I know that you may have seen my favorite nail art tool on previous posts but I wanted to share with you a really cool way I finally figured out how to use it.
I traditionally wore it on my thumb and had it turned slightly askew so I could dip into it and still navigate around my clients fingers.
Pictured below is the original way!
The Ring Thing & how I used it originally!
Some times it was awkward to use around my clients thumb. I would have to make a little adjustment. Not that this should be a issue, but you know that when you are under a time crunch, those little things matter.
So I figured out to try it in the palm of my hand! That way it is always in the same spot and it is actually easier to get at the products in the little wells!
My new improved way to use my Ring Thing!
I thought I would share in case any of you fine folks were finding it sometimes awkward!
I received a email from the fine folks at Bobit Media.
Bobit Media are the folks responsible for our favorite trade publications, NAILS Magazine.
from Nails Magazine
Not only do they publish the monthly NAILS Magazine (and other non beauty related magazines) but they also publish a bi-monthly nail magazine for the Vietnamese Nail community.
Viet Salon
Six times a year, they give you nail based information and educational content to help you gain insights in our fast moving profession. There are also articles to help with salon management.
New products, technical applications, nail art, and business ideas are reported on in each issue.
If you live outside of the USA, they will be happy to send you a digital copy every other month. How cool is that.
The cover content is presented for you by extremely talented people who are well known in the industry.
This cover is by Robert Nguyen….also known at Nail Guy TV personality, “Mr. Nail Art” (provider of innovated art supplies such as LED lights for your nails) and owner of House of Polish.
Cover by Robert Nguyen for Viet Salon
This cover is done by Holly Schippers, also known as The Finger Nail Fixer. She used art supplies from Empower Nail Art (nail art films) to create this stunning set of nails.
Cover by Holly Schippers for Viet Salon
Here is the link to subscribe to your FREE issues of Viet Salon. The professional nail magazine for the Vietnamese nail community!
A very late post for you folks but here it is! I am late because I was playing with my new toys that I received in the mail from Empower Nail Art.
You can imagine how happy I was when I got them in the mail!
“Nail Mail” from Empower Nail Art!
Plus, Lucien sent me The Ring Thing!!!! That and some really great new films!!!!
So of course I had to play.
Here are the steps. Use the handy dandy sizer to get the perfect fit for which ever nail you are going to accent!
Sizer from Empower Nail Art
Place it over the film you are using, and cut it out following the guide.
Using sharp and pointy tweezers, pick it up and place it on a clean, dry nail. Mine is ready for application and nail art.
Just look at the beautiful color in this holo film!!!!
I used the Ring Thing with my colors and some cleaner in it to create the waves of color on my nail. OPI Gel Color works perfect. These colors are from the “Hawaii” Collection!
I love how the film with it’s holographic design shows through the colors. Once I have the lines perfect I simply cure the colors and apply OPI Gel Color Top Coat, cure and I’m done! I can’t wait to see this in the sunshine tomorrow!
Now, here is the important part.
The RING THING has already sold out once.
They restocked but those are also going very fast. Don’t wait, go to http://www.empowernailart.com to order yours today. You can also find the guides, and some very beautiful films plus other tools to help your creative process!
Thank you so much Lucien for giving me these gifts. You know I will use them a lot.
I got to meet both Lucien Henderson and (quickly said hello to) his incredibly talented sister, Holly from FingerNailFixer while I was at the Nails Magazine Next Top Nail Artist Finale in Long Beach this last weekend.
from Pixter Photo Booths
OK they may hunt me down for publishing this pic! But seriously………..
The new tool is called The Ring Thing and it is made of un-coated metal with a hand polished and electro-plated surface. It has unique divets that will hold and allow product (gel, polish, paint ect) to be stored. Plus the unique design allows the artist to flood the brush and wipe it out on the little “tip of the drop”
Included in the design is a special space that allows the artist to load the perfect amount of product into the brush and make sure it’s bristles are nicely lined up!
Quote from Empower Nail Art site is that you can also use the Ring Thing
as a mold for custom made cabochons.
As well as having a adjustable band that will allow you to fit it to any finger, this light weight tool will keep your imagination flowing!
Thank you for giving the nail artist the tools to let their imagination run free to create beautiful things.
Here is the link for Empower Nail Art http://www.empowernailart.com/ where you can also find Empower Nail Art Films plus the accompanying tools needed to create diverse nail art like this.
I have decided to launch a new chapter in the Seriously Nails book.
The idea came when I met Naja (Inspiring and talented Nail Guru) at Cosmoprof Las Vegas. I thought
wouldn’t it be great if everyone got a chance to get to know the industry leaders, artists, manufactures and nail enthusiast out there.
And so I asked a couple of people who fit into that category if they would be interested. Everyone said yes!
I was going to talk with Naja and then the two of us decided that since I got the chance to talk with Lucien Henderson about THE NAIL PLATFORM, it might be better to start there.
Beside THE NAIL PLATFORM, Lucien is the creator of Empower Nail Art.
Empower Nail Art is a super thin self-adhesive nail film in varying designs to let your creativity bloom.
A very interesting fellow with a great love for our industry.
So here is my inaugural Q & A post from people in the Nail Industry! Enjoy!
Mr Lucien Henderson- Creator of Empower Nail Art and THE NAIL PLATFORM
SN:When and how did you get started in the Nail Industry?
LH: The founders of Minx, Inc. introduced me to the nail industry in 2009 and I served them until 2012.
SN: You are the creator of Empower Nail Art! This is a unique product. Where did the idea come from?
LH: I fell in love with the industry and the art, and am a little addicted to wearing it. I knew vinyl films but could not find one that worked with all of the other nail mediums, they all had limits. It turned out that a new material needed to be made, and they only way to test the theory was to make it. Once we had a true nail film that worked well with acrylics, gels, polish and gel polish; it made sense to leave the use of it to the nail artist, so we leave it in un-cut prints and the artists cuts it as desired.
SN: Has the idea for THE NAIL PLATFORM always been in your mind? How was the idea born?
LH: The Nail Platform occurred to me during the 2012 show season. 2010 and 2011 I had run booths with no time to really walk the shows. In 2012 I attended for the first time, and went through the floors with different eyes, I was learning not selling. All I could find was product specific demonstrations — product focused, not skill focused. We have no structure for the independent educators and many of them are amazing. All the isles were packed with crowds watching platform hair artists. We have no answer for that, we don’t pump up the pros and inspire the students. The Nail Platform seeks to be a structure for ensemble leading artists to help raise the skills of others, while inspiring and elevating the art. Let’s get some action at the shows and let’s join up to share our skills!
SN: How did you manage to meet up and join forces with the wonderful people you have taking part in THE NAIL PLATFORM?
LH: A big part of falling in love with this industry was getting to know so many amazing people. I’ve met them selling, learning, sharing, helping at trade shows, networking events and social media. This community is full of great souls, and I’m blessed to have made wonderful friends.
SN: As a nail artist, and besides Empower Nail Art, what is your favorite medium to work in. For both enhancements and nail art?
LH: I recently completed school and will test soon. Thankfully, I’m getting tons of help from leading professionals! So I’m getting to know how to really use the mediums I’ve watched for years. I believe they all have their uses given the tech’s skill and the client’s needs. I like to stay in my safe zone of acrylic for structure then gels or gel polishes. Nail art for me is about layers, with each layer a part of the look I’m creating.
SN: If you could have one client, either living or dead to take care of their nails, who would it be and what service would you give them?
LH: Nice question! I’ll be doing my future wife’s pedis and nails every week…when I find her!
SN: Ha ha that’s a great answer.
Thank you Lucien for taking the time to let my followers get to know you and your dreams a little better.
Best of luck with your inaugural THE NAIL PLATFORM.
THE NAIL PLATFORM will be held in Anaheim CA Sept 7, 2014
THE NAIL PLATFORM will be held in Anaheim, Ca this Sept 7th. Best described by Holly Schippers (FingerNailFixer) in a article, in Nails Magazine, as a platform to help “the industry by allowing nail professionals to work together elevating themselves s a community”
THE NAIL PLATFORM is designed so we can learn unbiased, quality education. Non product specific, rudimentary to advanced lessons that will help us become the best we can be in our amazing industry.
The fine folks who are ready and excited to to help you become that person are:
Naja Rickette-beautiful, talented and gracious Nail Guru!
David Anthony-enthusiasm is his middle name. Build your business with his knowledge!
picture from nails magazine
Gina Silvestro- Akzentz Educator and elite Nail Competitor will ignite your creative side
picture from Nails Magazine
Holly Schippers-Blogger Extraordinaire, Finger Nail Fixer, CND Master brings many helpful techniques
picture from Nails Magazine
And Lucien Henderson-Creator Empower Nail Art and THE NAIL PLATFORM
This 8 hour forum will cover many service techniques in high use in today’s Nail Market. Each one of these categories are presented to you with unbiased information, business building techniques and hands on to further your professional career.
Natural Nail Care, UV Gel, as well as Liquid & Powder.
I understand that part of the hands on portion holds some exciting teachings. And that there may even be a sighting of the famous Doug Schoon.