Hello from TOKYO!

I don't have internetconnection, but there is a computer at the executive-lounge, so have to be quick. Just wanted to say we arrived safe. There were no delayes and we had no problems with reaching the flight in Paris, although we only had 1 hour.

The temp. is about 30 degrees c. and overcast. It's warm, but not as humid as in Orlando.

I found a shop with lots of nail-magazines. I don't understand a thing, but there are lots of nice pictures and "how to do, step for step".

Conrad Tokyo (our hotel) is VERY nice. I will write about that later. I think we will have wireless connection in Tsukuba, so will have some more time to write from there. Will also upload pictures.

My research today

This morning I have done some research at the internet. I found Norwegian commercials and professional photos and tried to evaluate their nails, what was good and what would I have done different. What I don't understand is, when everything else is excellent, very often the nails are neglected at the models. Or even worse, you can see there has been a nailtech doing some kind of work, but not good work. I know, I know, doing photo-shoots, with very close-up photos, is really difficult as you have to be very, very accurate. BUT I would rather use a hand without enhancement than a hand with ugly enhancement, or a hand without polish than a hand with uneven polish.

When I did my research I found... haha... something I did years ago.... :-D It's here. I had forgotten all about this article!

Oval nails - very difficult to be consistent!

I very seldom do oval nails with white free edge. Usually when I do oval nails it is with clear gel.

Today I did my own nails and found it surprisingly difficult to be consistent. Normally, when doing square nails, I don't have much problems with being consistent, but today... well... you can judge buy yourself....

Another thing I found surprising was that I really like my nails like this!

A very good site for those who want to compete

Today I found a very good site for all those who want to compete. There were lots of pictures and lots of text PLUS some videos. I haven't had the time to watch and read everything, but I am sure I will read it, not only once, but several times. The site is written by Salina Rush, an award-winning nailtech. What I really liked with the site was that it was kind of broken down in small chapters so it was very easy to read. If you want to compete, take a look at the site!

There is a marked for verybody!

I have said this before, and I say it again...

The last week I have gotten several calls from new clients. Because I know I am much more expensive than the others, I feel I have to tell them when they call. And of course, those who haven't heard of me ask me if I am INSANE! They also tells me they can't pay that much because they can get it 1/3 the next door. So of course, I am loosing clients to the cheaper once. Stupid?

Well... I have as many clients I want to have (I very seldom take new clients, but because of the recession I do take some new these days. It would be stupid not to). And the best thing? I only need 1/3 of the clients that the cheap salons have, to earn the same amount of money!

On the other hand, 2 out of 6 phones choose to come to me. So yes, there is a marked for everybody!

What really concerns me is that most of those who called me called because they were not at all satisfied where they had been. Despite of that, they would rather go back to the cheap one... I don't understand this... And they ask me why I am much more expensive??? But again, it shows that there is a marked for everybody!

My little finger!

I didn't have much time today, but I decided to re-ballance my little finger. When I filed my nails round/oval some weeks ago I would never have thought I would like it. The truth is that I DO like it and I like it even better with French! I am going to re-ballance all my nails like this before going to Japan.

Yes, I filed off a little bit of the white, the ear...

Poison (toluen) in nail-polish

This is a Norwegian article about toluen in nail-polish. It is illegal in paintings and adhesive but legal in nail-polish with a concentration up to 25%. The article tells that the Norwegian state-board (not exactly the right translation, but I don't know how to explain it...) is working for a law that says all nail-polishes should be marked with this: "Keep away from children, only to be used by grown-ups!"

And yes, it concerns me, as I work with it every day. Luckily I don't use polish that much, as I usually do gel enhancement. However I have always known that nail-polish and remover are some of the most dangerous products we are using so it's not new for me.

On the other hand... what is NOT dangerous these days, what will NOT give you cancer and/or brain-damages?

I bet more people die of too much fat and sugar than from using nail-polish....