Sharing up dates with Clients, Therapist and Students in the Beauty World. I am a lecturer in beauty therapy, anatomy and physiology, assessor and specialist glamour technician. Author of Glamour technician revision notes.
Tuesday 30 December 2014
Monday 29 December 2014
CHAMPNEYS NAIL COLOURS
We all associate the name Champneys with luxurious spas and skin care products. Their collection includes' nail polishes. Champneys holds a special place in my heart because they have maintained 'naming' nail polish colours. We can choose our colour by name; such as Flamingo, Raspberry, Garnet, Champagne etc., which allows for no ambiguity. I know I will get the correct shade of pinks and burgundy's. This makes my love of nail varnish names exciting; the colour Twilight will always be the same shade. Not like those lazy companies that just about manage to 'number' there varnishes which is all very vague, or give names of no significance to the colour.
Champneys nail polish collection adds a glamorous finishing touch to beautifully manicured finger tips. With a unique formula, free from nail nasties such as toluene, formaldehyde and DBP, these nail enamels provide the durability and flexibility needed for maximum protection and prolonged wear.
Well done Champneys!!
Sunday 28 December 2014
MORE AIRPORT VARNISH
Waiting in Tunisian airport and not impressed with the Duty Free. Similar to London Airport, nail varnishes have a low profile. Again only one company displaying enamel - L'Oréal this time. On the bottom shelf a miserable display of tatty nail varnishes - only noticed because I searched for them. In fact initially they looked like spare stock left at the bottom of the display. I didn't ask, and I appreciate from a business point of view it wouldn't be worth holding stock for a product where there is no demand; but then how can there be demand for a product that doesn't have a profile? Two airports in 7 days and nail varnishes are not promoted. I wonder is this the norm? Have they researched and found travellers are not interested in painting their nails? Is there no one out there looking for a bargain on a quality nail enamel? Am I the exception to this, wanting to change my nail varnish colour to suit my outfit? Who would I contact to complain? yes complain that nail varnishes are not represented in duty free...
Monday 22 December 2014
NIGHTMARE PEDICURE
Travelling is a time of great expectations. We all have our little routines that define if it's a good holiday or not. I always visit a spa or salon in the area I am staying. As a beauty therapist I am interest in New treatments and how old treatments are adapted to suit the client or the therapist requirements. Here I am in Tunisia - good time for a pedicure you would think.
Therapist was pleasant enough. She took the same foot spa with the same water from the previous client to me - I couldn't believe what I saw - the water was hot & looked clean - so maybe I got it wrong - my feet were in soak look enough for my skin to wrinkle. She then laid me on a massage table with the foot spa at the end, knees bent. Working on one foot only, clipped toe nails, rasp soles of feet, painted nails & applied a thin layer of Vaseline on the out side of the foot. With this foot completed she then did the same on the other foot. Overall look was acceptable. So why am I horrified? She used the same water for her clients, the same tools without cleaning them. No foot massage, no pushing back of cuticles, no base coat, no top coat. This treatment took less than fifteen minutes and cost Dina 44.25 that's £15! All my training and the training I pass to my learners could never justify this treatment - often I talk about adapting the treatment and adjusting to the needs; this therapist took it to the extreme. Ohh the joy of being English - I just couldn't, wouldn't make a fuss. Now I have to convince myself not all Tunisian therapist are like this, even if this one is working in a four star hotel!!
Saturday 20 December 2014
AIRPORT NAIL VARNISHES
Checking out the Duty Free at the Airport. At first glance disappointing. The nail varnishes are under represented! I can name 8 different nail companies without thinking too hard. How many are represented at the airport? Guess - 1, yes one!! OPI with a single stand representing the whole nail industry. I know they have Gwen Stefani with the autumn colours and the Festive, bling varnishes are very nice but they made a true mark with the 18k gold top coat. For those of you that do not know it's the clear coat of varnish that we use to seal your colour varnish. Yes gold has found a new market. Last year gold was in marmite, this year smirnoff vodka and hiding away in Gatwick airport OPI have 18k Gold Nail Varnish I leave the UK confident in the knowledge that my industry has left me speechless, like they say "don't speak" I mean what could we say?
Tuesday 16 December 2014
MOBILE WORK STATION
Monday 15 December 2014
NAIL POLISH GIFT SETS AND MORE
Monday 8 December 2014
ORLY NAIL ART
"Established in the 1970's, ORLY created the iconic French manicure to complement Hollywood star's entire on-set wardrobes. After being showcased on Parisian catwalks, ORLY became an instant classic that is still as popular today and remains the trendsetter when it comes to fashion for nails. Taking influence from the catwalk, ORLY's seasonal collections go hand in hand with fashion trends and showcase everything you need to keep your hands and feet in the red carpet style they deserve".
Have a look at their nail art colours - they are so vibrant and on special offer!!
Friday 5 December 2014
MICRO NAILS V 4 SIDED BUFFER
'Micro nails' verses '4 sided buffer'. Either electric or manual buffers are used for smoothing ridges in the natural nail.
Recently Boots launched 'micro nails'. A little machine that takes the hard work out of buffing (it's not that hard to manually buff). My concern is the uninitiated using a tool like this. They may thin their natural nails causing discomfort that could last months! These types of tools have instructions, but how many people actually read them?
I am all for the '4 sided buffer', a little effort. It allows you control over how much buffing is achieved. Electric (or battery) operated buffers are faster. The user needs more control to avoid friction burn.
Good practice with either buffer is to never buff in the same area. Move around the nail plate, covering the whole area. Use the smoothest (grit) side of the buffer as soon as the nail plate is smooth. Plus most of all don't buff nails just because you can. It really isn't necessary.
In my decades of experience I rarely come across a set of nails that needs to be smoothed out. A little buffing to give shine for those who do not wear varnish is all that is needed.
Wednesday 3 December 2014
GWEN STEFANI AND OPI
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7tdCusTCYs/VH_pAtaMOTI/AAAAAAAAAQw/6oy9NT452GQ/s1600/GWFESTIVE0.jpg)
Monday 1 December 2014
GUY BOURDIN
I am here for an exhibition. There is a showing at Somerset House of Guy Bourdin's 40 year career . The show features more than 100 of the photographers works from 1955, when he was Man Ray's protégé through to 1987. The show also features Polaroid test shots, paintings, working drawings, sketches and previously unseen images as well as Super 8 films he made while behind-the-scenes on shoots.
It was wonderful to see his planning process, as I discuss and encourage in class with my groups. 2D plans and mood boards before putting onto the actual models.
I have included a few of the photographs that particularly appealed to me, I know Guy's career starting while advertising shoes, but I suspect he was a leg man. Even after this stage in his career legs dominate his work. I have included a photograph of my own leg - just in case anyone out there is looking for a leg model....
At the end of the exhibition the souvenir shop is stocked high with books and products related to the exhibition rather than the usual collection of sweets and key rings.
NARS make-up had a comprehensive stand displaying their products.
A great book collection. Two dedicated to nails and nail artistry by Madeline Poole and Sharmadean Reid. I was tempted, but I put them down and stepped away before it was to late...
Somersethouse.org.uk
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eGVFkiW_KP8/VHh4Rqa53hI/AAAAAAAAANU/6e7u4GUYuvg/s320/2014-11-28%25252013.22.55.jpg)
Sunday 30 November 2014
SHELLAC - BEAUTY ACADEMY 114
The Shellac fun & games continues. See precious blogs about The journey & Shellac.
Today Beauty Academy 114 surpassed themselves, with being disorganised, con artist and down right rude. I have had no reply to my emails or texts. After they have postponed my training session 4 times. I received a text saying that the session would be on Sunday 30th at 10 am. Even though I had no response I still went to the appointment. Why? To prove that I am justified in asking for my money back. What a shambles. All in the aid of CPD with Shellac coloured gel system. Have I got anything good to say about them
...
Don't ask; maybe I should refrain from comment. I will leave it till I am not traveling from an appointment that did not happen - again - without explanation.
This is a picture of the front door to Beauty Academy 114. I think that a picture says it all!!!
Saturday 29 November 2014
BEAUTY SALON RESOUCES
The salon suppliers [I can not bring myself to call them wholesalers] that are open on a Saturday usually have limited/obscure stock and charge £'s more for the inconvenience.
shop
|
Acrylic liquid
|
Acrylic powder
|
Acetone
|
chemist
|
-
|
-
|
9.73
|
Hair supplies
|
4.99
|
4.99
|
2.99
|
Beauty supplies
|
4.49
|
4.99
|
3.99
|
On line beauty supplies
|
3.27
|
3.50
|
1.48
|
Friday 28 November 2014
NEGATIVE ENERGY
The Olsen twins want you to pay £12 for sticks. They have developed a selection of bound herbs, usually consisting of sage and rosemary, which when burned are said to rid your house, or any area you've chosen, of negative energy.
http://t.co/ZnvdI3bSt8 http://t.co/VOpKpn4Kks
Wednesday 26 November 2014
SHELLAC NAILS
It feels like a long time since I mentioned the journey to Shellac. What I neglected to say was my appointment was postponed. It had been postponed from 7th to the 14th. After travelling there for 2 hours (early morning) I was then informed there were not enough people attending, so I was booked in for 17:30 on the same day. At 16:00 I received a text postponing my appointment for the Monday, which was - you guess it - yes... postponed!
I have been re booked for 30th. Bang slap in my church time. Is this a test? I ask myself. I have been amazingly patient. Keeping in mind this is not to get my nails done, but to be taught the properties, features and benefits and how to apply colour uv gel. Plus I paid for this course months ago.
Coloured gels are not new. I was at the Bonner Brothers show in Chicago in 1989 and brought back a selection of coloured gels.
Hence why I've been so patient. It's paid for and I'm curious. What could be the difference between now and then? Shellac is on everyone's lips. Is it a great advertising/marketing campaign or is there a reason to be excited? This semi permanent nail colouring technique has been around for decades.
Listen out for the feed back. After Sunday morning.
ORGANIC SPA COLLECTION
Collection contains:
- Rose & Pomegranate Bath Oil 50 ml
- Rose Body Butter 50 g
- Wild Rose Beauty Balm 50 g
- Organic Muslin Cloth
Tuesday 25 November 2014
ANTI AGEING GIFT SET
Collection contains:
- Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser 100g
- Rejuvenating Frankincense Toner 50ml
- Frankincense Hydrating Cream 50g
- Organic Muslin Cloth
Sunday 23 November 2014
HAND CARE GIFT PACK
If you haven't already started putting together your Christmas gifts perhaps now is the time. Don't leave it till last minute. Neal's Yard Remedies have a excellent collection of organic face and body products.
Taking care of your hands has never been so easy or enjoyable. The incredible citrus fragrance comes from the all-natural essential oils of freshly squeezed organic oranges, lemons and grapefruit, enriched with skin-nourishing and super-softening organic extracts.
Collection contains:
- Citrus Hand Wash 100ml
- Citrus Hand Lotion 100ml
- Citrus Hand Softener 50g
Wrapped in an eco-gorgeous gift box, handmade in Britain and certified by the World Land Trust.
Saturday 22 November 2014
SKILLS LONDON 1
We're here and it's great! Its times like these when I realise I don't know much. So many college's - so many courses. Our college had 3 different stalls - catering & hospitality, construction and of course hair an beauty - with my nail girls are drawing a crowd. Lol I think I may be basis. The hair girls and media make-up were doing alright as well.
I popped over and watched a cocktail making demo by hospitality - they're also making fresh doughnuts hmmmm. Contruction were building a wall which the new brick layers signed - it's growing!!
All in all a great place to see what's available vocationally. If you were thinking about a career change or just want to know what's happening The skills London exhibition is where you should be.
The look on the faces of the 16yoa that visited the show - they were told - but until coming to this show they didn't realise how much is available. For some it may be information overload.
Parents were dazed
Students are amazed
Exhibitors are confident that their course is the one....
I personally think, a few visits would be the way to go.
Meanwhile our college won best exhibitor competition Yeheee!!
I am so proud our students from different courses really worked as a team...
SKILLS LONDON
Today we're at ExCel - Life Skills. The students will be the exhibitors. Talking to the public about why they choose their vocation. Demonstrating what they have learnt since September. Promoting the course that they are on. I'm looking forward to it.
Friday 21 November 2014
THE MAKE UP ARTIST ACADEMY
The Make Up Artist Academy - master make-up class.
Lots of new techniques learnt. The simplicity of it could only be taught by an expert in the field. Amanda Green guided us through making up our eyes before concealers or foundation. For my skin tone I've been converted to MAC's ground works concealer. The blending techniques for the smokey eyes look will need practice :) but is worth the effort. MAC foundation C7 & Charles Fox (professional) derma colour D13 to camouflage my dark areas. We used a Bobby Brown foundation to contour because of the strength of the pigments in the product. We discussed Louise Youngs angled brush for eyebrows (LY31). Re-vita-lash for brows and finished the look with MAC'so Bat Black lipstick. The session was worth every minute...
I left with a voucher that entitles the holder to £100's worth of professional training. Ranging from a foundation through to Fashion, editorial and theatre make-up application classes. It's all good.
Thursday 20 November 2014
THE MAKE UP ARTIST ACADEMY
Today I'll be at a 4 hour make-up class.
I am very excited about it. It's actually an event to celebrate my friends 50th birthday - how cool is that!? More & more people are doing different things to celebrate their landmark birthdays. At 50 a masterclass in make-up what else could a girl want
!?! LOL
Tuesday 18 November 2014
RESTAURANT STORY
Restaurant story better known as Cafe World has a lot to answer for. We all need something to zone out with. My thing is games. It use to be board games, but now a days very few people want to visit and have a game of monopoly or chess. Even the computerised games have there time; then the enthusiasm fizzles out. For me once you've learnt a computerised game, the cheats and the statetgies - stick with it. Don't spread yourself thin get the one thing your doing right. Admittedly - 8 months and i've only just reached Level 64!!! lol
Yes I'm still doing cafe world lol!