TIPS Nail Conditioner featured on QVC

Finally the day of the huge TIPS Nail Conditioner re-launch on QVC US has arrived.  We've been waiting and preparing for this day for a long time.  Major changes had to be made:  new logo, new bottle size, updated instructions, etc. 

 

All good things take time and we are extremely proud of the result.

 

The new logo and new bottle size can be seen in this photo.

 

Karen Orlowski, founder and creator of TIPS and ASK Cosmetics Inc., developed her flagship product approx. 20 years ago.  She first started selling her unique nail care products on The Shopping Channel and after seeing how successful it was as a shopping network item she ventured into the USA and was accepted with open arms.  Now, hundreds of thousands of women and men swear by TIPS and TIPS for Toes as their go-to product for nail problems. 

 

The instructions has also been translated into French in order to accomodate our French-speaking customers around the world.

In this photo you can still see the old logo on the TIPS for Toes bottle.  However, the new, modern logo is printed in the TIPS brochure.

 

So, be sure to tune in Saturday July 13th between 7 - 8 am EST  Early Morning Beauty with Leah Williams for the TIPS Nail Conditioner kit and the inventor herself, Karen Orlowski.

 

For more information on ASK Cosmetics Inc. and

all their innovative, enhancing cosmetics check out their website.

 

 

 

 

Great Advice for both Salon-Goers and DIY Manicurists alike

Achieving and maintaining gorgeous nails is less a matter of luck and more a matter of caring for them correctly.  Fortunately,  proper nail care is quite easy if you use the right products and take a few simple precautions when at the nail salon.

 

 

Nails need to be moisturized, especially after removing nail polish.  Luckily, the Revival Nail Polish Remover by ASK Cosmetics does both:  removes your polish super fast and efficiently while conditioning and hydrating your nails and cuticles at the same time.  For more information on this remover click

 

Here are the most important tips to keep in mind at your next salon visit:

• While most nail salons follow strict cleanliness and disinfection guidelines, be sure to look for the following when frequenting a salon:  Does your nail technician have the necessary experience and/or license, if required?  Are the stations clean?  Does the nail technician wash her hands between clients?  Are there dirty tools lying around?  Ask how they clean their tools.

• If you get frequent manicures and pedicures, consider purchasing your own tools to be used at the salon.

• Check that the pedicure footbaths and filters are thoroughly disinfected before you use them.  If not properly cleaned, they can harbor bacteria and fungus.  If the salon does not appear clean, then choose another one.  Don't take any chances!

• Shave our legs after getting a pedicure, not before!  Don't shave your lower legs for at least 24 hours before you get a pedicure.  If you nick yourself while shaving, a pedicure could put you at risk for an infection.

• If you want to wear a bright red or orange polish, prevent discolouration by appyling an extra layer of base coat.  If your nails are yellowed and discoloured from the polish, your nails should return to normal colour over several weeks if you stay away from bright polish.

• There is no scientific proof that immersing nails in gelatin makes them stronger.  Polishes that contain strengthening ingredients increase nail stiffness, which may make nails break more frequently.

• Do not wear artificial nails to cover up nail problems as they may make them worse.  Artificial nails are not recommended for people who are prone to fungal infections or have brittle nails.  For people with healthy nails, artificial naisl can be fine as long as they are not worn continuously.

• If you wear artificial nails, know what products are used as the substances can cause an allergic reaction and if you develop a rash or other reaction, your doctor will need this information.

Stay safe and protect your precious finger and toe nails on your future visits.  Gain some peace of mind that your favourite salon is hygenic, certified and willing to please its most conscientious customers, like yourself.  Then you can fully relax and enjoy that next pedi you go in for.

 

Contact me at lmueller@askcosmetics.com if you would like to enter our next nail transformation challenge "Going from fake to really gorgeous nails", that will be starting soon. 

 

Til next time,  Lisa Mueller

 

 

 

 

The 2013 Mother's Day Giveaway sponsored by ASK Cosmetics is now on!

In connection with the launch of the new business blog entitled TIPS by ASK Cosmetics Blog and the Youtube channel TIPS TV the company has decided to stage a huge giveaway with 2 prize packages valued at $250 each.  One winner will be chosen and asked to provide us with a name and postal address of a loved one they would like to spoil with the second gift basket. 

 

We hope these prizes will arrive in time for Mother's Day on April 12, 2013.  So, if you are up for a giveaway, get your multiple entries in before April 26th, 13.  This giveaway is open internationally, as always.  Participants must be 18 + and there is no purchase necessary to enter.

 

Best of luck to all!  Happy Weekend, Lisa M.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gorgeous Nails on Your Wedding Day

It's wedding season once again, and brides all around the world are getting ready for one of (if not the) biggest days in their lives.  Everything has to be perfect - from head to toe - since all eyes will be on the blushing bride.

 

One of the most exciting moments of this glorious event is when the groom slips the wedding ring on his bride's finger.  After that everyone wants to feast their eyes on her hand.  Doesn't everyone want to have the most beautiful looking hands on this day?

 

For the ultimate wedding manicure I have chosen two polishes:

 

 

This indoor photo shows Rimmel London's "French Rose 140" on the left, TIPS Nail Conditioner in the center and "Sheer French Pink" by ASK Cosmetics on the right.

 

 

Indoor photo:  3 coats of "French Rose" by Rimmel, which started out very similar in its transparency to the second polish by ASK Cosmetics, but took on much more of a pinkish tone after 2 coats.

 

Indoor photo:  3 coats of "Sheer French Pink" by ASK Cosmetics, which makes your pinks look pinker and your whites look whiter.  Many people have noticed my nails with this polish on and commented how nice my French manicure looks.

 

 

All three pics above show Rimmel's "French Rose".  If you love the slightest hint of pink on your nails, this polish will fit the bill wonderfully.

 

In the above three photos you can see my right hand with 3 coats of "Sheer French Pink" and the last one shows TIPS Nail Conditioner, which I apply after each and every manicure to treat the cuticles.

 

Some more outdoor shots to show the difference between the two....

 

Rimmel's "French Rose"

ASK Cosmetics' "Sheer French Pink"

Which one do you prefer - more pink or more sheer?

 

 

Let's get social, shall we?

 

Connect with me here:

 

on Pinterest

 

on YouTube

 

on Facebook

 

or on the ASK Cosmetics website & online shop

 

Take care and til next time,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sinful Colors - Rain Storm 1053

Upon adding this somewhat dreary shade to my collection I was very spectical about my feelings toward it.  I definitely love the "blues", but this one kept staring at me on my shelf of polishes saying "Try me, you'll like me!"

 

Finally the day came when I decided to give it a whirl, and boy, was I amazed at how much I loved this lacquer on my nails.

 

2 coats of Sinful Colours "Rain Storm 1053"

 

 

It's hard for me to describe this gorgeous shade.   When I was applying it thoughts of my favourite blue jeans came to mind.  It's not a blue that screams at you, but rather subtle, subdued yet very functional and versatile for anyone's wardrobe.

 

As you can see here against my outdoor bricks, it would pair famously with any shades of grey.

 

When doing a manicure, I always make sure I stay clear of my cuticles since nail polish is extremely drying for your cuticles.  Following each mani I do a quick application of TIPS Nail Conditioner in order to treat the cuticles and skin around my nails.

 

Lisa's Tip of the Day: 

If you are using TIPS Nail Conditioner (or TIPS for Toes for your finger nails),  there is no need to apply a hardener/strengthener-type nail care product to your nails.  TIPS will do that and much more for your nails:  it fortifies, nourishes, hydrates, strengthens, protects them against the damage of water, and replenishes the lost lipids giving them strength yet keeping them flexible.

 

Stay in touch with me

 

on Pinterest

 

on Facebook

 

on YouTube

 

What's your experience with Sinful Colors?  Do you have a fave shade?

 

Til next time,  Lisa M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC Beauty Event on March 24th

I've got great news for all the QVC US shoppers out there.  On Sunday March 24th  QVC US is offering free shipping & handling on the following items/kits by ASK Cosmetics:

A-62260 - 1 bottle of TIPS for Toes

A-62259 - 2 bottles of Revival Nail Polish Remover

A-69605 - 2 x Contour Nail Files in a set

 

A-00563 TIPS 5 Piece Ultimate Manicure Kit

 

A-1859    2 bottles of the Revival Skin Conditioning Milk

 

For more information on these products, check out this page for brief product descriptions and to find out more about the brand, ASK Cosmetics Inc. of Canada.

All these kits are available on QVC's Beauty - TIPS Nail Care website.  These products and all the details about ordering can be found right here.

 

 

Take advantage and save some money on QVC this Sunday, March 24th. 

 

See you soon,  Lisa M.

 

 

Week 4 of ASK Cosmetics Skincare Challenge

Upon reading Leslie's initial email (sent in Jan 15th, 2013) I just knew she would be a great candidate for the ASK Cosmetics skincare products.  This is what she wrote, you can see from the before pictures that her hands look terribly rough, dry, chapped and painful.

For the past couple of years my hands have became extremely rough. I believe it started after I had my first son. I started washing my hands more frequently and I guess using off brand/cheap hand wash my hands started cracking and become rough. I have since tried using different brands of hand wash and nothing seems to help. I even have tried different hand lotions to try and get them back smooth. At first the lotion seems to make them smooth but after it dries my hands are back to the way they were.

My hands are so bad they even crack and bleed around my knuckles which are not as bad as the palm of my hand and around my fingers. My two boys and my husband tell me when I touch them that my hands are so rough that it scratches them. Which is a horrible feeling for a mom to not try and touch her children. I still do I just put lotion on my hands real quick and then touch there face or arms.

The biggest challenge is when we go to a store and I have to hold my sons hand to cross the road he refuses because first he thinks he is a big boy and second he always tells me that he doesn't like the way my hands feel. My husband well that is a different story about my hands being rough.

My hands are getting cracks so much they get a little sore at times, if that makes sense, especially when my knuckles start to bleed. When I bend my fingers it gets little sore because as you can see in the pictures that is where the cracks are the worse on my hands. Also, I have a Himalayan cat which I pet all the time. I think I could be her brush because every time I pet her I get a lot of her hair all over my hands. Her hair just sticks to my hands.

I would like to take this challenge because I would love to have my soft hands back. Not only for myself but also for my family to tell me I have soft hands and they would love for me to touch them. Most importantly for myself and not to suffer anymore from crack hands that are so rough and bleed. But also to feel good again about myself. A woman loves to be pamper and this would be my way of pampering myself!

Thank you,  Leslie

 

 

A great update (sent in Feb. 24th, 2013) and fantastic results after 4 weeks of applying ASK Cosmetics skincare products.....

 

Photo taken after 4 weeks for using the products

Hi Lisa,

I have uploaded week fours hand pictures for you to look through. I am just amazed that in four weeks my hands are looking great! I am truly loving these products and I can't wait to share the news to my family and friends about them. I have just had rough hands the past couple of years and now in a few weeks my hands are finally getting back to the way they should be. A big thanks to your company. I will update you in another week.

Thank you,  Leslie

 Week 4's Progress Photos taken and sent in by Leslie

 

 

 

For the "Healthy & Enhancing Skin Care Challenge 2013" sponsored by ASK Cosmetics, all participants were provided with the following products including detailed instructions on how and when to apply them for maximum results:

 

Revival Hand & Nail Cleanser for gentle cleansing,

Revival Skin Conditioning Milk for moisturization without waxes and silicones,

TIPS for Toes - our secret weapon against cracked, bleeding, painful areas!!  It works like magic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeding your nails with supplements just isn't possible!

The following information is taken from one of the best books on the market, written by the Cosmetics Cop herself, Paula Begoun.  The title of her amazing book is "The Original Beauty Bible - Unparalleled Information for Beautiful and Younger Skin at Any Age" - a definite must-read for everyone!

 

 

Today's segment involves the belief that you can actually strengthen your nails from the outside with gelatin, fluoride, calcium and/or biotin.

 

"Despite the nail's basic attributes, several long-standing myths about getting the talons of your dreams make the coffee-klatch rounds every now and then.  Perhaps you've heard some of these nail delusions before, such as that tapping your nails on a hard surface will help nails grow and make them stronger.  That isn't true in the least.  You can't strengthen the nail by exercising it, assuming the nail needs the same training as a muscle.  If anything, tapping will do just the opposite of what you want.  Repetitive pressure or strain on the nail will lead to breakage and splitting."

 

 

 

"Another inane nail fiction is the notion that eating gelatin makes nails healthier.  Gelatin probably got its reputation as a nail builder because of its relationship to protein.  Like your nails and your hair, gelatin contains protein, but no form of food can go directly to the nail or hair to help it grow.  There are no studies or data demonstrating that eating gelatin will improve the condition of anything.  Eating a balanced, low-fat, nutritious diet (meaning lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) is certainly an important factor in overall good health, but feeding the nail directly just isn't feasible."

 

 

 

"Several nail-care products want you to believe that 'What's good for your teeth is great for your nails,' so you can 'Harness the power of fluoride with strengtheners, base and top coats, and cuticle care.'  If only that were possible! 

First, teeth are unrelated to nails.  Teeth are made of a bony substance composed of various mineral compounds, mostly calcium phosphate.  Nails have no mineral content but rather are composed of hardened keratin, basically the same substance that comprises skin and hair.  Fluoride reduces the presence of bacteria in the mouth, which reduces the acidity of the saliva and in turn reduces or eliminates tooth decay.  None of that, to put it mildly, has anything to do with nail growth or nail problems.

One more point:  Given that almost all of us drink and wash with fluoridated water, our nails are consistently exposed to fluoride.  If fluoride were important for healthy nails - which it isn't - the amount we get in our drinking water would be more than enough."

 

 

My personal side note:  Drinking adequate amounts of water every day is paramount for overall health.  It hydrates, it cleanses, it fills you up, etc.  I fill two large water bottles first thing in the morning and make sure I drink those, plus every time I go to the kitchen I also drink another normal-size glass of goodness.  Try it, it really works. 

 

Important to note:  "The nail-care industry has tried to build up many ingredients in the effort to convince us that we can grow stronger nails.  For years protein was a big one that showed up in nail-care products, though protein can't feed the skin or nail from the outside in.  Diligently applying most nail-care products does help, but it is the protective coating they provide that does the trick, not these impressive-sounding-yet-do-nothing special ingredients."

 

 

 

"Perhaps the last piece of nail improbability is the belief that applying calcium to your nails will make them strong.  You can't feed the nail directly, though even if you could, calcium and other minerals are unlikely ingredients for this purpose.  Calcium and minerals may help build strong bones (bones are primarily calcium), but that is unrelated to the content of nails.  The notion of having nails as strong as bones does make calcium sound appealing.  However, even by itself calcium can't build bone; the body needs other vitamins and minerals to use the calcium.  Moreover, there is vittually no calcium in nails; they're made of keratin and that's about it."

 

 

So, do away with those expensive supplements and design healthier meals centered around fruits, vegetables, whole grains and be sure to drink the recommended amount of water religiously every day.  Your skin, nails, hair and body will thank you for it - guaranteed!

 

Thanks to Paula Begoun for her helpful books and for taking a critical look at the cosmetics industry.

 

Have a wonderful day, Lisa M.