Want to finally achieve the nails you've always longed for?

Our passion is nails!  Our mission is helping you achieve the nails you have always wanted.  Our offer is an amazing opportunity to become involved in the third nail challenge of 2012 - the T.N.T. Challenge sponsored by ASK Cosmetics Inc., a Canadian company with its manufacturing and headquarters in Burlington, Ontario.  The company specializes in innovative, effective and fortifying nail, skin and haircare products for all ages, which enhance one's natural beauty.

 

 Now ASK Cosmetics is giving YOU the chance to have the same long, strong, fortified nails as seen here in these photos.

Diane's nails, who is Vice President of Operations at ASK Cosmetics Inc. of Canada

Karen's nails, who is President & CEO of ASK Cosmetics, also the creator/inventor of TIPS Nail Conditioner

Lisa's (my) nails, Vice President of Global Sales and Social Media Marketing for ASK Cosmetics Inc.

 

 

This is your chance to transform your nails into naturally healthy-looking ones by following the instructions and guidance provided to you directly by ASK Cosmetics Inc. and Lisa Mueller.

 

ASK Cosmetics Inc. is selecting 25 women (and/or men) who are ready to commit to incorporating the one, fast and simple step it takes to have gorgeous, naturally-healthy nails by using the ASK Cosmetics products daily for 12 weeks.  We're calling it the T.N.T. Challenge, which stands for the TOTAL NAIL TRANSFORMATION Challenge.

 

To apply, email:  lmueller@askcosmetics.com with a photo of your nails, and tell us why you would like to join this challenge.  People from all over the world are invited to be part of this amazing nail transformation.

 

Please note:  Participants must be able to take clear, close-up photos of their nails on a weekly basis and send them by email to lmueller@askcosmetics.com.  Additionally, you must be able to provide a write-up (or update) of your progress.  All participants must refrain from wearing nail polish and/or having any manicures done at nail salons for the duration of 12 weeks.  To apply you must be a fan of the ASK Cosmetics' Facebook page here 

and/or a follower of the blog site Lisa's Nailcare Blog right here. 

 

Once you have sent in your application and it has been approved, you will receive a release form to be signed and returned as soon as possible.  Then a parcel with the necessary challenge products provided free-of-charge by ASK Cosmetics will be sent to your mailing address.  At that point the challenge will begin for you.

 

Finally, the best news of all.... for the first time in our challenge history ASK Cosmetics Inc. will be awarding 3 huge prize packages for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in the T.N.T. Challenge.  How can you be a winner?  It's easy, follow the challenge instructions exactly, send in weekly photos and updates of your progress and a final summary after 12 weeks.  The three most impressive entries will be chosen and awarded the most amazing prizes of nail, skin and haircare products by ASK Cosmetics.

 

Start a new nail adventure today!  And pass on the word to all your family members, friends or colleagues at work, who might need/want a total nail transformation.  We want to help you on your way to having gorgeous, healthy nails.

 

Thanks for stopping by,  Lisa M.

 

 

To Glitter or Not to Glitter

Most of us who follow various bloggers or who spend lots of time and money searching for that special polish shade know that glitter comes in countless shapes, sizes, colours and qualities.  Whereas some glitters look elegant worn alone, others really need a base shade to make them pop like they were intended to. 

I think opinions are quite divided on whether to add that desired bling by adding a coat of glitter or whether to allow the polish to shine and impress on its own.  Personally, I have been fascinated by the Luxeffects by Essie worn on several different polishes - on all 10 fingers or as an accent on my ring finger.  Each time bling was added in the form of glitter I received rave reviews from my admirers.

 

Today I would like to show you one of the Nailwear shades that will be featured in a fantastic kit on TSC tomorrow Aug. 31st.  So all you Canadian fans and friends - you might want to check this out at 12, 4 and 7 pm EST.  It will definitely be worth your while......

 

Step 1:  Always coat your nails with a high quality clear base coat.  It protects your nails from the strong pigments contained in the polish (benefit of this -little or no staining) and it provides a good base on which you can then apply your polish.

 

Step 2:  Seen here - "Peach Opal" by ASK Cosmetics.  As the name implies it has a peachy undertone and a frosty sheen to it like no other.  Very nice as a stand-alone day-time polish.

 

Step 3:  After applying 2 - 3 coats of polish I always treat my cuticles with an application of TIPS Nail Conditioner.  When doing a manicure I always keep the polish well away from my cuticles as it dries them out.

 

2 coats of "Peach Opal" on Clear Base Coat by ASK Cosmetics and TIPS Nail Conditioner as treatment for my cuticles while wearing polish.

Joining the group now is Essie's Luxeffects - "A Cut Above" glitter to jazz up my manicure.  To be completely honest, I was somewhat nervous about combining these two shades.  Here is the result....

It is quite visible in this photo how I stay clear of my cuticles.  This product by Essie is so easy to apply and create an even look - really a dream as far as glitter is concerned.

A close-up of my thumb to show the glitter particles. 

 

So, what you do prefer - polish alone or the special effects added to a manicure through a coat of glitter?

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the day!  The skies are blue and the weather is simply gorgeous in my neck of the woods.  Til next time, Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creating your own Nail Art Tools

Nail art has taken the polish world by storm.  Who can resist with all the stunning lacquer shades available to us on the market nowadays?  I know I have tried my hand at some easy designs - the odd hit, but the odd miss too.  Up to now I have not invested in any nail art tools, but I have been rather creative and used things around the house.  One fellow blogger "Enigmatic Rambles" was so kind to give me a tip about using the end of a pin for dots.  Recently I saw an idea on Pinterest, which I had to test as well.

Here is the product of my creativity yesterday:

I started with a base colour entitled "Abalone Sand" by ASK Cosmetics - 3 coats seen here.

For the first set of dots I used the rounded end of tis brush, the same one I use to remove any polish that is "outside the lines". 

The second set of dots in grey were a bit out of control as I was doing this nail art with my left hand and I am usually right dominant.  Note to self:  do not drink so much coffee before attempting this.

This was the idea I took from Pinterest - by simply sticking a pin in the eraser end of a pencil you have an inexpensive dotting tool.  How cool is that!

This is the end product of my dotting adventure.  And here is a photo of the shades I chose:

From left - right:  Abalone Sand by ASK Cosmetics, Spanish Moss by Revlon, Chinchilly by Essie and Colour Club (name unknown).

All Nailwear by ASK Cosmetics is Big-3 free, Camphor free and vegan-friendly.

For all you Canucks, don't forget to tune in to The Shopping Channel Aug. 31st @ 12pm, 4pm and 7pm for awesome deals featuring all the ASK Cosmetics products, in particular - Nailwear shades, Revival Nail Polish Remover, TIPS Nail Conditioner, TIPS for Toes as well as the Skin Conditioning Milk and haircare products too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIPS + TSC = great value, awesome deals!

For all our Canadian fans and friends there will be an opportunity this Friday Aug. 31st to get in on some fantastic deals.  ASK Cosmetics' prices are going up as of Sept. 1st, so your savings will even be greater if you stock up this week.  Every day from now til the shows I will be featuring some of the deals and kits without letting the cat out of the bag.

Today's first sneak peek includes:

ASK Cosmetics' Nailwear shades - today's colour is "Perfect Red" - and the Revival Nail Polish Remover, which has been a customer top-rated product at TSC and QVC for many years.  It leaves your nails feeling silky, soft and hydrated with TIPS Nail Conditioner while removing your polish at the same time.  You have never tried anything like this before!

Here's a look at "Perfect Red" on my nails.  On all fingers there are 2 coats, except for my little finger, which has 3 coats.  So if you would like a much richer shade of the perfect red, then you miht choose to apply that third coat, otherwise 2 coats offer great coverage. 

Well, then I decided to jazz it up a bit.  After viewing so much nail art I wanted to give it a shot.  Using "Perfect Red" as my base shade, I added a diagonal corner in dark blue, that goes by the name "Rich Sapphire".  To top things off I thought a thin coat of Essie's "Pure Pearlfection" would give it a touch of glitter and elegance - the look I was aiming for!

 

You be the judge - what do you think of this manicure?  Should "Perfect Red" be left on its own or do you prefer the jazzed up version?

 

Remember to tune in to The Shopping Channel for some of the best offers you have ever seen featuring TIPS Nail Conditioner + ASK Cosmetics Inc. products.  Show date - Fri. Aug. 31st @ 12- 1 pm, 4-5 pm and 7-8 pm.

Thanks a million for stopping by, leaving a comment or even tuning in to the show.  Lisa M

 

 

Best TIPS of Achieving Great-Looking Nails

Not too long ago I was asked to guest blog.  I thought long and hard about the most interesting topic that would both inform and help the readers, but then I realized why not write about something I know best, namely nailcare.  So, I am sharing it with you today.

Strong, flexible, naturally healthy nails can be yours for pennies a day

Most of us long to have gorgeous-looking hands and nails.  We spend countless hours, not to mention lots of money in our quest to have perfectly manicured nails, whether we pay regular visits to a salon or prefer the DIY mani/pedi in the comfort of our own home.  However, many people don’t realize that the efforts we put into achieving drop-dead nails may be the cause of some annoying, bothersome nail issues.  So, I would like you to begin a new nail adventure, involving nail care practices that promote stronger, healthier nails.  You will have to toss some old habits out the window and develop different ones to benefit the health of your nails. 

·          Never trim, cut or push back your cuticles.  They play a vital role in protecting your nails and act like a seal while putting on the final, more densely compacted layer of skin.  Any stimulating, tampering or massaging of the cuticles cause them to grow down the nail resulting in those ugly, irritating hangnails. 

·         Always trim your nails with good quality fingernail clippers or scissors; avoid shortening them by using an emery board or glass/crystal nail file, which are all abrasive and cause little, white shavings on the ends.  This is proof that damage has occurred and that there are microscopic tears in the nail fibre.

·         Avoid buffing, shining or filing the top surface of your nails as such actions can irritate the cuticles and remove the hardest, most protective layer on top.  You will only weaken the nail tissue by doing this.

·         Never file down the side edges of your nail.  They are like steel beams providing the stability and strength our nails require.

·         If damage occurs (splits, tears, peeling), always shorten the nail to remove all visible damage and start fresh.  Since damage and tears in the nails run much further than we can see, it is best to get rid of this damage before it goes too far.

·         Protect your nails against the #1 cause of dry, brittle nails – namely  water.  Nail tissue is very porous (imagine a sponge) and absorbs water very easily and quickly.  However, water evaporates almost as quickly as it is absorbed.  Most of us expose our hands to water quite frequently during the entire day.  This constant swelling and drying out of the nail tissue causes several nail problems:  dry, brittle, peeling, weak, splitting nails.

·         Remember to wear gloves when cleaning in or around the house as both water and harsh chemicals can be extremely damaging to your nails and hands.

ASK Cosmetics Inc., a Canadian company, introduced a lipid-rich nail treatment solution to the market more than 20 years ago.  TIPS Nail Conditioner has helped millions of nails regain their strength, flexibility, vibrant colours of pink and white while helping cuticles to recede naturally at the same time.

Karen's nails, who is the founder and creator of TIPS Nail Conditioner and ASK Cosmetics Inc.