As many of you know we have loads of glitter here at thePINKchair.. GlitterGasm Australia is one of our most popular lines, Tracy tests all of her glitters to ensure they won't bleed in Monomers if being used with Liquid and Powder systems. So many custom one of a kind mixes come from Tracy and GlitterGasm, no two mixes are ever the same.
Listed below are some of our favourite collections:
There are a lot of ways to use loose glitter with gel. I choose my application method depending on what kind of glitter I am using and what my design needs. Fine/Ultra Fine glitters are the most common at my desk. These are very easy to use.
Fine/Ultra Fine Glitter : These are easily applied to a finish filed nail without risk of compromising the finished shape.
quick tip :) you can gently "rub" the ultra fine and fine glitters in with your gloved finger and create a beautiful smooth finish. Depending on your choice of glitter (Solids or holographic) the effect is incredible.
Chunky Glitters & Mixes : These can be a little trickier to use, but the results are so much more dramatic! These larger pieces are better buried in your design, especially if you are using gel as your medium.
quick tip :) you can use a dotting tool to pick out specific pieces of chunky glitters to fill in holes or create designs or elements in nail art.
Glitters are so much fun to use and the possibilities are endless! Don't be afraid to mix your mixes to create new ones! If you create your own mix using glitters from thePINKchair be sure to tag us @thepinkchairnailstudio and tell us what you used #thepinkchairnailstudio #mixmaster
Remember when removing glitters that sanding bands and diamond bits can pack in with the the glitters, I always recommend using a carbide to remove glitters. Carbides will "shave" off the products and glitters quickly and produce less friction.
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions or ideas for upcoming blogs, please email me at thepinkchair@sasktel.net.
Take Care!
Kellie , Oscar & Hazel
]]>Over Christmas, we took some time to reflect on 2017 and everything that happened. It was a year of ups and downs, amazing events, fantastic new products, late nights, and long days ... but the one thing that makes everything worth it is our beautiful, talented, and supportive customers!
We couldn't do what we do without each and every one of you. So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for being a part of thePINKchair family 💖
We love seeing all your posts, and watching you all grow as nail artists and industry experts. We’re so lucky to get to do this every day. Remember to always tag us and use #thepinkchairnailstudio so we can see all your great work over the next year - and beyond!
In order get ready for the exciting year ahead, thePINKchair will be CLOSED until January 3rd for New Year's and inventory. Check back after that to see what goodies we have in store for 2018!
And make sure to check out the blog for tips & tricks - we will keep updating it every month with new products and techniques.
That’s all for now - cheers to 2018! 🍷🎉
Talk to you soon!
Kellie, Oscar & Hazel
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In this month’s blog, we’re going to be talking about V. Art Decals! I stumbled upon these fantastic little guys a few months ago while surfing the internet for new things. As soon as I saw them, I knew I just had to bring them in (all the way from Russia!).
V.Art Decals are so easy to use and they create stunning nail art in seconds.
We currently have two different style of V. Art available on the site. The metallic décor is available in 22 different designs and in both Gold and Silver metallic. Our newest additions are these cute Christmas Designs.
The second style of V.Art is the reusable stencils. I have been using them with all of the pigments in my arsenal, and they make adding quick easy designs a breeze. Also, as long as you are careful with them, and clean and store them properly, they are definitely reusable!
Here are a few examples of some tips I did so you could see a few different ways to use them.
Example #1:
Here I used the Metallic Décor over a finished nail. These Metallic decals are so thin, and they cover easily with your favourite top gel.
I prefer to buff the surface slightly, and cap. You can easily add more details using the 0 Short detail brush.
Lots of fabulous and edgy designs are also available.
Example #2:
To use the reusable stencil with pigments, follow these simple steps:
Example #3:
I used Livewire from Social Claws over Crystal Gloss from Elite Beauty Supplies
And if you're feeling adventurous...
This design is called call “deep”. It’s derived from Russian, but loses a bit in translation, because this effect is definitely so much more than that! This type of design takes a little longer, but the effect is totally worth it!
This is really just the beginning of all the ways you can use V.Art decals! There are hundreds of effects you can create - only limited by your imagination and supply cupboards
So now, because it's Christmas, we're going to be doing a giveaway. If you use V.Art for any of your clients in the month of December, post it on Facebook and/or Instagram and tag #thepinkchairXmas2017. You'll be entered to win one of each of the new sets of Christmas V. Art designs! Each tag is one entry, so get decorating!
I know you guys will come up with lots of other ways to use the decals and stencils. We would love to see them! Please share the on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thepinkchairnailstudio/, and tag us on Instagram. We would love to share your work!
As always, I’m here if you have questions. Talk to you soon!
Kellie, Oscar & Hazel
I just got back from a fabulous trip to Fort McMurray! While I was there I had a ton of fun teaching a great group of ladies a few tricks about pigments, so I figured I would share some of what we talked about with all of you!
Now I know when we talk about pigments, some of you cringe and some will jump for joy. From Chrome to Luminaura to Celestial, we all love that high shine and amazing effect, but sometimes it can be a pain to work with. The pigments in today’s blog post are not hard to use at all, and can be used in so many different ways. Some of them create some really cool effects when used in conjunction with your current coloured gels and others create really cool colours when mixed with gel.
Those of you who know me know that I like to use pigments quite a bit, and I figured out an easy way to use pigments to create that perfect fade every time. These fades can be used to create many different looks, from a classic “Baby Boomer” to wherever your imagination takes you!
Try Riptide over Cup o’ Joe or Water You Doing. Burnish 24 Karat Gold over Cup o’ Joe or It’s Snow Big Deal. I love using the Sun/Moon/Stars Raw over colours and in top gels for fabulous effects.
Before we leave off, here are a few things to remember when using pigments:
Have those clients that always wear a French, and you want to add some pizzazz? Add some mica or ultra fine glitter to your favourite top gel to give them a little flash.
Hopefully this article has sparked some inspiration to create with pigments! Pigments let you create new colours from scratch or add new life to existing colours you don’t reach for any more. Be sure to share your creations on our Facebook page and on Instagram (#thepinkchairnailstudio) so we can check them out!
Talk to you soon!
Kellie, Hazel & Oscar
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In this month's blog, I want to chat about gel polish. You're probably thinking "Kellie, what are you doing? Gel polish is old news!" but really, it seems as though gel polish is making a comeback! It turns out that it's far more versatile than we first thought, and more and more techs are using gel polish on more than just natural nails.
It can be tough to figure out where to start with gel polish, because there are so many different kinds out there! So, how do you choose?
Things to look for when choosing your Gel Polish:
a. Opacity - how many coats does it take to get full, even coverage?
b. Type - polish, gel, or hybrid (polish/gel combo)?
c. Colour - there is an almost limitless selection of colours and different effects. Your imagination is the limit!
d. Viscosity - too thick or too thin?
e. Curing - does it cure in UV/LED?
f. Removal - does it soak off easily if being used over natural nails? Does it file well?
We put some of our favourite Gel Polishes to the test, based on these factors - here are our recommendations!
Top Picks:
Color Club gel polish offers a pure gel option that we techs love! It's fully cured in 30 seconds under LED, and soaks off easily in less than 10 minutes using the acetone-free remover. Color Club is also great for art work (see Ramona's examples above!). The viscosity and opacity of this gel polish makes it easy to use for many styles of nail art. Also, did we mention that they have Halo Hues?
Kiara Sky is also a pure gel option that wont shrink or wrinkle during application. And the best part is it doesn’t even need a base gel! Kiara Sky offers a huge selection of colours to choose from, including the ever popular Ombre collections and the just-released Mermaid holo collection.
Crystal Nails offers over 300 colour options in gel polish, including some the best nudes you will ever see! As well, Tiger Eye CrystaLac covers perfectly in one coat and is easy to apply. We just received some super cool magnetic beads to create different patterns in your Tiger Eye! For best results, we recommend doing one finger at a time to lock in your perfect Tiger Eye effect. Check out the Prismatic and Chro/Me CrystaLac for some cool effects as well.
Some final thoughts:
Gel polishes on natural nails offer more durability and flexibility than standard polish and your clients should expect them to last 7-10 days.
But, when you use them over hard gel or acrylic enhancements, the possibilities are endless, and the durability is that of a regular hard gel colour. When applying over enhancements, some techs prefer to put down a layer of acid free primer before applying the gel polish for better adhesion.
Personally, I have found that if I apply after I have finished filing my nails without using a buffer, the gel polish will fill in all those little grooves and give a flawless finish. If you prefer to buff, make sure you haven’t buffed the surface too smooth, as this is where you might run into trouble with chipping or wear.
I can't wait to see what you all create with Gel Polish! Share your creations on our Facebook page, or on Instagram and tag #thepinkchairnailstudio - you might get featured!
Talk to you soon!
Kellie, Hazel & Oscar
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The best place to start is to ask the experts who have been through the trial and error phase, and are able to make recommendations
Below, I’ve compiled some recommendations from my educators and industry pros; they weigh in on their favourite builder gels, and what makes them so great!
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Ramona Hales (Trendsetter’s Nail Studio): My favourite is Crystal Nails Titanium Xtreme Clear Gel. I love how it stays put, yet is super workable and melts into place where you want it, making structure easy to create as well as thin extensions. For me (as a mainly acrylic user) it has been the easiest gel for me to adapt to, and will always be my first choice. I've used it to create salon nails as well as to create extreme European shapes with ease. I also love to use it for creating raised gem effects, especially over baroque stickers etc
Crystal Earl (Polish Me Pretty Nails) My favorite is Crystal Nail Xtreme Cool Gel. I use it to fill mostly - as that's what most of my clients are - and the occasional full build. I love it because it is wicked strong, picks up on my brush beautifully, and I can move it around where I need it to go but it doesn't flow into the cuticles. It self levels, it is easy to file, and it doesn't have a big heat spike. I also have used it for salon style and extreme shaping with ease, cost is highly effective in big pots, and I can buy it from you, Kellie! 😉
Alison Poelen (Halo Esthetics by Alison): My go-to and favourite is also Crystal Nails Titanium Xtreme Clear Gel. It self levels beautifully. Flexible for most nails especially ones that have nice C curves. Easy to apply and easy to file.
Michelle Lavallee (Total NV Esthetics): I love my Design Gel by Elite Beauty Supplies. I love it because it moves nicely with my brush, and can pretty much eliminate any filing. I use it mainly to do fills and I rarely ever do a new build. Being a full time tech, I find the design is also very cost effective. Second to this one would be the Crystal Nail Xtreme Cool Gel.
Haley Van Diest (Fetish Nails): I'll second this; I love Crystal Nail Xtreme Cool Gel. It moves beautifully, and I’m able to control my shape and have far less filing to do because it stays where I want it. Flexible, durable and my clients love it. I've used it for 2 years now and it's changed my nail game for sure.
Kellie’s Pick: I have to go with Xtreme Cool Gel as well! This is the most recent addition to the Crystal Nails Builder family. This is some tough stuff! It has a medium to thick viscosity, but levels out beautifully. Designed specifically for the construction of extreme shapes, this gel pinches well, files like a dream, and has minimal heat transfer.
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Hopefully you’re able to find something that works for you from this list! If you have another recommendation, let us know by tagging #thepinkchairnailstudio on social media and show us what you’ve got!
Talk to you soon!
Kellie, Oscar & Hazel
]]>This summer, it’s been all about fantasy looks - mythical creatures, glitter, shine, and PINK! One of the looks that’s been taking the world of nails by storm is Unicorn Nails. It’s crazy popular, and for good reason - it looks amazing!
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of products, tips and tricks to help you perfect this gorgeous, magical look for your clients!
Luminaura
The key to the perfect Unicorn Nail is the amazing Luminaura by Social Claws! This crazy beautiful pigment turns any colour into a gorgeous, shimmery unicorn colour. And it’s taken the nail world by storm! Everyone wants it! Clients are even asking for it by name!
If you have Luminaura you know what I’m talking about. If you want to see for yourself, click here to pre-order for the next shipment!
With the Luminaura, you will need to make sure you are applying it over a tack-free layer - either a tack-free top gel, or a tack-free Gel Paint.
**UPDATE**: Ashley W. of Glittered Pony offered us this trick for getting your Luminaura or Holo pigments to stay put:
"A thin layer of Power Boost (from Elite Beauty Supplies) over Holographic or Luminaura or Chrome has been my saving grace over top. No chipping at all with any of my clients since using it. I use it right after my pigment and then go over it with a top coat".
Thanks for the great tip, Ashley!!
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Top Gels
Some of our favourite tack-free top gels that we like to work with:
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Gel Paints
We often use gel paints from Crystal Nails and Elite Beauty Supplies as a base for our Luminaura application. You can find them in the shop here
Gel paint lets us skip a step, and get to the fun stuff sooner! If you choose to use a gel paint as a base for your application, make sure it cures TACK FREE. If it doesn’t, you will need to cure a layer of your chosen top gel before application of Luminaura.
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Tips & Tricks for Application
Here are some of the tricks that we have found when using these fabulous pigments!
Hopefully these tips help you to create some amazing Unicorn Nails for your clients. If you try out this trend, post it on Instagram or Facebook and tag thePINKchair Nail Studio - we’d love to see what you create!
Talk to you soon!
Kellie, Hazel & Oscar
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My name is Kellie, and our site is based out of Moose Jaw, SK. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, and to let you all know that I’m here to answer any questions you may have about the art of nails!
A little about me:
I started my professional nail journey in 2006, when I began my initial nail training. At first I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to take the training, but family and friends convinced me. And wouldn’t you know it - I fell in love with everything nails. I went on to own my own nail salon from 2008 to 2014; in that time, I had the opportunity to train with so many amazing nail artists from all over the world! In 2014, I earned my certification as a Crystal Nails Educator. Shortly after, I decided to realize my dream of bringing Crystal Nails to Canada, and thePINKchair online site launched in 2015. We regularly add new and exciting items (and all the necessities too!), and since our launch have added some great companies, with more on the horizon. I recently achieved my Saskatchewan Journey Person designation, and am looking forward to the future of our industry in Saskatchewan and all over the world. I am very excited to share everything I know with students and nail techs alike.
Even though I no longer do nails full time, I am still just as excited about the practice as I was when I first started! I have a very select customer group, that happily sit in my chair and let me experiment on them to make sure the products we offer to you stand up to our requirements and theirs. I spend hours trolling the web to find and source new, fun, exciting, and trendy products for my awesome nail tech clients. Everything that you see on thePINKchair has been personally tested by me or one of my trusted team members to make sure that everything I provide my clients is exactly right. Customer service is always my number one focus; I pride myself on providing the fastest shipping possible, and always try to ship orders out on the same day, or the next day at the latest.
I host live sessions in my private Facebook group, where I talk about new techniques and products, and answer questions (with helpful commentary from Hazel and Oscar, my beautifully snuffly bulldogs!) Dates of live sessions are posted in the group; to join in, request to join the thePINKchair nail studio Facebook group.
I’m always here to answer questions, and I love chatting about all things nail-related! If you need anything, email me or send me a Facebook message and I’ll be happy to help. Also, if you’re interested in becoming one of my team members, and getting access to all the new and cool stuff that thePINKchair has to offer, ask me how!
I’ll be posting blogs monthly, with tips, tricks and information about this fantastic industry we work in. Check back often!
Talk to you soon!
Kellie, Hazel & Oscar
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