One of my most favorite things in the world is RESEARCH!  I love finding out what's up and coming, and digging for things I haven't heard about before.  Seriously!  If you have anything regarding Nails, I'm your girl!  These entries are my quest to find the Next Best Thing coming out in the Nail World.  Please note that these are MY observations..some may agree with me and some may not!  If there are any ways I could've done it better...LET ME KNOW!  I hope you come away with new understandings, something new to try or at the very least a giggle for checking out my experience. 

UV GEL "POLISH" a.k.a known as "Shellac", "Gelish", "Soak-Off Gels","Everlasting Manicure" or "Indestructible Manicure" etc.The newest rage!  Several professional Nail Companies have created what may be the greatest thing since (enter your favorite thing in the World here)! Gel Polish is applied then cured in a UV lamp within the same time as a regular manicure. This new technology ensures up to 2 weeks of non-chipping, non-smudging shiny nails!  While I find that calling this process "Everlasting" or "Indestructible" is almost a challenge to our rubber-glove- hating clients, the product has  changed the Nail World!  Girls who gave up on polish long ago are now enjoying beautiful nails, as are women who have "gone Natural" and soaked off their old heavy acrylic nails.  If you haven't tried this product yet-imagine not having to worry about what day to get your manicure done BEFORE your Big Event! Your nails will look just as lovely as when you had them done, even if was days ago! The beauty of it all is that there are many colors available and they are much better for your Natural Nails than artificial nail systems in the past.  Acetone is used to soak off the product, which bubbles up and slides off with gentle scraping after less than 10 minutes at your next appointment so you can have fresh, new nails everytime!  Take the Gel Polish Plunge and check them out!

 ALTERNATIVE FRENCH

For the Fall 2011, one of the new trends is kicking up your pink-and-white French manicure! For those who are somewhat conservative, try a subtle sparkle,  a brighter pink or have a metallic stripe separate the pink & white like the first photo. Those who are a little braver can try an alternative to the pink altogether, such as the tame Cocoa color in the second photo. 

Finally, for the really adventurous, try one of the Runway combinations that have been showing up in Fashion magazines. Pick complimentary shades of different colors or different tones of the same color. (photo from crookedhouse.typepad.com) Whatever you decide to do, make it your own! This is a great way to ensure no one else will have the same look as you!

NAIL ART

Nail Art is always something fun to try! Usually, there are more requests for "fun" nails in the Summer and around Holidays. Again, make your mani/pedi your own and get a little something extra done to your nails, you will love it! Then for the not-so-faint of heart...try Minx Nails!  These are much funkier than the average Nail Art designs! You can see some of the designs here on my Website under the "Photo Gallery" page or you can check out the selection of designs at the Minx website www.minxnails.com .