Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Gel Art Design Book - Sneak Peak


It's Ready for Pre-Order! Gel Art Design Book

It's READY for Pre-Order!!! Gel Design Book by Viv Simmonds. 16 Designs showcasing Gel Designs using Akzentz Gel Play and 3D Gel Powder. Designs range from simple to more advanced.
Available for pre-order until Wednesday June 15th 2016 on our store http://vividnails.com.au/


Monday, May 30, 2016

VIVid Nails - My Book is nearly finished!!!

I am in the final editing stage of another small nail art book for Professionals based on all Gel Play designs.
The book contains 16 Designs that range from simple to more advanced.  
They cover hand painting and some 3D Gel Design.  I will post up Pre-Order details here when it is ready!



VIVID NAILS ACADEMY - SPECIAL OFFER!

Good morning!  we have released a 'Special Offer' for any registrations on our Gel Certification Course - a FREE Nail Art Kit valued at $100.

We cover all areas of Gel Applications from Gel Manicure & Pedicure, Gel Overlays using Soak Off & Hard Gel and Gel Sculptured Extensions using Soak Off (soft gel) and Hard Gel as well as Salon Nail Art. 
The course is very comprehensive and includes all nail & skin science, anatomy & physiology, product knowledge and all the practical components. 

The Classes are conducted one-on-one with an Akzentz ACE Educator closest to you.  We have Educators in Cairns, Canberra, Adelaide, Sydney & Melbourne.

You can start anytime and self pace through your course.  Therefore once the deposit is paid you can arrange a mutually agreed time with your Educator and get started as soon as your kits and Text Book arrive.  You can then take the time you need to complete your homework activities and assignments and when you are ready you can contact your Educator to arrange your next class.

To enroll, contact Viv Simmonds

AKZENTZ AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
c/- Pure Bronze & Beauty
44 Wingara Avenue, East Keilor 3033
03 9336 0688
viv@vividnails.com.au
www.vividnails.com.au



Sunday, May 29, 2016

PBB - Salon Nails

These nails are a natural nail overlay using Akzentz Proformance Enhance.  They are then painted with Akzentz Options Chai on the pinkies, forefingers & thumbs, Coral Essence and Coral Glitter on the middle finger and Gel Play Glitter Silver over 1 coat of Chai on the ring finger.


Nailpro Feature 2016



Saturday, May 28, 2016

Las Vegas - Here I come again!

So excited!  I am heading over to Las Vegas and visiting the IBS show!  It has been so long since I have seen my USA friends so I can't wait! 
I am especially looking forward to spending time with the Akzentz Team and doing demo's at their stand so - for my International friends - if I don't see you at the class or when I am browsing the show, please come visit me at the Akzentz stand!





VIVid Post

 NEW GEL PLAY COLORS BY AKZENTZ

So yesterday I had a real play with the new Akzentz Gel Play Colors and I have to say....OMG!!!  they are awesome!  I cant show you any pics of what I did as yet as this was a design for my Gel Play book - nearly finished - 1 more design to go! 
The 2 glitters are very similar to Ice but softer colors and the texture is so much smoother and silkier!
applying them is a dream for full coverage and blending them - brilliant!  The other colors are so vibrant and pigmented!  The white has a violet undertone so the result is a bright solid white in application.  Flame Red is a cross between a red & orange with almost a fluro effect - very bright! The Sun Yellow is more pale that the Gel Play Yellow but bright and the Lime Green is brilliant for leaves or floral designs.  I have to say, Gel Plays are my absolute favorites from Akzentz as I can do my designs but when painting full coverage color for clients at PBB it is faultless!  Applies evenly every time, smooth and so pigmented the color is always true and vibrant.

They are available on our store in 4gm pots - the intro Mini's sold out yesterday!  www.vividnails.com.au
Left to Right...  Icy Violet, Snow Blue, Sun Yellow, Flame Red, Lime Green, Titanium White

PBB Post - IPL Hair Removal

So this I had to share.  We introduced IPL Hair Removal into our salon in the past year and I have been amazed by the results we are getting.  I will post up some testimonials soon from our clients.

However, today I am going to share my testimonial - so to speak ;)  For most of my adult life I have been waxing my arms.  I hated every time I did this as I did not like the discomfort of waxing, the sticky feeling after but I did LOVE have smooth arms for a week or so!  And that was it - 1 week to 2 at the most before I had regrowth coming through.  Being that I had and have always had dry skin, my skin would become bumpy and rough and that I did not like!
So over the years I went to many salons and asked about having IPL or Laser on my arms.  I received the same response each time 'your skin is too dark and your hair is too light - it won't work'.  This bugged me to no end as I was desperate for a solution.
When seeking out the best machine to introduce into the salon I found my answer!  The machine I purchased has a hand-piece to treat blond and red hair.  It also has the setting to treat darker skin types!!!  A WINNER!
So, 5 weeks ago I shaved my arms and Jess performed IPL on my arms.  The treatment was completely painless - not even any discomfort at all, so this in itself was brilliant as waxing always hurt me.  Over the next few days following my treatment I was waiting for the short spikes to start coming through as I had shaved my arms prior to the IPL Treatment.  Nothing....waiting....nothing!

So in conclusion to this testimonial, I am about to have my 2nd Treatment today.  Prior to shaving again I did have some regrowth which was soft but more importantly, you could barely see them.  I estimate I lost at least 50% of my hair growth from the one treatment which for me was the best thing ever!!!!  I had to start my treatments as soon as the summer (short sleeve and singlet wearing) season had finished so that I would not be exposing my arms to the sun.  Therefore by next summer coming, I will have completed my treatments and be HAIR FREE!  I am also treating my legs, bikini & underarms and all with the same brilliant results!  I just had to share my arm story as this has been an incredible result for me after wanting this for so long!

Below is a pic of a male client that is very dark skinned that I treated and the results after 1 treatment, 8 weeks later!

For anyone intersted in IPL, we have a deal going for the cooler months - 15% off any treatment! (Valid until September 1st - excluding Facial Treatments).  
We also offer package deals and payment plans.
Prior to 1st Treatment
8 weeks after 1st Treatment!



Friday, May 27, 2016

Hi again to all new people visiting me!

I have so much to share so keep an eye out here for regular updates on everything - from VIVid Nails, Akzentz Gel, Nail Training and information about treatments and services we perform in my salon - Pure Bronze & Beauty.

I look forward to sharing with you all!
PS. Feel free to ask me any questions. 

Viv
xx

Gel Certification Course

We are now offering a Akzentz Gel Certification Course.  Our courses are conducted by my highly trained and skilled Award Winning Education Team situated in various states across Australia.  The training is conducted one-on-one giving the student the maximum benefits in learning.

Our Akzentz Professional Gel Certification Course will cover everything you need to know about Gel Applications & Techniques.

Course Content:
* Unit 1 - Gel Manicure & Pedicure (Using Luxio & Options Gels)
* Unit 2 - Gel Natural Nail Overlays and Enhancements (using Options & Proformance Gels)
* Unit 3 - Salon Nail Art (using all Akzentz Gels)

You will receive training by one of our highly skilled and advanced trained Akzentz ACE Educators over 6, 3 hour classes.  You will be provided homework/practice assignments that you will need to complete before you commence your next class.
A Professional Akzentz Gel Kit will be provided valued at $680 as well as hand outs and your curriculum.

Upon completion of this course you will receive 4 certificates, Akzentz Luxio, Options & Proformance
Certificates and a certificate from VIVid Nails


Students can commence at any time, they just need to coordinate a mutually agreeable day and time with their educator.
For further information, contact me via the contact details listed on the sidebar of my blog.


Akzentz Rustic Flower


Akzentz Gel Play Ombre


Akzentz Cobalt Blue Design


Akzentz Pink Inspiration


Designer Acrylic Stiletto


Designer Stiletto using Akzentz Gel


French with a Twist


French Stiletto with Flowers


I'm Back!


Hi Everyone!  So I am back!  been a number of years since I have blogged!  I am now currently the Director of VIVid Nails which is the exclusive importer of Akzentz Professional Gel Products for Australia & New Zealand and in conjunction with that I have a Nail Training Academy where we provide training in all areas of Nail Technology & Design from Novice to Advanced.  I am also the proud Owner/Director of Pure Bronze & Beauty, a Tanning & Full Service Beauty Salon.

Being that my work has 3 different components - Salon work, Importing Nail Products and Distribution and Training, it is a mission to cover all 3 specialties with different websites, facebook pages, instagram accounts - to name a few.  So!  this is a way (by blogging) for me to share it all in the one place!

I hope you enjoy my posts and I look forward to sharing my experiences and updates on the life of a Salon Owner, Importer & Trainer in the Nail & Beauty Industry!

I will be catching up on quite a few years so I will be posting up a number of things over the next week or so!  Hope you enjoy!
xxx
Viv Simmonds.

Nail Olympics - London UK

NAILED IT
Nail competitors convene at Olympia
For the 5th annual Nailympics London event
The Nailympics London 2009 hosted by Olympia Beauty enjoyed 23 nations in 180 competition seats this autumn.
For the first time Cyprus, China, France and Australia were represented widening its already massive global presence.
2009 saw the first Team Trophy awarded. There were six teams in all – Team ONS Finland, Rome Nail Academy, Victory Company Russia, Team Hungary, Nails & Beauty Italy and Comp Team Sweden. The clear winner was Nails & Beauty Italy accruing 1116.5 points over the event.
A more unusual mix of nations with Europe seeing more competitors than ever before meant that winners were seen from regions that have not enjoyed so much success before. Sweden, Hungary, Russia, Italy, Finland, Holland, Switzerland, Latvia, the UK, France, Cyprus and Belgium all triumphed with Australia and Japan also taking home medals.
The hand-picked international judging panel was an exquisite mix of expertise from the USA, Holland, Italy, Sweden, the UK and Switzerland, while the MC for the awards was a real treat. Co-founder of the original Nailympics competition in the USA, David Daniel, stepped up to the microphone to congratulate each winner while inspiring with his message of the importance of nail competitions and the power of professionalism in the nail industry.
While the world struggles inside a global recession, the nail world was alight and on fire this autumn. In 2008 the Nailympics London had one sponsor, Scratch magazine. The 2009 event was given whole-hearted support from five nail companies: LCN UK (Beauty Concepts Int), Entity UK (The Beauty Partnership), Akyado Switzerland, Essie UK (Perfect Nails), Nubar UK (Palms Extra) as well as Scratch and Gloss magazines.
“This event is firmly embossed on the global nail industry calendar. Every year I am overjoyed to see new faces from new nations and delighted to see people returning to compete, showing the power of its growth and its reputation,” enthuses organiser, Alex Fox.
“To find such strong sponsor support during difficult times as well as techs themselves travelling far and wide to be a part of the event is incredibly exciting for the Nailympics team that has worked on this fantastic industry experience for five years.
“Long may this competition reign as a benchmark of skill, auditor of talent and arbiter of professionalism. The Nailympics London brings a wealth of nail professionals together for a weekend like no other; dexterity, flair, creativity and expertise are just four reasons why this event is so magnificent.”

THE RESULTS

The Nailympics London 2009

Nail Sculpture
Division 1
1st – Jessica Strom - Sweden
2nd – Alessandra Pace - Italy
3rd – Roberts Giannetti - Italy

Division 2
1st – Natalia Penkova - Russia
2nd – Gabriella Nagyne Kovacs - Hungary
3rd – Olga Trubchaninova - Russia

Division 3
1st - Karin Strom - Sweden
2nd – Hanna Sokajarvi - Finland
3rd – Linda Luybregts - Holland

Gel Tip & Overlay
Division 1
1st – Alessandra Pace - Italy
2nd – Jessica Strom - Sweden
3rd - Gundega Mosane - Latvia

Division 2
1st – Gabriella Nagyne Kovacs – Hungary
2nd – Mariam Perez - Switzerland
3rd – Daniela Cervino - Italy

Division 3
1st - Karin Strom - Sweden
2nd – Cindy Andersson - Sweden
3rd – Hanna Sokajarvi - Finland

Acrylic Tip & Overlay
Division 1
1st – Jessica Strom - Sweden
2nd – Roberta Giannetti - Italy
3rd – Alessandra Pace - Italy

Division 2
1st – Wendy Vink - Holland
2nd – Olga Trubchaninova - Russia
3rd – Gabriella Nagyne Kovacs - Hungary

Division 3
1st – Linda Luybregts - Holland
2nd – Cindy Andersson - Sweden
3rd – Karin Strom - Sweden

Wrap Tip & Overlay
Division 1
1st – Jessica Strom – Sweden
2nd – Keeley Dennyschene- UK
3rd - Gabriella Diamanti - Italy

Division 2
1st – Alessandra Pellegrini - Italy

Division 3
1st – Linda Luybregts - Holland
2nd – Paivi Kurman - Finland
3rd – Karin Strom - Sweden

Fantasy
Division 1
1st – Marta Maslo-Skorny - France
2nd – Veronica Gavrielle- Cyprus
3rd – Roberta Giannetti - Italy

Division 2
1st – Zhanna Zhadikova - Russia
2nd – Ilse Vos- Belgium
3rd - Jolanda Oeteler - Holland

Division 3
1st – Viv Simmonds - Australia
2nd – Claudia Valli - Switzerland
3rd – Oksana Bobrova - Russia

Mixed Media
Division 1
1st – Kanami Arashiro - Japan
2nd – Mika Inamura - Japan
3rd – Keiko Venner - Japan

Division 2
1st – Elmira Yakupova - Russia
2nd – Barbara Ujvari - Hungary
3rd – Elmira Yakupova - Russia

Division 3
1st – Kirsty Meakin - UK
2nd – Kirsty Meakin - UK
3rd – Oksana Bobrova - Russia

TOP UK/Irish Tech 2009

Division 1 – Ann Marie Robertson

Division 2 – Erin Adeyemo

Division 3 – Kirsty Meakin


Winner of Winners 2009

Division 1 – Roberta Giannetti - Italy

Division 2 – Gabriella Nagyne Kovacs - Hungary

Division 3 – Claudia Valli – Switzerland

Team Trophy 2009
Nails & Beauty Italy