When I decided to change my career and become a nail technician and esthetician I expected everyone to be very supportive. For the most part, everyone was. When I announced it on Facebook, I was taken aback by a social media comment from a member of my family. I do not recall the exact wording of the post, but what I do remember is “Nail polish causes brain cancer!!!”.  

I thought, “that is no way to encourage someone to follow their passion. Have I ever crapped on anything she or her husbands were pursuing?  Hello!” I would have preferred being asked if I was interested in learning about responsible product lines. Still, when we’re passionate about something, sometimes we step on toes. 

Concerning nails, I’ve chosen to be a natural nail technician. I don’t provide acrylic nails. My polishes are the big 3 free. (Tolulene, formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate.) Each client gets a new foot spa liner. No jets to collect bacteria or other nasty things. This choice also uses much less water than a spa jet pedicure. I dispose of any material that is non-disinfectable. I follow state requirements and guidelines for disinfecting all implements.  

Concerning skin care, I am working with a manufacturer of responsible products. I will only carry a skincare line that eco-conscious and vegan friendly. The source of each sustainable ingredient is free of parabens, synthetic preservatives, animal products, and genetically modified organisms. Each product is tested on humans, not animals. It will be affordable so that my clients can afford to maintain their skin at home between treatments.  

My facility is clean. My towels are freshly laundered on the extra sanitary setting in my washer. It is important to me to provide a safe environment with products that are as responsible as I can find. That being said. If any of you have concerns about product ingredients, facility cleanliness, or cruelty of any kind, please feel free to contact me. You can contact me via email, call, post a comment, or physically visit the salon. I am concerned and will be responsive. 

I must admit. When I apply your polish, I want it to stay on as long as possible so that you feel you got your money’s worth from my service. Regular polish tends to chip on finger nails quite soon, but toenail polish can stay on for many weeks. It will grow out before it wears off. If you’re not coming in to see me on a monthly basis, you need to know how to remove your polish.

 

Supplies: 

• Set yourself up in a well ventilated area.
• Choose a polish remover. Acetone is very strong and smelly, but works well. Non-acetone is better for you, but takes a while longer.  
• Choose cotton pads.  Cotton balls also work. I prefer pads.
• Cuticle oil. You can use oil designed for your cuticle, almond oil, or even cooking oil for all I care. Just make sure you have some oil available.

 

Steps to removal: 

• The trick is to saturate that cotton pad and press it on top of your toe nail for a bit (count to 20) until it has a chance to soften the product.
• Rock the saturated pad back and forth across the nail in a twisting motion and pull from base of nail toward end of toe.
• Repeat on each toe until polish is removed. Use a new saturated pad when current pad is full of polish.
• Wash your feet and hands with soap and water. Pat dry.
• Apply oil to cuticles of toes and hands.