Urban Beauty Hair Academy presents what to expect in a day as a hairdresser

Urban Beauty Hair Academy presents what to expect in a day as a hairdresser

urban beauty hair academy

Our team at Urban Beauty Hair Academy have put together this article to highlight what our our prospective students can expect to experience during a typical day as a hairdresser. Firstly, no two days will ever be the same but we would like you to be aware of how a day can possibly pan out.

  • Getting off to a good start.

In the morning it is important to stick to a routine that gets you going. Don’t skimp on breakfast as you will need the energy for a busy day. Have that cup of coffee if it is your thing or multi-vitamin, whatever it takes to get the juices flowing.

Having a neat appearance is essential so take the time to get your look right.

Check your appointment book to familiarise yourself with your bookings in order to effectively prepare and plan your day.

  • Setting up your work area.

Depending on your position in the salon, this may include a wide variety of tasks. A salon owner will have to complete admin and managerial duties on top of that of a stylist. As a stylist your first priority is to ensure that your section is neat and tidy, with everything close to hand.

  • Your first client.

Dealing with clients is the most important aspect of your job. You have to make sure the client leaves the salon happy and relaxed. Firstly you will consult with the client. Understand what she desires for her hair and then how the skills taught at Urban Beauty Hair Academy can be applied to make her wishes true.

  • After your first client.

After your first happy client leaves, you need to get your section and the salon ready for the next client. So hair needs to be swept up and section units require being clean and wiped over. Disinfect razor and so forth. You want to your next client, and your next one after, to all experience the same level of service.

  • Keeping well stocked.

You have to be aware of your sections stock levels in regards to products typically used. You don’t want to run out in the middle of a dye treatment. Make sure you are well stocked and if you are retailing hair-care products keep tabs on these stock levels too. Urban Beauty Hair Academy will introduce you to the most essential products, but every hair stylist and salon develops their own preferences.

  • After work.

It is very important to unwind and relax after a strenuous day at the salon. Even though you’ll most likely find the job very rewarding, you need to shake of body and mental strain. A visit to the gym or other form of exercise helps. Make time for different interests and hobbies to keep the mind active and creative.

We at Urban Beauty Hair Academy believe that our qualified students will be well prepared and eager to embrace the exciting life of a hair stylist.

Urban Beauty nail bar 10 easy steps to the perfect nails

Urban Beauty nail bar 10 easy steps to the perfect nails

Urban Beauty nail bar

Our team at Urban Beauty Nail Bar know exactly how important it is for your nails to always look their best. For this reason our team has put together this list of awesome tips that are simple to follow that will ensure you have perfect nails with a beautiful finish at all times.

What do you need?

  • Hand  sanitiser:
  • Cuticle pusher:
  • Nail file:
  • Nail buffer:
  • Lint free wipes
  • pH Bond:
  • Foundation/base polish:
  • Nail drying light:
  • Polish of choice:
  • Sealer:
  • Cleanser :
  • Cuticle oil:
  • Polish remover:

Glam nails in 10 easy steps:

  1. It’s essential to sanitise your hands before you start up. Trimmed nails are not enough, push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher.
  2. Clean the surrounding nail plate to ensure that no dry skin or nail polish residue is found on the nail plate.
  3. Shape your nails with a nail file and use a nail buffer to remove the shine.
  4. Remove dust and lint from nail by wiping with a lint free wipe.
  5. Time to prepare to prepare your nails for a makeover with a pH Bond.
  6. Apply a foundation polish to seal the edges of the nail.
  7. Time to dry: it’s best to use a nail light for best results (no one likes starting from scratch because your nail polish got smudged).
  8. Add some colour. Apply polish of choice from the cuticle to edge of the nail. Dry with nail light.
  9. Top it off with a sealer. Dry with a nail light to avoid any oopsies. Wipe the surface with a cleanser.
  10. The finishing touch: Apply nourishing cuticle oil to the skin of the surrounding nail.

If you liked our nail tips and would like to know more about how Urban Beauty Nail Bar could help you have great looking nails today, please do not hesitate to book an appointment today!

Urban Beauty Academy in Cape Town

Urban Beauty Academy in Cape Town

urban beauty academy in cape town

What you learn in beauty school will affect the rest of your life. So make sure you choose the best school in your area. So where do you start? You should find out which school is nearest you and set an appointment to see the premise and meet the Principle. When you get to the school you’re probably going to want to ask a few questions. So it’s a good idea to write them down and bring your list of questions with you. There are probably a few things you should ask about. You’re probably going to need to know if they accept financial aid. If you need to take out student loans you’re going to want to choose a hair design school that accepts financial aid. Dont forget to ask if the school is in fact accredited and ask to see proof. If you were referred by a top notch salon that should be a problem, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Another question you should ask is about your tool kit, will it be included in your tuition? Sometimes financial aid doesn’t cover the cost of your kit. Usually you need to buy your kit before the first day of class, that can cost you a lot of money. So be prepared to pay out of pocket to get started. Another question I would ask is what brand of products do they use. You want to go to a school that offers name brand products. It’s better to work with the actual products you will be using in a professional salon.

While your there make sure you look around. And be selective this is the rest of your life we’re talking about. Check out the hairstyles students and teachers are wearing are they on trend? What about the beauty school itself is it clean? Is the décor on trend? If not you might want to look for a school that that is more with the times. You want to learn how to duplicate what’s going on in salons today, not ten years ago.

Our team at Urban Beauty Academy in Cape Town are happy to answer all of your questions. We are a proud institution and offer top quality training. If you would like to know more please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly consultants today!

Urban Beauty Academy presents seven questions you should ask when choosing a beauty school

Urban Beauty Academy presents seven questions you should ask when choosing a beauty school

Urban Beauty Academy

Congratulations on taking your first step in exploring attending beauty school. Before you begin, you’ll want to ask yourself these important 7 questions to determine if the beauty school is right for you. Our team at Urban Beauty Academy are ready to help you with answer all your questions.

1) Is The Beauty School Accredited?

Accreditation is important if your main goal is to receive a valuable, well-rounded education from a beauty school. If a beauty school is accredited, it has met or exceeded the Department of Education’s minimum educational standards. Essentially, that accreditation gives the school credibility. You can have confidence that you’ll receive a good education from that program.

2) How Flexible Is The Beauty School’s Curriculum?

Many beauty schools offer a program that doesn’t provide much flexibility. All students of the program go through the same courses at the same time and progress at the same level. This can have a couple of disadvantages. First, you may be able to learn and progress more quickly than the other students. If so, having the choice to take more advanced courses may allow you to grow more fully as a stylist. Second, you may wish to focus on a certain aspect of beauty therapy. For example, you may want to build your career by specializing in colors. Having the ability to modify your curriculum (after taking the core classes, of course) based upon your personal goals can be a great way of learning and developing your specialty.

3) How Much Real Experience Will You Receive?

Learning how to style hair on plastic doll heads is a good way to learn. However, the best way to absorb what you learn is to apply it on people. Before choosing a beauty school, find out how much exposure you’ll be given to people. You want as much experience as possible. You’re going to be learning a ton of exciting things in your  classes. You’ll learn about colors, chemicals, cuts, weaves and other styling options. To truly learn, improve and master these skills, you must be able to try them on people. Try to find a school that will provide you with this kind of experience.

4) Are There Financial Aid Options?

Beauty school can be costly. Many schools understand that some students may have difficulty finding the money to pay for the program’s tuition. To help those students, some beauty schools offer financial aid packages. Other schools help students find money for tuition through grants and low-interest loans. If you’re considering a beauty school, but have crossed it off your list because of the tuition cost, ask them if they offer any financial aid. You may be surprised by the options you have.

5) Is The Beauty School Close To Your Home Or Office?

Ideally, you want to find a beauty school that is located near your home or your workplace. Some students attend classes full-time. Others have a full-time job and choose to attend classes part-time in the evening. That is a lot of time to invest and your day can easily become unmanageable. If possible, choose a beauty school that is close to where you live or work. That will make attending more convenient and easier to manage.

6) Will The Beauty School Train You According To Your Interests?

Many beauty programs have a particular focus. Sometimes, the focus is a reflection of the community in which the school is located. It’s important that you find a school that matches your interests. That way, you’ll receive the education and experience necessary to develop your specialization. Before choosing which beauty school to attend, ask the instructors at the school what services they focus on.

7) Does The Beauty School Offer Job Placement Services?

There are salons everywhere. However, some of them may already be completely filled with stylists. That is, they may not have the room to give you a station. Many beauty schools help place their students in salons after they graduate and receive their cosmetology license from the state. These schools work closely with salons in the communities nearby. The salons benefit by having an immediate source of trained and motivated stylists to hire. You benefit by having plenty of potential job leads right after graduation. Ask the beauty school you’re planning to attend if they offer job placement services as part of their program.

Choosing The Beauty School That Is Right For You

Attending beauty school can be as exciting and fulfilling an experience as your career as a stylist. It’s largely due to choosing the right school and program to attend. Before making your decision, try to find out if the beauty school you’re considering is accredited. Next, ask if the school offers elective courses and what services the curriculum focuses on. Find out how much real experience you’ll receive as a student and whether there are financial aid options to help with the tuition cost. Finally, ask if the beauty program provides any help in finding jobs in salons within the surrounding communities. By asking these questions, you’ll have an advantage in choosing the beauty school that matches your goals and expectations.

Our team at Urban Beauty Academy are happy to answer all these questions and more. If you would like to know more about enrolling for our 2015 intake. Please do not hesitate to contact us today!

8 Reasons Why You Should Attend Urban Beauty Academy

 8 Reasons Why You Should Attend Urban Beauty Academy

urban beauty academy

Our team at Urban Beauty Academy have put together some of their favorite reasons why coming and studying with us in 2015 is a smart idea. Each year, many people who have a passion for hair, makeup and style enroll in beauty schools. There are plenty of reasons why you may choose a career within the beauty industry.

Helping others look their best can be fun and exciting. Chances are, you’ve probably helped your friends and family style their hair or put makeup on in the past. If you enjoyed doing those things, consider doing it as a profession.  Below, you may learn about several benefits of becoming a hair, makeup and nail stylist in the exciting world of beauty and fashion.

Reason 1: Freedom Of An Entrepreneur

As a qualified beautician, you may have the freedom to work when you want and as much as you want. If you prefer to work Mondays through Fridays, you may choose to do so. If you’d only like to work weekends, the choice is up to you. As a beautician, you’re an entrepreneur. Most people who graduate from Urban Beauty Academy work in salons. They build their own businesses and experience the freedom that entrepreneurs enjoy.

Reason 2: You may build Your Own Schedule

Some beauticians prefer to begin working in the afternoon to catch clients during their lunch break. Others like booking appointments with their clients after normal business hours, so they can enjoy the day, doing whatever they please while helping their clients in the evening. When you work in a salon, you can set the schedule that is best-suited for your needs. Do you have a young child that requires you to be home during the day? You have the freedom to do so as a licensed beautician.

Reason 3: Your Income Reflects Your Work

Have you ever heard your friends complaining about their jobs not paying them what they’re truly worth? When you’re working as a beautician, the amount and type of work you do in the salon has a direct, often immediate, affect on your income. The more clients you help, the more money you can make. If the thought of controlling your income is appealing to you, being a qualified beautician may be the profession for you.

Reason 4: You Enjoy Working With Hair And Makeup

Working with your clients’ hair and makeup can be exciting. First, you’re helping them to look their best. Second, you may let your creative spark show as you try new and provocative styles. Your clients give you a lot of control over how they’re perceived by the people who see them. This is one of the reasons why being a beautician is so rewarding.

Reason 5: You may Work With Celebrities

Many aspiring stylists attending beauty school want to eventually work in the world of entertainment and fashion. If you develop your creativity and skills, you might very well be asked to style the hair and makeup of models and celebrities. Many stylists work in salons at first to learn the latest cutting-edge techniques and then move on to working with music personalities, actors, politicians and other people in the public eye.

Reason 6: Opportunity For Earning Commissions

Not only do you control your income by the amount and type of work you do for your clients; you may increase your earnings by getting paid commissions for hair care and beauty products that you encourage your clients to purchase. Your clients need these products anyway. Why not buy them while they’re at the salon? If a new product comes out that would be perfect for one of your customers, simply suggest it to them and you may make a commission for the sale. Everybody wins.

Reason 7: You Want To Avoid Working In An Office

You probably have friends who have told you about the horrors of working in an office. The stories usually focus on utter boredom, lack of training, managerial incompetence, gripes against fellow employees and other problems that can make working in a corporate environment the last place you’d want to work. When you become a beautician, you effectively avoid the office setting. You work in a salon with other motivated stylists on a schedule that suits your personality.

Reason 8: You Enjoy Talking With People

As a qualified beautician, you may have the opportunity to talk to friends, your co-workers and your clients throughout the entire day. If you enjoy speaking with interesting people (don’t we all?), you’ll definitely enjoy your career as a beautician. Every day is different. Each client will have new stories whenever they visit. You may find yourself becoming friends with many of your clients. In fact, talking with people is a major part of your job!

Should You Enroll In Urban Beauty Academy?

So, should you pursue a promising career as a qualified beautician? After all, being a beauty therapist isn’t for everyone. Some people enjoy working in an office where the dull fluorescent lights barely keep them awake. But, if you enjoy having the freedom to set your own schedule, work as much or as little as you like and control your income, you may consider looking into a career in beauty.

Attending Urban Beauty Academy is the first step toward a career that has a wide range of opportunities. Whether you’re working side-by-side with other stylists, helping celebrities look their best for the camera, or doing the hair and makeup for your clients while they share new, interesting details about their lives, being a stylist is mostly about people. Working with people you like. Helping people you enjoy. And making a great living in an exciting profession that is always offering something new to learn.

If you would like to know more about how to enroll for Urban Beauty Academy. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our consultants today.

Urban Beauty Academy presents how to choose the correct beauty training provider

Urban Beauty Academy presents how to choose the correct beauty training provider

UBA2

Quality criteria for value-adding beauty school training providers – accreditation is no guarantee of quality

These days skills development is a priority of the government , the question is often asked: How should an individual go about selecting the right beauty school training provider? What criteria should you examine to make sure that the provider delivers quality beauty training programmes.

There are a number of Beauty Training providers in South Africa and unfortunately a large number of students have realised that the fact that the beauty school is accredited is no guarantee of quality, or that the programmes will address the specific needs of the students.

These beauty schools may have impressed the ETQA with imposing mission and vision statements, as well as piles of policies and procedures to get accreditation, but that does not necessarily translate into quality learning programmes.

If you are looking for a beauty school that will really add value, here are 10 key questions you should ask before appointing anyone to help your company with its training needs.

Ten critical questions training providers must be able to answer:

1. What is the NQF level of the programme?

2. Which unit standard(s) or qualification is your programme aligned to?
– Do programmes constitute building blocks to a qualification? (Providers score bonus points if they meet this requirement, but it is not always necessary or desirable.)
– Note: This question only applies to NQF-aligned programmes. It does not apply where alignment to unit standards/qualifications is not appropriate or not possible, i.e. programmes that are not ‘NQF-able’.

3. Which SETA are you accredited with, and what is your accreditation number?

4. Is this programme covered in the scope of your accreditation? (Are you accredited to offer this programme?)

5. What are the registration numbers of the assessors you are using?
– Does their registration cover the areas they will be assessing?

6. Show me how the learning programme and materials cover the components of the unit standard(s) or qualification.

7. Show me how the assessments cover the specific outcomes and assessment criteria of the unit standards.

8. What understanding or experience do you have of our specific work industry or environment?

9. How will you customise your programme to relate it to our context?

10. How long have you been a training provider?
– How long have you been offering this programme?
– Can you give us the names of three previous clients?

If the provider could not answer these questions satisfactorily, you need to look further. But, if you are satisfied with the answers, then you may have found a perfect partner. We at Urban Beauty Academy will happily answer any questions a potential client has about our training approach and methodology. We are here to help you thrive and if you would like to know more about our courses, please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly sales consultants today.

Urban Beauty Express Salon presents the truth about detox programs

Urban Beauty Express Salon presents the truth about detox programs

detox

As Beauticians, we realise that to have truly look your best you need to take care of your body. A detox can do your entire system the world of good. Our team at Urban Beauty Express Salon have put together this article to help explain the benefits of a good detox. These days, Detox and cleanse programs have become the latest rage for quick weight loss and a boost in energy. Celebrities carry their green juices everywhere, and magazines run articles promoting rapid weight loss and perfect skin. But many of these juice-based programs are big on promises with little basis in science.

We are here to help you learn the difference between fad diets and detox that is medically proven to work.

What is a detox program?
Lets start with a explanation of what exactly a detox program is. We are all exposed to toxins in our lives, and nature gave us this wonderful built-in detox organ called the liver. However, your liver can get fatigued trying to keep up with the chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, and plastics that, despite your best efforts, are coming into your body every day. A detox program is a lifestyle program that helps you rid your body of toxins by supporting your liver. A good program should focus on 3 things: food, supplements, and cleaning up your environment to reduce your exposure to every day toxins.

What is a cleanse? Is it the same as a detox?
People often use the word “cleanse” to talk about anything from a juice fast to gut cleanses that use laxatives to “clean out” the bowel. This is very confusing! Cleansing can be part of your detox program, but when it comes to detox, it specifically refers to eating and drinking foods that support excretion of toxins, thus “cleansing” the liver and tissues. This should not affect the gut or the bowels.

A “juice cleanse” can be very supportive and part of a detox program, and when organic and from a good-quality company, can supply high amounts of important nutrients for your liver.

Who should do a detox program?
Toxins are stored in fat cells and this can cause accumulation of body fat that is hard to get rid of. Helping the body release these stored toxins so that the body will then metabolize the fat, should be the first step for anyone who wants to lose weight. If you are tired and don’t know why, feeling puffy all over, or having difficulty concentrating, these could be the signs of too many toxins in your body and you could benefit from a detox program.

If you have an autoimmune disease, chronic pain, headaches, or any symptom that is bothering you and you don’t know why, a detox program would be good for you, too.

Who shouldn’t do a detox program on their own? (Supervision is suggested!) If you are undergoing treatment for cancer, or are on steroids or any other life-sustaining medication, or if you have inflammatory bowel or other severe gut issues, you should consult with your doctor or an integrative practitioner such as a naturopath, chiropractor, or functional medicine specialist before starting a detox.

What should you eat?
There must be a food plan! Supplements alone aren’t enough.

Eat lots of organic greens like kale, cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cabbages, and antioxidants from deeply colored fruits and veggies. These nutrients support enzymes in the liver that process and remove toxins.

Don’t forget the protein. While juicing is great, your liver also needs amino acids, which you get from eating protein. Vegetable sources like beans, nuts, and seeds are just as healthy as chicken and fish, which are also good.

What not to eat: foods that are stressful to your liver. For the duration of your detox program follow these dietary guidelines.

Remove all processed sugar: Cakes, cookies, breads, candy, soda and juices. Eliminate coffee and alcohol.

Do not eat gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs and red meat.

Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, kamut and spelt. Choose gluten-free grains, such as quinoa, millet, rice or buckwheat.

Avoiding dairy means all cow, sheep, and goat products like yogurt, kefir, cheese, butter, milk, and cream. Choose non-dairy milks and cheeses made from rice, almond, and coconut.

Avoiding corn means you must read labels and avoid corn starch, corn syrup, and all foods that have corn listed in the ingredients in any form.

Avoiding soy includes soy sauce and all products that have soy listed as an ingredient in any form, such as soy protein, soy lecithin.

When you finish your detox, you can reintroduce each of these foods one at a time, every 3 days, to see if they trigger a physical symptom, like a headache, fatigue, brain fog, arthritis, or gut symptoms like gas and bloating, or another symptom that is familiar for you. If it does, then you are sensitive to this food and you should remove it from your diet or eat it very rarely.

Do I need supplements or can I do a detox with food alone?
We recommend adding some liver-boosting supplements to your food plan and you will really get the detox engine going. Include antioxidants, B vitamins, herbs like milk thistle, and amino acids like glycine (you can also get this as part of a liver-support protein shake).

You can also do various cleanses without supplements, but make sure to eat protein or drink protein shakes if you are choosing to do a juice cleanse. Remember, a detox program includes supplements, while a cleanse can be juice and food alone and are meant to be short term.

Clean up your world.
A detox program should address not only what you are eating, but also your exposure to toxic environmental factors at the same time. Work on filtering your water, eating organic, not using pesticides on your lawn or using harsh cleaning products.

The first week you might feel more sluggish, or worsening of the symptoms you are familiar with. For most people, this is mild and passes by the end of the first week. If your symptoms get much worse, are uncomfortable or cause you to be concerned, it is a sign that you probably have lots of toxins in your body and need to slow down the detox. This happens most often when you do a detox program for the first time, because your toxin load is the highest. You can slow down the detox by cutting the supplements in half, or even taking a few days off.

By the second week you will begin to feel more energy and notice you are feeling better. And by the third week you should be feeling great! If you are very toxic, you might not feel better until the third week, but stick with it, eventually the clouds will part and the sun will come out.

If you would like to know more about how to stay healthy and look your best. Please pop in to our Express Salon in Kuilsriver and our friendly team will help answer your questions.

Urban Beauty Express Salon Kuilsriver Beauty Tips

Urban Beauty Express Salon Kuilsriver presents

10 Beauty Mistakes You Are Making

Our team of talented beauticians at Urban Beauty Express Salon Kuilsriver have decided to put this list of 10 beauty mistakes most of our clients are making. We all understand that you get into your routines. You know the routines we’re talking about: wake up, get coffee, put on the same makeup in the same way you have been doing it for years, throw on a go-to outfit, and get out the door. Whatever version of this routine you are currently stuck in could be seriously hindering your beauty potential!

What was working for you years ago could now either be off-trend or maybe just age-inappropriate. Some of the most common beauty mistakes are quick fixes and can take you from a plain Jane to a smokin’ Betty, stat. Read on to discover 10 beauty mistakes you are making and how to fix them.

1. Over-plucked eyebrows. If you want to make a drastic improvement in the overall look of your face, see a professional. Getting the right brow shape can be hard if you are stuck in your ways, so seeing someone who can look at your face objectively and help guide you is priceless.

2. Washing your hair too much. Never underestimate the power of dry shampoo. Not only can it extend the life of your blowout, but not washing your hair every day is just healthier for your hair! Try to go three days between washes if possible.

3. Skipping base coat. When painting your nails at home, using a base coat is a must. Not only does it help your polish stay on longer and go on more smoothly, it keeps polish from staining your actual nails, too.

4. Overdoing it with foundation. If you have problem skin, use concealer and a small brush to cover up each individual blemish after foundation is applied, then set with powder. If you have nice skin overall, less really is more. Let that beautiful skin shine through a light tinted moisturizer, which will just even out the tone.

5. Shimmer overload. Unless you are going to a disco party, there is no place where shimmery shadow, lip gloss, and bronzer should be used. Stick to shimmer in key places. We like to use a slightly shimmery highlighter on the top of our cheekbones and on the brow bone.

6. Skipping primer. Just like we said about base coat for nail polish, primer lays the ground for a smooth, flawless layer of foundation and helps it to last all day.

7. Neglecting your brushes. We use our brushes countless times a month and how many of us are washing them? Not enough. There are many brush cleaners on the market, but a thorough washing with baby shampoo is just as effective. Aim for cleaning your brushes weekly, but anything is better than months of bacteria buildup.

8. Eyeliner around the entire eye. Lining your entire eye with liner can actually close off your eye, making it appear smaller. Instead, use liner on your upper lid and sparingly (if at all) on your lower lash line. You can substitute a swipe of shadow on the outer corner of the lower lash line to balance your makeup look.

9. Choosing the wrong foundation. We all know to carry our foundation down and blend into our neck, right? But choosing the right foundation means more than color. Make sure you match your skin type as well. Try to stay matte if you have oily skin and go for a dewy finish if you have dry skin.

10. Not giving your hair a break. Like we mentioned in number two, not washing your hair so often is a must. Not only that, try to avoid heat styling your hair every day. On rest days, throw your hair in a chic top bun for variety and hair therapy in one!

If you would like to know more about how to really bring your inner beauty out, give our salon a call today!

Urban Beauty Express Salon Kuilsriver

Urban Beauty Express Salon Kuilsriver presents:

10 Things No One Ever Tells You About: Makeup Brushes

urban beauty express salon kuilsriver

 

Our team of beauticians at Urban Beauty Express Salon Kuilsriver based in Cape Town.  Have decided to put this list of 10 things that no one will ever tell you about make up brushes. These days with so many makeup brushes on the market, it’s hard to know which ones to choose and just how to care for them. From selection, to application and maintenance, things can get a bit tricky and we’re often left wondering,  “Am I doing this the right way?” The confusion is common, and that’s why our Urban Beauty Express Salon team are here to clear things up for you. So, put the brush down and pay attention, because we’re filling you in on 10 major things you need to know when it comes to makeup brushes.

1. You don’t need every different kind: There’s endless different makeup brushes that come in all different shapes and sizes, so sometimes we almost feel like we’re missing out if we don’t have them all. However, breaking the bank by buying every brush you see really isn’t necessary — only six brushes are crucial.

  • A foundation/concealer brush.
  • A powder brush.
  • A contour brush.
  • A crease brush.
  • A blending brush.
  • A angle brush.

Your collection is now complete and you’re more than ready to create any look you want.

2. Cleaning brushes often is a must: Dirty makeup brushes can cause all kinds of problems from causing a muddy application to creating breakouts from the built up bacteria. Cleaning your makeup brushes once a week will help keep your skin clear, your makeup looking flawless, and your brushes lasting longer.

3. A fancy cleanser isn’t necessary: Moisturizing white bar soap, antibacterial liquid soap, and even gentle shampoos are great for cleaning makeup brushes. Just rinse the brushes in water, swirl them into the soap so it lathers up, massage it thoroughly so you’re cleaning all of the brush (not just the tips), and rinse them out until the water runs clear.

4. Never soak them: Soaking the brushes will cause water to seep into the handle, which can then loosen the glue that hold its together and make the brush fall apart. To avoid this, make sure you just hold the bristles, face down, under gently running water.

5. Lay them flay to dry: Once clean, use a dry towel and gently squeeze around the bristles so they’re not soaking wet. Lay the brushes on a dry towel on a table and allow the bristles to hang off the edge of the table. Placing them so that they’re not laying flat against the table will protect their shape. Remember to always lay brushes out to dry closer to windows or fresh air. If you leave them to dry in places with no sunlight, like the bathroom, they’ll grab onto a funny odor, similar to damp laundry.

6. Know the difference between bristles: There are two different kinds of bristles — natural and synthetic. Natural makeup brushes are typically made out of various animal hair, while synthetic brushes are made up of manmade bristles, usually from nylon or other synthetic fibers.

7. Natural makeup brushes are best used with powder products: They work wonders with any powder from bronzers to eye shadows and everything in between, as they are loaded with texture so you’ll get a better application. Natural hair bristles move freely, allowing you to not only pick up enough product in one swipe, but also to blend it out beautifully.

8. When it comes to liquid and cream products, synthetic brushes are your best bet: Unlike natural brushes, synthetic makeup brushes don’t have a cuticle, which makes them great to use with liquid or cream products because they won’t trap makeup. Synthetic bristles tend to gravitate towards one another, making them ideal for precision application.

9. Size matters: The longer the bristle, the softer the application and coverage. It’s the short bristles that will give you fuller application and coverage.

10. Know when it’s time to say goodbye: If you take care of your brushes, they will last a long time, but nothing lasts forever. If your brush is shedding, or the handle breaks, or you can’t get a brush clean anymore, it’s time to toss the brush in the trash.

If you would like to know more about how to keep looking beautiful. Please do note hesitate to contact our Urban Beauty Express Salon today!

Urban Beauty Express Salon nail myth and tips explained

Urban Beauty Express Salon nail myth and tips explained

urban beauty express salon

Can You Make Your Nails Grow Faster?

Our nail technicians at Urban Beauty Express Salon are often asked by our clients how they can make their nails grow faster. Our team has decided to put this article together to offer advise and clear up some of the myths that are out there on how to get your nails to grow quickly.

In a nutshell, Dietary supplements. Rubbing garlic on your nails. Wiggling your fingers in the air for hours at a time, no matter what you’ve heard, they won’t make your nails grow faster.

You can’t hurry your nails, which grow at a fixed rate of about a millimeter a month. But if you can get the nails to not break and therefore appear longer, that’s where things come into play. First, you need to know what’s true and what’s false about nail growth.

Biotin Supplements Are Linked to Long, Stronger Nails: TRUE

You won’t make your nails grow more quickly if you take this dietary supplement. But several studies show that biotin can strengthen brittle nails, making them less likely to split or break, so you may be able to grow your nails longer after taking the supplement regularly.

Biotin is often sold by itself as a dietary supplement or as an ingredient in vitamins sold to improve the look of the skin, hair, and/or nails.

Busy Fingers Make for Longer Fingernails: FALSE

Some people believe that professional pianists, people who type all day,  and other people who spend several hours per day exercising their fingers have quicker-growing nails than other people, because the extra blood flow to the fingertips speeds fingernail growth.

Though there aren’t any studies to prove it,  people who move their fingers constantly may, indeed, have slightly quicker-growing nails.

Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean longer nails. Why not? Nails with more impact on the tips tend to break more.

Moisturizers Help Maintain Nail Length: TRUE

Keeping your nails moist won’t help them grow quicker, but it can keep them from breaking sooner.

Nails need lubrication, just like our hands and skin, during the winter months. Every time you wash your hands, put a little hand cream on; it’s much richer and thicker than just a body lotion.

Wear gloves or mittens outdoors in cold weather, and use rubber gloves when you’re doing chores around the house.

Once nails come out from under the cuticle, they’re dead tissue, so there’s no way to repair it. Detergents and dish soap can make the nails dry and split. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves around any soaps or cleansers, even if you’re only washing one dish or one window.

A High-Protein Diet Can Speed Nail Growth: FALSE

A protein deficiency can lead to weakened, slow-growing nails, so some web sites suggest that eating or drinking more protein (even specialized protein shakes) can help the nails grow more quickly.

Don’t believe it, and don’t drink protein shakes for this reason alone.

Increasing protein intake is a myth as far as strengthening your nails.

Garlic Speeds Nail Growth: FALSE

Some women with long, attractive nails swear by garlic. They say that they rub halved raw garlic on their nails regularly, or they mince garlic, stuff it into a bottle of clear nail polish, then paint their nails weekly with it. They claim to grow longer, stronger nails quicker than their friends who don’t know their secret.

Why have people targeted garlic? Possibly because the bulb is high in selenium, and some studies have linked low selenium levels to weaker nails. But no research has found a connection between garlic ingestion or application and longer, stronger, or quicker-growing nails.

If you would like to know more about how to have beautiful nails, please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly nail technicians today!