Guest Blogger – Cari
I’m proud to present today’s guest article by manicurist-extraordinaire and good friend Cari Baloun. Cari is pretty much the rock star of nail care here in Vegas. I recently did a mini portrait session (see pic below) with her and had a blast as usual…she is always a riot!
Just who is Cari from D’Hair To Be Different salon on Las Vegas’ southeast side?
I am a Christian nail professional with over 17 years experience. Rarely will you ever meet anyone who loves their occupation more than I do. I started doing nails in Indiana and spent 6 years being trained by and working for an Aveda Concept Salon and was an educator for the nail product company OPI in the Chicago and northern Indiana area before moving to Las Vegas. I also worked for several years as a manicurist at the Rock Spa at the Hard Rock Hotel as well as for the Beauty Bar in the hip Fremont East area in downtown Las Vegas. Seventeen years is a long time to be doing the same thing but it seems I only grow more and more passionate about my career as the years go by. I love the beauty industry and I consider it a privilege to have one-on-one interaction with people. I’m like an inexpensive psychiatrist…only you’ll not just leave feeling better, you’ll also leave looking prettier!
I’m currently excited about a new trendy nail service called Minx nails! I’m proud to say that I’m one of only a handful of nail technicians in the Las Vegas area providing the service at this time.
What is this Minx Nails you speak of?
The newest and hottest trend in nail fashion since pink & white acrylic is Minx Nails! Minx nails are the green alternative to nail polish, made of a flexible film that is not a liquid and does not use any hazardous chemicals during application. Minx requires no drying time, doesn’t smudge or chip and there are no fumes! Removing Minx is easy and will not damage your nails! Minx is sold to professionals only and is applied with the use of a heat source such as a heat lamp or hot hair dryer, much like the shrink wrap advertising you see on cars. Minxed toenails can last as long as 4 weeks, however minxed fingernails are best left for special occasions as they only last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on your lifestyle, which is why this premium service is usually found only in high end salons around the country.
Celebs from Pink to Beyonce to Lisa Marie Presley to Victoria Beckham have been sporting them for months. I’m not usually quick to jump on just any new thing, but I couldn’t ignore this one. I was captured by the simplicity, innovation and stunning results. My clientele is generally more of the conservative persuasion but I’m having an overwhelming response to this new service and word is spreading fast to a new clientele that may have never found me otherwise. So, how much does it cost, you ask? First, I send my clients to the Minx Nails website to check out the 200 different designs that are available and then ask that they leave a $10 deposit for each design they want. Then when the patterns come in, I make the appointment, charging an additional application fee of $15 for hands or $20 for feet. ($2.50-$3.00 total per nail) Minx is an add-on service, therefore a manicure or pedicure is not included in that price. Nonetheless, my prices are substantially less than what you would pay in Los Angeles or even in the local hotel salons.
In closing, if I could just say one thing about you to your readers…Stacie is so kind and disarming and I have never been more comfortable with any person who has ever photographed me in my entire life. Stacie is a gem!! Thank you so much for the opportunity of being a guest blogger on your site!
Minx nails pictured above on Cari’s pretty little toes. I have witnessed her getting lots of attention from this technique that she displays on her toenails. It looks super cool!
Free Manicure at Ghostbar
My friend, Cari will be doing complimentary manicures on April 1st at the Ghostbar. If you are interested please let me know and I will pass on your information to get on her VIP list.
