Are all nail salons the same?

It always seemed to me that all the nail salons in my local area were kinda the same. I have had good and bad experiences at most of them. They all seemed to use similar equipment and products, so it was mostly a matter of convenience. There is always another one around the corner who might have an opening, right?

There are 11 of them that I can count between Juanita and Rose Hill.
I have found one that stands out in a crowd! Trendz Nail Bar (www.trendznailbar.com)is a small little boutique across from Starbucks on Lake Street in the heart of Kirkland...and there are a couple things that stand out about this particular salon. Linda the owner and her husband are just darling people and they remember their clients...but that is not necessarily a big difference, many of the nail salons are owned by very lovely people who are warm and welcoming to their clients.



The first big difference is their equipment. If you have ever read anything or seen news reports about the pedicure spa chairs and how much bacteria they can carry in their jets you will know what I am talking about. If you haven't seen any reports on this problem...google it. I promise you will not want to use those spa pedicure chairs anymore....gross. The big problem is with the pipes that are linked to the Jacuzzi style jets, they can't be cleaned so they can gather bacteria in them and then the water is circulated through leaving your feet sitting in water and leaving them susceptible to bacteria and infection...Eeewwwww. Linda has invested in spa chairs with pipeless jet technology!!! OMG, how did it take this long to figure that out. They are easily removed and cleaned so it is completely sanitary. It puts my mind at ease and now I am not worried about my pedicures any more.

Second is their product. Shellac is a nail polish option that lasts for a few weeks so you don't have to go in for a manicure every week.

Another big difference is how much Linda and her husband work with other local businesses and how involved they are in Kirkland. I like supporting businesses who feel like they want to be part of our community. As a resident in Kirkland and a Kirkland business owner, that goes a long way with me.

They have wine tasting nights featuring local wines...totally my style. Next one is Dec.16th, but they fill up fast so you need to make an appointment. 425-968-5078

Time to Clean Your Make-up Brushes

Do you avoid cleaning your make-up brushes regularly because it is a nuisance??? Its time to start a new habit...listen up. I used to clean my brushes a couple times a year....yes I said a couple times a YEAR! Well, changes in my career have obviously made me much more aware of how much a dirty and unsanitary make-up brush effects your skin, not to mention how your make-up is applied.

I have come up with a fabulous way to keep my brushes clean and not spend a lot of money.

I use Dawn Dish Soap to clean my brushes. I bought a small little bottle of it that I keep on my counter in the bathroom. It just so happens that we use Crest mouth wash at our house, and it comes with a little cup as the lid. This cup is the perfect size for washing my brushes so I save them.

Every other night after I am done washing my face, I wash my out my brushes that way they can dry overnight. This is my process....

Step 1. A little squeeze of the Dawn Soap in a cup
Step 2. Add some warm water
Step 3. Swirl a couple brushes around
Step 4. Rinse the brushes and dump out the dirty water
Step 5. Repeat for every few brushes

Now there is no excuse to be using dirty brushes. They will last a lot longer this way too. A couple more tips for those who have very special brushes. Never smash them hard when drying the. Towel dry by squeezing out the extra water. Hang them upside down to dry, and use a brush guard.

Smashbox Rocks

Recently doing make-up for a photo shoot at a local Kirkland Boutique, Chez Chic. I realized I was just not satisfied with the prime and prep products in my make-up kit. This began the journey...

This is for those of you who get sucked in by the cosmetic counters at the department stores. I can be talked into buying just about a beauty product there is...expensive habit. (Part of the reason I had to make Make-up it a job)
I have never subscribed to the idea that just one cosmetic line can do everything, I think they all have a unique strength, and one of my favorites is Smashbox. They have many fantastic products, but a few very important ones.

Although I have been a life-long MAC fan, I have not been impressed with their primers for eyes or face...so I went on the hunt for a better one. However I have to brag up a particular product from MAC... Strobe Cream is designed for us thirty-somethings...giving a little hint of glow without shimmer or shine.
I tried Nars...a little too light and just felt like more moisturizer.

Then onto Benefit...not impressed with the quality and it didn't last very long after I opened it.

Moving right along to Temptu...the makers of my favorite airbrush foundation, but again it didn't really prime my skin other than adding a little moisture to it.

I finally found The Promise Land at the Smashbox counter! Their Photo Finish Foundation Primer is a fabulous. It is just thick enough to even out my skin (after years of acne), but not so thick that it feels icky all day. You can apply any brand of foundation over the top of it, although I do prefer Smashbox foundation mixed with Studio Fix NC35 by MAC.

The price point for Smashbox is a little high at $36, however it lasts a long time and if you only need it once in a while they sell it in a travel size.

Final recommendations...Smashbox Foundation Primer, MAC Studio Fix mixed with a little Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation, contour with Smashbox Bronzer, and finish it off with Nars blush in Orgasm. Enjoy your springtime long lasting face make over!

Spring Break

To all the spring breakers who are getting ready to go somewhere sunny and beautiful and leave us here in rainy Seattle...

First of all "Wear sunscreen!" that is a given. To abolish a myth that is out there about tanning to get a base before going on vacation. Beware! A "base" tan from the tanning beds only gives you the equivalent protection of a SPF 4. That means you are wasting time, money, and most important your healthy skin cells for only a SPF 4 level of protection.

Instead, I recommend...
1.) Professional exfoliation or a fabulous sugar scrub a couple days before you leave

2.) Airbrush tan the day before you leave

3.) Aveeno SPF 30 in the aerosol spray can for easy and even application

4.) Glow on the Go sunless tanning extender to apply each night to help your sunless tan last through your entire vacation

5.) A yummy tropical smelling body butter to put on in the morning to keep your skin hydrated and glowing all day

Be safe and look fantastic this spring break.