Hooked on Nails is an education provider for the
nail industry as well as interested consumers. We firmly believe and will hold true
to the ideal that quality in education united with an honest business approach and a
genuine concern for others is the key to long term continuing success.
Acrylic Nails
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Acrylic nails are called many different names, with
the nail technician's least favorite being "fake nails".
We much prefer the term artificial nails. There are several
different types of artificial nail enhancement products as well as application
procedures. The most commonly applied enhancement is traditional
acrylic, which is a two-part system of liquid (monomer) and powder
(polymer). This type of product can be applied with one color of
acrylic, pink and white acrylic for a Permanent French look, or can be
applied with colored acrylic, glitter acrylic or in any combination.
Pink and white acrylic nails are often referred to as "Solar Nails".
Solar Nail is a product made by Creative Nail Design Systems and
includes their Original Solar Nail, Radical Solar Nail, Retention +
, and Moxie acrylic systems. Unless you actually see this product in its original
bottle on the nail table, your nails may not be 'Solar Nails".
Gel Nails
Gel acrylic is a one-part system consisting of the
application of a thick viscosity gel acrylic. Gel is
normally 'cured' under a UV light. Do not confuse gel with
traditional acrylic. Even though the two products are actually
acrylic, they apply and wear differently. Gel applied over
acrylic to seal the surface does not make your nails "Gel Nails".
Gel nails are actually acrylic nails; they are made from the same
class of acrylates, but with different molecular structures,
appearance, application procedures and different curing methods.
Be certain you are receiving the artificial nails you requested.
Nail Chemistry
Acrylics contain cross-linking monomers.
Cross links are like rungs on a ladder; creating strong net-like
structures. Cross-links can also join many other layers of
cross-linked nets. The result is a three-dimensional structure of
great strength and flexibility. This is how many types of artificial
nail enhancements are made. See Product
Chemistry for more information on nail product chemistry; how and
why it works.
Manicuring
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These pages will show you how
to perform a basic manicure and how to apply the Perfect Polish.
Whether you are a novice nail tech, a veteran technician or an
interested consumer, these tips will work for you.
Pedicuring
Learn how to perform a basic pedicure and a
Spa Pedicure for a perfect relaxing 'feet treat'.
About Hooked on Nails
Marti Preuss has devoted more than half her life to her
craft and takes what she does very seriously. Success to Marti is no accident -- it
is the result of hard work, extra effort and the desire to keep learning.
It was that desire for more education in the beauty
industry that convinced the former hairstylist to put down her blow dryer and pick up a
brush. The change in career direction came about after talking with a sales
representative from a major distributor in 1977. He convinced her to try her hand at
creating nail enhancements. Preuss instantly became intrigued by what she saw as a
tremendous growth industry with incredible potential. She took every class she
could, talked to nail technicians and artists, and very quickly carved a place for herself
in the industry. Marti became an educator for Creative Nail Design Systems of Vista, CA., in 1985 after attending a week long training seminar. She is
a workshop leader, lecturer, demonstration artist, photographic artist and major
competition winner. She has held a Texas Cosmetology license since 1977 and received
her Instructors license in 1992.
Today, Preuss is a trendsetter for the industry and an
educator who insists on challenging herself in every aspect of her profession to create
the most perfect nails. Among her many prestigious awards are the North American
Hairstyling Award 'Passion Trophy' for Nail Makeovers in 1994, the first year the category
was offered. She has finished as a finalist in the Natural Nail and Nail Enhancement
categories in 1995, and a finalist in Nail Enhancements in 1996, 1997, and 1998. She
was chosen as Creative Nail Design Systems Educator of the Month in June 1994 and again in
November 1995. Her nail photographs have graced the covers of distributor product
catalogues, trade show flyers, and have been seen numerous times in Nails and Nail Pro
magazine, Modern Salon, American Salon, Studio USA, Beauty, Inc., Creative Designer and
Salon Ovations. She has contributed to or been featured in articles in these
industry periodicals as well as McCall's and Baby Talk magazines. She was given the
prestigious honor of being chosen as one of the most influential nail technicians of the
90's by Nails Magazine.
In 1998, Marti changed career direction and is now a
nail enhancement education specialist who regularly posts articles to the Beauty Tech
web site, answers questions on the Nail Tech Message Board, and
contributes to articles in Industry magazines.
For 'fun', Marti is designing hand made
'one-of-a-kind' beaded jewelry. Visit her sister site
artsytartsy.net.
She is also creatively involved with
Southwest Graphix in
Needville, Texas, helping owner Terry Zulkowski design and create
Decorative Custom Concrete Garden Benches. Marti has designed the
website for Southwest Graphix as well as for Terry's FFA Emblem
website tlzartworx.com.
Thank You for Visiting Hooked on
Nails
Copyright © 2000 Hooked on Nails
Last Updated 4/18/2008
