Nail Care & Manicures/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am able to answer any questions regarding artificial nails, whether they pertain to acrylic, gel, resin or fiberglass/silk wraps. If someone has questions regarding manicures and pedicures, I can help in this area too. I also can help with waxing questions, ranging from eyebrows to Brazilians for women and men. Skin care inquires? I can help in this area also. The only thing I cannot help with is hair questions.

Experience in the area

I have been a licensed Nail Technician in Pennsylvania for over ten years. I am also licensed in Esthetics, which deals with skin care and waxing. I am a salon owner, having owned my own business for over eight years. I have also been an educator for three different nail companies.

Organizations

I am active online in different forums pertaining to nails, skin care and waxing. I am also a member of the BPW.

Publications

I have written articles and am a frequent contributor to NAILS magazine.

Education/Credentials

Received my licenses in the state of Pennsylvania, having gone to the Lansdale School of Cosmetology.

Awards and Honors

In the very first nail competition I entered in Orlando Florida, I placed 6th. I have also placed in an online competition and placed 2nd.
I am on the Professional Advisory Board for two schools and will likely be teaching some classes at one of the schools in 2009.

What do you like about this subject?

I LOVE nails and making my clients' nails look beautiful. I have been fascinated with making nails look gorgeous since 8th grade. I also like helping people!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

This career is a never ending educational field. Getting your license does not make one an expert. We need to constantly take classes; know about as many products as we can; try as many products as we can and most importantly to know that we will never know ALL, but should be willing to help other techs move up in their careers.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

The issue of MMA & chop shops. This is a hot topic, especially the chop shop term. A group of well-meaning techs came up with a term that is PC, NSS, non-standard shops to rid the industry of the term chop shop-said to be racist. It is my opinion that it is NOT racist & only describes what most discount shops are doing to customers' nails. Ripping, shredding, burning the nails and using MMA.