Nail Shellac

Nail Shellac, is the latest nail process to hit salons - a cross between nail polish and acrylic tips – that’s reported to last up to 14 days. My networking buddy Nikki gave it a try and reviewed the process for us. Here’s her report.

The process began with a regular manicure and then the Shellac-ing began. The application process is similar to regular polish, but you dry your nails under UV light for about 1 ½ minutes after each coat of Shellac is applied. The UV light cures and hardens the Shellac, otherwise it will become soft and sticky after about 3 days. Four coats are applied – a clear base coat, 2 coats of colored Shellac and a top clear coat. The manicurist said the Shellac dries so completely under the UV light that you could Shellas your toes and then lace up your sneakers and go jogging immediately after the process.

Shellac isn't "bullet-proof" and how well you take care of your nails determines how long it lasts. As with acrylic tips or regular nail polish, the rate of your nail growth is going to affect how long the beauty of the Shellac-ing lasts.

Nikki was pleased with how long the Shellac lasted - it looked good for over a week. She typed a lot, washed her hands quite a bit, and washed a few dishes in hot water and a little bleach and the Shellac lasted through all that. After about a week, she could see the space between the polish and the cuticles was widening as her nails grew out. As of day 10, she noticed that the polish began lifting off one side of a nail. It didn’t last 14 days for Nikki.

The Shellac is removed by soaking nails in acetone for 10 minutes. The residual softened shellac may be removed/scraped off with an orange stick or cuticle tool.

All in all, Nikki liked her Shellac experience and would do it again.

Nikki’s Shellac manicure was $35 at the Sensia Studio & Japanese Day Spa. For more about Shellac or to find a Shellac manicurist in your area, visit Creative Nail Design.

For more about Nikki Johnson, The Millionaire's Assistant™ visit www.assistantnikki.com, follow her on twitter or find her on facebook .

Thanks so much for your review Nikki!!

Smorgasbord Of Anti-Ageing Treatments

Lori Yeats, owner of Soteria Skin in Bellaire, TX, invited me to try her ultimate anti-aging facial. I was blown away by all the anti-aging treatments she packed into this 2 hour facial and had to share the experience. The facial is a tremendous value and unlike any that I have experienced. It’s $155, but similar services at other spas could be as much as 3 to 5 times that. Here’s everything included in the facial:

1. Microdermabrasion – This treatment removes the outer and upper layers of dead skin cells, accelerates cell turnover as well as collagen production for firmer, more glowing skin. This process can minimize fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, and acne scars. My skin was smoother and more glowy after the treatment. It can take a few days after this treatment to see the full effects.

Lori’s microdermabrasion pre-treatment really sets her apart. Most other spas prep the skin for microdermabrasion by removing facial oils with acetone (yes, the same ingredient that’s in most nailpolish removers). Soteria uses a papaya enzyme mask to get the same results with natural ingredients and without using harsh chemicals.

2. LED light therapy – LED Light Therapy has been used by NASA, the US Army and athletes for quick healing. It is also an effective, non-invasive way to help rejuvenate and repair the skin. In the ultimate anti-aging facial, the skin of the face is exposed to red and infrared light that penetrate into the dermis layer of the skin, energizing the cells, stimulating collagen and elastin, to give skin back its youthful look.

3. Microcurrent Non-Surgical Facelift – As we age, the communication between our brains and muscles decreases, causing our muscles to weaken and our faces to sag. This treatment uses micro currents to get the facial muscles and brain “talking” again. After Lori treated on side of my face, she let me look in a mirror to compare it to the untreated side. Wow, I instantly saw a difference in the tone and lift of my face! This is a great treatment to do a couple days before an important event. For lasting effects, you need a series of treatments that re-educate your muscles

4. Oxygen Therapy – Oxygen has been used to speed skin rejuvenation in medical applications for years. Soteria Skin adds oxygen therapy to their facial to increase the effect of the other skin renewal treatments. You may not recognize the direct effect of this treatment, but the results of the other treatments will be more pronounced because of this step.

Thank you Lori for a great experience! For more info about Soteria Skin or their Ultimate Anti-Aging Facial, visit www.soteriaskin.com