Full hand picture view of gel experiment

Ok,

I took a picture of my other fingers with the Black Onyx.  Sorry they couldn't be together but it was me taking the photo. 

You'll see the first picture is of my left hand.  Not a good look.  The second picture is of my right hand.   Besides me having weird shaped nails, they look great.  I do have a little chip on my right index finger from where my cat scratched  me and so I had been picking at it but I can easily go over it with the coordinating OPI nail color.  13 days and counting.

It's Like A 'No-Chip' Manicure

We are super duper excited to offer OPI Axxium Gel Laquer at Cuticles. Of course, we try everything out on ourselves (which can be fun) before we offer to you guys and these are our findings.

I originally had Lincoln Park After Dark on my hands and took it off about 2 1/2 weeks later. No chips or anything. Of course, you could see where my nail had grown by the cuticles but besides that no problems. The only reason I removed it is because we had just gotten Black Onyx in and I wanted to change the color.

Our tech, Nicola, had Russian Navy on her hands and it stayed for 3 1/2 weeks. She wound up with a small chip on the side of her free edge on her ring finger but that was it. We removed the color gel only and replaced it with Big Apple Red. I also decided to try the gel on her toes but at first was very hesitant due to the fact that our pedicures usually lasts about a month or so anyway. I will tell you the best part. When I was finished with her pedi, she could put her shoes on immediately! Whoo hoo...... So far no chips and its going on two weeks. She on vacation now but I will definitely up when she returns.

So right now, I have on Black Onyx and it is on my 12th day. I have posted a picture of my thumbs from my 11th day of wear. It is just absolutely amazing. As far as my experiment is going, I painted my left hand with the polish and the right hand with the gel laquer. I wanted to give the nail polish a fighting chance since I am right handed. So after 11 days, my thumbs are as follows:

I guess the most astonishing thing about this to me is that I am a nail technician. I have my hands around nail polish remover every day at the salon and still nothing. Our findings with each color have been tested while performing our duties as nail technicians. My left hand, not so good. So if this new OPI Axxium Gel Laquer can stand the test with a nail tech, imagine what it can do for you.

We're Back!

We are back to work, everyone. Enhancing your Cuticles experience sort of took us away from our blog but now we are ready ready.

Please check back to get latest news, updates, specials, promotions and so forth.

Tired of Acrylics?

Are you ready to ditch acrylic and go back to au natural? Natural nails are much easier to care for and require much less expense than acrylic nails. Whether it’s a career change or lifestyle change that prompts your desire to go back to the basics, the following tips will help you care for your natural nails and improve their health as they return to their buff state.

The first step in improving the natural nail health is to remove the nail extensions. This can be done either professionally or at home with the use of pure acetone. Keep in mind acetone is extremely drying, so use the chemical wisely. Many people opt for professional removal of their artificial nails to minimize additional damage.

Once the false nails are removed, the nail bed may appear jagged, dry and shocked. The natural nail has been kept from oxygen and has suffered decreased stimulation, so the nail bed and fingernail growth has been stunted.

The following steps will help you return to healthy nails after artificial nail removal:

You should receive weekly manicures. Even though this may seem an additional expense, weekly manicures will help stimulate the circulation of the nail bed, promoting its growth.

Keep your nails trimmed. As nails begin to grow, keep them trimmed. Don’t be in a hurry to let your natural nail gain length; instead, make overall nail health and thickness your goal. A thin, damaged nail that grows quickly hardly stands a chance at surviving for long. Rather than deal with disappointment, understand nails may need to be kept short while the body rebuilds the damaged tissue.

Continue to apply strengthening products. Apply products every three days.

Avoid color as much as you can. Although you can still paint your nails as desired, the less exposure to chemicals the better for your nails as they rebuild their strength. If you must wear nail polish, try alternating one week one, one week off. Also apply a ridge filler directly under your nail polish for an even coat.

Cuticles Natural Nail Salon uses Triple Free nail colors and offers a fantastic line of paraben-free products to assist with your natural nail lifestyle.

Sanitation is Key

Whether you receive your nail care services at Cuticles Natural Nail Salon or elsewhere, please allow us to strongly encourage that you receive your services at a salon that offer the following:

• If they cut cuticles, all metal implements are sterilized using an autoclave
• All implements such as nail files, buffers and nail brushes should be used on you and only you
• They ask you to wash your hands or provide some form of cleaner prior to your manicure

These are a few helpful hints for a great and safe manicure. The costs to the nail salon to provide these safe methods are close to nothing.

Service Spotlight

Come visit Cuticles Natural Nail Salon and enjoy our Service Spotlight of the Month, LEMON-AID STAND. This wonderful treatment includes lemon juice, raw sugar, fresh mint and lemon oil.

Lemon contains Vitamin B, Riboflavin, Vitamin C and Calcium. It is a natural antiseptic as the juice of a lemon will destroy harmful bacteria found in cuts. Lemon is also great to remove wrinkles and is good for eczema.

Our Lemon-Aid Stand is available for your hands and feet.

Allow Us To Introduce Ourselves

Welcome to the Cuticles Blog. We are more than happy to share information, not only about Cuticles, but products and services that will enhance your natural nail care. But first, let us tell you a little about us and what makes us unique.

Cuticles Natural Nail Salon was created out of a need for a new experience in nail care. We have carefully tested and selected every product, service and experience that is offered in our salon.

We have developed a nail care program that eliminates the need for clipping cuticles, the use of metal implements or soaking your hands or feet. Our fantastic soak-free treatments are the ultimate.

Our natural nail services are less painful than a typical manicure or pedicure due to the fact that cuticles aren’t cut and the nails are only filed in one direction to prevent breakage. We do not offer artificial nail enhancements because we prefer to restore and maintain your natural nail's beauty.

Because we believe in natural nail care, we offer FRESH blend from the blending bar which incorporates nature's finest ingredients - fresh flowers, fruits, veggies and essential oils into our treatments. Our nail care treatments are performed in a fume-free and relaxing environment.

Your safety and satisfaction is our priority. We never reuse the files, cuticle sticks or other implements on other clients. As part of our collective initiative in greening our industry when a client has their first service, they may choose to take their implements with them and will receive $1 off their total bill if they return with their implements or they may leave them with us where we will store them under their name for future use. Item are thrown away after 5 uses.

Our 'soak-free' manicures and pedicures eliminate the possibility for cross contamination. Our process will prove to be the best natural nail services you have ever experienced. The Center for Disease Control issued guidelines against whirlpool foot baths in 2001 because they are a breeding ground for fortuitum (a micobacteria that causes boils on the legs). If foot bowls are not cleaned properly after each service, serious skin infections can develop. Why take the risk? We offer warmth and luxury with our soak-free system. Aromatherapy and a relaxing ambiance achieve relaxation instead of jets that collect bacteria. This creates a serene and sterilized environment for your feet. It also conserves up to 20 gallons of water per pedicure.

Our preferred nail color is Zoya Nail Polish which is a Toluen, Formaldehyde, Dbp (dibutyl phthalate) and Camphor free, vegan friendly formula natural nail polish designed to be free of the most harmful toxins and provides the longest wear possible on natural nails. We also offer a limited OPI Nail Color collection for our clients.

Please feel free to visit our website or come to the salon to experience Cuticles for yourself.

2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 15A, Crofton, Maryland 21114 or call 443.292.4532