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Eyelash Extensions – The Things Women Do For Beauty

Our eyes are a very important part of communication and body language. We tend to look at each other’s eyes when we speak to someone. Long, luscious lashes attract our gaze and make a woman feel more feminine and sexy. But with our busy lives today, most of us don’t have the patience to apply fake lashes or even have the time to use an eyelash curler. As a result, women are increasingly turning to beauty salons to have eyelash extensions done.

So Why Do We Feel The Need Use Eyelash Extensions?

Put simply, longer and thicker eyelashes help us to look younger and feel more feminine. They draw attention to our eyes and help to make them look bigger, which enhances our attractiveness to others, which also makes us feel more confident.

Done properly by a skilled beautician, eyelash extensions can transform short, fine or light colored lashes to give a long, luxurious and glamorous appearance, without the need for spending hours applying several coats of mascara, plus they enhance the natural beauty of the eye.

Originally posted to Flickr as Sparkle and Shine

Unfortunately, not everyone can have this procedure carried out. To be able to have extensions done, your natural lashes need to be at least 3 mm long. It is also crucial to choose the proper type and length of eyelash extension depending on your eye shape and size.

If your eyes are round, an almond style will extend the shape of the outer eye, helping to make them look longer. If your eyes are more deep set, go for lashes with a curl to them. This will give the eyes the appearance of being more open. While, if your eyes are small, longer lashes placed toward the center of the eyelid will make them appear larger.

Despite any stories you may have heard, it is a myth that your real eyelashes will fall out if you keep getting extensions. They are each carefully attached, to an individual hair on your eyelid with a semi-permanent glue. As your lashes grow and fall out naturally, so will the extensions attached to them.

The Cost of Beauty

Eyelash extensions are not cheap disposable items like the false eyelashes of the past. Having your eyelashes done can set you back a pretty penny. Prices can range from $150 — $550 for a complete set. A half set is more economical and can be applied as fillers to compliment your natural lashes and achieve a fuller look.

So before you go spending your hard earned cash on nail salons near me, do your research and make sure that the beauty salon you go to is a reputable one, with a licensed cosmetologist. Your first consultation should also be free of charge.

If cared for properly, eyelash extensions can last for up to one month before you need to get them done again. While they are a luxury item in the realms of beauty, there are occasions when the cost can be justified.

Consider your wedding day for example — or anyone else’s for that matter. This is a once in a lifetime excuse to be a little extravagant with your beauty regime.

What Are Eyelash Extensions Made From?

Eyelash extensions can be made from almost anything. You can choose from artificial hair, real human hair, silk, mink, faux fox, and many other materials. Silk, mink or synthetic are the most commonly used. Sizes can range from 6 mm to a whopping 17 mm in length.

Synthetic extensions are the most basic and least expensive of those available. Silk eyelash extensions are in the mid-price range and tend to be the most popular. They are usually the darkest in color and provide the fullest look.

Mink extensions are very expensive, but they are light and feathery and look very natural. They are harvested by simply brushing the animal, especially during the molting season, so no harm ever comes to it. The hairs are then sterilized and treated for use in eyelash extensions. While they are considerably more expensive than others available, they tend to last longer than the synthetic ones.

Taking Care of Your Eyelash Extensions

A full set of eyelash extensions can take up to two hours to apply. You should try to avoid getting them wet for the first 48 hours after having them done, and they should always be dried immediately after showering or swimming.

Shampoo and conditioner are moisture-rich products, which will loosen the adhesive bond on your extensions over time. So try to avoid them coming into contact with your eyes. Make sure you tilt your head back when taking a shower or washing your hair.

Originally posted to Public Domain Pictures as Talia Felix

Eyelash extensions are usually expected to last about four weeks. But to ensure that they survive the month you will need to take great care of them, according to your beauticians’ instructions. It is usually recommended that you sleep on a silk or satin pillow.

Make sure that you also look after your natural lashes while you have your extensions. Use a specially formulated eyelash conditioner which can aid the follicle to retain the hair. This will help you to keep your extensions longer.

Never apply mascara to eyelash extensions, as this may result in them breaking or coming off entirely. You should try also avoid touching them with your fingers. To keep them looking neat and tidy, comb them gently with a clean, unused mascara wand.

Applying a coat of a special sealer three or four times a week will keep them looking in tip-top condition and assist in them lasting longer.

Always make sure that you have your eyelash extensions professionally removed. Never try to take them off yourself as this might result in your natural lashes being pulled out and the hair follicle being damaged.

Latest Technology in Eye Lashes

A revolutionary new breakthrough in the beauty industry is emerging. Though not strictly eyelash extensions, a new way of achieving longer, thicker lashes have recently been released onto the market. One Two Lash™ has produced sets of eyelashes, which just slip onto your existing lashes using micro magnetic technology.

They consist of two strips of the synthetic eyelash, each with a tiny magnetic attached. You simply place one on top and one underneath your eyelashes. The magnets click into place, and the synthetic lashes are held in place until you are ready to remove them.

They are quick, convenient and easier to use than the traditional false eyelashes. They are also re-useable making them far more economical than extensions.

Who knows, with this breakthrough in technology, eyelash extensions may become a thing of the past.

The post Eyelash Extensions – The Things Women Do For Beauty appeared first on Open Nail Salons Near Me.

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Nail Designs – Nail Art At An Affordable Price

Nail art is a big business right now. Gone are the days where a simple coat of colored polish is all that you need to complete your trendy look. Today’s women are far more adventurous and demanding in their manicure requirements, and new nail designs and techniques have burgeoned to keep up with those trends.

Nail art as we know it today, became mainstream in the early 2000s, due mostly to the greater use of social media sites, thus making it easier to share innovative nail designs and ideas with friends and potential clients all over the world.

Where Nail Art Began

Surprisingly, the Inca civilization experimented with nail designs long before it became fashionable in our modern society, by painting pictures of birds, which are thought to be Eagles, on their nails.

Image courtesy of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:User:80jimmylouie

Today, nail designs have become far more artistic than painting simple stylized images on our fingers. It has become a standard way to decorate and enhance our nails, adding embellishments, special effects and even including miniature works of art.

These days, our creativity and imagination knows no bounds and painted nails are now a necessary addition to complete a woman’s look.

A Celebrity Nail Color Show

Celebrities and catwalk models are leading the way in the latest artistic nail designs, and avid fans are applying pressure to beauty salons, and cosmetic companies to produce the database colors, accessories, and components to enable them to follow the trends of their idols.

Many of the latest trends include the addition of nail enhancements, gems or crystals, marbling, airbrushing and other surprising techniques taken from the world of art.

Geometric designs are becoming very popular, along with variations on the traditional French manicure. Modern nail designs are now seeing the emergence of innovative and sometimes outlandish futuristic compositions and patterns.

Its Nail Theme Time

Specific themes are now big business, with clients opting for special nail designs according to the occasion, such as Christmas or Halloween; or the individual seasons, with bright and breezy summer designs or cool and glittery winter configurations.

Many of today’s nail designs are incredibly detailed and complex and require special accessories such as nail stickers or acrylic symbols to achieve the desired look.

Nail Wraps

Nail wraps are now available to help accomplish some of these intricate designs. These are special arrangements or patterns pre-printed using a digital printer, onto metallic or reflective finishes. Without great artistic flair and an incredibly steady hand, some of these nail designs would be almost impossible to create by hand. A proficient beautician at a nail salon near me with good hand/eye coordination can still achieve professional looking results, but this is a time-consuming method and would be totally unrealistic, in a busy beauty salon setting.

Many of the innovative and complicated nail designs that are being created today need to be applied and set, using heat. Nail wraps help to protect the nail, and they are less likely to chip or scratch than traditional manicure products. This distinct finish can last as long as one month before a return visit to the manicurist is required.

False nails made from acrylics and gels are frequently used, especially when an own clients nails are too short or unsuitable for the desired look or particular nail design. They are placed over the natural nail and can be cut and shaped to match your nails. They help to make the nails stronger, but used over a long period may have the reverse effect and weaken your natural nails.

Types of Nail Polish

There are several nail art polishes available that allow your manicure technician to create your beautiful nails near.

Acrylic Nail Polish

This is made from a combination of a liquid monomer and polymer powder. It creates a hard protective coat over the natural nails, which dries to a hard surface when exposed to air. It is usually transparent in color.

Gel Nail Polish Designs

Gel nail polish is painted onto the nails in three stages, Firstly, a base coat is used. This has to be dried and hardened under UV light before adding the next layer. Once this is done the main brilliant in the chosen color for your nail design is painted onto the nails. Any supplementary color or embellishment is done next before finishing with a clear top coat to protect the main color and the design. Each coat needs to be hardened and dried under UV light before the next one can be applied.

Shellac Nail Polish

This is a blend of nail polish and gel. It is often used to extend the length of the nails, adding strength and durability to your manicure. Shellac is less damaging to your nails than acrylic, and it also reduces the risk of breakages and chipping. It is applied and set in the same way as the gel.

Endless Nail Polish Effects

As well as the various types of nail polish, there are loads of different finishes available to help achieve some of these incredible looks. In fact, there are so many, that you are spoilt for choice. I have listed below all the ones that I have either used personally or have heard about. No doubt there are a few others that I am unaware of. Feel free to add to this list by letting us know of your experiences.

French Manicures

The French manicure is well known and is extremely popular. It is one of the simplest looks to achieve. A reverse French manicure is now becoming very fashionable. This obtained by leaving the half moon at the base of the nail uncolored using a clear polish and adding color to the rest of the nail

Creme Finish

This is a standard single color polish. It is one of the most commonly used lacquers and gives a smooth, shiny finish.

Satin Nail Polishes

These are nail polishes with a semi-matte finish and a slight shine.

Chrome or Metallic

This finish gives the nails the appearance of being covered with metal. They are tricky to apply and unless done professionally can leave your nail design looking messy and streaky. The most sought after colors are copper, silver, and gold.

Glitter Finish

Glitter is very easy to apply. It usually consists of clear polish, usually a gel, with flakes of gold, silver, or colored foil. The shapes of the flakes vary widely and can be square, round, hexagonal or bar shaped. A small amount of glitter used with other colors can make your nail design pop. It can also be applied on its own for a simple sparkly effect. While it is easy to apply, it is quite difficult to remove.

Matte

Matte finishes are free from any shine and are usually provided as ready mixed matte polishes. However, you can achieve the same result by adding a regular gloss polish and finishing with a matte top coat.

Flake

A flaky finish to your nail design is obtained by adding a clear polish with tiny flecks in it. They usually have a clear jelly base with very fine opal particles added. These catch the light with movement.

Holographic

A more recent and innovative effect is the holographic look. This is similar to using glitter polish but has flakes of rainbow-colored foil added which catch the light with movement. It is easier to remove than glitter polish.

Duochrome

Duochrome is another recent addition to a manicurists arsenal. This is a polish with a special effect that changes from one color to another depending on the light. It usually has two colors, but can sometimes have more, and can even appear to be several different colors all at once.

Iridescent

Like duo chrome, this flashes with different colors due to movement. But the color change in this polish is far more subtle.

Textured

A textured look is achieved using a special polish with tiny particles that give a sugary, crystal-like appearance. It usually has a lot of sparkle in it, and it feels gritty to the touch when it has dried.

Jelly

This should not be confused with gel. Jelly is a transparent polish with a subtle hint of color, providing a light wash on the nail. This gives a very glossy finish to the nail.

Shimmer

Shimmer nail polish has microscopic flakes of glitter in a clear or colored base. The glitter is usually silver. It shimmers with movement, hence the name.

Foil

A foil is very similar to the metallic look but has the appearance of aluminum foil. It often has very fine glitter added to it, giving a smooth and sparkly finish.

Glass Flecked

This one has the appearance of small glass particles mixed in a jelly base. It gives a smooth yet sparkly finish.

Pearl

A pearl finish is achieved by using a sheer white base with the addition of a blue-toned shimmer polish.

Suede

Suede is an extra shimmery polish, but it has a matte finish.

Marbling

Marbling is a technique that is time-consuming to achieve but can look very professional and effective when done correctly. Drops of colored polish are added to a bowl of water at room temperature and swirled around in the bowl to achieve the desired effect. The finger is then taped to cover all except the nail and dipped into the marbled water for a few minutes. Once the finger is removed, it has to be left to dry before doing the same with the next finger.

Neon

This is more of a color than a specific effect. The colors are extremely bright but usually dry to a matte finish.

Pierced

Pierced nail designs are now becoming more popular. The tip of the nail is pierced, and small embellishments such as charms or tiny rings are added.

Tools and Accessories

Beauticians use a variety of tools and techniques to satisfy their increasingly demanding clients. Special nail art pens are now available, enabling manicure specialists to achieve even more complicated nail designs with ease.

Nail Tools

Nail dotters

Nail art brushes

Stationery tape

Stickers

Thin colored striping tape

Sponges for gradient effects.

Stamping plates

Stencils

Nail Accessories For Embellishing Nail Designs

Gems

Pearls

Studs

Rhinestones

Bows

Beads

Charms

Foil

Decals

Gold metallic stickers

Chunky glitter

Acrylic powder for 3D art, which comes with lots of different textures

Museum of Nail Art

If you are seeing for inspiration for a new and creative nail design ready for your next visit to your beauty salon check out www.nailpolis.com, this is an online nail art museum. Launched in January 2014, the site allows nail artists to showcase their innovative work to thousands of community members, and to enter nail art contests.

It also has a database of over 5000 nail polishes, where you can find out about the different brands, colors, textures and finishes.

There are hundreds of photographs, each giving full details of the products and techniques used, with some even having YouTube tutorials to help you create the same look at home.

The post Nail Designs – Nail Art At An Affordable Price appeared first on Open Nail Salons Near Me.

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Simple All Natural Nail Designs That Every Woman Can Rock!

Simple All Natural Nail Designs That Every Woman Can Rock!

Nails are a significant part of a woman’s beauty regimen; they make our hands stand out as glamorous and womanly giving us the attention we seek.  A whole woman’s look does not come short of well-manicured nails.  The biggest decision to make in today’s nail care is whether you want artificial or natural nails designs.  Lovely lengthy acrylic nails though have been used by most women in the past, are slowly fading away.

Today, most women in the workforce doing manual work or even working on a computer cannot keep the long lengthy nails due to the risk of breaking and scratching.  Many find it not realistic to keep such nails and end up neglecting their nails while others result in natural designs.

Natural nails are the most comprehensive and trendiest short nail designs options you will ever enjoy to experiment with.  It will be easy to find some cool creative ideas that fit various occasions.  Well-manicured short nails will look great in different types of polish, different styles, and color.

Why Natural Nail Designs?

For a long time, luscious long finger fake nails with acrylic nail designs have been one of the most preferred looks by many women.  Without these natural acrylic nails, we feel naked; we don’t seem to love or value our natural looking nails.  Our short or regular lengthy nails can still look beautiful and flattering once decorated.  Whether just basic or unique styles, you can still stand out with these natural nail designs.

What we need to realize is that fake nails work against our natural nails, they stop growing healthy with all the covering and gluing.  Doing away with the artificial nails will allow you to take good care of your natural nails and be proud to show them off. Natural nail designs are not boring at all, today they come in a wide range to choose from.  As a modern woman doing manual tasks, you do not have any excuse to neglect your nails.  They can short, pretty and well done in different colors and styles making you stand out.

Natural Nail Designs To Choose From

There is so much natural nail art that we can’t even talk about them all here.  This list will give you a hint of what exactly you can do with your natural nails on different occasions.  You learn to choose colors wisely and come up with a complete look that makes you stand out.  All the simple nail designs on the list below are for short natural nails.

Music Inspired Natural Nail Designs – This is a great nail design for music lovers featuring black musical notes on a white background.  It is a unique creative look for a special occasion or everyday looks which make a strong statement about your personality.

Christmas Natural Nail Designs – Creating classic Christmas theme for your nails during the season can be a very good idea.  Focus on the red and white and match them with touches of glitter to complete the look, rest assured it’s a great holiday look.

Peacock Natural Nail Designs – Peacock motifs that feature lots of color combinations of both darker and lighter shades of green create a cool abstracted pattern and is noticeable.

Simplistic Rainbow Inspired Natural Nail Designs – Tiny details of the rainbow is such a cool idea that you can match with different colors to create a soothing background with the rainbow like stripes on one or two fingers.  This look can be fit for office wear or casual wear depending on the colors you choose.

Nude Natural Nail Designs – This is a classic look that is the most simplest and minimalist design for short natural nails.  With a few tiny leopard motifs on a nude background, this design is suitable for many women for a casual or official look.

Sticking to these and classier nail art designs for short natural nails will give you a perfectly unique look without having to put on anymore artificial nails.  You can proudly display your natural nails from any nail salon near me wherever you are whether at the office or for your girls evening out.

Manicure Rules For Short Natural Nail Designs

Always visit a professional to work on your nails for a unique look.

Be careful to choose a color that compliments your skin color to make your nails compliment your look.

Add on some cool rings to decorate your fingers.

Don’t insist on nail art only; you can simply use plain polish without the art.

Natural nails rocks are proud to show it off!

The post Simple All Natural Nail Designs That Every Woman Can Rock! appeared first on Open Nail Salons Near Me.

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Where Manicures Originated From

There are three nail salons near me, and they are always well booked with appointments. So what is it about having great nails that make women want to spend their money at nail salons?

For generations, women have been using makeup to boost their mood when they are feeling low. In the past lipstick was usually the cosmetic of choice. Today, nail polish is the mood enhancer used by many, especially as it is an affordable and economical way for women to update their look and keep up with fashion trends. Plus, it comes in a vast variety of colors.

Positive Image

Project a positive image to others and help boost confidence. According to Jayne Demuro, Head of Beauty at Selfridges, a UK company, nails are currently one of the biggest beauty trends. Nail polish provides a quick and prudent update to a woman’s outfit in any season.

A Potted History of Nail Care

If you think manicures are a modern beauty revolution, think again. Research has shown that between 5,000 and 3,000 years ago the ancient Egyptians were decorating their nails with bright colors. Manicures in ancient times involved massaging rich, aromatic oils and incense into their hands, then staining their nails with henna, and applying herbal potions which were thought to strengthen the nails.

More than 600 years ago, wealthy people in China painted their nails with precious metals such as gold and silver, as a symbol of their social status. Male and female members of the Ming Dynasty also used a combination of egg white, wax and vegetable dyes to color their nails.

According to artifacts found in what is now modern-day Iraq, the ancient Babylonians also liked to indulge in manicures. Ancient Babylonian men, colored their nails using kohl. The world’s oldest manicure set was found here and is reputedly made from solid gold.

In Europe during the medieval and Tudor times, neat and well-manicured nails were a mark of status and wealth. Queen Elizabeth I of England was well known for keeping her hands looking beautiful and displaying great nails.

Today, a manicure usually involves a system for hand care, involving softening the hands and cuticles by soaking, cleaning the nails and cuticles, filing and shaping the nails according to the clients’ wishes before painting, or adding fake nails and embellishments.

Automobile Industry to Fashion Runway

The French manicure originated in Paris during the late eighteenth century. It was specifically made to look like natural nail designs, while still having a manicured appearance. In 1916, Revlon™ developed a colorless nail polish which was inspired by paint produced for the automobile industry. During the 1920s women used glossy car paint to color their nails. While in the early 1930s Revlon™ developed a nail polish using pigments instead of dyes. This new nail polish became readily available from drug stores. The French manicure was also very popular during this period and was used in the fashion industry on runway models and in the film industry for the stars. This natural looking nail design is still one of the most popular in salons today.

From Teeth to Nails

False nails were invented in 1954 by an American dentist Fred Slack, Jr. who apparently broke a fingernail while at work and created a temporary repair using dental acrylics. Then, in the late 1970s, Dr. Stuart Nordstrom invented the professional liquid and powder system used in acrylics. He is the founder of CND a well-known brand of popular nail polish.

The Birth of Nail Art

The 1980s brought experimentation with bold patterns and bright colors. Over the years, new textures and embellishments have been added, and further trial and error with nice nail designs have meant some incredible conceptions and textures have resulted. Nail polishes are now available in practically every color, and with nail appliqués, stencils, gems, glitter and other adornments, the possibility for individuality is endless, and so, nail art was born.

Today many women, regularly have manicures. They have become more of a fashion statement than a symbol of wealth or status. The transformation in manicure has evolved from a simple coat of colored polish to miniature works of art, with some having incredible detail. They have become some of the most creative elements in the beauty industry today.

Sales of nail polish reached $768 million during 2012. The majority of customers are female, though more men are beginning to use the services (72% of women, and 52% of men according to Mintel Research – 2012), with younger men in the 18-34 age group reporting having had a manicure or pedicure. Though men still make up a very small section of this beauty population.

Why You Shouldn’t Throw Your Nail Polish in the Trash.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regards nail polish as hazardous waste, and should, therefore, be disposed of in a hazardous waste facility. However, the department also acknowledges that it is impossible to monitor that correct disposal as being carried out by every household. So please, next time you finish your favorite nail polish, think carefully about how you will dispose of the bottle. Next time I pop into a salon near me, I shall ask advice about the safe disposal of my empty bottles.

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Manicure Tips: 4 Common Application Errors That Make Nail Polish Dry Slower

Nail polish dries when the solvent in the product (often seen as butyl or ethyl acetate in the ingredient list) evaporates.

These solvents keep the polish liquid in the bottle and evaporate when exposed to air, leaving you with a hard film of color.

Formulation is a big factor when it comes to drying time and you can usually get an idea of a polish’s drying time from their marketing. However, the biggest factor in drying time is application.

Painting thick coats

   Thick coats are one of the number one reason nail polish dries slowly. It takes much longer for a thick layer to dry entirely (meaning no possible nicks or smudges) than 2 thin coats would take.

Forcing 1 coat opacity

   Don’t let marketing affect your application. Even if a polish is advertised as being a ‘one coater’, pay attention to how it applies on you personally. If you need to apply a thick layer to achieve opacity, it may be better to do two layers.

Ice water

   There are a bazillion and one tips online for drying nail polish. One of the more popular tricks is to dip your fingers into ice water for a minute after you paint them. At first glance, it does appear to dry your polish. However, only the very top of the polish has hardened to the touch (not dried). This means that your polish will still be vulnerable to dents because it is still wet under the hardened layer.    It can be hard to deny this trick if you try it yourself since it seems to work initially, but think back to how nail polish dries. In order to dry, solvent needs to evaporate. This cannot happen under water. And for icing on the cake, the hardened polish layer can make it more difficult for the wet layer to evaporate at its usual pace, making your manicure take even longer to dry completely.

Humidity

   Humidity. The arch nemesis of all things beauty, including your nails. Solvents evaporate slower in humid air, adding additional drying time. Try to do your nails in a cool room when possible, or just accept the additional time while you think about crisp Fall weather.

*BONUS The evaporation of solvent is why nail polish gets gooey over time. To combat this, add a few drops of ‘nail polish thinner’ to your bottle. These products are made of the solvents that are already in nail polish.

Source: Manicure Tips: 4 Common Application Errors That Make Nail Polish Dry Slower