Posts Tagged ‘opi’

Buying Nail Polish Online in Canada. Why Is It So Difficult!?

You’ve stepped away from the fumes and drawers over flowing with sparkles and cremes.

You’ve heard of the new collections and you must have them. But each spa/salon only carries 1 or 2 of the lines you are after. You don’t have time to drive around looking for that one specific brand.

Plus starting your car almost always chips a nail.

After going from website to website, you are continually denied shipping because you have a Postal Code instead of a Zip Code.

We hear your cry.

Why is it so tough to purchase nail polish online in Canada?

Reason #1  It’s a lot of work. I mean A LOT of work.

Merchandising for internet sales is time consuming, and it’s made even more difficult when the distributors of the  brands don’t provide digital information. It’s a daunting task for online beauty retailers to take on.

A single spreadsheet with order codes and names of polishes is often what we have to work with. This means finding or making the images, writing descriptions of the colors and dragging out what ever info we can get from the reps about upcoming lines.

It’s a lot of work for a single, small item.

Reason #2 It changes constantly.

New releases, discontinued colors and limited editions. The products are always changing. All that time that is spent finding the info and then a color/collection/line can be discontinued in a matter of weeks.

Reason #3 There are hundreds of colors.

At the time of this post we carry 1114 individual colors across 7 nail polish brands. That does not count base and top coats, strengtheners or other fun paraphernalia. Think of all of the combinations! So pretty.

What it also means is that is isn’t feasible to carry multiples of every single color in house. So we work with several different distributors, each with their own way of doing things.

Pause for me imagining a glorious warehouse with thousands of glittering nail polish bottles…

Distributors don’t even take on more than 2 polish lines because of the detail work that is involved.

Reason #4 Existing in cyberspace

Since we are one of the only online accounts for those distributors, their systems are built to work with brick and mortar retail stores. Those stores purchase what the distributors currently have in stock. If it’s not there, they don’t sell it.

It would be very difficult to update a site everyday with several different distributor’s stock levels. Real time stats would be fluctuating constantly.

We always try and have the most up to date list possible, but sometimes they are simply out of a polish that they carry. In those cases we have to wait for their order to come in.

With OPI it’s almost never a problem. But those harder -to-find-but-stunning-ones like China Glaze, Zoya and Spa Ritual, are ordered less frequently by the distributors as fewer people sell them.

This means sometimes there can be a wait, most of the time there isn’t. On the upside it means you own that polish and it will come to you as soon as it’s available. You don’t have to go looking for it. It’s yours already.

This is particularly true of really popular colors (I’m looking at you Essie Mint Candy Apple).

Reason #5 Color Accuracy

Screen settings effect everything. Sometimes you just can’t know what a color looks like simply from a computer image.  This is where polish blogs are endlessly useful. There are some ladies out there who work tirelessly swatching colors, sometimes even before they are even released! Great photos and explanations of how they wear are out there.

My two favorites? All Laquered Up and Scrangie. They are by far the best polish resources I’ve found. They will also introduce you to brands you may not have heard of before.

 

Why do we do it at Spa Boutique?

We love nail polish and know how hard it is to get here in Canada. We are a way for you lovelies to shop for colors and brands in one place and we do our absolute best to get you those colors.

We sell only professional lines and we get them from reputable distributors. We have beauty professionals on staff to help you with choice whenever possible. There are colors that come through all the time and some we’ve never actually seen in person, but we will do our best to provide guidance.

It’s an extremely complex item to sell online which is why there aren’t many that do it. Over time the process will smooth out as the smaller lines become bigger and more readily available.

For now we do everything we can to get you your nail polishes.

 

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog! Feel free to leave your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

Spa Ritual versus OPI – The Ultimate Showdown

What do you look for in nail polishes?

Do you want a polish that lasts a long time? Do ingredients concern you? How about the shape of the bottle or the brush? The actual polish consistency? Company policies? Range of colors available? Availability?

There are lots of things to consider. I personally have a collection of over 50 polishes. Admittedly they are all OPI.

But I blame that on lack of exposure to other lines through the early years of my esthetic carreer. It’s everyone elses fault but mine.

So let’s take our criteria and take a look at the differences in these two polish brands.

Ingredients:

The big concern with polishes for a while is called The Big Three: Toulene, Formaldehyde and DBP (dibutyl phthalate).

OPI: In 2006 OPI reformulated and removed Toulene and DBP from all of their products. Their nail polishes and treatments  have never contained Formaldehyde. If you flip your bottles over you’ll notice that the black labels are the older formulations, while the green ones are the newer reformulated ones. Some of the hardeners may contain trace amounts of formaldehyde, but they also have alternatives. The amount of the formaldehyde is 4 times lower that the amount deemed safe by the FDA. So there would be less in your nail products than, say, your counter tops, couch, car, wallpaper and carpet.

SpaRitual: From the beginning SpaRitual has never used any of those three ingredients. On top of that they also use naturally derived colors and are free of synthetic dyes. They use vegan ingredients from around the world so you can feel good about the product

Company Philosophy

OPI: OPI really markets itself as THE spa/salon brand of polish. They talk a lot about innovation, quality and scientific research. They do have a section on their website devoted how they donate to charities and are striving to reduce their impact on the environment. You can see their policies here. It talks about the steps they plan to take, but doesn’t really list what they are actually doing. But they don’t test on animals! So yay!

SpaRitual: Very transparent with their environmental efforts. All natural ingredients are organic or wildcrafted. Again, free of syntetic dyes. Their polish bottles are crafted in Italy with from re-usable glass and up to 50% recycled materials. They are very focused on the experience and enlightenment of the user.

Range of Colors

OPI: I can’t find an exact list, but it feels like hundreds. There’s probably about 120 available at any given time. 4 times a year they release a new collection of 12 colors, as well as the occaisional lauch of some smaller groups. They pretty much have one of the largest ranges available. If you can think of a color, they probably have it or will shortly.

They also have the mini bottles! These are great, because who actually ever gets through a whole bottle?

They will randomly discontinue colors as well. Those are usually re-released at a later date, slightly different and under a different hilarious name. Sneaky buggers.

SpaRitual: They have about 80 colors, and do a couple of themed launches a year. I have to say, whenever we get orders for a group of SpaRitual colors I am always amazed at how gorgeous they are. Shimmering, deep and complex they are absolutely beautiful.

Bottle and brush shape:

Keep in mind this coming from a professional stand point, where we hold the bottle in our hand for the entire application. Also the brush shape is impotant to us. It’s got to hold the right amount of product for an even application in as few strokes as possible.

OPI: I have used these bottles for years. Every spa I’ve worked in has used OPI. The shape of the bottle is extremely comfortable in the palm and easy to hold on to for awhile. I personally like the height.

The Pro-Wide Brush. All newer bottles of OPI have the prowide brush. And it’s awesome. The flat, wide shape makes it easy to cover the nail in the least amount of strokes. The exact right amount of polish is picked up.

 

 

SpaRitual: The bottle is shorter and rounder than the OPI. So there’s still lots of grip. The cap has a neat rubberized finish which means no slip!

The brush is quite small, so it does take a few more stokes to cover the nail which can result in streaking.

 

Polish Consistency and Wear

The thickness is pretty much the same for both of them, so they apply nicely and set (not dry) fairly quickly. Wear really depends on how the nail is prepped. If you remove any oils on the nail, use a good base coat and top coat, you should get a week out of a maniucre and a month out of a pedicure. This is barring doing anything that compromises quality: chemicals or abrasives on the dried polish application, using polish thinner, or getting the product on the skin. Sparkles make polish last longer!

Availability

OPI is probably the most widely available in spas, but SpaRitual is becoming much more common. But we’re online! So both are easily accessible. You have no excuse.

And the winner is…..

I can’t decide cause I’m flaky and easily seduced.

Both are great quality, both have beautiful colors and both are available. I really think it should come down to which individual color appeals to you.

I feel really confident using either line, but am more obsessed with the SpaRitual colors at this point. Let me know what you think!

Visit www.spaboutique.ca to see our full range of OPI and SpaRitual products for the hands, feet and body. *Note – we are no longer carrying the OPI line

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog!  Feel free to post your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

 

Common Foot and Nail Issues and How to Solve Them

Feet are fascinating. They are so individual and get beat up all day by us.

Cute yet impractical shoes and the whatnot. Standing all day. Walking all day. Unbreathing.

Since they’re always closed in, issues revolving around moisture and bacteria and fungus are VERY common.

Foot odor, athletes foot, ingrown toenails and nail fungus are very common. I won’t subject you to pictures of them, but when you do pedicures, you see it all. Repeatedly.

General foot care is fairly simple. Keep your feet, socks and shoes clean and dry. But life still gets complicated. Let me offer some solutions.

Foot Odor and Sweaty Feet: By far the most common ailments. Moisture, warmth and bacteria, it’s a perfect mix.  The more your feet sweat the more likely you are to create a breeding ground for the odor producing bacteria. I’ve seen explanations from anemia to the same bacteria that causes acne. Either way it’s unpleasant. Guidelines to reduce that lovely aroma usually involve keeping the feet as dry as possible.

1. Always thoroughly dry feet off after showering. Get right in between those toes. If you do have sweaty feet, you don’t need to give the bacteria MORE moisture to work with.
2. Use an absorbing foot powder. This will help keep the foot dry, reducing the moisture that the bacteria thrives on. Some also can have anti-bacterial properties
3. Wear clean socks with your shoes. Creating that absorbing barrier will reduce the smell as well. Bring an extra pair to change into if you’re going somewhere different after a long day at work.
4. There are lotions/foam to help reduce sweatiness, but you can also use antiperspirant on the feet as well. Don’t forget those shoe sprays! Anti-bacterial they help to sanitize the inside of shoes to reduce bacteria.

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis): This is also very common and comes in various degrees. It’s a fungal infection, basically ring worm, of the feet and is usually between the toes and near the nail. It’s usually picked up from other warm environments like public showers, baths and locker rooms. Also sharing shoes or socks with someone who has it.

It will start off as scaling, flaking and slight reddening between the toes. As it worsens it will start to turn white and remain damp. The odor increases as well. As it spreads to the sole of the foot it will redden the skin and create more scaling and a blistering type look. There’s usually quite a bit of itching.

Luckily it is possible to get a handle on the Athlete’s Foot if treatment begins fairly early. Keeping feet dry is very important. You can also use topical applications of over the counter products such as Footlogix and Allpressan. they contain a small percentage of clotrimazole which is beneficial at killing off the fungus.

If the spread is really bad, over the whole foot, it is best to go see your doctor,podiatrist or dermatologist.

Ingrown Toe Nails: You’ll know if you’ve ever had one of these. The painful pressure on the top corners of the nails can really make itself known. The toe nail starts to grow into the skin and can cause swelling, redness and even infection.

These are caused from either poor shoes (all tight and constricting in the toe area) or improper nail care. Cutting the nails too short or rounding the corners too deep. You want the end of the nail to grow out straight and true.

The inclination is going to dig around in there to try and free it. Please don’t do that, it can cause serious damage and infection.

Try and help it grow out. Soak the feet for 10-15 minutes, gently push a small piece of cotton under the offending edge, just enough to lift it slightly off the skin and guide it in the correct direction. Repeat this everyday, changing the cotton and keeping everything very clean. Avoid constraining shoes during this time. If after 4-5 days it hasn’t improved or has gotten worse, you will want to see a doctor. If at ANY point it turns red or starts to ooze anything, go to the doctor.

If it’s a severe and recurring problem, there may have to be some minor surgery, but that’s ok. I’ve seen many a foot that has had the procedure done and the results are fine.

Nail Fungus (Onychomycosis): According to the Mayo Clinic nail fungus is acquired similarly to Athletes Foot. Damp, warm places are where those fungi thrive. They get under the nail and cause yellowing, thickening and crumbling. The nail will usually change shape over time and become dull.

Unfortunately this is the most time consuming to remedy. Topical applications can work, but some people require more, in the form of oral medication. Vite 20 is a great solution.

Since nails grow quite slowly, getting a fungal nail to be replaced by a completely healthy one can take as much as a year.

It’s important to have realistic expectations and be consistent and patient. It’s also best to not polish over those toe nails! Let them breathe and heal.

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog!  Feel free to post your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

Spa Boutique Pedicure Kits

So what do you do when you want fabulous toes?

How do you know what to use?

We took this question and made a very easy solution. We’ve assembled three great little pedicures kits for you. They have everything you need! At a reduced price. Always a good thing.

For a  gorgeous, classic pedicure the kit includes a foot file, foot foam for hydrating, cuticle oil, nail file,orangewood stick,  polish remover, toe separators, base/top coat AND an OPI color of your choice. Literally everything you need. I think my pro kit at the spa had the exact same products in it.

For those who like to fancy it up a bit there’s the French pedicure kit and the Nail Art kit. The French kit contains all of the above PLUS a white for the tips and your choice of pink for the overlay (my personal favorites being Sweet Heart and Bubble Bath).

The nail art kit lets you choose one OPI color and you get a fun wheel of colored rhinestones. Shiny.

These make it really easy to start up your foot care routine, you get a great savings and then can just replace products as you need new ones.

They also make fantastic gifts!

So since this month is all about those summer toes, why not treat yourself!

See our previous posts and videos for tips on how to polish toes, give yourself a french pedicure and how to properly file those nails.

You’ll have beautiful feet in no time.

***Note – we no longer carry pedicure kits

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

Tips for the Perfect Polish Application

There are reasons why estheticians take the steps that they do when applying polish to the toenails. So all the doubters out there who say that base/top coat isn’t necessary, remember that most spa pedicures last for at least a month and usually need to be removed only because the toe nail has grown out, not because of chipping.

That being said there are always exceptions. Such as lots of sand.  will rub polish right off.

I’m going to explain step by step what you need to do to get a long lasting polish application at home. This is how I’ve seen it done at every spa I’ve worked at by estheticians trained around the world. There is a process.

Here’s what you need:

• Polish remover
• Cotton balls
• Kleenex
• Orangewood stick
• Base coat
• Polish
• Top Coat
• Drip Dry (optional but super useful)

1) First off, remove polish and do any foot maintenance you feel you need. Steps to a full pedicure can be found here.

2)Once all that business is done, use one kleenex for each foot, weave it between the toes. Keep the ends poking down towards the bottom of the foot so it won’t get in your way. We use kleenex because you can be sure it’s sanitary every time. No guarantee with reusable toe separators. Also the kleenex comes in handy later. Double up if you need to separate the toes even more.

5) Use a cotton ball soaked with polish remover. Neutralize each nail by wiping it with the cotton ball. This will remove any and all traces or oils and lotions, giving you the best possible base for your polish to adhere too. If you skip this step, the polish will flake off where ever there was any oil product. It can’t stick properly.

4) Starting from the outside edge of either foot you will work across. Keep this same pattern through the whole process to give the layers time to dry.

5)Apply the base coat. You just need a very thin layer.  Apply it in one or two strokes to each nail, avoiding the skin as much as possible. Polish peels off of skin within a day. So if it dries leading onto the nail, you will get flaking.

6) Choose your polish color. Wipe the brush back and forth one or two times to get all the color on one side of the brush. You want very little, because toes are very little. Thin coats will give you better coverage and take way less time to dry. Usually you can get the three smallest toes done with one brush load. This of course depends on nail size.

7) The most strokes you want is three per nail. Any more and you’ll start to drag the polish as it dries. Most polish is self leveling. By the time you get back to it for the second coat, it’s usually spread out and settled properly. You want an even coat with no pooling. Use one hand to grip the toe on either side and pull the edges slightly from the nail. It gives you a bit more space to work with. Again, don’t touch the skin. You want to get close, but not touch the cuticle or sides. If you do, immediately use the orangewood stick to collect and clean the edges. You can use the kleenex between the toes to wipe the excess off off the end of the stick.

8)Take your time and be as tidy as possible. This takes practice. In school polishing is one of the first things we learn and takes almost the full year  to perfect. 3 strokes, never touching the skin. It’s tough. Go back and do the second coat. Let it dry and settle for a bit.

9) With the top coat, you want enough product on the brush to keep the bristles from dragging in the freshly applied polish. The brush should glide. Same rule as before, wipe up any excess that gets on the skin. When it peels off the skin it will pull off any color that’s attached to it.

10) Wrap a little cotton around the end of the orangewood stick, dip it in polish remover and do any tidying that needs to be done. Give it a few minutes to set and then spray/drip on the drip dry product. This will set the top layer or so and moisturize the cuticle.

11) This is the important step: It will still take AT LEAST AN HOUR TO DRY. You cannot get around this. The four coats required to get a long lasting application take a long time to dry. No shoes or socks for as long as possible. Two hours is best. Yes the top coat will stop feeling tacky before that, it does not mean the layers underneath are dry. Nothing is more frustrating to estheticians than watching someone decide 20 minutes after the service that it is in fact dry and put on boots. They forget that this is what we do for a living. We gain nothing by asking you to wear  flip flops.

So be patient.

Even going to bed will give you sheet marks on the toes.

There you go! Almost a thousand words on the proper way to polish nails. Who knew it was so complicated?

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog!  Feel free to post your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!