Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1280345
N ot a m e m b e r ? J o i n at a s so c iate d h a i rp rofe s sio n a ls .c o m 43 Superstar nail professional and international educator John Nguyen, who lives and works in Toronto, Canada, was selected as one of Beauty Changes Lives' NEXTGEN Artists and has had his work showcased at New York Fashion Week, published in NAILS and Scratch UK magazines, and has graced the cover of Nailpro magazine. He definitely knows what's hot and what's not! According to Nguyen, "The services that have been the most popular since reopening have been enhancements, gel polish, and pedicures." As for specific trends, bright, bold, and graphic is what Nguyen is seeing. "Neon colors and animal prints have made a strong comeback this year," he shares. "Mixing up your manicure with pops of bright colors or animal prints is a great way to stay on trend, so have fun with it!" Now, let's dive into some other trends. SEEKING REHAB For months, consumers have been diligently washing their hands, obsessively applying sanitizer, and using harsh cleaning supplies to remain safe. Now their cuticles, nails, hands, and feet are in desperate need of rehabilitation and repair, so we asked Holly Schippers, a nail professional, educator, and social media superstar (@fingernailfixer) from Iowa for her best advice when treating clients. "As the world washes its hands more than ever before," Schippers says, "nails and skin are letting us all know how drying overexposure to water is. Offering an in-salon treatment combined with home care is a win-win situation for everyone. "Use a quality oil warmed up as a soak—just the tips of the nails and fingers need to be in the bowl. They will soak it up like a wick, and you can massage it into the rest of the nails and hand after a five-minute soak. Something that will penetrate determines quality, so look for ingredients like jojoba and squalene. Retail the oil and a good lotion for daily use at home. Oil and lotion can be used more than once a day. In extreme cases of dryness where knuckles are cracking, don't be afraid to recommend a thick, protective foot cream for the hands." You may want to try the new CB-Dadi' Oil, CB-Dadi' Lotion, and IBX Nail Strengthen and Repair by Famous Names; Critical Care Intensive Care for Soft Nails by Jessica; or Morgan Taylor's Daily Elixir to help restore your clients' nails. Negative space design by John Nguyen GET NAKED Going bare doesn't mean giving up on gorgeous nails. In fact, clean, healthy, natural nails are in-step with today's busy lifestyle. To get the look, apply a clear overlay product (like Light Elegance Gel by JimmyGel) to the natural nail after a great manicure. Similar products, like ORLY Builder in a Bottle and CND Shellac Wear Extender, are also great options, as well as Zoya, which makes a Naked Manicure Kit that's worth checking out. GOING NEGATIVE Allowing the natural nail to be the focus and using negative space in nail art is uber-popular. This style also allows for natural regrowth without demarcation, starting with