Diary of a Manicurist

This afternoon while grilling veggies on the balcony, I turned on the TV to find Grease 2 playing. Most won't agree with me but I liked the second Grease movie better than the first. The first Grease by far had the best music, I'll give ya that. The music in Grease 2 was indeed a little wimpy, but for me it wasn't about the music. To this day I still don't like motorcycles, and for me Grease 2 wasn't about the bikes either. It was about a man who was smart enough, determined enough and creative enough to do whatever it took to win a special girl's heart. In 1982, the romantic 12 year old that I was completely fell for actor Maxwell Caulfield's tough, smart and dreamy character Michael. Michael was everything a man is supposed to be. So, there I sat on my sofa with my grilled veggies, butterflies in my stomach, feeling like I was 12 again, wishing God would make my life into a Grease 3. So, what would MY "cool rider" be like? He would definately pla...

Since April I've been feverishly practicing a new trendy nail service called Minx Nails. I'm proud to say that I'm one of only a handful of nail technicians in the Las Vegas area providing the service! Minx has positioned themself in the industry as couture for nails. Minx nails are the green alternative to nail polish, made of a flexible film that is not a liquid and does not use any hazardous chemicals during application. Minx requires no drying time, doesn't smudge or chip and there are no fumes! Removing Minx is easy and will not damage your nails when removed properly ! Minx is sold to professionals only and is applied to either natural or artificial nails with the use of a heat source, much like the shrink wrap advertising you see on cars. Minx toenails are my specialty and should last at least 4 weeks or longer! Minx fingernails are best left for special occasions as they only last a couple days for the average 9-to-5 working mom. Some ladie...

Hello loyal readers! I'm excited to tell you that I've made a special guest appearance at: http://www.hauteshots.net/blog/ ! Stacie did a fun little photo shoot of me last week and asked me to be a guest blogger on her website. In this blog I wrote a little about my career and explain the new Minx Nails trend. Also, feel free to stop by my salon's humble Myspace page and add us as a friend: www.myspace.com/dhairtobedifferent

After 17 years of doing nails, I've run across some ridiculously easy home remedies for dry cuticles, heels and skin in general. 1) olive oil 2) lip balm/chap stick One of the most important things I learned from my years of working with Aveda is why some moisturizers work and some don't: molecule size. Any moisturizing product made with a synthetic ingredient like mineral oil or petroleum is nearly the most useless thing you can buy unless you're looking to prevent chaffing or wind burn. Plant oils/plant-based ingredients are the answer. The reason why is that plant oils have a much smaller molecular structure than mineral/petroleum oils. The smaller the molecule, the deeper it can absorb into the skin. Some plant oils, like jojoba, are so similar to our skin's natural oil that they can help dryed out skin repair itself. Mineral oils just sit on the surface of the skin and can sometimes end up drying it out even more. So that's why no matter how much you reapp...

Every year I go back home to Indiana in July to enjoy the weather, have fun and visit with my beloved old friends and family. The trip home also helps me get my head together. (Wish I could do it more often!) Every year is a new adventure and 2008 was a great one, productive too I might add! Thursday 7/17 I had a pleasant flight on the fabulous Allegiant Air. When I arrived I was able to organize an early dinner with my folks, my godparents, Aunt Carol and my fav cousins Larry & Suzanne at the best authentic Mexican restaurant in South Bend, La Esperanza. After that I settled in for a peaceful night at the home that I grew up in. I spend almost every night by myself in the back yard with a Blue Moon hangin out with the lightning bugs & crickets. Friday 7/18 I'm going to call this "the day I over-did it". I got very little sleep and jumped out of bed early to run to Vikie's salon, Illusions, to get my hair cut & colored. I swear I drank a gallon of Aveda ca...

Over a month ago, I received 2 free nights at Hooters Hotel through a 944 Magazine email promotion, all I had to do was sign up for the players club. The nights they offered were not the best choices for my schedule but I decided to take advantage of it anyway and booked them for Monday 5/26 & Tues 5/27. I would still have to go to work those days but I pictured myself ordering room service for breakfast, going to work and coming back to chicken wings, beer and penny slots. Woohoo! On the Sunday afternoon before my Hooters mini vacation, I noticed a puddle on my balcony and went to investigate. My water heater had created a waterfall that was running off the edge of my balcony! I stared in disbelief. (It was very lovely, actually). So, I shut off the water and a plumber came out the next morning to assess the repair work. Not only were they charging me a hefty amount of money, they couldn't complete the work until Wednesday morning. 48 hours with no hot water heater! (Don't...

I am grateful on so many levels for my job at Beauty Bar. The job has helped keep my finances level ever since I left the Hard Rock over 3 years ago. To begin listing the amazing people I would have never met if it were not for that job would be a task I couldn't even begin. So, why? WHY? WHY??? Why am I tired of doing something that has only brought me good things? I still need the money and I wish I didn't. Why can't I make enough at the salon to not need any extra jobs? I'm so ready to kick Avon and Beauty Bar to the curb just because I'm so tired, overworked and frustrated. Life gets really sad when you can't even enjoy something you love anymore. I don't know how to fix it. I don't know what to do about it. I sit here thinking about all the wonderful people who visit my table at Beauty Bar every week. I love them all. I get to connect with them for 20 minutes then like a revolving door, 20 minutes later there's someone new sitting there. I only ...