When I moved to America in the early 90s, I was like a kid in a sweet shop! $12 for a manicure and $15 for a pedicure? Sign me up every Thursday please!! Even today, prices haven’t really changed, you can still get the same amazing deal, but then let’s face it – you get what you pay for, and I really paid for it. Here’s how it went down:

About nine years ago I went to my same local nail shop, got my same $25 mani pedi deal, same charcoal grey that I love on my toes – paid, tipped well and left. (Let met also say that I thought it was normal during and after a service, par for the course, for my skin to bleed and for nail techs to cut my cuticles off and dig around inside my nail beds for nonexistent gold!!) So let’s cut to two weeks after that, after my toes began to feel swollen and my feet started to feel as though a herd of buffalo had done a River Dance on them. I decided to take my polish off myself and take a look at what was going on. Problem was, the polish wasn’t coming off of my two big toe nails, and that’s when I realized my nails were black – the fungus was most definitely among-us! PANIC!!!!

It took several rounds of antibiotics and several warnings from a very expensive podiatrist in Beverly Hills, to be told my tech had cut my skin so much, dug around so badly and probably used dirty instruments on me, enough to give me a very bad bacterial infection and a fungus that after nine years will still not BLOODY go away!!! I swore up and down that I would never get a manicure/pedicure again and on my doctor’s advice, for a long time, I did my own services in the comfort of my home.

When I opened Queen Bee some time ago, I didn’t even consider having a nail department, because “WHY?”. After enduring what I had why would I put my clients through the same deal? I just assumed all nail techs had the same technique. That was until I met Connie Flagg – who at the time was one of the lead manicurists at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills where you can expect to pay upwards of $80 for a great mani and upwards of $100 for a pedi. After entrusting Connie with my horrid hands and Hobbit-looking feet, I decided we had to lure her away from the hotel and make her part of the Queen Bee team. Thank God she was completely mental enough to leave and come on full time!!! I sat down with her last week and asked some nosy questions.

Here are her responses:

1. We know that a lot of nail shops are referred to as “Chop Shops”. My understanding is that these shops are convenient, cheap and less hassle than making appointments at the more expensive nail salons. If people simply have to go this route, what should they look for in a good service? Also, what are the danger signs that they are getting a bad service? For example, should it hurt that much to get my nails cut and why do I come out bleeding sometimes?

Convenience in a nail salon is a great perk but because California has hundreds of nail salons there is definitely lots of room for error.  I think a clean environment is key from every standpoint – especially when it comes to your manicurist tools and equipment. Germs can be transferred so quickly with dirty implements and equipment. Ask questions, find out the how much experience your manicurist has. Be informed.

2. What is the secret to making a regular polish last? And how long should it last?

Start with a clean, dry, nail and use a polish that is in good condition. We also factor in what kind of lifestyle a client has. Polish isn’t indestructible and wearability varies from hand to hand.  I enjoy the challenge of creating the right individual combination of techniques to give a client the longest wear on a manicure.

 3. What are your thoughts on the latest Gel and Shellac craze?

I’m amazed at the advancements in the nail industry over the last few years. I love that there are improved options. All of these advancements require updating my industry knowledge and education. I can say this… as with any and all of the artificial nail enhancements out there, do your research! Seek a true professional, and follow your professional’s advice on the at-home care and upkeep of these services. I’m a fan of “less is more” so using Shellac or Gels or any of these services for special occasions can be a great alternative. I’ve made it a point to understand my clients’ individual needs and habits so I can know what services to direct them to.

 4. Do you think a lot of nail techs could use further education when they leave school?

Of course! Education comes in various forms: classes, tapping the knowledge of other professionals, publications, and my personal favorite…going into a local salon/spa and booking a service. It keeps me up on who and what is going on in the industry. I couldn’t imagine not being in the heartbeat of things.

So what really constitutes a great manicure/pedicure? For me, it’s peace of mind knowing that my nail tech is smart, clean, at the top of her game, and a true artist. It’s knowing that even if I don’t leave with the latest color on my nails, I still can feel comfortable going out in public. Manicure/pedicures are a treatment and it is very important to know that you are getting what you pay for. I will always invest in the latest and greatest products at Queen Bee – using only vegan, cruelty free and as chemical-free-as-you-can-get products such as SpaRitual and Butter of London. You get what you pay for, and again, I can attest that I really did.

»» View the magazine clipping here

Right about now, I’m going to get down and dirty with some information I have gathered from years and studying the skin and hair – down there.  If you have questions or comments we can discuss them here, or you know where to find me!

1.    Ingrown Hairs (also refer to QB website)

Causes:

• Sweat
• Friction
• Oily Skin
• Shaving
• A Bad Wax
• Lack of Exfoliation
• Certain forms of exercise
• Crossing Legs
• Tight Clothing
• Coarse Curly Hair
• Thicker Skin
• Picking

How to avoid them:

• Exfoliate daily.          
• Don’t cross your legs so much.         
• If you sit all day, make sure your posture is “Emily straight as a Post”. Those of us with tummys see ingrowns and irritation on the top of our bikini lines, from sweat and irritation of skin that cannot breathe. I see this commonly during the final stages of pregnancy.  
• Shave with a good razor and Wax with a good waxer.        
• Don’t use heavy creams and oils on your bikini line skin.         
• Avoid wearing tight clothing every day.

How to treat them:

• Salicylic Acid combined with glycolic acid.  One acid peels off the top layer of skin, and the other penetrates the follicle to loosen debris and allow the hair to grow out.
• Dry skin loofahs used gently every day before a shower and a mild anti-bacterial wash during the shower.

2.    Sanitary Pads, Tampons, Condoms, Lubes, Feminine Wipes, Soaps etc.
A few years ago I noticed a trend in skin irritation on the labia area.  The skin was a different color and texture, pink and almost flaky.  I once made the mistake of waxing over this skin and it became extremely irritated and peeled slightly.  Ouch!  After talking to many clients about this, I discovered that each and every one of them was using conventional sanitary pads. Rumor has it that some pads contain bleach that leaks out from moisture hitting it, therefore releasing bleach onto your skin.  This is just one of many links I found on the topic http://www.greenoptions.com/t/2058/disposable-sanitary-pads-a-silent-health-threat.

I don’t want scare you, and obviously everybody makes their own choice as to what they use, but there are alternatives on the market so my advice would be to  purchase pads and tampons that do not contain bleach and harsh chemicals and if you can’t, maybe apply a thin layer of barrier cream such as Aquaphor or A&D on your labia area to help protect your skin.

Same goes for condoms, lubricants and spermicides.  Some people cannot tolerate the chemicals found in these.  As women we have to protect our delicate lady parts!  Obviously, if the skin’s protective barrier starts to break down under, it can lead to yeast infections, bacterial infections and worse.

A lot of people like to use feminine wipes and soaps after a hot and sweaty workout.  Don’t.  These products can leave your skin dry, irritated and can also change your natural PH balance.  Again, many products on the market these days are counter-productive and do more harm than good.  We have “good” bacteria down there for a reason.  Let it do it’s job. 

3.    Hygiene
Waxed/shaved skin is compromised skin.  The hair we removed was there for protection, so now you need to be doubly on guard.
Gyms are breeding grounds for germs.  Always use a fresh towel when you sit on benches.  Bring your own yoga mat! Before hanky panky, ensure that your partner is clean in every which way.  That means clean hands, mouth, and their “bits”.   Same goes for you!
Remember, when you leave Queen Bee we went through every precaution to make sure your skin was bacteria free before, during and after your wax.  It is YOUR job to keep it that way!!

4.    Working Out – Spinning etc.
Observations:  Raw, dry, fissures, very irritated skin.
I took a spinning class last month to try to figure out why so many of my spinning addicted clients are so sore down there.  It only took one class for me to figure it out.  I mean, I honestly felt as though my lady parts had done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson!  Holy burning ring of fire, find me an icepack to cool off on!!!   I have to admit ladies, that is one intense workout for “every” part of your body.  I get it now, and I’ve got some advice for you if you want to be saddle savvy:

1. How about some cushioning? Instead of a full Brazilian Wax, opt for an “In-Between”, at least it will leave a little hair on the labia area to help with the friction
2. Wear padded shorts 
3. Proper posture helps with can prevent you bouncing around in your seat so much (less friction) 
4. Apply a thin layer of barrier cream if you can’t bear to have the hair!

Remember that moisture and heat are the perfect components for bacteria to party in!  After a sweaty workout, get out of those clothes immediately and rinse off.  Mild anti-bacterial soaps can be used, but not too often, to cleanse skin.

I hope this helps with any questions you may have.

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