ARG! Happy New Year!

I think we already know I'm pretty much the world's worst blogger. I rarely post these days and I've gone back on my word on no cruelty just because of the reality of the industry I've chosen to get into and its prejudices. I have invested in OPI Gelcolor because that is what clients want to see. I've shown them pretty CND Shellac colors and they gravitate towards the OPI box regardless. Mind you, I don't really care for the CND Shellac...it is goopier and I find harder to work with, but that's simply a preference thing. I also recognize, and I hope you do as well, that when it comes to building a clientele you have to have what they want. Once I've done that I will be able to put any weird thing I find on my table and most of my clients will be willing to try it because they trust me, but I have to build the trust first. And I'm sorry, but the OPI LED light frankly rocks. They are hella expensive, but they do work amazingly well. Plus the easy to see and read timer is just so wonderful, more so than you can imagine. I've used the CND light and it has a timer on it as well, but you have to hit the button every time. OPIs is motion activated. I can't tell you what a help that is.

So I have a scary picture for you, finally, a swatch! Of sorts...don't get excited. I kind of wanted to show you what a nail tech in training deals with when it comes to her own nails. They're a mess most of the time, I assure you. Gels have been my saviour, though I still am not a huge fan, I can't fault the wear, now that I understand how to apply and remove them, and as my nails are my advertisements...well, I can only hope you all understand.

This is a gorgeous Vinylux color that I do actually recommend you pick up called Wildfire. It's an amazing pure red. I don't have the latest Chanel amazing red, I just can't afford it right now, so I can't compare them for you, but this is really gorgeous. It comes in all three CND formats, as far as I know, so if Shellac is your thang, you can rock this. However, this was one day after a day at school. Stay out of the acetone, that's all I can say:

Oh my, right? However, you can see the color on that pinky! It's really a beautiful red. This is the only picture I had of it, but I'm positive I will wear it again.

My nails are currently sporting the OPI Gelcolors Big Apple Red and Which is Witch from the Oz collection which mostly did not exactly take my breath away. However, Which is Witch is GORGE, and I recommend it in one form or another.

I took this Friday night after I had painted them Thursday morning before class. The background is from a magazine ad, I apologize, I can't even tell you which one at this point so if someone finds this and gets all in a tizzy about it, sorry about that.

The holo bar glitters in this just really make it. It's now Wednesday and this hasn't been abused overly much, I have to say, not a lot of dishes or typing, but it has done a couple standard manicures at school, 4, I believe, and as long as you stick to non-acetone removers or even acetone based removers, which are less damaging to your nails (or your client's), then it stays on and shiny like a dream. Big Apple Red is a classic OPI from years and years ago, it's a straight up cream, but I can tell you from experience, you can put tons of stuff on top of this and it's going to look great. I've even seen this with a micro glitter additive and it's gorgeous. It's a classic Joan Crawford-y, scratch your eyes out kind of red. If your skin tone is good for blue reds, you can't really go wrong with either of these reds.

Yeah, I know, I don't wear a lot of reds, and I have a ton of gelcolor spoons to get made...anyone know how to do that?

Also, I've been reading a lot of message boards, getting ideas on popular colors, what will people want to try, etc, and finding where many of you out there are trying this yourselves and not having a lot of luck. Well...stop it. There is a knack to this stuff. I'm not saying you can't figure it out, but honestly? If you want good results, let a pro do it. And I'm not just saying that because I almost am one. I'm saying that so you don't go invest hundreds of yen on a light and gelcolors only to find you have shrinkage or lifting or bad application. Let us do it. We actually enjoy it, and you'll get beautiful shaping and cuticles to go with. It's worth it. And as gel polishes, not enhancements, that is a whole other beast, wear for about 10-14 days, sometimes longer on some people, it's worth letting us take care of you in order to get the best result.

That's just my two cents, you can think I'm an idiot if you want to.

As for gel enhancements...don't try that at home. It has taken me numerous tries to even get it right, let alone looking good. Plus, it's painful. I'm thinking of putting it on my menu of services as The Dominatrix Deluxe or The Masochist's Delight. That shit burns like a mutha. It makes grown women cry, I'm not even exaggerating. It looks gorgeous. It feels terrible! I may offer them, haven't decided...it will partly depend on where I get a table. I still have a shot at working with BMWWU and I sincerely hope that happens because I can learn so much from her. We'll see.

So that's what's up with me. I find it amazing that I can spend 6 hours at school doing nails and looking at nails and learning about nails and come home and...play some Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (almost done!) while playing with nail polish. This might have been a good move for me happiness wise.

I hope all of you out there find your happiness as well! Here's to a better 2014 than 2013:

Here's to more sweet Vietnamese guys who send me beautiful pictures and poems and serenades of my favorite songs. I hope the moon is gorgeous tonight to ring in the new year. I know we'll both be watching it.

Here's to fewer psychotic Syrians who call me wretched names and flip out. I still hope you don't get blown up even though you obviously have PTSD. When you were sweet you were very sweet. Nutjob.

And to the magical disappearing Moroccan? What happened to you? We were having a good time! Left your job and everything without a word. What up wit dat? 

Here's to no more bosses who say things like "Oh no no no. *I* get that day off." and not being accused of making meth at my desk. (True story! Then she called me "hot pants". I'm not even sure I know what that means!)

To my German, find what makes you happy and don't let her go. Stop throwing yourself away on whackadoodles. It breaks my heart each time you break yours. You're one of my besties and I love you.

To Ruby Pumps - you go girl! Busting out of your comfort zone like a mutha! Keep it up girlfriend! I'll be there every step of the way.

And BoBo - Stay with it girlfriend, you're almost there. Don't give up now. It's worth it.

Sheilie...you've got a good one, hold on to him. I'm so happy for you. You deserve it! I know 2013 was up and down. I so hope 2014 is only up and into the stars!

Here's to a year filled with color and life and lacquer!

Here's to more champagne and less pain in general.

Decide this year will be amazing and amazing things will happen.

Happy Talons to all and to all a Great 2014!!