Marching on!

Yikes....! 

March is knocking on the door....
like a surprised visit from a long lost relative, there is a vague sense of unease as you answer the door and hug and kiss....those unanswered question ffiltering into your mind 'how long will they stay'.... 'why are they here' and .... ' whats her name again?'....well maybe not the last one....but a sense of panic always comes about me when March arrives....I am nearly a quarter of the way through the year and all those resolutions and goal settings I did are still on my list.....hmmmmm thinking about it where is my list? Not only that I am no way near hitting my target weight for that polka dot bikini. 

So here we find our selves and out business slowly poking its head out of the last couple of months, little cash-flow to speak of, and thinking about how the next few months will pan out and what we can do to boost ourselves up the ladder of achievement. 

IT IS TIME FOR ACTION!
we have receive red from Christmas rush, we are done hibernating throughout January and the drama of February is now over! so let us begin to look forward and see what we can do for our Business. 

Here are 5 'to do' for March! 

1. Look at social marketing and make a plan. 
Do you have a personnel time line on Face book and a business page. do not under estimate the power of marketing through Face book, just by posting daily on your page about the nails you do will enhance your local customer base. You page, if your a salon should be for your clients and not filter out to other Nail professionals. 
Build up your 'professional' friend list on your own time line, talk to them and watch what is happening around the world, although not the only source, Face book is a wealth of information. Now look outside 'nails' and check out fashion, hair and makeup and look at how other brands market them selves. 

2. March madness! if you haven't done so already, it seems this is the month to start putting out your offers. Last month cash-flow is notoriously poor for most business, and they see offers and specials as great way to boost income. Don't undersell your product or you will build a false expectation from your customers and then perceived too expensive when your prices return. Instead of discounts and money off, try teaming your treatments and making bundles which are irresistible, and keep your competition at bay.  Offer giveaways on your social media platforms or directly to your clients when they visit. 

3. Look at stock, visiting the trade shows means you can look at different products to offer your clients, change some services on your menu, maybe include some 'limited edition' treatments which are around for a short while. This means your clients will keep looking at your menu card and maybe try something different. Rotate your stock, change your displays and buy in some new items . I visit a local salon once every two weeks, and the same items are on the shelves each time. I just stop looking. every so often there has been a change, and I am instantly thinking' what can I buy'. 

4. Nail art and deign, if you don't already offer design in the salon, this is the time to bring it in, trends are giving us the nail professional an idea opportunity to cash in on whats hot and whats fashionable right now. Use this to your advantage. you should have a display board rocking maybe 3-5 different 'looks' nothing overly complicated, and there should be ten examples of this look in different colour ways. this board is seasonal, and show cases what can be done. there are many more designs your clients can pick and choose from, but this board is your 'teaser'  Right now your looking for on trend spring time looks for nails .....ask your good friend 'google' to show you some images. 

5. Read, plan and Be Prepared......you are about to hit your busy period and summer is coming and you will be busy painting toe nails and preparing people for their annual holiday, use this time to read, prepare and get your self ready. your mental check list should be; The next time you need to change the nail display board on reception will be in June, what designs will you do? How can you market them out to your customers?  Do they need any incentives or offers to try a new treatment? What new treatments can you bring in? Always think 3 months ahead.....and plan! 

I hope you have found this Blog post useful, I would love to hear from you, about this post or any others. Sam x

My Internet Doppleganger

A few weeks ago I did an interesting interview by Courtney Boyd Myers for the Observer.com.   Un related to nails, which made a change, she wanted to discuss my Twitter relationship with another Sam Biddle a 27-year old Brooklyn-based tech stroke gossip blogger . In stark contrast to my industry and my relationship with my followers This Sam seems to love controversy, where as I avoid it! Receiving tweets meant for him, I would wake in the morning to a barrage of cryptic insults and put downs. At first I thought it was for me……but soon realised the problem…...

it makes for an interesting read, and I look forward to someday meeting him in person. 

read more…..

Colour Matters!

Working with colour doesn't have to stress you out, you don't even have to spend an extra hour to create your master piece, and sometimes the most unexpected combinations are the best.  I am on a mission to show every nail tech that bringing a little colour into their business is not only profitable and enjoyable but also very easy.  I have heard all the excuses, but the main one is "my clients don't want it". 

My reply is  “I can't believe that clients are fully informed about their choices, if nail technicians are not prepared to wear colour and show off their skills”. 

You don't have to use the brightest powders in the box, and adorn your colour pops with crude combinations, but some simple adjustments will not only amaze your clients and build your reputation, but you might ignite a new passion for colour within. Using a basic primary and secondary colour pallet your possibilities are endless. 

It’s not rocket science! 

1.You want to feel confident when you use colour, and blending is a simple and very effective way to sell it.  Use on the free edges as a fun french or a section of the nail.

2.Use a complimentary colour to apply some pattern, don't worry about having to produce near perfect flowers in one appointment, you will just as easily wow your client with simple scrolls, lines and swirls which can be added to the acrylic with polish.  You can cap in clear when it is dry.

3. Embellish your work, everyone loves glitter and gems, when you next visit the shows check out the wide range sitting on the shelves waiting to be bought, and please don't stick with the same old rhinestones there are some amazing studs and shapes, crushed shells and pressed flowers available.

What colours work together?

 I admit, I am an instinctive when it comes to applying colour, I just allow my creativity to flow and let it come from within, but that doesn’t work for everyone I know. Colour theory is actually a simple formulation of combining colours that work well together  ‘in harmony’.  It is a set of principles using a colour wheel to give you a visual reference. 

According to this theory, these combinations use any two colours opposite each other on the colour wheel, any three colours equally spaced around the wheel  to form a triangle, or any four colours to form a rectangle. Any of these colour combinations are called colour schemes and will remain harmonious regardless of the rotation angle.

Colour theory only looks at the relationships of pure colours; it does not take colour lightness and saturation into account. While the shades may vary in your chosen colour scheme, you can use any tints, shades, and tones of the colour you have, colour theory pays attention only to the hue component.

My advice is if your going for 3 colours, keep the shades the same, all bright, all pastel for example, to make the nail less busy. 

So we have cover the science bit, lets get busy and start using this theory to our advantage. 

We know from school that our Primary colours are; Blue, Yellow and red, from these three colour we are told we can mix any other colour, called secondary colours, from there we can mix tertiary colours. 

for example -

yellow and blue primary = green secondary

yellow and green = lime green tertiary

The exact shade or hue of the secondary colour will depend on which red, blue or yellow you have mixed, and what quantities you have used. giving you in essence very extensive palette.

But What About Black and White?

Black and white are not classed as a primary, although like red, blue and yellow  can not be made by mixing together other colours.  But Black and white aren't used to create any colour and therefore excluded from the colour mixing theory. They they only lighten and darken your colour palette. If you add white to a colour you lighten it and if you add black you darken it. 

Creating Harmony 'does your nail sing' ?

The colour theory is taught at school, and something which as a'creative' is ingrained in us, but how do we pick the colours we need to make a harmonious nail design. 

First lets look at what that means, what is a harmonious design? It is a nail design which is  balanced and pleasing to the eye, I always say ‘does the nail sing’? Does your nail designs engage the viewer and create an inner sense of order and balance. 

When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or chaotic. Is your design so bland that the viewer is not engaged. The human brain will reject under-stimulating information. or are your nails so overdone, so chaotic that the viewer can't stand to look at it. The human brain rejects what it can not organise, what it can not understand. Although staying in the realms of creativity humans still require a logical structure to anything we see.

Choosing a Colour scheme!

so here comes the over riding question....'what colours go with what'?

Check out this colour wheel and choose a colour. 

The two colours on either side of this colour will reinforce your colour and give you more scope, creating 'haromony'. 

The colour directly opposite your chosen colour will compliment it. These opposing colours create maximum contrast and maximum stability to your design.

Contrasting colours which work together, choose your colour and take three steps to right or left, this colour will contrast beautifully. 

 

Above is some examples of using the colour theory, creating a triangle of complimentary and contrasting colours. 

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog, I would love to hear from you, either about this blog or ideas on other things you would like me to write about. let me know. Samx 

Competition made easy - my top tips

There are two distinct ways to approaching competing, the holistic thoughtful approach and then the down right practical.  

Winners are those who have a nice balance of both. 

Sometimes our approach to the competing  is not in line with our perceived outcome.    The saying “it's not the winning but the taking part that counts” are words  we have all heard and perhaps said it to others our self's, but if we are honest do we really think it applies to us?   

Getting the approach to competing right in our heads, will ultimately mean when it comes down to the practical side of competing we are one step closer.  Take a moment to realise why you are entering the competition, what are your goals.  Do you want the recognition? Do you want to improve your skills? Is it the feedback from the judges your interested in? or perhaps you want to market your competing to improve your business.  Finding out your drive to enter a competition will help you focus in the competition. Each of the points I have mentioned is a valid benefit to competing and means regardless of a 1st 2nd or 3rd place you are still a winner.  

If your entering a nail competition you should have already grasps the basics, you should know what is expected and what you can produce in the way of winning nails.  However there are some extra little things which might work towards giving you the edge over the competition.

Before you start this journey you must be realistic.  It might seem harsh for me to say this,  but judge your own nails and be honest.  it is no good ‘hoping’ that the judges don't notice that your nails aren't perfect or that the judges will miss that your smile lines aren't crisp for example. These same judges have been in your shoes, and have done their fair share of hoping, good judges will be the toughest to ‘blindside’.  

So lets get down to some practical advice, 

RULES AND REGS

The first and very important thing to do is to read and understand the rules.....they are written to help and guide you.  International competitions like the Olympics are run very differently from national competitions, worldwide nail techs are coming together to compete with their varied experiences, and its up to the head judge to develop a good criteria to follow which suits multiple nations.  Language and translation of specific terms might become confusing.  I think it is always worth finding out more information if your worried at all. 

SCORE SHEETS

If you have entered a competition before you are normally given a score sheet, this sheet is invaluable, look at the criteria the judges are scoring your nails against, finds out how many marks you can achieve with each criteria, for example if you get just 5 points for a polish but 25 points for floor judging...then make sure whilst your working you are aware of this and keep your working space tidy! the other thing to remember is these score sheets are a route map to improving your nails, as they will tell you where your skills need work.

MODELS

Another good point to consider when entering is your model,  regardless if it is for pink and white or fantasy make sure she fits the bill, her nails are good and she is willing to be there and support you! Sometimes within international competitions it is hard to find models, but with the help of Face book and the right nail community you can pretty much ask a fellow tech to find you one suitable when you arrive.  I would advice paying them for their trouble, it always helps.

DESIGN & FANTASY

There is a wealth of tips and steps to help compete with pink and white but it is design nails and fantasy which are my passion and speciality.  If there is a theme try and think out side the box but ultimately keep it simple.  Over complicating the design will turn off the judges, but having a simple design which has detail and creative workmanship's is much better. But don’t mistake ‘keeping it simple’ for ‘less is more’.  Although you don’t want to overload your nail and designs you don’t want large empty spaces either.   Entering a design sculpt competition means your design nails need to include a good structure. Don't forget about you c curves and side walls, remember the nail has to be well formed as well as the design. Also think about your design story over the whole 10 nails, and not just apply a little flower on the ring finger for example. 

GEL

Gel nails are always let down by their shape and c curve. Trying to  get a great model who’s nails have the c curve you need is not always possible.  There are some other little tricks you can do to get the shape you need. Apply a thin clear base which you need to pinch before you apply your white, pinching will give you the c curve you need, do do this I use reversed tweezers or pinching clips, available from www.sambiddle.co.uk.  Then apply your pink gel cleaning up the smile line with a clean brush and then your white gel application should be easy, butting up to the ready made smile line. The nicest and easiest white gel for this is INM bright white.  Generally in the arena it gets cold so Warm up your product in your hands if the gel viscosity to very thick!

To get a crisp Smile line use a separate detail brush or striper brush and for good curing a high wattage lamp at all times. For more definition use a brighter pink along the smile line and I would personally custom blend your pink and white, to suit the models skin tones.

ACRYLIC 

Be prepared and don’t rush, When the competition starts, apply 1-2 nails onto the polished hand to overcome adrenaline rush. Remember you have plenty of time, and the mistakes happen when you rush! Prepare the natural  nails by doing a mini manicure the morning on the competition. Use 2 dappen dishes for liquid, one for the white and one for the pink/clear so it is clean and crisp.  When filing Use a new file for each hand, the grit changes as you go, a great way to get a constant look is to File all 10 nails the same way, for example side walls x10, free edge x 10, cuticle x 10.

Wipe the nails with acetone to remove and dissolve any residue dust before you buff.  If you do have any pits or air bubbles apply some brush on resin and once dry buff the surface, they will become invisible. For great polish application, clean up polish brush with acetone before you start, and re-dip into the polish.  

TIP APPLICATION

Pre crimp your tips to create beautiful c curve by using with Hot/cold water method, securing the tip around c curve tips.  When your applying a Tip  to the natural nail apply resign to tips and shake downwards to remove excess before application, the last thing you want is resin on the underside of the free edge. 

FINAL WORD

Entering is an enormous step for most nail technicians, stepping into an unknown arena can be daunting and scaring,  but just stop a moment and take a look around you at the seasoned competitors.  Watch their body language, they are relaxed and take things as they come, this is what it will be like for you too in time,  competing will benefit you as a nail professional, and it will become an enjoyable experience.  Enjoy every moment and learn from it. 

That little voice inside….lies!

One of the things I have been doing lately is loosing a lot of weight and getting fit, and of course I  thank you for all your great comments and encouragement.  A lot of you are asking how I am doing it, what my secret is?  Well it is a combination of diet  - starting with the 5 to 2 fasting diet at the beginning of 2013, and then moving over to counting calories once I started working out.  I know it is a sin to say those words….’exercise regime' …especially if it has been a while since you last stepped into a gym, or like me, just to heavy to move your body in a remotely elegant way. I currently swim 3 times a week, work out between 1-2 hours doing cardio or resistance per day, walk the dog (time permitting) which accumulates to an average 1000 calorie burn per day. 

But those things are not the only reason, I have managed to  I have loose all this weight….., sure the activity is there and without that change my body would not change….however there is something far more important that many men and women forget to change when they start on their ‘new road to health and fitness. 

'I have finally got my mind right' with the help of an amazing therapist as there is no way I have the tools to deal with ‘head stuff’ alone.   

We all have it….that little voice inside us, which is set to manipulate and destroy us, encouraging failure so it can win and succeed. 

Don’t lie …..I know you have the very same thing…..that little voice in your head, which tell you that you really want that second piece of chocolate cake, or that lying in bed for an extra hour is far better for you than getting up and working out. 
I find this voice gets louder the more I ‘get better’ the healthier I am in body and mind…the soft dulcet tones start whispering in my ear.  “your hungry….." "why do you want to do that…" "go and watch some TV…"" your rubbish at that…."" why you writing this bog…no one will read it!"  " this article sucks and you don’t make sense……”…  I can hear him persuading me that ‘his way’ is better…that my new chosen path, those gaols that I set for my self are rubbish…and I was always happy before…..’so chicken what has changed?’ he says….Yep he even pretends he is my friend.

The ultimate goal of this inner demon, distracting you from your true path is to destroy you, separate, isolate and finally kill you….. and any creativity you have!   Sounds serious right?…..trust me if there is a little voice inside you saying, right now, ‘rubbish what is Sam on about ‘. that is him!   

Let me tell you what happened to me this week……

I have a work out injury at the moment, which means I have to alter my regime a little, I have also reached a plateau  with my weight loss!  I know all the logical answers, that my body is in recovery mode, that after Christmas break I have most likely  been the victim of calorie creeping, and with two injuries in the last few weeks, I have reduced the intensity of my workouts……..BINGO! Here he comes with his sneaky little ways telling me that its pointless, that I can’t loose any more weight, that I haven’t lost much anyway and look no different, it is pointless swimming cause it won’t be as effective as kick boxing…..bla… bla….bla……. seriously this is the conversation I have in my head most days. 

So I spent all day on Wednesday debating with my voice that I should go swimming, should I waste my time driving to the pool for a few mins of worthless exercise…….finally battling all my inner demons and the temptation of sitting at home with a cup of tea watching neighbours.  I got into the car and drove away…….it must of been about a mile down the road….when my ‘true self’ came alive, when I realised that the negative, pessimistic emotional state was not me really, I found my self on that car journey….and laughed out loud in the face of my voice…..’Ha I won!’

So what has this got to do with my blog and nails…..nothing I suppose…..but what I a trying to say, using the example of my weight loss and fitness, is that my voice has been with me all my life highlighting the pro's and con's of everything in my life, as I suppose, has yours!  Well that very same voice is the one that wants to stop you succeeding in anything you do and in order for it to ‘win’ It will tell you 'you can’t do it', it will tell you that 'whats the point in starting you know your going to get frustrated and stop'…it will tell you that 'everything you do is rubbish and useless and so don’t even start….run to the store and grab and tub of Ben and Jerry’s instead'. 

If you currently hear your voice or  do not, rest assured you have one whispering or shutting at you.  Remember you have a choice, listen to it and do as it suggests, or ask your self…what is good for me. If you don’t hear your voice, it does not mean it is not there…any negative ‘I can’t do’ thoughts you have or those ‘excuses’ that come to mind….that's your voice….question it and see if there is an alternative. 

It is hard…….but look at me…I have lost 29 kg, I have dropped from a size 24/26 to a size 18/20. I can run up the stairs and leap onto my husband for a cuddle. I can stand for longer, I don’t feel as self conscious, I smile more, and I actually like the way I look (sometimes) I no longer hide…from life…..and I am not done yet. I have another 12 kg to loose…and I don’t have the muscle definition I want yet….so here is to the next 12 months…and the eventual control i have to tell my voice to ZIP IT. 

The science of skin colour and matching Polish.

Choosing the right nail colour for your skin tone....is a science…….!

The fairer or lighter the skin, the more pink undertones it will have. Offsetting this colour will calm those pinky tones down and draw out the cooler blue undertones.  So to create a warmer glow you can go for a beige or champagne polish, however I would use a golden shimmer over a nude or pink to achieve this as the browner the shade, the less attractive the hands will look. Avoid bright yellows and stick to colours with blue or pink undertones as fair skin will enhance them. Neons also work well but avoid yellow and dark green, a lighter more grass green will work.

Medium skin on the other hand has a warmer undertone - golden yellow base varnishes look great, working with corals, oranges and reds. Avoid the cooler blues, greys and silvers as this will create a less healthy look to your hands. Brights like greens would also work.

Darker skin can carry heavier shades and the richer the better, purples and deep juicy oranges, hot pinks and vibrant reds will not look out of place. The use of shimmers and glitters is not as wearable as on the fair to light and medium skin tones, due to their cooler tones.

Quilted Effect Step by Step

The nail art pen is not just a great tool for out lining and swirls. It can be a quick tool to create some brilliant optical illusions, check out this quilted effect, using just paint and the nail art pen. 

Paint the nail with gel polish, top coat and buff off shine. 

dip your nail art pen into the black paint and draw lines diagonal across the nail, in the same direction. 

do the same in the opposite direction. 

from corner to corner of each quire, draw small half moon.

repeat on the lower half of the square. 

then add a small amount of colour to add shadow and make the quilted effect more padding. 

you need to do is top coat. 

for more information visit www.sambiddle.co.uk