Tuesday Tips

Would you believe I am out of photo storage space here on my blog? Blogger or well Google wants me to pay to upgrade. It is now a monthly fee. I cannot believe it. I really don't want to have another bill. I guess it is all part of doing business but for now I have figured out a way around it. I upload my photos to photobucket first and then copy the direct url and give blogger the direct url to the picture in photobucket. Make sense? No, not really to me either but it works and I am pretty excited because I wouldn't be able to share photos otherwise. It works for now but is an extra step so I am not sure for how much longer.

I am having a new website and blog design done as we speak so I may just move over to that blog in the future :-)

Please increase your cuticle oil use. 

I stayed at the cabin for Thanksgiving and it has forced air and oh are my cuticles dry! 

The only thing that saved me was the tiny bottle of cuticle oil I have stashed in my purse.

Have a great Tuesday!

~Shannon

Tuesday Tips

Gelish Soak Off Gel Nails

I was asked last week to post larger pictures of my work. I hope this works. I went back and updated a few of my last posts with larger pictures of the nails I have done too. 

I hope you can see the details better.

For today's tips I wanted to take about something that gets mixed up and confused almost every time I read about it. It was even messed up in an online article in Shape magazine which made me want to scream because the person they were quoting was supposedly a podiatrist.

This is Sanitize, Disinfect, Sterilize.

Sanitize - to make something clean. We sanitize things by washing them.

Disinfect - render an item free from pathogenic organisms or make them inert. 

Sterilize - to completely eliminate microbial viability. This process kills all non-pathogenic and pathogenic spores, fungi, and viruses.

You cannot sterilize an item by placing it in alcohol. I have a huge problem when nail clients are told to bring their own tools. Do you know how dirty the inside of your purse is? So are you really going to carry around a set of nippers in the bottom of your purse for 2 weeks between appointments? Let me ask you this: If you are so worried that your nail tech isn't disinfecting their tools properly why are they your nail tech? 

If a client asked I would be happy to show you not only how I disinfect my tools but the bottle of hospital grade disinfectant which I replace daily.

In my state sterilizing the tools I use is not required by law however in some states (like Texas) it is. To sterilize the tools are placed in an autoclave. 

I am sharing below a link to a wonderful article about this topic:

http://www.beautytech.info/qa/qa1s.htm

Happy Tuesday!
~Shannon

Tuesday Tips

Last week I was asked to custom mix a color for a client. 

I mixed 2 different types of glitter, green colored powder and clear powder.

Would you wear green nails? Only at Christmas? Why or why not?

Today is my mom's birthday, so I wanted to take a minute and say Happy Birthday Mom!

Thanks for stopping by :-)

~Shannon

Tuesday Tips and Echo Creative Club Reveal

Today is a Tuesday Two-fer :-)
Here are a set of nails I did this week:

These are like Pink and White acrylic nails but I replaced the White acrylic with a Black acrylic mix I made myself. The mix has black acrylic, black glitter, hologram glitter and some clear acrylic to make it a bit less messy.

Now for what I made with the piece I was sent for this month's Echo Creative Club:

How beautiful is that flower? I was tickled pink when I opened my envelope!

Here is the bracelet I made with that awesome flower. 

I added the ceramic bird and ceramic round bead on either side of the clasp. 

They are both from Gaea Cannaday.

Then I found these pretty peach, pink and white potato pearls in my bead box so I made a double strand into a single strand bracelet.

At the clasp is a glass flower, a glass bead and a single pearl dangle.

Thank you Jeannie, I love this flower and I think the bracelet is pretty darn great too ;-)

Visit Jeannie here.

and the rest of the bloggers here:

Charlie Jacka  http://clay-space.com/

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Cindy Cima Edwards http://www.cindycima.com/

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

Malin de Koning  http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com/

Shannon Chomanczuk http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/ <--that's me!

So what do you think?
Would you wear black nails? yes, no, why or why not?
Do you like the bracelet? Too sweet or just sweet enough?
~Shannon

Tuesday Tips

Gelish Magneto in Inseparable Forces

I am loving the Magneto gel polish! It is fun and easy to apply and lasts for 2-4 weeks. 

I got no questions last week so I am just going to check and make sure you are all using your cuticle oil. Are you? You should be applying it 2 - 3 times a day. It will help your nails grow, keep rough cuticles at bay, make your acrylics last longer, look better and lift less.

Yes, it does all that! 

I love cuticle oil and even keep a small bottle of it in my purse at all times.

I have even used it as lip gloss for when my lips get really dry.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a great day!

~Shannon

So are you using your cuticle oil 2-3 times a day? Why or why not? Leave me a comment below
Also, have you tried blue polish before? Would you? Why or why not?


I am signed up for the Flourish and Thrive Academy and I am an affiliate. The academy is starting in a couple weeks and I have been listening to their free calls. Click on the badge above to check them out!

Tuesday Tips

Pink and White Acrylic Nails

Here is a question I received last week:
Back in the 80's some mermaids, such as myself, used to wear a solid silver pinkie pinky nail that we glued on over our real nail for a night out at the fish tail bar. Has that trend resurfaced or has it died for good?

My answer:
Nope I say go for it. I think anything goes as far as nails are concerned this season. Have you seen the new Minx or Jamberry nail coverings? You could even try using one of those to give yourself a blinged out accent nail :-) Have fun!

Today being September 11th, I hope everyone will take a moment to remember the fallen, the brave, and the families of all those affected by this tragedy. God Bless America! 
~Shannon

Got a question for me? 
Leave me a comment below or send me an e-mail at formysweetdaughter@me.com.

Tuesday Tips

Custom mixed red colored acrylic nails with a touch of glitter

Here is the question I received last week:
Is it a fad to do one color different in a set of 10 nails? 
How do you do it so it doesn't look like you chipped one and just redid it with a different color? 

I had to smile at this question because I have been doing the "accent" nail thing since I was a kid and offering it to my clients for 11 years. So I was cool before it was cool, lol.
Anyway, to answer your questions. Is it a fad? My personal view is no. Accent nails or nail art on 1-2 nails has been around forever. 
How can you make it not look like you chipped a nail? Be confidant. For someone who is used to an all 1 color manicure I saw start this trend subtly, paint al 10 nails the same color and then paint your accent nails with glitter. This will make you get used to the idea of an accent nail without calling attention to them.
When you are ready to take the next step paint your accent nail in a color that is 2-3 shades darker or lighter than the other nails, top with glitter if you wish. 
The next step is to paint the accent nails in a complimentary color. Get out your color wheel and pick colors opposite each other.  Think teal and fuchsia, red and green, blue and orange. 
I tell my clients this all the time -it is not a tattoo. Nail art or nail color is a great way to step out of your comfort zone, if only for a week or two so go for it and try an accent nail or two, get some crazy bright color or some glow in the dark neon orange nails with black zebra stripes and glitter. A quick soak in some acetone and you'll be back into your french manicure in no time :-)
~Shannon

Got a question for me? Leave a comment below or send me an e-mail at formysweetdaughter@me.com
Happy Tuesday!

Tuesday Tips - Tame Glitter

I am calling these tame glitter because although the gel polish color is very tame my client had me cover all ten nails in a beautiful sparkly glitter. They are so sparkly.

Q&A: I was asked this question last week:

OK here is a question for you--well really three questions. Do you make your own ear wires? If so, what gauge of wire do you use? 
The reason I asked is that I ordered some yellow brass wire from a shop on etsy in order to make a pair of ear wires as a special request by a customer. The seller indicated the wire was 20 gauge half hard, but when I tried to make ear wires from it the wire was very flimsy--though appeared to be a true 20 gauge. No amount of hammering made the wire stiff enough for the ear wires. I'm so disappointed. OK, third question, where can I get good yellow brass wire for making ear wires? 

-Do I make my own ear wires? The long answer is yes and no. I make my own sterling silver ear wires. I use 20 gauge wire and tumble them to harden. I do not make my own brass ear wires, those I purchase from Vintaj.

-Where can I get good yellow brass wire for making ear wires?

I am putting this question out to my readers because I do not make my own brass ear wires I do not know the answer. I know you have tried 1/2 hard wire and were not satisfied with the results so maybe try full hard. The best and worst part of brass is how malleable it is. This is great for wire wrapping but not so great for making ear wires. Do you have a tumbler? Tumbling metal makes it harder so if you do have a tumbler I would try that too. 

Thanks so much for sending in your question!

Do you have a question for me? It can be salon, nail, jewelry, business related or anything really. I will try to answer your question in my next blog post.
Happy Tuesday!
~Shannon

Tuesday Tips!!!

Here is a set of super cute nails I did last week.
They are another set of acrylic nails, square shape this time, with mylar. I mixed 2 colors raspberry and silver mylar for this set.
I think they look shiny, fun and sparkly.

I received no questions last week so I am just going to remind you to use your cuticle oil everyday!
What shape nails do you like?
Send me your nails, jewelry or business questions and I will happily answer them here on my blog :-)
Have a great Tuesday and I'll see you next week!
~Shannon

Tuesday Tips

Here is a set of acrylic nails I did last week. They have these blue strips of mylar encased in pink acrylic. In person they are so shiny and have a bit of sparkle from the mylar.

I received a question about gel polishes this week from a reader.

Q: I was told not to do gel polish on my nails because you can only file it off or use a tool and it would ruin my nails. Is this true?

A: Gel polish can be soaked off in acetone. If your nail technician has applied Shellac, Gelish, Opi or another brand of gel polish they can remove the polish with acetone or you can do it yourself safely and easily.

I have found Shellac gel polish is slightly easier to remove than other brands I have tried because you do not need to rough up the outer layer prior to removal. Saturate a cotton ball or a nail removal pad like these. If you are using the nail polish removal pads you just wrap these around your nails and wait 15-20 minutes. If you are using cotton balls you can hold the cotton ball on your nail with a piece of tin foil. Just place the acetone saturated cotton ball over your polish and wrap with a small piece of tin foil. Wait 15-20 minutes and wiggle back and forth to remove.
If your technician applied Gelish or another brand of gel polish you need to file the surface of your nails to remove the shine and break the seal before they will soak off. I use a 180 grit file to do this and gently file the surface of the nail until all the shin is gone, then soak a cotton ball in acetone and wrap with tin foil for about 20 minutes.
My tip is to get Pure Acetone from a beauty supply store like Sally's. I have found this makes all the difference. Do not ever heat acetone in the microwave or use in a room with an open flame as acetone is highly flammable!

~Shannon

Do you have a question you want me to answer about nails, jewelry or business? Submit your questions to formysweetdaughter@me.com and I will do my best to answer them in another Tuesday Tips.

~all of the above info is my personal opinion and findings. I have been a licensed nail technician in NY State for 11 years. Each state has it's own set of rules and regulations please consult professional in your state for state specific rules and regulations.

Tuesday Tips

Super shiny Mylar nails. These are acrylic with Mylar pieces encapsulated on the tips.

I had to share this photo of my beautiful daughter's sweet pink nails :-)

I was asked a question last week about cutting cuticles. My first response is Yikes! Don't do it. But I know some of you are going to need to cut your own cuticles at some point so my biggest piece of advice for cuticle care is only cut what is already dead tissue. Do not cut the living tissue at the base of your nails. It is there to protect you from infections. If you need to nip a hangnail use a sharp pair of cuticle nippers and place them at the base of the hangnail and cut, do not tear at the hangnail with your nails, teeth or dull nippers, this will do more harm than good.

My #1 tip for healthy cuticles is oil. My second tip is to take a washcloth and gently push back the skin at the cuticle area and around the nail after a shower, bath or washing dishes. If you gently rub a warm soapy washcloth around your nails you will exfoliate and smooth dry, dead skin. 

Then use cuticle oil and smooth on hand lotion for an at home mini-manicure.

Please send me your questions nails, jewelry or business related I will be happy to answer them as best I can on the next Tuesday Tips.

~Shannon

Tuesday Tips

Showing off my own nails today.

I had seen an article in a magazine where they did this Pistachio color and on the ring fingers they did a fuchsia color. I decided to do my own version and use sparkles on the ring fingers.

I think this is #1 on my favorite manicure ever list :-) I just love it!

For those wanting to know what I used, Gelish in Seafoam and Water Field.

I have been asked how I keep my nails so nice even though I work with metal and etch copper. 

My answers are:

 Cuticle oil, lots and lots of cuticle oil. I apply mine 2 - 3x's a day! I know this helps keep them growing long and resisting breaking and staining because I ran out at home for about a month and my nails were awful.

The second thing is lotion. I moisturize almost every 2 hours. If your hands are dry the filing dust will stick in the dry patches. I love Hempz in Pomegranate

Third thing is a gentle gylcolic peel. I use one from Entity Beauty which is amazing. It is a gentle chemical peel and not a harsh scrub. I use mine 1 -2x's a week.

Finally, gloves. Lots and lots of gloves. I usually layer 2 pairs when I am filing because I tear through them easily.

So that's my secret to how I keep my hands nice. 

Stay tuned I will be sharing the products I recommend to grow nails.

Happy Tuesday!

~Shannon

Tuesday Tips - Magneto

As some of you know I am a nail artist.
I have been doing nails for over 11 years now. Wow, 11 years!
Up to this point I have very rarely talked nails on this blog but I thought it would be fun for you guys to see what I do the rest of the week :-)
I am going to take some photos while I am at the salon of some of the nails I have done and share them here on my blog.
So Tuesday Tip will be the place where I share my work as a nail artist. Get it tips, nail tips. Okay lame I know ;-)
Anyway, here is a set of nails I did last week.

These were done with Gelish Magneto gel polish in Electric Metal Lover (red)
The cool part of this gel manicure is that the nails are dry immediately and the "artwork" is all done for you when you hold the included magnet over the second coat of gel polish.
I also have this color available as a regular nail polish for toes or for those that don't need/want gel polish.

So there you have it the first set of nails for Tuesday's Tip of the week.

Have a great Tuesday and I hope to see you next week,
~Shannon