Manicures, Pedicures, Minx, mani-Q & OPI Nail Enhancements
Maintaining the NATURAL & FRESH MANICURE
You've just gotten a manicure and your hands and nails look great. Before you head back to the salon for your next appointment, read through our suggestions to make sure you're doing everything you can at home to keep your hands and nails looking just as fresh and polished as the day you got your manicure.
Listen to your Sol Oasis nail stylist, Carefully follow your manicurist recommendations for at-home care. If you have weak, brittle nails and she recommends you use a nail strengthener at home, follow her instructions. If your nails have ridges and she recommends you use ridge filler, invest in one.
Treat your nails with care; Wear gloves when gardening or exposing hands to water for extended periods of time. Do not use your nails as tools. Use a soda can opener for pop-tops, for example.
Use topcoat to help nail polish last; Chipping nail polish seems to be chronic problems for nail clients. Solve the dilemma by applying a layer of topcoat 24 hours after your service and to the free edge every couple of days. That should double the duration of your manicure and keep your nails looking shiny and new.
Mend a chipped nail; So you've applied topcoat, but you still managed to chip a nail. What to do? Using your fingertip, dab a small amount of polish remover on the affected area and lightly smooth it over. Re-coat with polish and topcoat.
Keep your hands well hydrated; It's important to keep your nails looking great, but your hands are important, too. Use a cream or lotion daily to keep them hydrated and smooth. If you're often outdoors, use a lotion with an SPF of at least 15.
Remember to help the cuticles; Use cuticle oil or treatment religiously. It keeps cuticles supple and moisturize and helps keep pesky hangnails and dry skin at bay. Gently push back cuticles with a orange wood stick, washcloth, or the ball of your finger, not with the free edge of your nail.
File your nails with care; What do you do if you snag or break a nail? Carefully file away. Always use a fine-grit file, which can range from 240-400 grit, and gently file in one direction. Never file nails in a back-and-forth motion, as this can cause your nails to fray and split. Your Sol Oasis nail stylist or manicurist may even provide you with a home repair kit.
Leave it to Sol Oasis; A slightly chipped or snagged nail can easily be mended by filing the nail. But if you have a bigger problem such as a split nail, don't attempt to fix it yourself. Call your nail tech and schedule an appointment to get it fixed.
If you're sick, We ask that you please stay away. If you have a contagious skin or nail disease, wait until it clears before visiting the salon again. If symptoms persist, make an appointment with your dermatologist or a podiatrist.
Ask your Sol Oasis nail stylist or manicurist if you need help finding a local doctor that we can refer you to.
Know what you have, by knowing your body; Allergic reactions to nail products are uncommon, but it's important to be able to detect if you have one. Allergic reactions are characterized by redness, itching, swelling around the nails, or irritation around the eyes and mouth. Call your Sol Oasis nail stylist or manicurist if you develop any of these symptoms.
MINX- This Minx is a very danity product and using your hand as tools will not work, you have to remember that MINX is a heated foil sticker and you have to care for it the same as you would do your own natural nails (read the top of this page for natural nail care). Pressing the tips/ sides down with you fingers will keep this product in check and a long with heat activating it with a blow dryer canl help it stick back to the natural nails or nail enhancements. (more tips below)
If you are a Client that may be rough on your nails- if you are a picker, I sugguest getting in the habit of rubbing Minx into the nail vs rubbing away from the nail which will make it lift. I recommend wearing gloves when gardening or other activates that involves abrasive products. If you do experience lifting at the edge you can scrub with a nail brush under warm water than apply pressure to re-adhere Minx to the nail.
The Wear- if you are rough on your nails, Please note- you may wear the very top edge (about 1/16th inch). Once the contact area is worn it does not wear further. Minx can be wore from 2 to 12 days + on hands & 1 to 3 weeks + on the feet, depending on how YOU use your hands and feet; It is your decision if this products is best suited for you.
The Removal- of the Minx should be removed by heating the MINX with a heat soucre like a blow dryer and peeling the MINX up from the side of the nails, not the free edges.
Caring for your NAIL ENHANCEMENTS
Your Sol Oasis nail stylist or nail tech has given you a great set of OPI nail enhancements and you're set to come in for an appointment in a couple of weeks. Is that all there is to it? Not quite. The following are key pointers to help you care for your nails at home.
Let your Sol Oasis nail stylist /nail tech do her job; If you break a nail or if a nail begins to lift, schedule a repair appointment. Do not attempt to fix the nail yourself. Improperly gluing down a loose nail can cause moisture to become trapped between the nail and the enhancement and possibly cause an infection.
Do not bandage a broken nail as bandages may also trap moisture.
Do not take down the length of your enhancements as this will throw off the balance of the nail and may make the nail look bulky.
Treat your nails like jewels, Protect your investment by wearing gloves when gardening or exposing hands to water for extended periods of time. Do not put upward pressure on your nail tips, use a soda can opener to pop tops, and dial the phone with the eraser end of a pencil.
Top Coat PLEASE! Your Sol Oasis nail stylist/nail technician may suggest that you apply topcoat every other day (or more often depending on your exposure to the sun) to prevent chipping or yellowing.
Cuticle oil is also a daily necessity as it keeps cuticles supple and the acrylic/gel product moisturize and flexible.
Again, listen to your Sol Oasis nail stylist/ nail technician, Can't decide what length and type of enhancement you'd like? Your Sol Oasis nail stylist/ nail technician will be more than happy to make a suggestion. For example, if you?re hard on your nails because you work on a computer or do heavy work, shorter nails may be your best option.
Call the Doctor if your sick, If you have a contagious skin or nail condition, wait until it clears before visiting the salon again. If symptoms persist, make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Be aware of what your condition, Very few clients will develop allergic reactions to an ingredient in some nail products. Allergic reactions are characterized by redness, itching, and swelling of the skin around the nails, or irritation around the eyes and mouth. If you develop any of these symptoms, call your Sol Oasis nail stylist/ nail technician. She will help you determine which ingredient you?re having a reaction to and will take steps to avoid them. If necessary, she can refer you to a dermatologist.
Do not ignore a condition that develops around the nail, don't take them off. If you decide you no longer want to wear nail enhancements, do not take them off yourself. Picking, Biting, Pulling the nails off will damage your natural nail, rip layers from your nail plate, and make re-growth a long, painful process. Your Sol Oasis nail stylist/ nail technician can safely remove nail enhancements.
OPI AXXIUM Soak- Off Gel Lacquer- To maintain color and shine between your AXXIUM Soak-Off Gel Lacquer Services. We recommend using Matching OPI Nail Lacquer Color and your choice of OPI or Seche Vite Top Coat for touch ups as needed. Please note that picking away at the product can cause damage to the natural nail bed. The Removal- Axxium needs to be soaked off with Pure Acetone in a glass bowl
Maintaining a NATURAL & FRESH PEDICURE
Use topcoat to help nail polish last; Chipping nail polish seems to be chronic problems for nail clients. Solve the dilemma by applying a layer of topcoat 24 hours after your service and to the free edge every couple of days. That should double the duration of your manicure and keep your nails looking shiny and new.
On Vacation!
Just a reminder that when you're heading off to somewhere warm where you'll be taking long, romantic walks on the beach......don't forget to pack your Top Coat! Beach sand, although a good exfoliant for the bottoms of your feet; also works away at your top coat and/or any nail art you may be wearing. After your shower when your tootsies are dry give 'em a swipe of Glossy Top Coat to keep them looking fabulous.
Mend a chipped nail; So you've applied topcoat, but you still managed to chip a nail. What to do? Using your fingertip, dab a small amount of polish remover on the affected area and lightly smooth it over. Re-coat with polish and topcoat.
Keep your Feet well hydrated; It's important to keep your Feet looking great, but your Soles are important, too. Use a cream or lotion daily to keep them hydrated and smooth. If you're often outdoors, use a lotion with an SPF of at least 15. Shea or Coco Butter cream is the best,it melt right in to the pores of the Feet, wearing 100% cotton soak help to keep them hydrated and soft.
Remember to help the cuticles; Use cuticle oil or treatment religiously. It keeps cuticles supple and moisturize and helps keep pesky hangnails and dry skin at bay. Gently push back cuticles with a orange wood stick, washcloth, or the ball of your finger, not with the free edge of your nail.
Buff the soles of the Feet with a medium to fine Foot file or Foot pumice, at less two to three times a week this will help with keeping the callus down and the skin on the soles flexible.