Life on the Free Edge
Industry, nails and everything in-between
Life on the Free Edge
Industry, nails and everything in-between
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Lineas Finas y Perfectas
- Posted by Sean McWard
Lineas Finas y Perfectas
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Dafne Fernandez
- Posted by Sean McWard
Dafne Fernandez
Discover the driving force behind Dafne's decision to organize and host Nailympia Mexico for the third time in July 2024. Hear her heartfelt commitment to her craft, her country, and her people as she articulates her desire to provide the same opportunities she has experienced to aspiring nail artists in Mexico.
Join Dafne Fernandez and Alex Fox as they delve into the passion and purpose behind Nailympia Mexico, a groundbreaking event that promises to elevate the nail industry in Mexico to new heights. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to witness firsthand the power of determination and the transformative impact of pursuing one's dreams. Watch now and be inspired to chase your own aspirations!
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Alisha Rimando | Artist of the Month
- Posted by Sebastian Campos Rosas
Alisha Rimando
Article by Alex Fox | Published in 2024
In 1995, Alisha Rimando embarked on a journey that would forever change the landscape of the nail industry. Starting as a nail technician in a salon, Rimando quickly discovered her passion for teaching and educating others in the art of nail enhancements. This love for sharing knowledge propelled her into the role of a global educator, competitor, and hand model for renowned World Champion, Tom Holcomb.
Under the tutelage of Holcomb, Rimando honed her skills and techniques, eventually achieving her own World Championship title in 2005 for pink & white sculptured nails. This victory marked a significant milestone in her career and solidified her reputation as a master in the field of nail styling.
In 2008, Rimando took another leap forward by contributing to the 6th edition of Milady Nail Technology. Since then, she has authored or contributed to over 10 textbooks and supplements for Cengage Learning, including Standard Cosmetology. Rimando’s dedication to education and innovation has earned her numerous accolades and honors throughout her illustrious career.
Based in New York City, Rimando’s proximity to the fashion capital enabled her to become a session artist for magazines and designers during New York Fashion Week. Her work even caught the attention of celebrities, leading to a feature in Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Spotlight’ music video. Additionally, Rimando served as the training director for Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, where she trained over 360 nail techs across 31 locations in the USA.
The passing of her mentor and best friend, Tom Holcomb, in 2011, spurred Rimando to recommit herself to the professional market and resume teaching the methods of nail enhancements he had imparted to her. Over her 28+ year career, Rimando’s work has been featured in hundreds of trade publications worldwide, and she has conducted training seminars for nail students, professionals, and top educators in more than 25 countries.
Now, Rimando brings her wealth of experience and passion for the industry to GlossaryLive.com, a platform dedicated to honoring her mentor and celebrating the contributions of nail artists worldwide. Through GlossaryLive.com, Rimando continues to inspire and empower the next generation of nail stylists, fostering a community of creativity, collaboration, and excellence.
Alisha Rimando’s journey through the nail industry is a testament to her unwavering dedication, relentless pursuit of excellence, and entrepreneurial spirit. From humble beginnings to global recognition, Rimando’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring nail stylists everywhere. As she relentlessly expands the horizons of creativity and innovation, Rimando cements her legacy as a trailblazer in the realm of nail artistry.
Related videos, articles & glossary terms on GlossaryLive
Ismael Camero
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Ismael Camero
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First Step Of Entering A Nail Competition
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First Step Of Entering A Nail Competition
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Wait to Nip!
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Wait to Nip!
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Beauterra – The Ultimate Beauty Companion
- Posted by Sebastian Campos Rosas
Beauterra - The Ultimate Beauty Companion
Article by Alex Fox | Published in 2024
Are you a beauty professional looking to streamline your booking process and expand your client base? Or perhaps you’re a client seeking a hassle-free way to book appointments with top-notch beauty experts? Look no further than Beauterra – the revolutionary new app designed to simplify communication and booking between beauty artists/aestheticians and clients.
Launched on September 4, 2023, Beauterra is a free-to-use platform that caters to a wide range of beauty services, including nail, hair, barbering, brows, lashes, make-up, massage, and aesthetics. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer in the industry, Beauterra offers a seamless experience for both parties.
For beauty professionals, listing services and appointment times is a breeze. Simply download the app, register with your expertise, provide your business address, or specify mobile services and covered areas. Once registered, you can easily manage your availability through the integrated calendar, importable from your smartphone’s calendar app. Additionally, you can showcase your work through photos, allowing clients to explore your styles and offerings before booking.
“The listings and bookings calendar reduces the need for multiple apps and simplifies the experience for both artists and clients,” says Natalie Lomakina, the visionary behind Beauterra. Natalie’s personal struggle to find a reliable nail artist inspired her to create a platform that connects clients with independent beauty professionals seamlessly.
Development for Beauterra began in May 2023, with Natalie, joined by co-founder Andreea Simona Ignat, an award-winning nail artist, and Valery Ponomarenko, a seasoned mobile app developer. Together, they envisioned a platform that caters to the diverse needs of both beauty professionals and clients.
Beauterra not only simplifies the booking process but also prioritizes user experience. Clients can easily browse through a list of beauty professionals, check their availability, and make bookings with just a few taps. The app also includes a client rating system, allowing users to leave feedback for fellow professionals.
“With Beauterra, we aim to create a beauty universe where every enthusiast – pro or client – can fulfil their beauty and wellbeing goals via a single app,” cites Natalie.
But Beauterra doesn’t stop there. The team behind the app is constantly innovating, with plans to introduce new features such as auto-booking, salon bookings, subscription services, and the ability to buy and sell courses all coming soon to the platform. Beauterra is not just an app; it’s a comprehensive solution that revolutionizes the beauty industry.
So whether you’re a beauty professional looking to expand your clientele or a client seeking top-tier beauty services, download Beauterra today and experience the future of beauty booking. Say goodbye to tedious booking processes and hello to a world of beauty at your fingertips.
Perfect Fine Lines
- Posted by Sean McWard
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Perfect Fine Lines
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Finding A Nail Mentor
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Expanding Horizons The Journey from Online to Storefront
- Posted by Sebastian Campos Rosas
Expanding Horizons The Journey from Online to Storefront
Article by Alex Fox | Published in 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, adaptation is not just a strategy, but a necessity. For one niche distributor of premium nail products, Gina Silvestro of Gel Essentialz, this journey has been both exciting and transformative. What started as a modest online store nestled within the confines of a salon has now blossomed into a bustling distribution center, offering a unique shopping experience for both online and in-person customers.
“Previously, the distribution business operated as an online store, with the office and stockroom situated in the lower level of the salon,” relays Gina. “Initially specializing in Akzentz, the business now offers Erica’s, Profiles, Luminary, HD Pro, Light Elegance, Ugly Duckling, Staleks, Nippon Nippers, Kokoist & Nail Thoughts brands, therefore, as it’s burgeoned we needed more space, which prompted a search for new premises.”
The quest for a new location led Gina to a serendipitous discovery. “The building adjacent to my residence was up for lease. Formerly a real estate office, its layout and potential were ripe for transformation into a vibrant storefront. And so, we breathed new life into the space and fashioned it into a new nail distribution store.
“Situated just two miles from the salon, the new storefront seamlessly complements the established business. With a dedicated shipping room, offices, and ample retail space, it offers a welcoming environment for customers to peruse products. Moreover, the proximity to the salon facilitates synergistic opportunities, fostering cohesion within our operations.
“Speaking of the salon,” Gina continues. “It remains an integral part of our enterprise, housing six full-time nail techs and one hair stylist with the lower level serving as warehouse storage. Additionally, the salon serves a dual purpose as a classroom, where we conduct hands-on classes on Sundays and Mondays.”
Speaking of her commitment to customer care, Gina emphasizes, “At the heart of the business lies a steadfast commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Specializing exclusively in 100% gel nail products, the team takes pride in offering unparalleled expertise and guidance. With a team of dedicated professionals trained to assist customers in selecting products tailored to their needs, as well as providing comprehensive product knowledge and troubleshooting support, we strive to exceed expectations.”
Taking up nails in 1990, Gina was working full-time as a nail tech at the age of just 17. Hungry for knowledge and skills, Gina’s career has seen her collaborate with renowned artists, grace the nails of A-list celebrities, work as an global educator, international judge and feature in numerous industry magazines. Adding a newly fashioned distribution business alongside her salon and academy Gina, alongside daughters Miranda and Madison, provides high quality gel nail products with continuing support and education. “My goal is to continue building this business offering the highest quality gel nail products and supporting education to nail pros in my area. As I’ve learned over the years, when you are truly passionate about your career the possibilities are endless,” Gina asserts.
Kimi Chang
- Posted by Sean McWard
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Kimi Chang
Due to limited space for subtitles, here's a better idea of the mission that Kimi Chang is putting in motion to establish strong business relations with China and other countries worldwide across the nail industry.
``The nail industry in China is not as competent as it could be. There is no consistent standard. Every company has their own standard, but no standard as a country, as a whole. The nail techs who use the products don’t understand the products well enough, they don’t know how the products work, when they choose products, they choose from price only. There is little to no professionalism.
``There is no company who is willing to take up the responsibility. So I wish for my company to step in and help to raise the standards. I want to do this job, I want to standardise the nail industry in China so it progresses well.
``I know it’s not easy to do and there will be lots of work behind it, but I hope my company will connect Western nail techs with Chinese nails techs and together they can work towards progress.
``So we can do this systematically, and agree consistently. So we can work from the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top, right across the industry.
``At Nailymnpia Germany 2023 I got to experience the competition floor firsthand. I saw the concentration on the competition floor and the artistic mentality of each competitor. Then, after they got their recognition from the judges and being placed, I felt their excitement, happiness and honour. These feelings are what I want to bring to China for the Chinese nail techs. Because there is nothing similar in China, there is no ‘sense of value of identity’. Nail techs work very hard for their craft and they are never recognised for their hard work. They are considered as innovators and artists, but their hard work is always undervalued.
``When I saw all the emotions on the competition arena, I wanted to bring those emotions to China. I want to give them a place to show off what they can do and get the judges, the world's best nail artists around the globe, to approve and recognise their work. Most people don’t know how much work goes into making a set of nails. It can take 4-5 hours for a set of perfect nails. So I want to create a platform for them, for everyone to be involved.
``The whole world can benefit from one standard competition - from Nailympia. Every country around the globe can be involved and show off their specific skills and craft.
There is no one who is the best, every country has their nail industry to showcase to the world. Beauty is different from country to country - in every culture. The Chinese want to show the rest of the world what beautiful nails Chinese nail artists can create.
Thank you very much for your ‘appearance’ in our lives Alex Fox and the persistence and drive you have for Nailympia.``
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Emerald Agate | Green Is the New Black
- Posted by Sebastian Campos Rosas
Emerald Agate
Article by GlossaryLive | Published in 2024
With St. Patrick’s Day on the horizon, your clients are likely on the hunt for some fun and festive nail ideas. Incorporating one of the hottest nail trends of the moment, such as a cool, crystal agate-inspired nail design, is always a solid option. This green marble nail art look designed by nail artist Alexandra Lepadatu, will have them feeling extra lucky (and stylish) at their upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Whether you pair this elegant nail design with white, black, or nude nails, its subtle beauty will surely elevate their style. Plus, you can totally change up the shade of green to suit your clients’ needs this spring. Below, keep reading for a step-by-step of how to achieve this dreamy green agate manicure.