How to Lose Me As a Customer

Poor Customer Service is how you lose me as a customer.  This one has been a long time coming.  So, let me start from the beginning.

Two years ago, at Premier Orlando, I purchased three UV lights from Dashing Diva.  I loved the look of the lights, they were affordable and they had the way cool, slide out bottoms for use on toes.  We took them to the salon, set them up and went to work.

On day two, while Regina was working and the light was not in use, all of a sudden, we heard a POP and a big puff of smoke came out of the light.  The light was fried.  I called home office and was told that I needed to mail the light to them, they would inspect it and determine if they would send me a new one.  TWO DAYS OLD.

So, I paid to ship it to New York.  Two weeks later I get a new one.  No refund for my postage.

Three months later, Kylie's lamp quit working.  I called home office and was told pretty much since it was over 30 days I was basically shit out of luck.  I was told that I could ship it to New York (again at my expense) and they would have their "Maintenance Man" look at it and see if he could fix it.  I said hell with that.  I took it apart myself and fixed the problem, the wire going to the start button was broken.

For the past two years, I have bought replacement bulbs for the three lights every four months.  The last time I purchased bulbs was in March and the shipping was $10.95.

Imagine my surprise on July 23, when I went to order 12 bulbs and the shipping was now $24.98.  I thought, damn, did they raise their prices for shipping, so I checked their website and this is the Shipping Scale.

So, I sent them the follow email:

I just placed an order for 12 UV bulbs and a few other random items.  The total came to $119.40.  I was given the ridiculous UPS Ground shipping price of $24.98.  I just looked on your site and it shows that shipping for that total should  be $17.95, which is still ridiculous.  Can you please tell me why I am being charged $7.03 more than your shipping scale says?

I never got a response from them.  I still needed bulbs, so I ordered 16 Phillips bulbs from another manufacturer for our other light and these three. and they were shipped for FREE.  When I got the bulbs, they didn't work in the Dashing Diva lights.  They flickered like a strobe light.  These Phillips bulbs are the best on the market.  It was apparent that I had to use bulbs directly from Dashing Diva.

So, on August 8, I called.  I was told that they would look into it and get back with me.  There was NO offer to take my order over the phone and charge me the correct shipping amount.

After a week of no response, I just sucked it up and purchased three lights from another manufacturer that my Phillips bulbs will work in.  Today is two weeks since I was told someone would get back to me.

I decided to check their site out today to see if they fixed the problem.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this today.  They not only haven't fixed the problem, as you can see it has escalated.

So, Dashing Diva has lost my business due to a looooonnnnnng history of poor customer service.  BUYER BEWARE.  Check your shipping costs before you agree to purchase online from them.  Again, they have known about this for ONE MONTH!

Jealousy and Envy

It has been such a long time since I've blogged.  I've just been so busy, but I do miss it and I really do need to blog today.  Blogging is my release.

I can honestly say there are very few people that I am jealous of or envy.  BFF Jill is one.  I envy the fact that she has such a wonderful relationship with her father, that she still has her mother, that she has an older sister.  But you know what?  It doesn't matter, because she has shared that family with me and for that I am grateful.

I am jealous of people who live in warm climates.  I will be there some day.  I just can't be there now.

I am jealous of people who have the gumption to eat healthy and stay fit.  I used to have that, well, no, I never did eat healthy, I grew up on Miller's Hoagies and Pizzaria Pizza.  I just have no energy to be active any more.  Taking care of work and home exhausts me.  So those of you who can do it all, I am envious and jealous of you.

I can honestly say that I am not jealous or envious of anyone in our industry.  If I was, it would shut the door, mentally for me to learn anything from that person and how stupid would that be?  Yes there are others that are better than me and yes there are others that have achieved more than me.  Only one person can be the best and can you imagine what pressure that is??  Who wants that?

So, if you think I am jealous of you or envious of you, for whatever reason you may have, know that that is not true.  I admire all of my fellow professionals, whether you are a newbie or a Nail Hag (Fifteen years or more in the business).  Wanting to create work as beautiful as some techs and wanting the awards that they have reaped, both tangible and non tangible, it is not jealousy, it is not envy, it is admiration.

So, some need to read this and realize this.  Saying things to others, about me, that are not true, just to make yourself feel better or feel more important.  That is not admiration.  It is jealousy and it is envy and it is ugly.  I am hardly anyone that you should be jealous of or envy.  I am just me.

How I Almost Died Yesterday

I almost died yesterday, in the shower, because of a fingernail.  Yes, that fingernail pictured to the left.  My nails are remnants of a set that I got on vacation last month.  They are the "Edge" nail, which are very pointy and look like an upside down "V" when looking down the barrel of the nail, instead of the normal half circle shape.

Anyway, I was in the shower and was washing my face with cleanser.  All of a sudden, my pinkie finger, nail and all, was entirely up my one nostril.  I must have started making some odd noises, because Mr. Bruises heard me in the kitchen and asked what was up.  As he came running in, I told hime to get me a rag.  I guess in my brain stabbing, I didn't think to use my washcloth.  He opens the shower curtain to hand me the rag and he is all "Holy Shit, what the hell did you do?"  I explain what happened.  He is white and he leaves the room.

I proceed to have the worst nose bleed of my entire life.  Blood is running down the back of my throat and it is not only coming out of my nose, I can taste it and I am spitting it.  I am dizzy and woozy and finally realize to pinch my nose and tilt my head back.  Finally, the bleeding seems to stop, but my shower now looks like the one from Psycho.

I was fine until it was time to dry my hair.  I start blowing it dry upside down to give it volume.  My nose starts bleeding again.  So, I start pinching and tilting back again.  I realize I need to blow my nose.  You can't imagine the clots of blood that I blew out.  Holy mother of God.

I am happy to report that I blew my nose this morning and there wasn't even a hint of blood.  I can't, however, get the memory of my finger sliding up my nose and my nail nearly piercing my brain out of my head.  Funny thing.....when I posted about this on Facebook, no less than a dozen nail tech friends have had it happen as well!

So men, please don't underestimate your woman's fingernails.  They really can be a lethal weapon!

Our visit to Profiles!

We had a fun-filled day, yesterday. We went and picked Kylie up and headed to Profiles Salon. Kylie and I got our nails done and Donna got a facial and a massage. Tom-Tom got us lost on the way, so we were a little late.

The boys headed for the casino, but Tom Tom got them lost again, so they went to WalMart then hung out on the bench outside of the salon.

It was great to see all the gals and catch up. Ami did my nails and Ashley did Kylie's. Traci was floating around and Marty popped in for a minute and I got to harass him a bit Here are Kylie and I posing with Ami.

We then headed to a beach on Sanibel. We saw the most amazing sunset from that beach. We then headed out to dinner at the Lazy Flamingo and then went somewhere and entered Karaoke Hell. Trust me, when I get home and have time to edit all of the video footage from last night, it is going to be an awesome watch.

I hope all of you back home are staying warm. We are trying to send you some good weather!

Sanibel Island

This is the wonderful house that we rented in Sanibel Island. It's one of the original houses here. It's cute and quaint, situated amongst million dollar mansions.

Donna's hair stylist owns the house. It is a round house and there are windows the entire way around the house. It is the perfect little beach house and it has a spiral staircase. I've always wanted one of these.

We are headed to Profiles Salon today to visit Traci and Ami, who are fellow Young Nails Mentors. I am so excited! I have always said that if I lived in Florida I would work there and be a Profile Girl.

It's a little overcast today. I will take overcast over the snow you guys are getting back home!

Righting Wrongs

Those who know me know that I will ALWAYS stand up for what is right and try to right wrongs. Our local beauty education is really lacking and is totally in need of some change and has been for some time.

A high school friend approached me months ago, asking my advice on going to school for nails. I warned against enrolling in the local school that I attended, since I know first hand how I was pretty much self taught. I also informed her that after the last two techs I hired, who were recent graduates of the school, I would no longer consider any student from that school. They are just not educated. The school is charging $3800 for a seven week course and people like ME are left to actually teach these students how to do nails. Nope, not doing it any longer.

Despite my request that another school, 30 minutes away should be explored, my friend enrolled in the local school. She started classes a few weeks ago on a Monday and on that Wednesday, sent me this in an email.

I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know I started classes on Monday. Everyone was right, the don't freakin teach you anything, you have to teach yourself. My first day the teacher was sick & we didn't even have a student teacher. The director wanted us to give manicures. I don't have a clue on have to give a manicure, that's why I am here.

See, the problem with this email is that they wanted her to work on patrons of the clinic (for a fee) on her FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. State Board rules state the following:

§ 7.120. Work done by students on the public. (a) A school may permit students to work on the public, and may charge a fee for treatment performed by students on the public based on the reasonable cost of materials used in such treatment, if the students have successfully completed the following hours of instruction: (1) Cosmetology Curriculum—300 Hours (2) Esthetics Curriculum—75 Hours (3) Nail Technology Curriculum—50 Hours (4) Natural Hair Braiding Curriculum—75 Hours

As you can see, a Nail Technology student, which my friend is, has to successfully complete 50 hours before she can LEGALLY work on a patron in the clinic. Students attend school six and a half hours a day. On the date that she sent me the email, she would have had nineteen and a half hours, which isn't even half of what is required AND she was asked to do these services on her FIRST DAY!

When I attended this school in the fall of 2001, they did the exact same thing to me. On day two of school, I was told that I had to apply a tip on a patron who had broken a natural nail. I had no idea what to do. I did it, because I was told I had to. Not only was this not safe. It was ILLEGAL.

I also did not have a teacher my first day. On day two until week five, I was taught by a student teacher, someone who had just graduated from cosmetology school with NO work experience what so ever. Further, our school did not have a LICENSED instructor for the first five weeks of my seven week program. Again, this is totally ILLEGAL.

Since 2001, there have been a number of directors. I had hoped that the school would finally get a director that knows what's going on and actually had education as a priority. I find it sad, that eight years later, this school is still operating the same.

So, I did what I felt was the right thing to do. I turned the school in, once more, to the PA State Board. This is the third complaint that I have made against this school. I got notice yesterday, that my complaint has been registered. Let's hope that something is done, finally. I am not holding my breath though.

Nursing Homes are Amusing

I spend a lot of time in nursing homes. My mother has lived in one since February 2006 and now one of my oldest and sweetest clients, Mary, has been living in one since spring. I just spent the last hour with Mary, visiting and doing her nails.

Nursing homes can be very entertaining. I think a reality show would be really funny. They all have their own characters. My mother's nursing home has quite a few. There is Thomas, who has no legs and can't talk very well. I learned recently that he was deaf, which explains a lot. He squeals with delight when he sees me. I think I am one of his girlfriends. He communicates with me by mouthing the words in a very exaggerated way and spelling words with his finger in the air.

Then there is Merle. He buzzes around in his chair everywhere, asking anyone he can see to unhook his safety belt. Of course, we have to tell him no.

Mary's home is a little bit more exciting. It's more of a home than a facility, like mom's. The residents at Mary's are more able bodied and just need some assistance. There are some constants though. They almost all have walkers and the women almost all wear wigs. I am fairly certain that even though they watch TV, they have no idea what they are watching.

At both places, the residents are very well taken care of. The nurses and aids truly like the residents. You can just see it and feel it.

After finishing Mary's nails, I sat with her awhile. We sat there and watched out the window as a big, beautiful, black cat frolicked in the immense yard, behind the home. We watched him hunker down, flick his tail and then pounce on something. I think it was a bug.

Even though it is painful to see my mother and Mary, not being able to care for themselves, it is a comfort to see them both in homes like these. They are receiving good care.

Rules, why have them?

Seriously, why have rules when they never get enforced? This applies to so many things in life, but right now, it applies totally to nail competitions. One of the reasons that I quit competing years ago was rampant cheating and model thievery. Things got a little better through the years and I was talked into giving it another try. I guess some things never change.

While in Orlando, in both competitions, people were still working on their models after the briefing, even though the RULES state that you can't touch after briefing. My model actually had to call out the cheaters to officials. One particular competitor was doing it in both competitions. A competitor behind me asked when does that become grounds for disqualification. I agree with her. One warning is enough, come on, the rules were read to you just minutes before. If you do it repeatedly, your ass should be out. Period.

What is really chapping my ass right now is the fact that the rules specifically state that in art competitions that NO FLOWERS in any design. Yet I see pictures of the second and third place winners and what do I see? FLOWERS! Second place had 20 flowers, encompassing 2 of 10 nails and featured a Flower Shop in the design. Third place had five roses on five nails that is HALF of the design.

So word is that they got a 5 point deduction. WOW how generous. It should be 5 points per infraction, no, actually it should be disqualification. A rule is a rule and if you don't abide by it, it is considered CHEATING plain and simple. Cheating is grounds for disqualification.

My entry didn't make the top ten, yet I followed the rules and those that didn't made the top ten. Now I am not saying that my entry should have been in the top 10, but it should have been ranked before the rule breakers. Come on, how many Miss America's have you ever seen without a bouquet of roses? Answer? ONE the one I painted that followed the NO FLOWERS rule.

It's time for Nailpro to take a stand and enforce the rules. There should be no grey area. A rule is a rule. Enforce it. Enforce all of them. Giving points deductions here and there is a slap in the face to the competitors that abide by the rules, while you are rewarding those that wave their finger in the air to the rules.

Peace out!

Orlando Recap

Orlando was an awesome trip. I had so much fun with my girlies. We called the weekend "Girls Behaving Badly in Orlando" We made a ton of videos. We have one of Amanda pole dancing on the tram to the airport terminal. We have one of Jill dancing in a liquor store until be got kicked out for taking pictures. We have one of us in the van, in traffic, asking random groups of tourists for directions to something we were right in front of. Then there's our favorite, videos of us heckling the golfers. All of these are on Facebook. If you aren't my friend on there, why the hell not? Find me Rhonda Kibuk and add me, you will be happy you did just for the entertainment value that these videos will bring!

My competition experience was great. I think I did very well after a multiple year break. I totally bombed my first competition. The major malfunction is that I was given a piece of equipment that has not been patented yet. Well, I stuck it in my bra so that no one could photograph it while it wasn't in use. I then went to use the rest room with BFF Jill, who was my model in that competition. When the competition started, I as done with the first nail. It was time to use my device. I reached in my bra and IT WA GONE! Let me tell you, I have never been felt up more than I felt up myself at that moment because my hand was in every nook and cranny of my bra looking for it. I realized it must have fallen out when I went to the bathroom. I had two people go look for it and about 30 minutes later, it was located. Whew! The damage was done though. My hand was like a jack hammer. Needless to say, I barely finished and the nails were awful and I didn't make the top ten.

The next competition was much better. This was the Design Sculptured Nails with a purple and gold theme. I did a purple to glitter fade for a sea and sculpted 3d goldfish that were then inlaid with clear. I ended up placing 5th out of 25 and was very happy with that!

This weekend is Vegas and even though I won't be attending, I did complete an art entry to be turned in. The theme for this one was "America". I came up with the most awesome idea and with a little help came up with what I feel is my best flat nail art entry I have produced to day. I will be sure to share the story and photos after the competition has been judged.

Good luck to all my team mates competing in Las Vegas! Go Team Pink!!!

The many careers of Fonda Bruises

Recently, in my research for Reuben's Grave, I blogged about being a cemetery memorial designer. Burgh Baby left me a comment that said:

How exactly does one evolve from gravestone designer to nail goddess? You must explain this!

To do this, I must start from the beginning. After graduating with a degree in accounting and computer programming, I took a job at Papercraft in Pittsburgh. It was a company that sold everything to do with Christmas. We sold Christmas trees, wreaths, wrapping paper, you name it. Funny thing was, it was a Jewish owned business. It was Christmas 24/7/365 and probably explains my hate for the season.

Papercraft also owned a subsidiary known as Knomark. Knomark manufactured Kiwi Shoe Polish and Snuggle Fabric Softener. I was the accounts payable clerk for Snuggle. I was miserable and hated that bear something fierce. I secretly fantasized about ripping his head off and pulling all of his stuffing out and hanging his unstuffed carcass from the antenna on my car.

I applied for every administrative assistant or accounting job I could find. On a whim, I applied for a job at a local monument shop that was looking for someone with artistic ability and computer skills. I went for the interview with a stuffy man in a suit in a funeral home. I didn't get the job.

About six months later, I either quit my Snuggle job or got fired, I don't remember at this point. I spent a week at home, doing nothing and I mean nothing.

I got a call from the memorial shop owner asking me to come in for another interview. At this point, I am pissed with life and ask him if it matters how I come dressed because I don't have any clean clothes. He said come as you are and I agreed to go right in.

People, let me tell you. I hadn't showered in days. I had sweats on. I looked like a bag lady, but you know what? I didn't care. I was so sick and tired of getting dressed up, putting panty hose on and interviewing for jobs that I was so qualified for and not getting the job. There was no way in hell I was going to shower and get dressed up for a job that I knew I had no qualifications for other that I had "artistic ability and computer skills".

I went on that interview and this time, I was interviewed by a working man, not a man in a suit. I was sat at a computer, with a madonna on the screen minus a nose. I was asked to draw her a nose using a digitizing board. I did and I must have passed, because I got hired and worked there nearly nine years.

I quickly learned computer aided drafting (CAD) on my own and soon, I was not only digitizing new designs and designing memorials, I was running the entire office and the sales room. I was a one woman show.

I also started freelancing in Pittsburgh at Carlini Brothers on Saturdays. Carlini's was located on Beechwood Boulevard in Pittsburgh across from Calvary Cemetery. I worked there many years after I moved on from designing memorials 9-5 due to the sheer love of the craft. I worked there until the owner passed away.

I left the local monument shop for personal reasons after about nine years. I got hired at a local credit union as a "Special Accounts Rep", which is a polite way of saying bill collector/repo woman. I did my job, and did it well to the point that I collected debt and worked my way out of a job. After a stint as a Consumer Loan Officer, I ended up being the Marketing Coordinator for the credit union.

After about six years, I was miserable working there. I got tired of a lot of things, especially now that I was in management. At dinner, on a Friday night, Mr. Bruises asked my why I didn't quit, that I didn't need the job. At that time, I was very active as a Stampin' Up Demonstrator and was living off of that money and banking my credit union salary. He was right and I quit that job on June 1, 2001.

By August, I was bored. I kept seeing ads for the local beauty school and their nail program. I called and went to tour the school, but I still wasn't sure. I called my former nail tech and asked her what she thought. She said that when I first came to her, years ago, that I mentioned that I would love to do this for a living. After talking to my mother, who reminded me that I had been doing nail art since I was five, I decided to go for it.

I graduated in late September and started working immediately in a local salon. I stayed there until June 1, 2004 when I opened my own salon. Notice the date. Three years to the day, I went from being a miserable marketing director to being a happy salon owner.

I guess the moral of the story is, do what makes you happy. You spend so much time at work, it helps to do something that you love. I hope that answers your question Burgh Baby!

DAOTW Award!

The next recipient of the Dumb Ass of the Week Award goes to more than one person. It goes to the people that run around and say "Acrylic will ruin your nails". Okay, I exempt anyone who is not a nail technician from this award, you really don't know any better and you obviously don't have a nail tech that cares or he or she would educate you as to why this statement is false.

The Dumb Asses of the Week are the nail tchnicians that are so uneducated and unskilled that they make these ludicrous statements. Acrylic will not ruin your nails, it will not damage your nails or make them weak, neither will gel, wraps, polish, etc. Damage is human operator related.

If acrylic or any other type of nail enhancement is applied and removed correctly, your nails will be in the EXACT same condition as they were when you applied the product. Where the problem lies is when a Nail Tech uses MMA (read dental acrylic, yes what they make teeth from), which requires the shredding of the nail in order for it to bond or acid primers which will chemically etch the nail. Lastly, when people pick and chew their nails off, they just trashed them for a good six months, yet they will say that the stuff that was on their nails ruined them.

Even a good nail tech can cause damage and "weakness". Most good, legal products on the market do not require an acid primer and do not require shredding of the nails for application. Some techs, still file too aggressively on application, when they should just be lightly filing with a soft grit file to remove the shine. When they are prepping for fills, if they are experiencing a lot of lifting, they will then file too aggressively at the lifted area, thus filing into the natural nail.

Finally, when a set of nails is properly removed, by soaking in acetone, they will temporarily be dehydrated for a few days. These nails are not "weak", they just need some oil. Weak nails are not a temporary condition. If the nails were weak when you started, they will be weak when you remove, even if they were removed properly. If the nails were strong when you started, and are weak when you removed, if it is temporary, it is dehydration!!!! If they continue to be weak, they are damaged.

If you are going to a Nail Tech and he or she tells you that acrylic damages your nails, that's why she doesn't do them, find a new tech. They either tried and failed to master enhancements or they are lacking in education. Either way, he or she is a Dumb Ass of the Week!

***The Purple Pinkie is taking nominations for DAOTW Awardees. If you have anyone or any situation that you would like to nominate for this esteemed award, please email your nomination to rileyrudy@hotmail.com

Glitter Toes for Golden Retrievers Fundraiser!

Glitter Toes to help Golden Retrievers!!

One day only! Monday, August 18, just in time for BACK TO SCHOOL!!

Travis will be attending Goldstock this year, which is a huge fundraiser for Golden Retriever Rescue and he will be running for Sweetest Boy. You vote with dollars. I would like to go into the event with his voting can totally stuffed, which I am allowed to do!

Get our famous Glitter Toes for the awesome price of

$30 (That's a $5 discount)

Every penny of this goes into Travis' vote box!

The Purple Pinkie is not normally open on Mondays, however, I will be providing my services for this exclusive event that day!

To book your time slot, please email me at rsk@arm-tek.net

The Purple Pinkie will gladly take your check or cash. Sorry, but we don't accept credit or debit cards.

Here's the deal on Glitter Toes:

• Pure glitter encased between two layers of gel.
  
• Glitter Toes will last 4-6 weeks depending on how rough you are on your toes.
  
• They need to be filed to shorten, don't cut them!
  
• We have over 30 colors to choose from!

The Purple Pinkie
345 Main Street
Ford City, PA 16226
www.arm-tek.net/~rsk/page21.html

Nail Tech Superstar Wannabes

The Internet is a powerful force. You can network with others around the world for just about anything. I've been networking with other nail technicians online since 2001. On the Internet, anyone can be any person they want to be. Most people are themselves, and portray themselves accurately. Then, there are those that want to be something that they are not, but portray themselves as though they are.

I am getting very tired of these "wannabes" ripping on manufacturer educators. One of these "wannabes", who I for now on refer to as the Queen Be, takes great enjoyment in rallying a posse of other wannabes in trying to discredit current educators work. They rip on demos done at shows, classes, networking events and photos of work that is posted online for educational purposes.

I find it interesting that this Queen Bee has all of these years of experience, yet you don't see her listed anywhere, but in one trade mag where she gave a couple of quotes. Again, anyone can say they are something, magazines rarely check that.

She has stated that she has owned all these salons, yet there is no record of them anywhere. She posts pictures, of her salon, which you can tell are ancient.

She states that she has been an educator for years, yet she hasn't attended a show in years. She quite frankly boasts that she doesn't go because no one can teach her something she doesn't already know.

She brags about how she is working now, has a full book, is so busy that she can't take anyone new. Funny, how she is online, posting continuously. When the hell is she servicing these clients? Between keystrokes? She will cut any one's posted work down, yet there are NO pictures of her work. She is a product jumper. She pretty much ass kisses whatever product she has a hard on for the moment. Once the hard on drops, she is cutting the product up.

So, why am I writing all of this, you say? Because people need to stop believing everything that they see and read online. Why get sucked in by someone who doesn't attend shows, doesn't work in a salon, doesn't educate, yet she wants you to think she does. Ask yourself, if she is so great, why hasn't she been asked to do a cover of Nails Magazine or Nailpro? Why hasn't she competed and won trophies? Why isn't she listed in the freakin' Yellow Pages under Nail Salons? Why, because she is nothing but a WANNABE!

All photos are examples of my work. Go ahead, rip away, I know you can't come close to touching my ability or my integrity.

Cat from Ohio visited The Purple Pinkie!

I "met" Cat from Ohio, awhile ago online at The Beauty Tech board. We've exchanged a number of emails and we decided that after her wedding and honeymoon, that she would come and spend the day with me at The Purple Pinkie for a little one-on-one mentoring.

Cat arrived, bright and early on Saturday morning, with one of the biggest smiles on her face. She sure is a cutie, with the drive and determination that you need to make it in this business. If she moved here, I would hire her on the spot.

We spent the rest of the morning with me demoing five designs on her one hand. I used all Young Nails glitter and colored acrylics, doing all of the nails with the Reverse technique, where you apply the pinks first, then the tip colors.

We then had lunch, next door, at Nite Courts. I introduced Cat to steak salads. She had never had a salad with steak, french fries and melted cheese on top. It's a 'Burgh thing!

After lunch, I went to work on her other hand. It's bad enough she will be walking around with a different nail design on each finger, she couldn't have one hand done and not the other!

All in all, it was an awesome day! It was so much fun. Thank you to Cat for letting me be creative!! I can't wait until you come again!

Acrylic Branding Tutorial

Here is a short tutorial on how to do Acrylic Impressions/Branding. You can brand with lots of things: Paperclips, C-Curve sticks, rubber stamps, the list is endless!
You can sculpt or use tips. Since I was doing this on myself, I used tips. Prep the nails, apply tips, cut and shape them. Prime for product application. Overlay the nails with product of choice. For this demonstration, I used clear acrylic.

When the product is just about set, it will start to go from wet looking to frosted, this is when you want to brand. Take your branding tool of choice and dip it in powder so that it will not stick. Press the brander into the acrylic, making sure to get a good, deep image on the entire surface. For this demo, I used a scrapbooking paperclip.

This is what it will look like when finished. It's not a pretty sight, but will be in the end!

Fill the branded area with colored acrylic or glitter acrylic of choice. Don't be afraid to get it all over, you will file the excess off. You client will look scare, but be amazed at the finished product.

File and shape the nails like you normally would. You will then dust off the nails and apply YN Finish Gel Topcoat and cure in a 9 watt lamp for 90 seconds.

This is your end product!

Here is an example of using the C-Curve sticks to brand. Nail bed was clear, tip was black. Branding was completed with the C-Curve sticks. Black and white acrylic were applied to the branded area.

Here is an example using mesh. Black acrylic was applied to the entire nail, then mesh was used for branding. Lime green glitter acrylic was applied to the branded area. This method is great for reptile skin looks!