I’ve been a makeup and nail addict for way longer than I want to admit to, but it’s been like 40 years. I started with polish and while I was in high school I joined the vo-tech program to go to cosmetology school where I got my hours for hair, nails, facials, theatrical and glamour makeup and classroom science.
People kind of scoff at anyone in the cosmetology business like they couldn’t make it in college. Hate to break it to you beauty school snobs but if it weren’t for that woman or man standing behind you with scissors and a blow dryer, you’d look like crap. And you never know what else that person may have done before beauty school, either. I went to college as well and majored in Computer Sciences with a minor in Ancient Religions.
Everyone has his or her place in the Universe, a life to live and a job to do. Even though I’ve worked in my college chosen professions before, I always came back to salon work because that’s what pleased me the most. Cutting hair makes me happy. Doing a set of Acrylic nails makes me happy. As it happens not only can I do hair, nails and makeup, I can also build a computer from parts or write code for software. I can do Graphic Design and I can talk circles around anyone when it comes to discussing 20,000 year old religions and the downfalls of religion today.
But back to my favorite topic. Nails. I recently discovered a not so new product that’s been selling in Europe for years and has finally made it over here. This inexpensive little tool will allow just about anyone to do a set of acrylics on themselves without any prior knowledge of what it entails.
This can be found at Sally Beauty Supply and it’s called “ASP Acrylics Made Simple Form-a-Nail”, $6.99. Big name for a little box of miracles! What you get are 24 different sized reusable clear plastic bendable nail forms that you form the acrylic layer in. You then rock it back against the back edge of the nail and rock forward to the nail tip and press it down. Leave it there for about 4 minutes and tap it. You’ll hear the sound of a hardened nail then gently rock the form back and forth until it lifts off. You now have a nail that needs no filing, shines like glass and only needs a little clean up around the edges.
It’s even easier if, like me, you use a nail tip with an acrylic overlay. I find that this lasts longer on me with almost no breakage and I am way hard on my nails. I make jewelry so I often use my nails as tools when I shouldn’t be.
The kit comes with one of those mini disks that we all hate but check out YouTube.com for a bunch of how-to videos. Make sure that you follow the instructions to use enough on the outer edges of the form, where the strength is most needed to keep your nail from breaking. You can also pick up everything that you’ll need for the acrylic process, I use ASP products myself and never loose a nail, never get any lifted nails or any fungus growth beneath them.
These forms will revolutionize the home nail industry, making it easy for a novice to apply her own nails and not have to worry about the cost of a nail salon visit. You’ll have to do your own fills but that’s nothing once you master the forms. Check them out at Sally online or in your local store.
Then check out a great new magazine called “Nail It!” That’s all about consumer nail art and how to do it at home. I tell you, it’s a great time to be a nail lover right now! I still see a place in the market for nail salons but when you can do some of these things at home and save some money, well, you have to go for it. Face it, the economy sucks right now and it’s only going to get worse before it gets better, if it ever does. So why not learn to cut corners on your budget?
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