Time for Class!
If you made a New Year's resolution to take advantage of more educational opportunities in 2008, you'll be happy to know that two professional beauty shows have added programs to help you reach that goal. International Salon & Spa Expo 2008, being held in Long Beach, CA, from January 26 to 28, has added a Saturday Business Education Class. This complimentary workshop, targeted to salon and spa owners and managers, will be hosted by Salon Training International as an overview of key legal practices, business plans, recruiting, marketing, ways to increase revenue and more. This class joins an already packed slate of educational opportunities for all salon professionals at the show.
      Cosmoprof North America will double the size of its Discover Beauty program, founded in 2007 as a way for small beauty brands to educate techs about their products and make connections with big names in the industry. From July 13 to 15, Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas will host 24 companies, chosen to represent the full spectrum of beauty trends around the world. (Last year, the countries represented included Austria, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States.) Last year's participants say that the program was extremely successful at generating new interest.

Ur Appt Iz 2Day!
If you have a book full of clients who tend to forget their appointments, you might want to take advantage of Smile Reminder, a service originally designed for dentists. The software program is available online for a flat fee of $250 a month, and works by sending text messages to clients to remind them of upcoming appointments. The program's customizable timeframe allows messages to be sent even minutes before the scheduled appointment. Smile Reminder also sends out text messages for birthday or holiday greetings and coordinates various email services, including newsletters and client surveys. The company has software variations for medical offices, medical spas and regular salons. For more information, visit smilereminder.com.

Virginia is for Licensees
Estheticians in the Commonwealth of Virginia must now be licensed. The new law was passed as House Bill 2510 in the Virginia General Assembly in July 2005 after lobbying from Saphonia Gee, a member of

Kim Thumel (left) and Saphonia Gee

the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology and president of the Virginia Institute of Esthetics, and Kim Thumel, executive director of the Society of Virginia Skincare Specialists. It took effect September 20, 2007, and requires all skincare professionals who perform cosmetic procedures on clients' skin in salons and spas in the area to hold licenses from the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology. "This new law will provide much-needed safety protection for consumers of today's high-tech skincare products and services," Gee says.

Kleen It Up
AmeriSpa and Ameri-Kleen Corp. conducted dozens of cleaning and disinfecting seminars in California during 2007. Starting with a class in San Jose in February, the companies provided technical documents, marketing materials and hands-on training in both English and Vietnamese that addressed California's newest sanitation regulations. The seminars, which were free to attendees, also took place in San Diego, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Burlingame.

Cheerio, CND!
CND recently picked up two new distributors in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Sweet Squared, a distribution company recently formed by longtime CND representatives Samantha and Samuel Sweet, will represent the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Creative Nail Academy Ireland will be headed by Marina Egan and Karen O'Neil.

Make It Work
Tim Gunn, the brutally honest style guru from Bravo's Project Runway, launched a new TV show that's America's answer to the British What Not to Wear. Much like hosts Trinny and Susannah from the

Veronica Webb and Tim Gunn

departed BBC show, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style features Gunn and model Veronica Webb as they ambush women in need of style guidance. Shortly after the series debuted in September 2007, Gunn and Webb found themselves serving as amateur psychologists to their subjects. One example was Nicole, a 29-year-old mother of two from New Jersey, whose bad style was a symptom of the guilt she experienced every time she did something for herself. After a makeover and some solid advice, she was able to see that it was OK to indulge every once in a while, especially with two of her favorite things: manicures and pedicures! We applaud her for realizing that taking care of herself is just as important as taking care of her family.

photo: ©Bravo/Virginia Sherwood

Dazzling Dames
Strong women were the focus of the 2008 SupplementsToGo.com Ms. Fitness USA and Ms. Fitness World competitions, held September 6 and 7, 2007, at the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The ladies who participated in the competition were judged on their flexibility, strength and performance. To help them maintain their healthy lifestyles, each received a gift bag full of goodies, including Dazzle Dry Top Coat from VB Cosmetics.

Extra Extra
Michigan residents now have to pay a little more for their manicures and pedicures. As of Dec. 1, 2007, salons and other establishments that provide skin and nail care are subject to a 6% sales tax on all services. (Hair services are exempt from the new tax.) Service sales tax is a controversial concept, and Michigan isn't taking this lightly: various groups are fighting for the tax to be repealed. Until then, Michigan techs will need to inform their clients of the change and charge for services accordingly. For more information and to download business forms, visit michigan.gov/taxes.

A Russian Reception
The lavish lacquers in this winter's Russian Collection by OPI Products had an appropriate introduction with a reception in Moscow in 2007. OPI president and CEO George Schaffer traveled to Russia to celebrate the collection with 250 guests, including Russian OPI distributors, magazine editors, salon owners and students, at the famous Yar restaurant. After a two-hour unveiling of products that included new polish colors Catherine the Grape and An Affair in Red Square, Russian dancers in authentic costumes entertained the partygoers. They did, however, have competition—Schaeffer, dressed as a czar, appropriately commanded the party's attention. "In this elegant setting that so beautifully evokes Russia's aristocratic past, the Russian Collection really comes alive," Schaeffer said. "We're looking forward to these colors of modern opulence being as successful around the world as they are in the country that inspired them."

Looking Luxe
Actress Kelly Carlson, formerly of FX's Nip/Tuck, graces the cover of the October 2007 issue of GENLUX, a Southern California fashion magazine. Carlson flaunted a flawless appearance thanks to the efforts of beauty professionals such as China Glaze manicurist Marsha Bialo, who provided manicures for Carlson and others appearing in the magazine. Bialo was also interviewed about her work with China Glaze and her salon, Extremities, which recently opened in the Los Angeles suburb of Sherman Oaks. She and the other artists who worked on the issue were celebrated at a GENLUX party in August 2007.