New Swiss Collection From OPI!!!

Attention all!! August 1st OPI will release their new world country installment with their Swiss collection! For those who don't know, I am a dual citizen with Switzerland and am super psyched that OPI is recognizing my "other" home country! Check it out! Colors: I’m Suzi & I’m a Chocoholic, From A to Z-urich, Color So Hot it Berns
Just a Little Rösti at This, William Tell Me About OPI, Ski Teal We Drop
Diva of Geneva, Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous, Glitzerland
Yodel Me on My Cell, The Color to Watch, Cucoo for This Color

Ps-I think Diva of Geneva is named after me! lol

Have hot hands and feet!

How to Have Perfect Hands (and Feet)

Basically, caring for your hands and your feet is the same. Yes, it’s true that you need to change the polish on your fingernails much more often than on your toenails, but everything else is very similar. Here are some beauty tips for both.


1. Shock Treatment

If it has been a long time since you’ve taken care of your hands and feet, and you’d like to change their appearance, this treatment will help you. You’ll need a little time and these tools and beauty products:

* Nail Polish Remover

If your nails are painted, the first step is to remove the polish. Make sure you use a non-acetone nail polish remover, which is much gentler on your nails.

* Home-Made Exfoliant (or a Body Exfoliant)

I use salt mixed with olive oil, but you can also use a gentle body exfoliant. Be careful when using it on your feet and dry them really well so that you don’t slip when they’re covered in oil. The best thing to do is to apply the exfoliant in the bathtub before you take a shower. The second step is to exfoliate really well to remove all the dead skin cells. Pay special attention to the heels and soles of your feet.

* Orangewood Sticks

Once your hands and feet are dry, use an orangewood stick to push your cuticles back. I never trim my cuticles, unless I have a “loose” piece of skin – but never the cuticle itself. If you push your cuticles back every once in a while and you keep them well moisturized, you’ll see that trimming them isn’t necessary.

* Polish and File

If you need to cut your nails, use nail clippers: they’re much better than nail scissors and they’re easier to use. I generally polish my nails only once in a while (not too often) to keep my nails clean and shiny. I use a normal nail file. Never in my life have I been able to use crystal or metal files (they send shivers down my spine J) and after having tried a lot of different files, the basic ones work best for me.

Normally my nails are filed in a square shape. My fingers are pretty long, but if you want to make your fingers appear longer, you can file them in an oval shape (only on the hands – toenails should always been short and square). The oval shape is popular and lengthens and defines the hands. Try to file your nails in only one direction. Clean away any remaining dust and continue with the next step.

* Nail Polishes

I don’t use a lot of colored nail polishes, but I always use a protectant by Essie. It’s called Protein Base Coat and it strengthens the nails, leaving them with a very attractive white color. You can also use it for a French manicure instead of a pink shade.

* Moisturizing Lotion

Once your nail polish is very dry, which means waiting at least three hours (yes, three hours, so it’s best to follow this ritual at night or when you’re lying down on the couch), the next step is to apply a moisturizing lotion.

You can follow this ritual very two weeks. Once you’re maintaining the condition of your hands and feet each day, you’ll see that you don’t need to spend as much time on them.



2. Don’t Trim Your Cuticles

It’s important not to trim your cuticles. If yours are really bad, my advice is that you go to a salon to get a manicure and then maintain them from that day forward. Trimming your cuticles is difficult and also makes them grow more. If you moisturize them daily with a hand-and-nail oil, for example, you’ll soon see that they’re smooth. People always ask me what I do to keep my cuticles in such good condition, and the truth is that what I don’t do is more important – that is, I don’t touch my cuticles. And if I have some loose skin, I cut it with special cuticle scissors, very carefully.



3. The Importance of Nail Polish

I suppose it has happened to you, too: after using dark nail polishes for a while, you notice that your nails are more yellow than they used to be. This tends to happen with dark nail polishes, especially when you don’t use a base coat – that is, a base that protects the nail from the dark pigments in the nail polish.

I really like the nail polishes by Essie: they don’t damage the nail and they last a long time (which is really important), but they are also easy to remove. With some other brands, you literally have to spend half an hour removing the polish.



4. Weekly Routines

The idea is to have perfect hands and feet all the time – not just sometimes – so it’s important to create a weekly routine. Write in your personal calendar when you’ll take care of your hands and feet once a week, changing the polish and filing your nails. And every two weeks, or as necessary, apply an exfoliant or remove calloused skin from your feet with a special file. To keep your nails looking their best, try to alternate dark- and light-colored nail polishes, and also let your nails breathe at least a few days each week.



5. Daily Routines

It was really hard for me to adopt this habit until I put the hand-and-nails hydrating cream by Alqvimia (one of my favorite beauty products) on my nightstand. Now, before going to bed each night, I gently massage my hands and feet, being careful to moisturize the cuticles really well. If you have really dry hands, try the “Grenada” hand cream by Weleda: I love it for wintertime, when I need a more intensive moisturizer.



6. My Favorite Nail Polishes

In contrast to eye shadows and blush, as I said before, I’m not really into colored nail polishes. My favorite brand is Essie, and the must-have colors that you need in your beauty chest are:

* A matte white, a subtle pink, and a shiny top coat: to create a French manicure
* A dark brown: ideal for the fall, for feet and hands with really short nails
* A dark red: perfect when wearing sexy sandals
* A bright orange: ideal for summertime when you’re tanned
* A coral shade: this summer’s color
* This year, people are wearing a lot of beige and matte milk chocolate shades, but they’re extreme and you really need to have perfect hands to wear them well. But if you’re daring enough, go for it! You’ll find some lovely shades by Chanel.

Thanks to Asun Parra for this great info!

Summer Nails..Pros and Cons

Just the Basics about Acrylic Nails!

Acrylics nails are currently more popular than gel nails, but they have been around longer, which probably accounts for their popularity. Acrylics can be whole or partial, used over the entire nail or simply as tips. A mixture of liquid acrylic (monomer) and polymer, which is an acrylic powder, is applied to the nail. It hardens on its own fairly quickly, usually within minutes.

Just the Basics about Gel Nails!

There are two current types of gel nails: light cured and no-light gels. A gel nail is typically a pre-mixed polymer and monomer gel that is first applied to the nails and then cured under ultra-violet lights. Light cured are still more common, but the advantage to no-light gel nails is less time waiting in the light. There's also the added benefit of not needing that piece of equipment (the light).

No-light gel nails are cured with a special gel activator that is brushed or sprayed onto the nail. Some are cured by being dipped in plain water.
Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails…Which is Better?

Gel and acrylic nails have similar results. They can lengthen short nails, strengthen nails, and make your fingers look longer and more slender. There are some various pros and cons that might help you decide which the right choice is for you. If gel nails, acrylic nails, and other choices are overwhelming you, then one thing you can always do is speak with a nail technician (manicurist) who can help you make a wise decision that will fit your needs.

As far as finishing touches, you can paint, do French tips, or create other designs on either type of nail. Some people think that airbrushing looks much better on gel nails because they have a more glossy finish, but that is a personal preference. You can look at photos of different types of nails at Next Nail which gives you an idea of the appearance of different types of artificial nails.

If you’re looking for safety information about monomers, polymers, and other manicure agents then visit the Food & Drug Administration's page on nail product regulations.


Pros of Acrylic Nails

* If you break an acrylic nail you can almost always fix it temporarily, and rather easily, yourself.
* The removal process is simple and straightforward if done by a professional. The nails can be soaked rather than filed off.
* Acrylics are very strong. When done correctly and with proper nail care, they can last a long time. They’re robust!

Pros of Gel Nails

* Gel nails often look more natural and glossy than other types of cosmetic nails.
* The curing time is faster than acrylics, sometimes clocking in at just two minutes when light-curing is done.
* Gel nail mixtures are odorless.
* There is less filing involved during the application process.

Cons of Acrylic Nails

* They can damage your real nails in a harsher manner than gel nails can.
* Acrylics can look less natural than gel nails, especially if done incorrectly.
* It can be hard to grow out acrylic nails.

Cons of Gel Nails

* They don’t last as long and are less durable than acrylic, even though they tend to cost more.
* Gel nails are harder to do yourself if you like to do home manicures.
* Nail polish may not stick to the gel finish as well as it does to an acrylic finish.
* If a gel nail breaks, you may be in for some trouble. It can sometimes be more of a shatter effect than a clean break, so self-fixing a break is not usually an option. You’ll need to make an appointment right away with your manicurist. Sometimes they do break cleanly; basic nail glue could be used in that case.
* Gel nails almost always need to be filed off. You can’t just soak them away.

There are so many variables when it comes to gel nails, acrylic nails, natural nails and everything in between that your best bet is always to go to a trusted tail technician. Ask your friends who they use or call the Better Business Bureau before going to a shop. Sometimes the only difference between gel and acrylic is how they’ve been applied, so you want to hire a professional you can trust..


Thanks to Jennifer Chaitfor this great info!!

Permanent Makeup

FDA considers the inks used in intradermal tattoos, including permanent makeup, to be cosmetics and considers the pigments used in the inks to be color additives requiring premarket approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. However, because of other public health priorities and a previous lack of evidence of safety concerns, FDA traditionally has not exercised its regulatory authority over tattoo inks or the pigments used in them. The actual practice of tattooing is regulated by local jurisdictions.

FDA is aware of more than 150 reports of adverse reactions in consumers to certain permanent make-up ink shades, and it is possible that the actual number of women affected was greater. In addition, concerns raised by the scientific community regarding the pigments used in these inks have prompted FDA to investigate the safe use of tattoo inks. FDA continues to evaluate the extent and severity of adverse events associated with tattooing and is conducting research on inks. As new information is assessed, the agency will consider whether additional actions are necessary to protect public health.

In addition to the reported adverse reactions, areas of concern include tattoo removal, infections that result from tattooing, and the increasing variety of pigments and diluents being used in tattooing. More than fifty different pigments and shades are in use, and the list continues to grow. Although a number of color additives are approved for use in cosmetics, none is approved for injection into the skin. Using an unapproved color additive in a tattoo ink makes the ink adulterated. Many pigments used in tattoo inks are not approved for skin contact at all. Some are industrial grade colors that are suitable for printers' ink or automobile paint.

Nevertheless, many individuals choose to undergo tattooing in its various forms. For some, it is an aesthetic choice or an initiation rite. Some choose permanent makeup as a time saver or because they have physical difficulty applying regular, temporary makeup. For others, tattooing is an adjunct to reconstructive surgery, particularly of the face or breast, to simulate natural pigmentation. People who have lost their eyebrows due to alopecia (a form of hair loss) may choose to have "eyebrows" tattooed on, while people with vitiligo (a lack of pigmentation in areas of the skin) may try tattooing to help camouflage the condition.
Whatever their reason, consumers should be aware of the risks involved in order to make an informed decision.
What Risks Are Involved in Tattooing?

The following are the primary complications that can result from tattooing:

* Infection. Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") bacteria*. Tattoos received at facilities not regulated by your state or at facilities that use unsterile equipment (or re-use ink) may prevent you from being accepted as a blood or plasma donor for twelve months.
* Removal problems. Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible.
* Allergic reactions. Although FDA has received reports of numerous adverse ractions associated with certain shades of ink in permanent makeup, marketed by a particular manufacturer, reports of allergic reactions to tattoo pigments have been rare. However, when they happen they may be particularly troublesome because the pigments can be hard to remove. Occasionally, people may develop an allergic reaction to tattoos they have had for years.
* Granulomas.These are nodules that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.
* Keloid formation. If you are prone to developing keloids -- scars that grow beyond normal boundaries -- you are at risk of keloid formation from a tattoo. Keloids may form any time you injure or traumatize your skin. Micropigmentation: State of the Art, a book written by Charles Zwerling, M.D., Annette Walker, R.N., and Norman Goldstein, M.D., states that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.
* MRI complications. There have been reports of people with tattoos or permanent makeup who experienced swelling or burning in the affected areas when they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects.

There also have been reports of tattoo pigments interfering with the quality of the image. This seems to occur mainly when a person with permanent eyeliner undergoes MRI of the eyes. Mascara may produce a similar effect. The difference is that mascara is easily removable.

The cause of these complications is uncertain. Some have theorized that they result from an interaction with the metallic components of some pigments.

However, the risks of avoiding an MRI when your doctor has recommended one are likely to be much greater than the risks of complications from an interaction between the MRI and tattoo or permanent makeup. Instead of avoiding an MRI, individuals who have tattoos or permanent makeup should inform the radiologist or technician of this fact in order to take appropriate precautions and avoid complications.
A Common Problem: Dissatisfaction

A common problem that may develop with tattoos is the desire to remove them. Removing tattoos and permanent makeup can be very difficult.

Although tattoos may be satisfactory at first, they sometimes fade. Also, if the tattooist injects the pigments too deeply into the skin, the pigments may migrate beyond the original sites, resulting in a blurred appearance.

Another cause of dissatisfaction is that the human body changes over time, and styles change with the season. The permanent makeup that may have looked flattering when first injected may later clash with changing skin tones and facial or body contours. People who plan to have facial cosmetic surgery are advised that the appearance of their permanent makeup may become distorted. The tattoo that seemed stylish at first may become dated and embarrassing. And changing tattoos or permanent makeup is not as easy as changing your mind.

Consult your healthcare provider about the best removal techniques for you.
What About Temporary Tattoos?

Temporary tattoos, such as those applied to the skin with a moistened wad of cotton, fade several days after application. Most contain color additives approved for cosmetic use on the skin. However, the agency has issued an import alert for certain foreign-made temporary tattoos1.

The temporary tattoos subject to the import alert are not allowed into the United States because they don't carry the FDA-mandated ingredient labels or they contain colors not permitted by FDA for use in cosmetics applied to the skin. FDA has received reports of allergic reactions to temporary tattoos.

In a similar action, FDA has issued an import alert for henna intended for use on the skin2. Henna is approved only for use as a hair dye, not for direct application to the skin. Also, henna typically produces a reddish brown tint, raising questions about what ingredients are added to produce the varieties of colors labeled as "henna," such as "black henna" and "blue henna." FDA has also received reports of allergic reactions to products applied to the skin that contain henna.








Source: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm108530.htm

PS Sex and the city 2 a 2 star review?????

PS- I absolutely LOVED Sex and the City 2. Do not listen to those 2 star reviewers. Go see it ladies!

Spa Etiquette

Everyone needs a good rant sometimes. So ladies and gents here is mine. I have so many people who come to my place of employment, lets just call it a day spa....and act perfectly lovely. Then there are those who do not know proper spa, or therefore proper day to day etiquette. So please, before heading out for your next pedi or swedish massage, refer to my spa etiquette guide!

1) Arrive at least 20 minutes before your appointment.

2) Use the restroom when you arrive, not when we come to take you for your appointment.

3)Don't take a shower before your service. But please take one the night before.

4) Do not disrobe in public. Do not disrobe in the middle of the changing room. This may be okay at the YWCA but seriously? There's changing stalls for that sort of thing.

5) If something displeases you during your visit, kindly let the therapist know so she can see if she can discount your service. If this makes you uncomfortable go see the General Manager. Do not send passive aggressive emails to us days later asking to be reimbursed.

5) Do not directly tip the therapist. Most spas will have discreet envelopes so cash tips can be left behind the front desk.

6)Do not show up late and expect to receive your full service if we are back to back.

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT

1) Do expect to be greeted at the door.

2) Do expect to be offered a beverage.

3) Do expect to be told to turn your cell phone off.

4) Do expect to have therapists talk to you during your service depending on who you get.

5) Do expect to leave a 18-20% tip for your service. If you are unhappy with your service, say something nicely before you leave but correct etiquette says you still tip the therapist over 10% in this type of environment. If you are truly unhappy with your experience do not go back. Remember prices in spas are not necessarily due to the fact the services are very long and luxurious, but the fact they use high quality product, cater to you (offer beverages, etc) and you are paying for the atmosphere.