What are Nail Lamps?

As any manicure fanatic knows, nail lamps are used to cure or set nail polish after it has been applied. Nail lamps are crucial to have complete and lasting manicures.

There are two main nail lamp varieties: LED nail lamps and UV nail lamps. While both types work effectively to set nail polish and finish off a gorgeous manicure, there are very important differences to know.

LED Nail Lamps

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, which this type of nail lamp uses to set polish. LED bulbs are considered an energy-efficient alternative to traditional bulbs and are used for all sorts of lighting needs. From the lighting in your living room to nail lamps, LED bulbs are being put to use more frequently in today’s world.

UV Nail Lamps

UV nail lamps have been used to cure nail polish in nail salons for years and are the traditional nail lamp option. UV light is also called ultraviolet light; UV bulbs emit ultraviolet rays to cure nail polish. If you’ve been getting manicures for decades, you may be the most familiar with UV nail lamps, given that they are the traditional option and the switch to LED nail lamps is a relatively new phenomenon.

LED nail lamps haven’t been around for as long as UV nail lamps, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less effective. We’ll delve deeper into the differences between these types of nail lamps below.

Differences Between LED and UV Nail Lamps

Safety

When it comes to the health of your skin, the type of light emitted by a nail lamp can make more of an impact than you may think.

Exposure to ultraviolet light for extended periods of time can be dangerous for your skin and even presents a potential cancer risk. UV nail lamps require your hands to be exposed to ultraviolet light in order to cure the polish. However, LED nail lamps emit only a small amount of UV rays, if any at all, and cure polish at a much faster rate.

LED nail lamps present less of a risk for skin damage than UV nail lamps, which is one major reason why UV lamps are falling out of favor in progressive nail salons.

Curing Time

The efficiency of a nail lamp depends on the amount of time it takes to cure polish. While UV nail lamps require a minimum of a minute to cure traditional polish, LED lamps take only a few seconds to achieve the same result. They say that time is money, and that saying rings true when it comes to the time it takes for a gel manicure to dry. Faster curing times mean that nail salons can accommodate more customers and complete manicures in less time. Quicker manicures also make for greater comfort and convenience for their clientele.

Bulb Life

Especially for salon owners who are responsible for maintaining nail lamps, bulb life is a factor to pay close attention to. A shorter bulb life means that more time, money, and energy will need to be spent maintaining the lamp.

UV nail lamps have a lifespan of about five months, meaning that this type of lamp will need bulb replacement multiple times per year. LED nail lamps, however, last through about five years of consistent use before needing a replacement. As far as convenience goes, LED nail lamps are preferable, as you’ll have to keep a large stock of back-up bulbs for the upkeep of a UV lamp.

Although LED bulbs are pricier than the UV alternatives, their lifespan is so long that you’ll rarely need to worry about replacements. But, do be sure to keep an eye on your LED bulbs; you never want to use bulbs that have reached their use limit to cure polish.

Best Gel Nail Polishes

A nail lamp is a necessary component of any stunning manicure, just like a great brand of gel nail polish! Here are our favorite gel nail polish brands that you can check out today.

Base Coats

•     OPI Lacquer Top Coat
•     Creative Nail Design Shellac
•     Aimeili Base Coat
•     Lagunamoon Gel Nail Polish Base Coat

Colors

•   Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Enamel
•   Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish
•   CND Shellac
•   Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer

Top Coats

•     Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat
•     OPI GelColor Top Coat
•     Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat
•     Formula X Shine Strength Strengthening Top Coat

Wrapping Things Up

Whether you’re a salon owner or simply someone who keeps up with her manicures, the type of nail lamp that you use is important. Considering safety, speed, and bulb life, it’s clear to see why UV nail lamps are falling out of fashion in most modern salons. LED nail lamps are gentler on the skin, cure polish faster, and can work longer without needing a bulb replacement. It’s time for nail salons to embrace the modern trend of fast, efficient, and convenient LED nail lamps!

Sources:

Harvard Health Publishing – “Safety of LED Nail Lamps”

UV Hero – “UV vs LED Nail Lamp – What’s the Difference?”

The post LED vs UV Nail Lamps appeared first on Product Playoffs.

1. Brush your teeth every day!

This is extremely obvious, however, it is so important to brush your teeth at a minimum of once a day. If you must brush your teeth only once a day, the best time to do it is at night before you go to bed. Do not eat anything after you brush your teeth at night as allowing food to stay in your teeth at night can create plaque build up.

2. Use toothpaste

It is surprising that a large amount of people do not use toothpaste when they brush. Toothpaste isn’t needed for simply removing food build up on the teeth, but it is extremely important for your enamel. Make sure to use toothpaste that utilizes fluoride, as this can help strengthen tooth enamel and also helps to fight cavities, bacteria from food, and gum disease.

3. Floss every day!

Another to-do you hear every time you go to the dentist. Yet so many people ignore this key step to keeping teeth clean and white! Flossing doesn’t just get clear food that is wedged between two teeth, it actually helps to clean the roots of your teeth where they meet the gums. It can help prevent gingivitis, which in turn helps to keep your breath smelling better, and your teeth healthier. Extreme cases of gingivitis can lead to teeth actually falling out!

4. Use mouthwash

Mouthwash is just another way to ensure overall healthiness and cleanliness of your mouth. It helps to fight bacteria in the mouth as well as bad breath germs. Some mouthwashes are purely for cleaning, some are purely for whitening, and some provide cleaning and whitening. For purposes of keeping your mouth and teeth healthy, make sure to use mouthwash that cleans and not just whitens. It is a great supplement to brushing and flossing, but should not be used as a substitute for brushing or flossing.

5. Rinse your mouth after eating acidic foods

After you eat acidic foods or drinks (many fruits and sodas can be very acidic), never brush your teeth immediately after. The acidity of the foods can make your enamel vulnerable, and brushing aggressively can cause deterioration of your teeth’s enamel. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds. Then after waiting at least 30 minutes from when you ate acidic foods, you can typically brush your teeth with no harm to your teeth. If you decide not to brush your teeth, at least the rinsing of your mouth with water can significantly reduce the adverse effects of acid on your teeth.

6. Don’t eat too much sugar

In general, a high sugar intake diet isn’t good for overall health. Teeth are no exception to this. The reason that sugar is bad for teeth is that the plaque and bacteria that are in your mouth and on your teeth actually feed on the sugars. This can cause the plaque and bacteria to worsen and spread. Try to keep extremely sugary foods to a minimum, and if you must indulge yourself, just like acidic foods, it is important to rinse your mouth immediately afterwards with water.

Armed with these helpful and easy teeth cleaning tips, you can improve the health of your teeth and create a improved, more confident smile!

The post 6 Teeth Cleaning Tips For a Healthy Smile appeared first on Product Playoffs.

1. Drink Water

Drinking water flushes out impurities from your system. When you’re dehydrated, you tend to hold onto excess fluid and your face looks puffier. Aim for 8-10 glasses a day. If this is daunting, keep a water bottle filled at all times. Not into water? Jazz it up with some fresh fruits, herbs, or vegetables. Cucumber, apple, mint, strawberries, and kiwi are all great additions! Experiment until you find a combination that makes you excited to drink water.

2. Take Off Your Makeup Every Night

This is one of the oldest tips out there, but it’s also one of the least followed. When you leave your makeup on overnight, it not only sits on your skin but it gets rubbed into your skin every time you toss and turn. Even if you’re exhausted, make it a habit to use a makeup removing wipe.

Tip: Start your bedtime routine earlier so you have a few extra minutes to devote to skin-care.

3. Splurge on Foundation

You can get by with a lot of drugstore makeup purchases, but if you use foundation, that should be your one splurge. You don’t have to go top of the line, but choosing a foundation that’s a little pricier can eliminate a lot of acne-causing chemicals.

4. Don’t Pick at Your Face

Picking at your acne is SO tempting, but it leads to scarring and can actually make existing acne spread. If you absolutely must pop a pimple, wait until the head of it is white and use a tool called a pimple comedone extractor. A comedone extractor is a small loop-shaped tool that gently eradicates acne. You can usually find this tool at a drugstore.

5. Think Green

Add green foods to your diet for skin that glows. Cucumbers, spinach, and leafy greens are all a good source of naturally occurring antioxidants that help your skin to look its best. Remember, you are what you eat, so do your best to eat foods that nourish your body. Food is the best medicine!

6. Clean Anything that Touches Your Face

Make it a habit to regularly wash your makeup brushes and beauty blenders. Ideally, you should be washing your brushes once a week to remove toxins. If you have a beauty blender, you can sanitize it by dropping it in a pot of boiling water for a couple minutes. If you’re going to touch your face, wash your hands first. Don’t forget to sanitize your cell phone too! Keep antibacterial wipes on hand so you can quickly wipe away germs.

7.  Get Enough Sleep

When you sleep your body renews itself. This includes your skin cells! When you’re not getting the sleep you need, your skin cells don’t renew or “turn over”. This makes your skin look dull and tired. It also exaggerates under-eye bags. Every person is different, but 7 hours of sleep seems to be the sweet spot for most of us.

8. Be Gentle When Exfoliating

Many exfoliating products on the market are too harsh for your skin or they contain tiny beads that are bad for the environment. Products containing large fragments tend to scratch your skin rather than gently remove dead cells. Look for products containing very fine exfoliants or look into making your own exfoliator using household remedies.

9. Keep a Skin Care Routine

Having a good skin care routine will keep your skin looking its best. Here’s an example of what your skin routine might look like. After you wake up, wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Apply toner and a moisturizer with SPF. Before bed, take off your makeup, wash your face again and apply a heavier night cream. Once a week, use a facemask that targets your skin’s specific issues and exfoliate a couple times a week. A skin care routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective!

10. Always Wear Sunscreen

You should always wear a product with SPF, even if it’s not sunny outside. Look for broad-spectrum SPF, which protects your skin best. Products with SPF are easy to find. There are moisturizers, sunscreens, sunscreen sticks, and even foundations that contain high levels of SPF. Look for an SPF level of at least 30. Sunscreen can help with anti-aging and preventing premature wrinkles.

11. Be Gentle With Your Skin

When washing your face, do your best not to tug on your skin. This leads to premature wrinkles and other skin issues. When applying moisturizer, use your ring finger for the least amount of pressure. Always wash your face in small circles and don’t scrub too hard! It’s always better to be slow and gentle than fast and harsh.

12. Get an Expert’s Opinion

Everyone’s skin is different and it can be hard to know exactly what your skin needs. This is where an expert’s opinion comes in handy. A skincare consultant will be able to tell you what type of skin you have, what you need to be doing to eliminate acne or other skin concerns, and even recommend stellar products that you haven’t considered using. You can see a local dermatology clinic, but many times you can find a skincare consultant at your choice of beauty store.

13. De-stress Regularly

Stress is one of the worst things for your skin because it causes your cortisol levels to rise. This leads to increased oil, clogged pores, and cystic acne. Cortisol is bad for your skin because it reduces your body’s ability to fight off acne. Make it a habit to incorporate some stress-reducing activities in your life. Bubble baths, meditation, reading, yoga, and even a nap are all known to reduce stress. You can even visit an aesthetician for a relaxing facial. If you find your life to be overwhelming, it might be time to think about making some positive life changes.

Our skin advice is a great starting point to help you get the skin you’ve been longing for. They’re simple, yet effective! Remember to consult with a dermatologist if your skin has been out of control for 6 months or more. They may be the best solution for you. Which tip are you going to try first?

The post 13 Skin Care Tips For Your BEST Skin Ever! appeared first on Product Playoffs.

1. Prep Your Hands

Your nails will look better if you take care of your hands. Regularly moisturize and exfoliate for soft, smooth skin. Also, using a hand scrub soap will help prep your hands for any manicure.

2. Splurge on Nail Polish

Invest in a higher-quality nail polish. This not only looks better and improves the beauty of your hands, but it also lasts longer. You’ll experience less chipping and your polish is less likely to go rancid in the bottle. Bonus: High-quality brands are usually the first to have on-trend colors.

OPI Nail Polish

With high-quality formulas, fashion-forward nail polish colors, and iconic names, OPI’s heavily-pigmented Nail Lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – with up to seven days of wear time.

$11.49

Shop on Amazon

3. Thoroughly Remove Old Polish

Make sure your nail beds are free of any old nail polish. Even if you’re not changing your nails color, polishing a clean nail bed makes your nails look more even.

ZOYA Remove Plus

• ZOYA REMOVE (Polish Remover - Nail Cleaner - Nail Prep) 8oz Body Care / Beauty Care / Bodycare / BeautyCare

$12.00

Shop on Amazon

4. Choose a Shape that Fits Your Lifestyle

One of the biggest mistakes girls make when doing their own manicures is to choose a shape that doesn’t work for them. Example: You’re obsessed with super-long nails, but they make it impossible for you to perform your job duties. Choose a nail shape that you can live in!

5. Don’t be Afraid to Go Fake

If your nails are weak or break easily, there’s always the option of acrylic nails. There are a lot of user-friendly kits out there that will help you get the nails of your dreams. If you’d like to have fun customizing your nails, there are even “bare” nails.

6. Apply Sparingly

You want to apply thin layers of nail polish as opposed to thick ones. Thin layers dry quicker and stay on longer. Three thin coats will dry faster than one or two layers glopped on.

7. Moisturize

Moisturize your hands and cuticles for a long-lasting manicure. Moisturizing your cuticles helps prevent annoying hangnails!

8. Choose the Right Brush

When choosing a nail polish, take a look at the size of the brush. You want a brush that’s about half the size of your nail. Too big of a brush will make it difficult to apply nail polish and too small of a brush will make your drying time uneven.

9. Apply Glitter the Right Way

When applying a glittery topcoat, use a piece of a cut up sponge to gently dab the glitter in place. Doing it this way will give you a lot more glitter!

10. Protect Your Nail Polish

Use a top coat to make your nail polish last longer! A top coat protects your nails from chips and fading. It can make a manicure last twice as long.

OPI Nail Lacquer Top Coat

• SEALS IN THE COLOR to prevent scratches and chipping Awards: Sunday Times Style Beauty Awards 2015
• For a BEAUTFIUL SHINNING FINISH to your OPI manicure apply one coat of nail polish Top Coat, pulling it over the tips of the nails
• Use NAIL POLISH TOP COAT as the final step in a manicure service to seal in color and extend wear

$11.49

Shop on Amazon

11. Give Your Polish a Good Foundation

A good base coat gives your nail polish a great foundation. You can buy formulas to help strengthen your nails, making your nails grow and more!

12. Educate Yourself

Get to know the chemicals that are in your usual bottle of nail polish. There are many brands out there that carry nail polish that are free of the harshest chemicals.

13. Don’t Cut Your Cuticles

Cutting your cuticles only causes them to grow back faster and leads to tearing. Only cut your cuticles if you absolutely have to, like in the case of a hangnail.

14. Invest in a Good Manicure Kit

Investing in a good manicure kit gives you all the tools you need to get your nails looking gorgeous. Hint: Look for a kit with a metal file, cuticle pusher, nail buffer, and tweezers.

Sale

11 in 1 Stainless Steel Manicure Set with Box

• Multipurpose Grooming Kit & Luxury Manicure Set: FAMILIFE is a brand that has specialized in many kinds of beauty tools for many years, this manicure set is 11 in 1, multifunction professional pedicure set meets everything you need, include hand care, facial care, and foot care. The best Christmas gifts and Thanksgiving gifts!
• Professional Manicure Kits-YOU CAN’T FIND ANY SIMILAR PRODUCT LIKE US IN MARKET. Do you want to give a unique and excellent quality gift to give a surprise for your family and friends? Not only our quality, but also its design is also distinctive from others, this manicure pedicure set is made of 100% heavy-duty stainless steel, never rusts, and it comes with a magnificent gift box package, looks rich and royal, so it's the best gift for birthday, anniversary, marriage
• Content: 11 pcs of manicure pedicure set, including 1x Fingernail Clippers, 1x Toenail Clippers, 1x Cuticle Nippers, 1x Ingrown Toenail Clippers, 1x Cuticle Trimmer, 1x Cuticle & Nail Polish Pusher, 1x Tweezers, 1x Scissor, 1x Nail File, 1x Ear Pick, 1x V-Shaped Cuticle Trimmer

$28.99

Shop on Amazon

15. Sanitize Your Tools

The number one way to get a nail infection is to use germ-laden tools! Make sure you’re cleaning your nail tools when you’re done. To clean, simply use soap and water to wipe off any debris. Also, use rubbing alcohol with a cotton ball to disinfect the tools.

16. Soak Your Hands First

Soak your hands before you start your manicure. This makes it easier to push your cuticles back and it softens your nails so filing is a breeze. Use warm water and soak for about five minutes, then pat dry.

17. When Done, Store Your Nail Polish the Right Way

Keep your nail polish bottles away from the sun! Sunlight alters the colors and can make the formula separate. Some experts swear by putting their nail polish in the fridge, but a dark, cool cupboard should be good enough.

18. To Make a Manicure Last, Wear Gloves

Purchase a cute pair of gloves to wear while doing dishes or any other heavy duty cleaning. This will make your manicure last twice as long! Hot water is nail polish’s number one enemy.

19. Take a Lesson From the Pros

Manicurists have a specific way that they apply nail polish. They don’t use a lot of strokes to apply the polish. They only use three strokes; one in the center, and one on either side of the nail. They start in the center of the nail, placing a drop of polish a couple of centimeters above the cuticle. They use that one drop for the entire nail. Next time you go to get your nails done, watch closely!

20. Use a Toothpick

Toothpicks come in handy when you’re doing the hard work of attaching nail jewels. Use the toothpick to put a tiny dab of glue on your nail and while the toothpick is still wet, pick up the jewel and attach it to your nail.

21. Limit Messes with Glue

Painting some glue on the skin outside of your nail can prevent a lot of mess, especially if you’re using a stamp design! Simply paint some glue on the skin, paint your nails, and peel when done. Easy!

22. Fix Smudges the Easy Way

If your freshly painted nails get smudged, dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and lightly roll it over the smudge. Fixing the smudge this way means you only have to repaint a small portion of your nail as opposed to the whole thing.

23. Maintain

Remember to maintain your manicure. Every other day, reapply your top coat and touch up any chips.

24. Choose the Right Red or Nude

Different tones of a nail polish shade can either flatter or ruin your skin tone. Do your research to find what red or nude works for you!

25. Dry Nails in a Hurry

Need to run? Harden the polish on your nails by dipping them in a bowl of ice water for 45-60 seconds. Just be sure your nails don’t touch the bowl’s sides or bottom.

There you have it, 25 different tips to up your nail painting game. How do you paint your nails?

The post How to Paint Your Nails: 25 Tips to Paint Nails like a Pro appeared first on Product Playoffs.