Industry, nails and everything in-between
Stepping into the world of nails at the tender age of 12, Michelle Soto was spoiled for a year as her aunty used her to hand model for practice purposes. Later, after moving to Puerto Rico, Michelle made a point of manicuring her nails, mimicking what she’d picked up from her aunt. “My nails became a talking point and people asked me to do theirs, but I always said, ‘No, I only do them for myself’,” Michelle reflects. “However, after some consideration, I accepted my father’s proposal of going to nail school. Getting certified before I would groom anyone’s nails was really important to me. At that time in my life, being certified yet still not thinking it would end up becoming my career, was my mindset.”
On deciding to train in nails, Michelle enrolled at the Pierrette Academy in Puerto Rico, which later changed its name to Ema’s Beauty Academy. “I was offered to work at a well-known salon from the owner of the academy herself,” smiles Michelle. “I agreed and worked in it for a year, then I made the bold move to open my own salon; I was just 16 at the time.” Michelle continued to run nail salons for a number of years before changing her path to work more recently full-time with V Beauty Pure LLC in the USA. “I’ve tried many products throughout the years and one of my favorites is V beauty Pure,” she asserts.
With the onset of the global pandemic changing Michelle’s career course, she highlights, “Not being able to work for some time pushed me in a different direction; I had so much time to think about what I was doing and if it was the right pathway for me. I then changed my life completely. I‘ve always wanted to dedicate myself to teaching full-time while helping others achieve their goals, but I was always too busy to commit. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to make the jump.”Living by the principle to always give any endeavor her best shot, no matter what the circumstances, Michelle instils, “One must always be reliable, consistent and never forget to be humble in this life. In these challenging times, take this opportunity to focus in on yourself and your craft. Get prepared with all the knowledge and tools that will help you grow for when you are able to start working again and most importantly, keep posting content on social media platforms, don’t give up!”
Citing her recipe for attaining great nail skills is to never stop practicing or getting educated, Michelle acknowledges that, “Consistency and knowledge are key!”
Appreciating that ‘Rome was not built in a day’, Michelle stays grounded and focused while optimistic about the future. “My advice to beginners is to keep an open mind, have lots of patience, make sure you practice and don’t give up! Always be reliable, consistent and never forget to be humble!” Moving onwards and upwards, Michelle is excited for a future with her goal being to coach students, “To hit the salon floor fully experienced and knowledgeable. Capable and ready to service!”
An ombré design is when one color fades into another and the meeting point creates a seamless blend of the two. Ombré is from the French word meaning ‘shaded’ or ‘shading’. It is a degradation of colors from dark to light or light to dark. This technique can be used with any nail art medium. Nail artists previously called this technique a ‘color fade’ or ‘color graduation’ in the 1990’s. The term ombre’ was coined in 2010 when hairdressers set the trend fading hair from dark to light.
What it is: AKA masque; concentrated treatment product used in manicures and pedicures. Composed of mineral clays, moisturizing agents, skin softeners, aromatherapy oils, and other beneficial ingredients, which combine to cleanse, tighten, tone, hydrate, and nourish the skin.
How to use: Used as a luxury upgrade element to any manicure or pedicure service.
How to apply: Decant a single serving and apply to the skin with a spatula or masque brush. Often covered with thin plastic and warm towels to harness heat from the body and allow the skin’s pores to open and receive the efficacy of the ingredients.
How to remove: Rinse off with warm water or wipe away with hot, wet towels.
How to store: Store with lids closed tightly in a cool dark place.
What it is: AKA masque; concentrated treatment product used in manicures and pedicures. Composed of mineral clays, moisturizing agents, skin softeners, aromatherapy oils, and other beneficial ingredients, which combine to cleanse, tighten, tone, hydrate, and nourish the skin.
How to use: Used as a luxury upgrade element to any manicure or pedicure service.
How to apply: Decant a single serving and apply to the skin with a spatula or masque brush. Often covered with thin plastic and warm towels to harness heat from the body and allow the skin’s pores to open and receive the efficacy of the ingredients.
How to remove: Rinse off with warm water or wipe away with hot, wet towels.
How to store: Store with lids closed tightly in a cool dark place.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
Alisha is recognized as one of the nail industry’s leading experts in training & education. In her 28 years experience, her work has been described as ‘ground-breaking’ through her career as a platform artist & motivational speaker for thousands of promotional & educational events. She’s also competed in hundreds of nail competitions around the globe, notably winning the World Nail Championship in 2005 in Pink & White Sculptured Nails. She’s also the featured artist in many training videos, including acting host of the current Milady Standard Nail Technology DVD series.
Dual sided, stainless steel, professional implement
What it is: An implement with a spoon-shaped end, used to gently push back the eponychium to expose the excess cuticle attached to the nail plate.
How to use it: Used at the start of each service to gently push back the surrounding skin to expose the nail plate. Some pushers have a scraping end, shaped like half a nail nipper, that can gently scrape away the dead skin to clean the nail plate.
How to disinfect it: Scrub with soap and water, and dry. Next, submerge in hospital grade disinfectant for the recommended amount of time, then remove, rinse, dry and store.
How to store it: After disinfection and sanitization, store covered, in a clean dry area.
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