Natalee's Spa Stuff

DIY Manicures

Spa stuff — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:14:08 GMT

Love getting a manicure only to have it chip hours after its done? By knowing how to give yourself a manicure, and with the right tools and products, your nails can look just as great as the one's you pay weekly for. Believe it or not, nails are important in one's appearance and are often the focal point when dealing with customers! With six simple steps, learn how to maintain great looking nails without the salon cost.

When starting a home manicure, remove any old polish from the nail bed. After the polish is removed, clip the nails straight across, slightly above the skin. Don't cut the nails into points or try and shape them with cutters, it will only make them more prone to breakage.

Next, file nails straight across, rounding slightly on the corners. The correct term for this shape used in all the salons is called 'squoval', square on the top, corners rounded like ovals. File from the outside to the center of the nail to prevent tearing and grinding away at the nail.

After filing, apply cuticle remover on the cuticles, and then soak fingers in warm soapy water for a few minutes. Avoid letting them soak long because if the nail is too saturated, it can make the nail soft, making it harder to apply polish. If nails are yellow or stained from constant use of polish, add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice to the water.

When the nails are done soaking, use an orangewood stick wrapped in cotton to gently push back cuticles from the nails. With cuticle nippers, trim hangnails and avoid cutting the cuticle to prevent infection. Massage hands with a hand or body scrub, and then rinse and apply hand cream. Add cuticle oil to the cuticles and massage to allow the oil to soak in. After moisturizing, clean the nails of oil by using a cotton ball with polish remover to prepare nails for paint.

Ouch! Hangnails.

Spa stuff — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:12:33 GMT

You can prevent painful and unsightly hangnails by picking up just a few simple habits. Anyone who is cursed with hangnails knows that these tiny wounds can be a distracting annoyance. Some people find hangnails very uncomfortable, but even those who are not troubled by actual physical pain often feel that hangnails are bothersome or unattractive. Luckily, although it requires a bit of diligence, learning to prevent hangnails is not difficult. With just a few slight alterations in your daily habits, you can prevent hangnails, stopping these little injuries before they start.

Heal Your Dry Cuticles
Hangnails are symptomatic of dryness in your cuticles. To prevent hangnails, stop this problem by attacking the dehydration that is at its root. Drinking water is a great first step, and regularly applying moisturizing hand cream to your cuticles and nails is another. When choosing a moisturizer, make sure to avoid any product that contains alcohol. Many moisturizers have alcohol in them because it helps keep lotions light rather than greasy, but in the long run an alcohol-infused moisturizer is less effective than a moisturizer without alcohol. The simple combination of drinking more fluids and helping your cuticles retain them with a moisturizer is often enough to completely cure chronic hangnails.

Calling In An Expert
If saying goodbye to dehydration isn’t enough to get rid of your hangnails, a manicure can be a helpful part of a cuticle maintenance regimen. Whether you do your nails at home or have a trained nail technician give you a pampering, luxurious treatment, a manicure is a great time to give your cuticles the kind of attention they need. If you are doing your manicure at home, after you liberally apply a moisturizer, gently push your cuticles back with an orange stick. This will remove any dead skin cells, and will keep your cuticles smooth and hangnail free. Lingering dead skin can irritate sensitive cuticles, and getting rid of those potentially irritating clusters of skin can help you prevent hangnails.

The Spa Code of Conduct

Spa stuff — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:26:12 GMT

The Spa Code of Conduct spells our you rights and responsibilities as a spa guest so you have a more satisfying spa experience.

Here is the Spa Code of Conduct:

As a Spa Guest, it is your responsibility to:

Communicate your preferences, expectations and concerns
Communicate complete and accurate health information and reasons for your visit
Treat staff and other guests with courtesy and respect
Use products, equipment and therapies as directed
Engage in efforts to preserve the environment
Adhere to the spa's published policies and procedures

As a Spa Guest, you have the right to:

A clean, safe and comfortable environment
Stop a treatment at any time, for any reason
Be treated with consideration, dignity and respect
Confidential treatment of your disclosed health information
Trained staff who respectfully conduct treatments according to treatment protocols and the spa's policies and procedures
Ask questions about your spa experience
Information regarding staff training, licensing and certification