 | Kim McIntosh, a former graduate of Xenon Int'l. School of Hair Design serves as the school’s Director and is a shareholder in the business. She holds a Cosmetology, Esthetics and Instructor's license in Kansas and Nebraska. She has worked behind the chair and managed some of the most prominent salons in the Wichita area. As an educator, her primary goal has been to provide the beauty industry with successful licensed professionals. Having served in the past as Second Vice-President on the Board of Directors for the National Cosmetology Association of Kansas, Kim is currently a Director on the national board for the American Association of Cosmetology Schools. You may contact Kim at (316) 943-5516. |
Beauty & Fashion
2003-03-01 13:26:00
Artificial nails are expensive to maintain
: I love the look of artificial nails, but it is expensive to maintain. Is there anything I can do to stretch the time between nail appointments?
ANSWER: Regular maintenance is very important to keep artificial nails from lifting or cracking. When acrylic nails lift, crack, or grow out with little or no maintenance, moisture and dirt can become trapped under the acrylic nail and fungus can begin to grow. Acrylic nails should be rebalanced (filled in) about every 2 - 3 weeks depending on how fast your nails grow. Without a timely rebalancing service, the nail will begin to look unnatural and uneven as it grows longer. The nail length will be long and make it easier to break or crack.To stretch your rebalancing nail appointments to every 3 weeks, you can give yourself a nail buff and polish service the week before your nail appointment. This includes: · Removing your polish with a non-acetone polish remover.· Lightly buff the uneven area between your new growth area and extension on your nails - a fine to medium grit file is best.· After you have buffed the unevenness or line from your nail, take a smoothing file and buff the shine back into the nail bed.· Follow up with a coat of nail oil on each nail. Apply on top and bottom of each nail. This lubricates and softens the nail and acrylic to prevent breaking or cracking.· Wash hands with an anti-bacterial soap and dry nails.· Apply base coat, two coats of desired lacquer color and one coat of top coat.Talk with your nail technician about scheduling your appointments every 3 weeks, and ask about purchasing a home care kit to assist you in your home buff and polish service. Do not extend your rebalancing service longer than every 3 weeks. You may end up paying more for repairs then if you were on a regular maintenance program of every 3 weeks. Another suggestion to get the best for your buck, would be to check out the nearby beauty school to have your nail services done. School prices are normally 1/2 of what a salon charges.
