAL one,but a very nice fake one.
Our very talented  owner Mary has re-upholstered  the cushions on the couches. The redo will be well affordable and will give a fresh new look to our spa. The idea is to make the lobby as inviting as your living room. We are also giving the front counter a small upgrade as well.

So with new treatments ,Bamboo Fusion and the Iontosonic Facial treatment and some new fresh decor to welcome our guests with we are in for a very exciting spring!
Next new service will be a new nail treatment.
I will be writing about that soon!

Some of the latest dirt..

I haven't posted much lately. The winter doldrums had set in with a bout of flu for my husband and I have zapped my juices for posting. So because of this I am going to just take this time to talk about the Bamboo Fusion Massage a bit.
This massage incorporates heated bamboo sticks that are used as tools to do the massage movements with. This massage takes allot of practice to get the flowing rhythm down to an art form. It is all about fluidity and tranquility. I believe that given the right amount of practice and the client going into this massage with the right attitude this could be a very unique Massage experience..
the therapists at the salon have been practicing with this. One therapist has shown to be catching on to it a bit quicker than the rest .I have yet to get any practice in as I have been too busy with my facial clients. I am excited to get to it though.

Next I want to review the Iontosonic treatments. Are you getting tired of me talking about this? Well I am not tired of the results we are getting! It is still by far one of the best treatments I have used in my career. If you have been thinking about trying it ,STOP THINKING about it and book one! You will be very happy with the results.

I had a birthday a couple weeks ago and I purchased a Suzanne Somers facial exercise machine!!

 Yes I did. Theory is that it will cause my facial muscles to contract thus causing a lifted,tighter facial appearance. We shall see and I will let you know. So far after 4 treatments I have not seen anything to brag about BUT I am well aware that all exercise takes time! Stay tuned!