CND Shellac Salon Certification Program

With all the confusion about gels, long lasting polish, and my personal favorite, Shellac, I'm glad to see that CND is taking these steps to make sure you get what you're asking for at your local salon!  Please enjoy the following press release from CND!

CND Cracks Down to Ensure Quality Control 

With Shellac Salon Certification Program

January 2012 - As Nail Professionals and consumers can attest, all nail services are NOT created equal! Factors include the skill and proper training of the Nail Professional and the quality of the products used. CND Shellac Power Polish™ is a one-of-a-kind product with easy, non-damaging removal that sets it apart from "me-too" products and gel manicures. When used as directed, it comes off quickly and easily without harming the natural nail - no filing is necessary for application or removal.

So what happens when consumers ask for a CND Shellac Power Polish service, but receive something completely different (although they may be told it's CND Shellac)? CND hears stories continually about women who have unintentionally tried "gel-polish" and Shellac pretenders, and then ruined their nails trying to remove it. Salon clients across the U.S. will soon be assured that the CND Shellac services they receive have CND's official seal of approval.

CND is cracking down on CND Shellac fraud by implementing a CND Shellac Salon Certification Program. This program deploys CND Education Ambassadors to visit salons across the country who registered on cnd.com as Shellac Salons. To be a certified CND Shellac Salon, a CND representative will visit the salon, provide training and review protocol (no mixing systems or filing on the nail...ever!). Salons that meet the criteria will be awarded CND's seal of approval. Look for the "Certified" window cling in the entrance to the salon and icon on cnd.com's Salon Locator.

"Our CND Shellac Salon Certification Program will ensure the ultimate experience for clients and will provide a great incentive to Nail Professionals to provide exemplary CND Shellac services," says CND Co-Founder, Jan Arnold.

As an educated consumer, here are some pointers for making sure you receive the REAL CND Shellac:

1)    Look for the CND seal of approval on the window of your salon.

2)    Ask if the salon uses CND Shellac products.

3)    Watch the products that are being used during the service - if you do not see "CND Shellac" on the bottle, it's not Shellac.

4)    During removal, do not allow soaking of nails in a bowl of acetone - request CND Shellac Remover Wraps or cotton and tin foil removal method.

The program is rolling out first in New York, California, Nevada, Colorado, Ohio and Chicago, and will expand across the US in 2012.

If you want to report on progress of the CND Shellac Salon Certification Program in your region, please contact Rachel@red-pr.com.

About CND

Founded in 1979 and based in Vista, CA, CND (Creative Nail Design, Inc.) is the global leader in professional nail, hand, and foot beauty. Deeply committed to advancing the nail care industry, CND devotes significant time and resources to product research and development, education, and customer support. Additionally, CND is an industry-leading advocate for the role of nail care in personal beauty and fashion. For more information about CND, please visit cnd.com.

New CND Shellac Shades

While I'm off battling a cold (boo), please enjoy this press release from CND!

6 NEW SHADES OF CND SHELLAC™ POWER POLISH™

Nailing Spring's Hottest Trends

January 2011 - CND, pioneer of runway nail fashions, is releasing six gorgeous brand new shades of Shellac Power Polish to the line-up in March 2012. CND Shellac is the effortless alternative to basic polish because it dries instantly and delivers endless mirror shine with absolutely no chipping, smudging or dulling. Whether you're a classic taupe addict or a metallic iron maiden, with 36 shades there is a sophisticated look to suit all digit desires. CND is your one stop resource for new product news, expert interviews and seasonal nail trends straight from the catwalk.




Say HELLO to the new colors:

Silver VIP Status

Gold VIP Status

CityScape

Rubble

Dark Lava

Silver Chrome

Silver VIP Status: Sheer Diamond Shimmer Effect - Great for layering over any color
Gold VIP Status:  Sheer Golden Shimmer Effect - Great for layering over any color
CityScape:  Creamy Dove Gray
Rubble:  Mushroom Taupe
Dark Lava:  Stormy Raisin
Silver Chrome:  Iron Metallic


CND Shellac comes off gently in ten minutes with convenient, hygienic CND Shellac Remover Wraps that limit skin exposure to acetone by keeping it pinpointed on the nail. CND Shellac color comes off from the inside out. The high-tech 'quick release' base coat causes it to flake into small pieces that gently slide off the nail without filing off the surface of the nail - unlike gels that require at least a half hour of soaking to remove.


CND Shellac is a professional salon service product. Manicure prices typically range from $25-$45 and pedicures from $40-$60 depending on location.


About CND
Founded in 1979 and based in Vista, CA, CND (Creative Nail Design, Inc.) is the global leader in professional nail, hand and foot beauty. Deeply committed to advancing the nail care industry, CND devotes significant time and resources to product research and development, education, and customer support. CND is an industry-leading advocate for the role of nail care in personal beauty and fashion.

Dr.'s REMEDY Balance

The Dr,'s REMEDY Fall Fever 2011 collection brought some rich but modern hues to the fall season.  As with most square polishes of late, the top pops off to reveal a smaller round brush.  It's not necessary to remove the square case for polishing.  I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacore, 2 coats of Balance and a top of CND Air Dry.  Formula was good.  Balance is a red creme - listed as a "brick".

My house has brick walls so I thought it would be fun to photograph in front of one.  However, this sounded better in my head than it showed up in real life.

Here in the sun you can see how lovely the color is.  It doesn't have too much blue to it, but isn't a true red.

Not much difference in the shade.  It's almost like a dark red melon?

Finally indoors with the flash, you can see a bit of streakiness in my opacity but otherwise a good little red polish!

Dr.’s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish is available for $16 online at http://www.remedynails.com or by calling 1-877-323-NAIL.  You can "Like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Nicole by OPI Orna-Ment For Each Other

I must admit, I hate store-limited collections because I do live in a small town, but when I was on my way to Florida in November, I made my boyfriend stop at a Target to look for the "Holiday Glitters!"  Good news - we found them.  Bad news - they sat in the truck of our car in Texas while I was in Florida for a week and it got REALLY cold outside.  The polish evaporated quite a bit and got thick and hard.  I added a ton of nail polish thinner but I never got to try the polish in its original formula.  Regardless, here is Orna-Ment For Each Other!


I originally wanted to wear this as my Christmas manicure.  I used a base coat of Duri Rejuvacote, 3 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  I did this on 23 December and by Christmas, this is what my nails looked like.  Now, fair warning, my right hand always chips faster than my left, and my index finger always chips faster than any other nail I have.  Also, sorry for the awkward hand placement.

As you can see, this is a red glitter in a red base with a tiny bit of gold glitter in it.  It's a nice little festive touch to a normal red glitter.

Indirect sun shows some texture, and yes - this polish was gritty even with a top coat.

The shade shows all my tip wear.  I don't know if Nicole by OPI just doesn't play well with CND Air Dry or if I'm just THAT hard on my nails.  Either is possible.

Finally indoors with the flash - the gold is a bit hard to see here but it's still there.


So since I had so much tip wear in just 2 days, I decided to add a coat of Glitter In My Stocking, a gold glitter in a yellow base.

I didn't sponge or anything - just used the nail brush and brushed it on my nails.  It wasn't perfect but it did hide the tip wear.

You do have to do about 3 coats to cover well.  I used one coat on my pinkie, 2 coats on my ring finger and 3 coats on my middle and index finger.  It's like a thick French?  Either way I liked it and it made my manicure last a little longer.  :]


Nicole by OPI is available at ULTA, Meijer, Harmon, HEB, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart and more for around $8 a bottle.  For more information, visit their website, follow Nicole by OPI on Twitter and become a Facebook fan.

Color Club Boho Mojo

There's going to be a lot of pictures today because Color Club Boho Mojo from the Back to Boho collection is a weird little color.  It's the greenish silver pearl color and with pearls come streaks!  I used a base of Duri Rejuvacote, 2 coats of polish and a top of CND Air Dry.  Formula was otherwise good.

Extreme sun here to show that it's not completely opaque with my 2 coats.

You can see the olive silver here in the sun as well.

In this shade picture it's more silver than green (I think?)

Okay, it's really silver here - and loads of streaks!

Finally indoors with the flash - olive, silver, pearl.  Not my favorite but definitely a fall color.  I read somewhere that the best way to hide the streaks of pearl is to add a coat of glitter - I should have done that!

Color Club is located on several etailers, including Head2Toe Beauty which has it for $3.00.  You can also Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.