As a nail tech I have heard a few phrases that should be retired from ever being said. In any language. Ever again. I will admit right now that I've been guilty of using these terms when I was younger, and didn't know any better.
My number one pet peeve nail term, that I hear ALL the time??????
FAKE NAILS. or ARTIFICIAL NAILS.
Really?? Fake? Oh no. They are just as real as the natural nail underneath. Just because they are made from a different chemical structure and didn't grow out of your own body, does not make them fake. Your natural nails are made of chemical structure. So are the other nails. Do you tell your friend, "Oh I just LOVE your FAKE hair color!" Or do you say, "My friend has FAKE hair." No. You would say, "My friend colors her hair." I will tell you right now, the majority of nail techs out there take great pride in their work and are in this industry because of their passion. It is an art form. Not just because we paint (polish), but the overall effort as a whole. The shaping, the structure....We might make it look easy, but there is an art to it. In reference to my aunt, we are not simply "gluing pieces of plastic on people's fingernails." Yeah, she said that. Even when gluing tips on, I will guarantee it's not as simple as it looks. You obviously have to have the right size tip, and use the right viscosity glue. We don't just use super glue. Really. Speaking of nail tips, do you know what a C curve is? Your nail tech does. Nail tips have varying degrees of that too. Basically, nail tips are as different as jeans. After you get the tip on, (unless you are sculpting a nail) you have to choose which media to work with. Acrylic, gel, wraps, etc. Each media has it's own learning curve, and takes a bit to get use to. When you see an awesome set of nails that look natural, that nail tech has mastered their media. So don't devalue their talents by saying "fake nails". Artificial doesn't sound better either. It's like saying "faux" versus "fake". They are called "NAIL ENHANCEMENTS".
By the way, natural nails are not better than nail enhancements, or vice versa. Don't act like one is inferior to the other. It's all dependent on the person and what their nails need. So if your friend shows you her nail enhancements, don't say (with your nose in the air), "I don't wear fake nails!" Really? Are her nails fake? Tsk Tsk! They are, say it with me, "nail enhancements".
CHOP SHOPS, OR (INSERT NATIONALITY HERE) SHOPS
I know what you mean. The enormous amounts of nail salons that seem to pop up overnight, run like a factory, and are notorious for being dirty, unsafe, and often working without a license. But lets not classify this to such bad terms, okay? Let's call these places NON STANDARD SALONS, or NSS for short. Or, if you must, "discount salons". But really, NSS sounds much better. Let me make this perfectly clear, do not judge a nail salon/nail tech by their race!!!!!!!! I am white, but I know there are plenty of white nail techs out there who "speak English" and aren't up to par with legal cleanliness standards.
ACRYLIC NAILS/FAKE NAILS RUINED MY OWN NAILS
Really? Sigh. Okay, there are some non standard salons that use illegal acrylic liquid. It's MMA, or methyl methacrylate. This was banned by the FDA for use in the nail industry. That stuff can cause damage. But the legal stuff, EMA or ethyl methacrylate, is not. People like to blame nail enhancements too easily. What about your tech? Have they had additional training with their electric file? Or do they constantly burn or nick you? Do you get fills/rebalances on time? Or do you hold out for three or four weeks until you have major outgrowth and lifting? Do you get tired of them and start to bite or rip them off? When you want to remove them, do you have them professionally removed? Don't blame the enhancement when it was likely improper home care. Nail enhancements don't cause any more damage than the brownies fresh out of the oven do to your hips. It's all in what you do with the brownies. :)
NAIL SPA
This is in reference to a business using this in their business name. If you walk in and there is quite, relaxing music, with a relaxing atmosphere to match, then yes, that's a spa. But if there are harsh odors (from improper ventilation) lots of constantly loud chatter, tv's, and loud un spa-like music, it shouldn't have spa in the title. Just using hot towels doesn't make it a spa.
Okay, Congratulations if you've made it this far!! This was longer than I had anticipated! :)
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Just say no to shaving.
No, I'm not talking about the hair on your legs, or pits. I'm talking about shaving the skin off your feet. We have callouses on our feet for a reason. We walk on our feet. Our skin is supposed to be thicker there. Otherwise we wouldn't be able to walk, let alone run. (Not that I do that...) As a nail tech, I see all kinds of different feet, and I know that no two feet have the same callous. Some people have althlete's foot, some just have callous that starts to peel away. (By the way, you don't want to peel skin off your feet...just trim it off. Trust me.)
I can confidently say that using a credo blade (also called a callous shaver) is illegal for salon use in Massachusettes and Iowa. They are not the only states. You can call a beauty school in your state and ask to speak with the nail instructor. They will know for sure if it is illegal in your state or not. If it's illegal for use in a state, salons can receive fines for using them.
Why is it not good to shave your callouses off? Well, putting the risk of slicing the bottom of your foot aside, you are simply taking off too much skin too fast. It is better (and safer!) to use a foot file. The best one I would recommend is the Swedish Fot File made by Flowery. This is the holy grail of foot files in my professional opinion. They are disinfectable, sturdy, and the grit lasts and lasts. These files are not cheap, they are usually around $10, but are well worth it. After using them, you can scrub them clean with soap and a scrub brush. Or, of course, see a nail professional who would love to do the work for you! :)
Another thing you don't want to use, is those round devices resembling an egg with a cheese grater. Yes, I know what they are called, but am not saying it. You know what I mean. This is like a ton of razors scraping away your skin. Your skin is getting cut away, chunk by chunk, unevenly. This is why I still recommend a professional foot file. Cheese graters are meant for cheese. Not feet. Even if your feet smell like cheese. lol
So please, just say no to shaving.
I can confidently say that using a credo blade (also called a callous shaver) is illegal for salon use in Massachusettes and Iowa. They are not the only states. You can call a beauty school in your state and ask to speak with the nail instructor. They will know for sure if it is illegal in your state or not. If it's illegal for use in a state, salons can receive fines for using them.
Why is it not good to shave your callouses off? Well, putting the risk of slicing the bottom of your foot aside, you are simply taking off too much skin too fast. It is better (and safer!) to use a foot file. The best one I would recommend is the Swedish Fot File made by Flowery. This is the holy grail of foot files in my professional opinion. They are disinfectable, sturdy, and the grit lasts and lasts. These files are not cheap, they are usually around $10, but are well worth it. After using them, you can scrub them clean with soap and a scrub brush. Or, of course, see a nail professional who would love to do the work for you! :)
Another thing you don't want to use, is those round devices resembling an egg with a cheese grater. Yes, I know what they are called, but am not saying it. You know what I mean. This is like a ton of razors scraping away your skin. Your skin is getting cut away, chunk by chunk, unevenly. This is why I still recommend a professional foot file. Cheese graters are meant for cheese. Not feet. Even if your feet smell like cheese. lol
So please, just say no to shaving.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Zoya, Take Four!
Four more polishes for you to ogle! :)
Zoya Jasmine #197 A pretty red. Fine shimmer, reflective red with slight pink tone to it. Very pretty!
Zoya Pershiphony #199 A gorgeous metallic pink, with golden shimmer.
Zoya Jordana #201 A pretty cream Spring pink with subtle pink shimmer. So nice!
Zoya Jolie #203 This is an amazing shimmer! It's a pearl white with a golden pinkish hue. Hard to capture with the camera, but certainly gorgeous!
Zoya Jasmine #197 A pretty red. Fine shimmer, reflective red with slight pink tone to it. Very pretty!
Zoya Pershiphony #199 A gorgeous metallic pink, with golden shimmer.
Zoya Jordana #201 A pretty cream Spring pink with subtle pink shimmer. So nice!
Zoya Jolie #203 This is an amazing shimmer! It's a pearl white with a golden pinkish hue. Hard to capture with the camera, but certainly gorgeous!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Zoya, Take three!
I did four more polishes tonight. I am super tired, but here they are!
Zoya Sasha #180 A dark deep cream red. Very rich. Blue based. Very classy!
Zoya Mercedes #182 Goes on sort of sheer the first coat, full coverage the second. Very shimmery. Like a metallic rose copper. I'm including two pics of this one because it's hard to tell the shade with one picture.
Zoya Dawn #183 A fun raspberry creme. Slightly warm in tone, but barely noticeable. Very pretty!
Zoya Kaufda #195 I can't even say enough about this!!! I LOVE this color! I'm a big fan of Fall, and this just screams pumpkins and orange leaves! It's a gorgeous shimmering metallic burnt hot orange with fire-y shots of shimmering gold. If you like Fall, you must have this one!
Okay, that is all for tonight. Enjoy! :)
Zoya Sasha #180 A dark deep cream red. Very rich. Blue based. Very classy!
Zoya Mercedes #182 Goes on sort of sheer the first coat, full coverage the second. Very shimmery. Like a metallic rose copper. I'm including two pics of this one because it's hard to tell the shade with one picture.
Zoya Dawn #183 A fun raspberry creme. Slightly warm in tone, but barely noticeable. Very pretty!
Zoya Kaufda #195 I can't even say enough about this!!! I LOVE this color! I'm a big fan of Fall, and this just screams pumpkins and orange leaves! It's a gorgeous shimmering metallic burnt hot orange with fire-y shots of shimmering gold. If you like Fall, you must have this one!
Okay, that is all for tonight. Enjoy! :)
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy 4th Of July!!!!
Happy fourth of July everyone! I didn't paint my nails festive like most bloggers did. I did, however, do my eye makeup! All products used on my eyes were bought from Vanity & Glamour! Check them out!!
My earrings are from Dornink. They have some amazing jewelry!
On with the shots! (clickable!)
My earrings are from Dornink. They have some amazing jewelry!
On with the shots! (clickable!)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Second set of Zoya swatches!
I have more Zoya swatches for you all! :) (Tip: You can click the title of the color to go to Zoya's website to buy. Also all pics are clickable if you desire more detail. :-) )
Zoya Angella #99 A sheer beige. Lots of hot pink fluorescent shimmer. Great French color!
Zoya Snow White #114 A classic cream white. Ideal for French tips!
Zoya Divincia #121 Ooooo. One of those super shiny, velvety rich shimmer reds. Deep color. Perfect Winter color!
Zoya Corrine #127 An almost water sheer, but just enough beige blush to make it perfect for a very natural look. Looks more yellow in the bottle than it goes on. I often overlook this one since in the bottle it doesn't seem like it would go with my skin tone, but actually it looks very neutral. This is two coats, as is all my swatches. This would work very well for French. Ignore my reddish stained nail beds.
Zoya Hermina #131 A gorgeous metallic shade of pewter with gold mixed in. If that makes sense. This is a go-with-anything metallic. It almost seems to have a very slight suggestion of muted pinkish lavender when you stare at it long enough. Not in a obvious way, just in tonality.
Zoya Amminah #147 This is a great shade. It is a neutral nude base, but has a flourescent violet shimmer. One coat would work great for French, or two coats for more coverage and shimmer. With one coat it offers more coverage than some sheers.
As always, I used the Zoya Base, two coats of color, and the Zoya top coat. :) Enjoy!
Zoya Angella #99 A sheer beige. Lots of hot pink fluorescent shimmer. Great French color!
Zoya Snow White #114 A classic cream white. Ideal for French tips!
Zoya Divincia #121 Ooooo. One of those super shiny, velvety rich shimmer reds. Deep color. Perfect Winter color!
Zoya Corrine #127 An almost water sheer, but just enough beige blush to make it perfect for a very natural look. Looks more yellow in the bottle than it goes on. I often overlook this one since in the bottle it doesn't seem like it would go with my skin tone, but actually it looks very neutral. This is two coats, as is all my swatches. This would work very well for French. Ignore my reddish stained nail beds.
Zoya Hermina #131 A gorgeous metallic shade of pewter with gold mixed in. If that makes sense. This is a go-with-anything metallic. It almost seems to have a very slight suggestion of muted pinkish lavender when you stare at it long enough. Not in a obvious way, just in tonality.
Zoya Amminah #147 This is a great shade. It is a neutral nude base, but has a flourescent violet shimmer. One coat would work great for French, or two coats for more coverage and shimmer. With one coat it offers more coverage than some sheers.
As always, I used the Zoya Base, two coats of color, and the Zoya top coat. :) Enjoy!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Zoya 56, 72, 98
I finally got some swatching in! Just a few to start. My batteries weren't completely charged.
First up, Zoya's Nephratiti 56. An awesome red shimmer. The shimmer is fine and subtle in this, but kind of a pinkish-red in tone. Very pretty!!
Zoya's Liz 72. A rich dark cream. Sort of a maroon red. Smooth, rich application. I can see this as a great Fall color. :)
Zoya Clara 98. A shimmery peach color with a hint of salmon. Just a hint. The shimmer in this has a gold tone. The first coat goes on quite transparent, but it only takes two coats.
All swatches were done with Zoya Anchor base coat, two coats of color, and Zoya Armor top coat. I used Zoya Remove + remover to take the polish off. It deserves a review by itself! :)
First up, Zoya's Nephratiti 56. An awesome red shimmer. The shimmer is fine and subtle in this, but kind of a pinkish-red in tone. Very pretty!!
Zoya's Liz 72. A rich dark cream. Sort of a maroon red. Smooth, rich application. I can see this as a great Fall color. :)
Zoya Clara 98. A shimmery peach color with a hint of salmon. Just a hint. The shimmer in this has a gold tone. The first coat goes on quite transparent, but it only takes two coats.
All swatches were done with Zoya Anchor base coat, two coats of color, and Zoya Armor top coat. I used Zoya Remove + remover to take the polish off. It deserves a review by itself! :)
Intro!
Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog, Polished Passion! I counted up how many bottles of Zoya I have, and it's exactly 157! Well, until I get the Fall 2010 Wicked & Wonderful collection. Then it will be 169! I love having all the little bottles of polish neatly arranged on my polish rack. :) My polish rack holds 120, so as you can imagine, it's full. I need a new one. I think that will be the birthday present I request. :) My polish is organized in numerical order. This allows it to stay organized by collection as well. There are numbers I'm missing, so that bugs me. I always wonder which one's I'm lacking. lol My plan is to swatch my colors in order. Stay tuned for colors! My batteries are charging as I type!
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