Regina Salon share The Difference between Gel Nails and Gel Polish

26. Feb 2015 Trusted Regina Regina Salons, TRUSTED TIPS

The Difference between Gel Nails and Gel Polish:

Gel Nails and Gel Polish, What’s The Difference?

What Are Gel Nails?

Gel nails are an artificial nail enhancement that can be applied over the natural nail, a nail tip or used to sculpt extensions. Artificial Gel Nail Enhancements require regular maintenance fills. Gels are called gels because the product is in a gel form. There are three types of gels. UV, LED and No Light. UV gels are cured in a UV lamp. LED gels are cured in an LED lamp or a UV lamp. No Light Gels have a spray or brush on activator to cure the product.

UV Gel comes in a jar or tube. If it is in a jar it is applied to the nail with a brush. If it is in a tube it can be applied to the nail and spread over the nail with the tip of the tube. Some manicurists put the tube gel in a small dish and then apply the gel to the nail with a brush.

LED Gel comes in a jar and is applied to the nail with a brush. LED Gels can be cured in a LED lamp in 30 seconds or less or cured in a UV lamp for 2 minutes. Cure times will vary by manufacturer.

LED is UV light. The difference between the lamps is the type of bulbs. The UV lamp uses florescent bulbs that are changed after x number of hours of use. X is determined by the manufacturer. LED Lamps have Light Emitting Diodes or LED for short. LED bulbs are not changed, when the lights go out, a new lamp is required. Both lamps emit UV light.

No Light Gel comes in a tube. It is a thick viscosity glue and requires an activator to cure. Activators are available in spray or brush on formulas. Most people are referring to UV or LED gels, not No Light gels, when they say “gels”.

Powder can be added to UV Gel or No Light gel for added strength. Powder is dipped or sprinkled into the gel before curing the gel in the UV light or using the activator. The powder used is a specially formulated powder for use with both types of gel, not the same acrylic polymer powder used in liquid and powder acrylic nails.

Fiberglass can also be used with UV, LED or No Light gels. The manicurist can imbed a strip, or cover the entire nail with, a fiberglass fabric before curing.

What is Gel Polish?

Gel Polish is a colored nail polish in a gel form that cures in a UV or LED lamp. Gel Polish comes in a bottle that resembles a regular polish bottle or, in the case of OPI Soak Off Gel, in a pot. OPI also has a newer formulated Gel Laquer that is in a bottle. Both are soak off gel polishs. Gel Polish is applied over the natural nail and is NOT an artificial nail enhancement. Gel Polish is soaked off with the manufacturer's remover or acetone before each service. It is generally not “filled”.

Here’s Where Things Can Get Tricky

A manicurist can apply a plastic tip to extend a nail or all nails with a Gel Polish overlay. The finished nail will NOT be as strong as a UV Gel nail that is meant to be worn as an enhancement, but it can be done as a temporary fix for a broken nail. Gel polish can also be “filled” to freshen it up. The manicurist can buff the surface of the gel polish to remove the shine, then apply an additional coat of the same color, a different color or just clear top coat. This should not be done more than one time as it makes the nails look very thick.

More tricks up the Gel sleeve are that there are “hard” gels and “soft” gels. All “hard” gels are UV Gel Artificial Nail Enhancements but not all UV Gel Artificial Nail Enhancements are “hard” gels. Another twist, all Gel Polish products are “soft” gels, but not all “soft” gels are Gel Polish. The terms “hard” and “soft” are not a reference to strength or durability. The terms are simple. “Hard” ( non-porous) gels do not soak off in acetone and “soft” ( porous ) gels do soak off in acetone. So you see how all Gel Polishes are “soft” gels? They soak off in acetone.

Now I’ll confuse you some more. There are UV cured, “hard” gel colors that do not soak off in acetone. These are used with “hard” gel artificial nail enhancements and are filed off at the time of a maintenance fill and should not be used on natural nails because they do not soak off with acetone.

An Acrylic Nail With a Gel Overlay is NOT a Gel Nail.

Any salon advertising that they do gel nails, but are actually doing an acrylic nail with a gel overlay are using dishonest business practices. Every layer of gel product that the manicurist applies to the nail must be of a gel consistency and must be cured in the UV lamp, LED lamp or, in the case of a no light gel, activator must be sprayed or brushed on over each layer of gel, or it is NOT a gel nail.

There are gel top coats that are formulated to be used over acrylic nails to give them that high gloss gel shine. This is a perfectly legitimate nail service as long as it is marketed as an acrylic nail with gel top coat service not marketed as gel nails. “Hard” and “soft” gel color can be applied over acrylic nails as well, but should be marketed as such. Salons who lie to clients about what services they are receiving really burn me up. Salons do usually charge more for acrylic nails with gel color or gel top coat, that is acceptable, even expected, false advertising is not.

The easiest way to determine if you are getting real gel nails is if the gel is in a jar or tube, the gel is odorless and you put your hand in a UV or LED lamp between every coat of gel, not just at the end with the last coat. If the manicurist dips an artist brush in a liquid and then into a powder, the product has a strong odor and air dries (no lamp used between layers) it is an acrylic nail.

One more thing to muddy the water. There is a UV cured acrylic by Star Nail Products. An artist brush is dipped in a liquid, then dipped in a powder and cured in a UV lamp. It is also odorless. It is still an acrylic nail product, not a gel.

In Summation;

Liquid + powder = acrylic
Gel consistency in a jar, bottle or tube + a UV or LED lamp = gel.

Trusted Marketing Services Trusted Regina Marketing Agency share 6 tips to get on 1st page of Google locally

26. Feb 2015 Trusted Regina Regina Computers & Web Design, Regina Legal & Professional Services, Regina marketing, TRUSTED TIPS

The Trusted Marketing Services team has skill sets & real-life experiences that other marketing agencies and social media management companies simply do not share. The Trusted Marketing Team are not nerds….they are entrepreneurs, networkers and marketers, so If you need affordable website solutions, Social media management or anything to do with advertising and marketing contact them today.

Trusted Marketing Services are your Trusted Regina Marketing Agency

6 tips to get on 1st page of Google locally:

“I want to be on the first page of Google”

This is now the most common response we get at Trusted when we ask people what they want for their marketing goals, and there seems to be confusion amongst local Saskatchewan business owners as to how this actually happens, so we thought we’d lay it out in layman’s terms.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine’s “natural” or un-paid (“organic”) search results.

To be on page 1 of Google for your category of business locally is a great goal, especially as recent stats tell us that over 80% of all click-throughs to websites on Google searches take place on the first page of Google. Not being there means you will miss out on leads, and that means those on the 1st page have a significant competitive advantage. Except how you get on that first page can be tricky, especially if you are in a very competitive category ( Real Estate, Auto Dealers, Mortgage Brokers for example). Here we outline the main points to consider.

1. You need a website – and it needs to be a good one!

Your website is a TOOL, and it should be out there working for your business 24/ 7. It’s not just about the ‘look’ of the site, it’s about how well it works overall for good SEO – you need to consider the navigation ( how easy is for your visitors to get around and find the important information), the keywords ( if you are a Plumber make sure it is on your website often), include the location ( if you are a Plumber in Regina say so ) , choose appropriate images and have good links ( social links, links to other sites that make sense and links to your site from other sites that make sense)

( contact us at Trusted Marketing Services if you want to discuss your website – or lack of.)

2. You need to have a blog

Content marketing is a phrase you may have heard bandied about; in reality it means writing new, quality, relevant content about your company and your category – ideally in a blog on your website on a regular basis – This just keeps your website up to date in the eyes of Google ( as Google determines who gets ranked where it’s important to impress her and do what she values)

(check out our Saskatchewan marketing blog here )

3. You need to be social

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Google + – pick whats best for your business and build an audience for your content- quality web traffic from your social media to your website is valued by Google and if you are spending all your efforts sending people to your Social media as the final destination you are WRONG – the social should be the tool to help your www. not the other way around! If you don’t take social media seriously and do it well you are really missing out on the chance to connect with your local audience and share your company personality & values.

4. Your overall marketing strategy

Assuming you DO have a strategy? Too many local businesses separate online and offline marketing and this is a big mistake, in today's world in many categories online is MORE important than offline, as consumers shop and make more buying decisions online than in person. Your website should be your best salesperson, it should reflect who you are & what you are doing at all times.

( if you are not sure about your marketing strategy contact us for a consultation )

5. Online local directories

Online local directories are important to Google (information is organized in a logical manner) and I predict they will become more so as more and more websites come online locally- Being listed on a good local online directory ( like www.trustedsaskatoon.com and www.trustedregina.com ) will help your Google rankings as it shows you are recognized locally in your category, also if the online directory is well ranked in your category you benefit from that – you can get on the first page of Google by being on their directory; along with the others in your category of course. ( Trusted Directories have many, many other advantages & benefits over your regular local online directories – contact us to find out more).

6. Google products

Google Adwords, Google Plus, YouTube etc..etc.. Buy them, use them – Google likes when you buy INTO their products.

A word of warning ..DO NOT put all your eggs into the Google Adwords basket to get on the 1st page of Google – this is not a smart long-term marketing decision. Google Adwords cost is going to keep rising as more people enter the auction and you can’t all be on the first page…make ORGANIC your priority ( we know customers prefer organic search results too)

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to allocate time and effort into doing the best job you can online. There is no QUICK fix, this is a race…and it’s not a sprint, it’s a never-ending marathon, and you need to keep running and adapting to the ever-changing conditions or you will fall behind and drop off your prospects and existing customers radars. Don’t be tempted into trying to cheat Google by paying companies to create splash pages, buy backlinks or by falsely boosting your social followers' numbers….. you didn’t become successful in business by cutting corners, it’s the same way online.

EXCELLENCE TAKES EFFORT

Contact us at Trustedmarketingservices.com today, we are your local and international award-winning Trusted Marketing Agency!

Robert MacKay Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer expert tip on Buying Farmland

17. Feb 2015 Trusted Regina Regina Lawyers, Regina Real Estate, TRUSTED TIPS

It’s an exciting time – the old house is sold, the new one is ready, and all that’s left is the move…..oh wait – not quite yet! There’s all that legal “stuff” to deal with now….signatures….titles to be given…and pages and pages of documents that need to be signed before the key is in your hand!!! And to top it all off – who really knows a good real estate lawyer?

MacKay & McLean provides the professional services of a large Regina law firm, with the intimate attention of a small firm. The legal process can be daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. MacKay & McLean is with you every step of the way.

MacKay & McLean are TRUSTED REGINA LAWYERS

Here Robert shares a tip on Buying Farmland:

Strong commodity prices, low interest rates and a positive growth outlook for agriculture tend to increase the demand for farm land by farmers and investors alike, both within the province and from without.

Be aware that The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act (Act) places restrictions on farm land ownership in Saskatchewan.

To own land one must be:

1. A Canadian citizen;
2. A Permanent resident of Canada; or,
3. A 100% Canadian-owned entity (corporation), partenership, syndicate, joint venture, co-operative or association) whose shares are not traded on the stock exchange, i.e. ownership interests are privately held.

Further, in addition to ownership the Act restricts leasing, having any other interest in farm land that would normally accrue to the owner of farm land. Violating or failing to comply with the Act can result in fines and divesture of ownership. However, there is an application process to apply for exemption. The Farm Land Security Board reviews these applications and will provide an exemption if it is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so.

For more detailed information go to http://www.farmland.gov.sk.ca/ or call the Farm Land Security Board at 306-787-5047.

Once you have committed to either buying or selling your property, simply tell your realtor and lender, as applicable, that Robert MacKay will be representing you and to forward the appropriate instructions to MacKay & McLean, attention "Robert MacKay".

Robert MacKay is your Trusted Regina Real Estate Lawyer

Trusted Regina Financial Expert from Worby Wealth Management tip on making wise financial choices

1. Dec 2014 Trusted Regina Regina Financial Services, TRUSTED TIPS

Finding the shortest and safest route to any of your dreams requires planning and only with a carefully thought out financial plan can you be sure to make the most of your resources and to protect against risks along the way. At Worby Wealth Management, Chris will do his best to help you achieve those dreams with a plan that is tailored to your specific needs and based on your individual situation.

Let Trusted Regina Financial Adisir Chris Worby of Worby Wealth Management help you live your dream!

Helping Clients Make Wise Financial Choices:

My Client Is Making a Terrible Financial Choice. What Do I Do?

When panic drives someone to make a self-destructive money decision, it's the financial adviser's job to protect the client from himself.

Suppose one of my clients has his heart set on using half of his retirement account to buy each of his grandchildren a new car. Or a client in a panic over falling markets wants to sell all her stocks and buy gold. What is my responsibility as their financial planner? How far should planners go to try to keep clients from making serious financial mistakes?

It’s important for planners to respect clients’ competence and ability to make their own life decisions. Client-centred planners also need to remember that the goal is to help clients get what they want, not what the planner might want or think the client should want. On the other hand, should a planner stand idly by and watch someone walk off what the planner perceives as the edge of a financial cliff?

Part of the answer to this dilemma stems from a planner’s legal obligation. Most advisers who sell financial products have no fiduciary duty and are not legally required to put their customers’ interests first. Fiduciary advisers, which include those who are fee-only, do have a legal obligation to act in their clients’ best interests.

What is the legal responsibility, then, of a fiduciary planner who believes clients are about to do themselves financial harm?

Let’s say I have a client who is about to do something that may be viewed by a court of law as “extreme” or “imprudent.” (An example would be putting all his money into one asset class like gold, cash, or penny stocks.) At the minimum, I would need to protect myself by carefully fulfilling my legal responsibilities. This would include making certain I emphasized to the client that, given the research and data available, his actions could hurt him financially. I also would want to be sure the client fully understood and took responsibility for his actions.

In terms of the broader aspect of what financial planners owe to their clients, meeting this legal obligation is not enough. In my view, fiduciary planners’ obligation to put clients’ interests first includes an ethical responsibility to do no harm. Sometimes this ethical and legal responsibility requires planners to give clients the information they may not want to hear.

As we focus on the clients’ goals and help them carry out their wishes, part of our role is to make sure they have all the information they need. This gives us a responsibility to educate ourselves so the advice we offer is as sound as we can make it. We also need to do whatever we can to help clients hear and understand that advice.

Clients who are hovering on the edge of a financial cliff are typically about to act out of strong emotions such as fear. They often can’t take in financial advice until they are able to move through that fear. It only makes things worse if financial advisers shame clients, bully them, or abandon them to their fears. The challenge for planners is to help clients reach a more rational place so they can gather additional information and make decisions that will serve them well.

With the right kind of support, clients are almost always able to get past the fear that is pushing them to make imprudent decisions. Providing such support by working with clients’ emotions and beliefs about money, perhaps with the help of a financial therapist or financial coach, is well within a financial planner’s ethical responsibility. Our role is not merely to do no harm. It is also to use all the tools we have to help clients act in their own best interests.

Check out his listing on the Regina Directory in the REGINA FINANCIAL SERVICES category. Chris is a Trusted REGINA FINANCIAL EXPERT

Some of the services that Worby Wealth Management can help you with:

TRUSTED REGINA FINANCIAL ADVISOR Chris Worby from Worby Wealth Management helps you live your dream!

Al Schick Construction Trusted Regina Contractor and Renovation Expert tip on Hiring a Professional Contractor

21. Nov 2014 Trusted Regina Regina Contractors, Regina Renovations & Design, TRUSTED TIPS

If it's time to finally finish that basement or the year you refresh that tired old bathroom, maybe your office could use a redesign and some upgrades. Whether you are planning a renovation to your home or office space, AL SCHICK CONSTRUCTION can help! They specialize in residential and commercial projects including interior and exterior renovations....from offices to old character and newly built homes. If you are planning a project or a renovation on a specific area of your home or business, look to the experts at AL SCHICK Construction to get the job done right! AL SCHICK CONSTRUCTION a TRUSTED REGINA CONTRACTOR and Renovation Expert

Here Al Tip on Hiring a Professional Contractor In Regina

Before you consider hiring a contractor to complete repairs, regular maintenance or home renovations, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish. Depending on the type of work want to be done, you may need to contact a contractor with specialized expertise. Ask lots of questions, research your options, and make sure all contractual obligations and payment terms are included in a signed contract. The following tips can help you when looking to hire a reputable professional.

Research your options and consider contacting your local renovation and/or home builder associations for a list of professional service providers.

Get quotes from more than one renovator or service provider. This will help you compare prices and levels of customer service; be sure to discuss your project expectations, timelines, costs and possible interruption factors.

Ask questions about the company and the work to be completed, including:

How long have you been in business?
What is your area of expertise?
Will you use your own staff for subcontractors to complete the work?
What permits are required for the project?
How much time will you spend supervising the site?
How do you manage health and safety concerns on the site?
What level of insurance coverage do you have?
Do a background check and consider contacting the following agencies before selecting a service provider:

Information Services Corporation Branch (306-787-2962) to make sure the business is registered as a legal entity in Sk.

Workersʼ Compensation Board (306-787-4370) to make sure the company carries workersʼ compensation coverage. Without coverage, you may be liable for injuries that occur while staff are completing work in your home;

Better Business Bureau (306-352-7601) to see if any complaints have been registered against the company;

Consumer Protection Branch (1-877-889-5550) to confirm your contractorʼs direct seller's license, if applicable. Licensed contractors are required to be bonded, which will provide you with some financial compensation in the event that problems arise during construction.

Ask about warrant options– warranty coverage differs from company to company, make sure you understand what type or warranty is included and what it covers.

Discuss payment options and get a cost break down of what is included in your estimate. Depending on whether your contractor offers a “fixed-price” or a “cost-plus” quote, different materials, labour and overhead will be included in the quoted price or charged in addition to the quoted price. Typical payment plans can require a 10 percent down payment and the rest in installments.
Get a contract – a detailed written contract between you and the service provider is essential to any renovation or home repair project. All details should be included in writing, including start/finish dates, warranties on work and/or materials and the total project costs and payment plans. Never hire a renovator or service provider that refuses to provide a written contract.

Ask for and check references of past customers that had similar projects done with the contractor over the last two years. When checking references, you may wish to ask for the following information:

If the project was completed on time;
If they were happy with the results;
If they were satisfied with the level of communication and customer service during and after the project was completed;
If there were any cost over-runs;
If employees left the site satisfactorily cleaned up after the home improvement project was finished.

Never hire a contractor that only accepts cash, offers unreasonable or extremely low prices compared to others, does not offer a written contract, and does not have an official address. These are warning signs of unethical business practices and can be an indication of future problems. Do not feel pressured to sign into a quick agreement – before making a decision, seek written quotes from at least two other contractors or service providers.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) have a simple checklist of steps that can help you choose the right contractor for any home remodelling project. You can view the checklist online by visiting www.cmhc.ca and searching “Renovation Checklist.” If your project is very large and involves thousands of dollars it may be wise to obtain a lawyer to help you with the contract.

AL SCHICK CONSTRUCTION a TRUSTED REGINA CONTRACTOR and Renovation Expert