Sales Information
Odorless gel nail enhancement products for a more appealing salon environment Jim and Lezlie McConnell began Light Elegance in 1999 in Eugene, Oregon. Lezlie owned an up scale salon and Jim was a polymer chemist. Jim and Lezlie combined their knowledge to create this wonderful system with the health and well-being of the nail technician in mind. Light Elegance gel nail products are odorless, easy to apply, and have strength and flexibility for full-sets and fills. Light Elegance offers a wide range of nonyellowing products that can be applied to gels, acrylics, wraps and natural nails. Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 2
Table of Contents Section Pages Light Elegance Story 2 Acrylics vs. Light Elegance Gels 4 Sales Points 5 Bonder 6 1-Step 7 Extreme Gel 8 Builder 9 Pink 10 French Tip 11 White Art 12 Swedish White 13 Natural Tip 14 Super Shiny 15 Top Gloss 16 Gel Polishes 17 Intro Kit 18 Pro Kit 19 Art Gel and Tips 20 Implements 21 Implements and Dry Glitters 22 Easy Cure Lamp 23 Question and Answers Back Cover 3
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Sales Advantages of Light Elegance Products Q: What are the advantages of Light Elegance over acrylics? A: There are a lot of advantages and more being discovered every day. Here are the more popular advantages: Light Elegance does not change color or turn yellow whereas acrylics do change color. Light Elegance does not continue to shrink over time and thus feels more comfortable on the client s nails. Light Elegance has no odor while acrylics have a very strong noxious odor. Light Elegance gels are more flexible than acrylics and this results in less damage to the natural nail and less shattering. Q: What are the advantages of Light Elegance over other gels? A: There are many gels on the market today and we are seeing that they have many limitations because they only have one or two gels. Light Elegance has three clear gels, four white gels, one pink gel and gel polishes; each is significantly different than the next. There are a few other advantages: Light Elegance does not change color or turn yellow whereas some other gels do. Light Elegance gels do not run on the nail so the nail technician does not have to remove the Light Elegance gels from the cuticle like she would with many other gels. Light Elegance gels are not brittle and as such there is much less cracking and shattering. Super Shine has the highest gloss on the market. Extreme Gel is the strongest gel on the market. Q: What is so wonderful about our Bonder? A: Light Elegance Bonder is very unique. It does so much for the nail technician to make her job easier: Bonder prepares a glue-on tip without filing! Bonder hides lift lines. Bonder has little to no odor and comes in a brush bottle for easy application. Bonder works like an acrylic primer but is actually a gel. Q: What is the importance of lamps and bulbs? A: Light Elegance gels are no different than any other gel they must be cured with a good lamp and bulb. Poorly cured gel will lift, crack and not have a good shine. Light Elegance requires the use of a good UV 9-watt bulb. Here are some important items: The best 9-watt bulbs on the market are SLI, Sylvania (UK plant) and Phillips. Do not use bulbs that are generic (only say 9W on them) or Ocius bulbs. They are poor quality and will result in failure of the gel. UVA is not the harmful UV light. UV B and UVC are much more harmful and are cancer causing. There is no danger of melanoma upon exposure to the Light Elegance lamp. 5
Bonder Used similar to acrylic primer application, but it is a gel Bonder is a product that acts like a primer for the nail. It has a great bonding power that also is able to hide lift-lines and can prime a glue-on tip without etching! Bonder is a necessary item for full-sets and is recommended for fills on clients who have weak or nails that are difficult to adhere to. Uses for Bonder are: Increased gel adhesion to the nail Priming a glue-on tip Hiding lift lines Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 6
1-Step Gel For use on nails with a good C curve and arch 1-Step Gel was inducted into our line as a result of a conversation during dinner in Long Beach with 12 nail technicians. We discussed an ideal gel that can do everything! It is a medium viscosity, self-leveling clear gel that cures to a high shine! Its viscosity, adhesive properties and gloss allow the nail technician to perform a fill in one coat on a client who wants a gorgeous set of nails. Light Elegance 1-Step was the first gel on the market that could do a fill with one coat! Uses for 1-Step Gel are: Performing a fill in one coat Creating hard and thin enhancements Used as a gloss coat! Can be filed very easily Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 7
Extreme Gel For use on strong nails that need more of a C curve and arch Extreme Gel was inducted into our line in 2004. It is a thick, self-leveling clear gel that does not cure to a high shine. It has no acrylic acids nor epoxy resins in its composition; thus, there is little chance for an allergic reaction for clients or nail technicians who have allergies. Uses for Extreme Gel are: Creating arches and curves on flat nails Creating hard and thin enhancements Great for clients who are sensitive acrylics or epoxy resins Can be filed very easily Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 8
Builder Gel For use on flat nails that need a C curve and an arch Builder Gel is slightly more self leveling & stronger than the Sculpture Gel from LCN, stronger than the Brisa Clear Sculpting Gel from Creative with the same viscosity and clarity. Builder Gel has been one of our most popular selling products and will continue to have a place in our product line. Uses for Builder Gel are: Non Self-leveling Creating arches and curves on flat nails Correcting ski-jump nails Full-sets and fills Can be filed very easily Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 9
Pink 1-Step Gel For use on nails with a good C curve and arch Pink 1-Step Gel was inducted into our line as a result of a conversation during dinner in Long Beach with 12 nail technicians. It is a medium viscosity, selfleveling clear gel that cures to a high shine! Its viscosity, adhesive properties and gloss allow the nail technician to perform a fill in one coat on a client who wants a gorgeous set of nails. Pink 1-Step is a semi-opaque gel that is great to hide blemishes on the nail and to create a pink tint. Uses for Pink 1-Step Gel are: Performing a fill in one coat with a pink tint Can be mixed with Builder or Extreme Gel Creating hard and thin enhancements Can be filed very easily Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 10
French Tip Used to create a French extension or a soft French fill French Tip is a gel that is great for forming or doing fills to create a French Manicure. French Tip is not a bold white like White Art, but is a slightly softer white. French Tip can be formed to make a French Manicure extension whereas the White Art can not be used on a form to create the French Manicure. Uses for French Tip are: A French Manicure look over gels, acrylics and wraps. French Extensions over forms Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 11
White Art Used to create a French manicure for fills without drilling the smile line! White Art is a gel that is used for nail art but more recently has been very popular for French Manicures! The White Art cures to a thickness of about 2 sheets of paper. The White Art is applied very thinly on the free-edge of the nail and cured. It can be applied over gels, acrylics or wraps. Uses for White Art are: A French Manicure look over gels, acrylics and wraps. White applications for nail art Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 12
Swedish White Used to create a French manicure for fills without drilling the smile line! Swedish White is a gel that is used for French Manicures. The Swedish White cure to a thickness of about ½ sheet of paper and it is opaque at ¼ sheet of paper. This means that the Swedish White is used in one coat to make a French manicure. The Swedish White is applied very thinly on the free-edge of the nail and cured. It can be applied over gels, acrylics or wraps. Uses for Swedish White are: A French Manicure look over gels, acrylics and wraps. White applications for nail art Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 13
Natural Tip Used to create a natural free-edge on the nail or an American manicure Natural Tip is a gel that is great for forming or doing fills to create an American Manicure. Natural Tip is an off-white color like the natural color of the client s free-edge. Natural Tip can be formed to make an American Manicure extension. Uses for Natural Tip are: An American Manicure look over gels, acrylics and wraps. Natural nail repairs Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 14
Super Shiny Used to create an incredible gloss on the nail! Super Shiny is a gel product that is used to create a high shine on the nail. Super Shiny is applied like nail polish and cured in the UV lamp. The gloss of Super Shiny can last for 3 to 4 weeks! Super Shiny is our highest gloss product and is very easy to apply! Super Shiny is smooth to the touch a feel that is reminiscent of silk! Uses for Super Shine are: Final gloss coat on gels, acrylics or wraps Smoothing out flat spots in the final stage of performing a full-set or fill Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 15
Top Gloss Great for putting a gloss over gel polish! Top Gloss is a gel product that is used to create a wet shine over gels, acrylics or wraps. Top Gloss has a harder finish than Finisher or 1-Step. The gloss of Top Gloss will last for 4 weeks! Top Gloss is applied very thinly on the nail and cured in our Easy Cure lamp or Pro Light for a tack-free finish! Uses for Top Gloss are: Cures Tack-free! Final gloss coat on gels, acrylics or wraps Super high shine! Super hard finish! Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 16
Gel Polishes Used to replace regular nail lacquers! We launch three new colors every quarter!! Gel Polishes have no dry time and are used in place of lacquer based nail polishes. Gel polishes have many advantages over traditional nail lacquers. Gel polishes are odorless, contain no solvents and will not wear-off the free-edge of the nail. Gel polishes are becoming more popular and will eventually replace all nail lacquers that are on the market. Gel polishes need to be removed by lightly filing the gel off of the nail. We recommend that one gel polish color is applied over the original gel polish color without complete removal of the original gel polish. The conserves the integrity of the nail while allowing the client to experience a new color with every service. Uses for Gel Polishes are: Final polish color on natural nails, or over gels, acrylics or wraps Use Top Gloss, 1-Step or Finisher over the gel polish for a high shine Pedicures! Gel nails are the fastest growing systems in the nail technician s arena today. Acrylics are quickly being replaced by gels and Light Elegance is leading the way in polymer chemistry and customer support. Introduce your nail technician to Light Elegance today. 17
Intro Kit Great for Technicians who want to try gels! The Light Elegance Intro Kit features the Light Elegance Intro Lamp which is a wonderful lamp for students and nail technicians wanting to start doing gel nails as well as a great pedicure lamp! The Intro Kit contains: 8 grams of: Extreme Gel, 1-Step, Builder, French Tip, 12 grams of: a gel polish, 15 grams of: Bonder and Super Shiny, 2 fl oz of Cleanser, 1 Perfect Files, 1 Foamie File, 20 forms, an application brush, an application book and an application DVD. The Kit is contained within a vinyl plastic carrying bag. 18
Pro Kit This is the premium kit for nail technicians the best value on the market! The Light Elegance Pro Kit features the Light Elegance Easy Cure Lamp which is the smallest and most powerful lamp on the market today that cures all five fingers comfortably. The Pro Kit is for nail technicians who are looking for the best kit to purchase. The Pro Kit contains: 25 grams of: Extreme Gel, 8 grams of: Bonder, 1-Step, Pink, Builder, French Tip, Finisher and Top Gloss, 12 grams of: White Art and a gel polish, 2 fl oz of Cleanser, 2 Perfect Files, 1 Foamie File, 20 forms, an application brush, an application book and an application DVD. The Kit is contained within a very attractive plastic carrying case. Easy Cure Lamp features: Super powerful! Extremely small (approx. 2.5 x 6.5 x 10.5 ) Auto-off feature @ 2 minutes Change bulbs L.E.D. o Lets the nail technician know when to replace the bulbs! Three 9-watt bulbs Fully reflective interior Cures the thumb as well as any other finger! Simple to operate! 19
Art Gel Paint Pots... 2 grams of each color Gel Art and Tips... Acryl Art... 3-D Gel Tip Kits... 100 Count Tip Bags... 50 count Brush-On Nail Glue Resin Natural Curve Tips Clear Curve Tips French White Curve Tips 20
Implements... #4 Flat Wood Handle Brush #4 Flat Acrylic Handle Brush #4 Oval Acrylic Handle Brush #5 Round Wood Handle Brush #6 Round Wood Handle Brush Cuticle Nppers Cuticle Pusher Lotion Dispenser Pump Cleanser Dispenser Pump Tip Cutter, Silver Tip Cutter, Stainless Steel 21
Implements... Easy Cure Lamp... smallest and strongest lamp on the market! Cleansing Wipes... 360 per bag Mixing Spatulas... 25 per bag Glitter Spoons... 12 per bag Dry Glitters...in 4 gram size containers (except spears which comes in 2 gram) 22
Easy Cure Lamp The Light Elegance Easy Cure Lamp is the smallest and most powerful lamp on the market today that cures all five fingers comfortably. It will cure ANY PRODUCT on the market with ease! Easy Cure Lamp features: Super powerful! Extremely small (approx. 2.5 x 6.5 x 10.5 ) Auto-off feature @ 2 minutes Change bulbs L.E.D. o Lets the nail technician know when to replace the bulbs! Three 9-watt bulbs Fully reflective interior Cures the thumb as well as any other finger! Simple to operate! 23
Typical Gel Questions and Answers 1) Q) Why do gels get hot? A) Gels, as with all polymers, generate heat as a result of an exothermic reaction. An exothermic reaction is a reaction that generates heat (exo to give off and thermic heat ). The exothermic reaction is a result of the gel being at one state (liquid) which has a high potential energy and going to a solid which has a lower potential energy. The difference in potential energy is the amount of energy that is given off in the form of heat. Each resin that is used in the final gel formulation has its own exothermic reaction. These individual exothermic reactions take place at individual times during the curing process. If each exothermic reaction takes place at the same time, then there is more heat. If the exothermic reactions are staggered, then there is less heat. The exothermic reaction feels hotter if the individual reactions take place at the same time. A second factor effecting the exothermic reaction is the amount of product being used to create the enhancement. If more gel is used to create the enhancement, then more heat is generated; likewise, if less product is used to create the enhancement, then less heat is generated. Light Elegance makes a gel called Builder Gel. Builder has a staged reaction rate that creates less heat when cured compared to our Extreme Gel which is our strongest gel in our line that does not have a staged reaction. Extreme Gel generates more heat than Builder when cured. We could not adjust for the exotherm when we formulated Extreme because Extreme Gel had to be strong and be good for clients who have allergies to other gels. 2) Q) Can you soak-off gels? Is this a good characteristic or a bad one? A) You can not soak-off most gels and those that you can really do not gel soft and gummy like acrylics do when you expose them to acetone. Gels are a urethane resin that is terminated with an acrylic reactive site. This transforms the urethane into an acrylate (slightly different than an acrylic). The urethane does not swell with exposure to acetone and thus can not be soaked off. Gels that can be soaked off have a lower cross link density and do not become gummy rather they swell and can be scraped off the nail plate. Gels of this nature are not as chemically strong as gels with higher cross link densities and appear to be more flexible. We like our gel to not be able to be attacked by acetone because this means that the nail technician can use acetone based polish remover to remove any polish from the gel and not have it effect the gloss or integrity of the gel. Acetone is a very harsh chemical on the skin. Prolonged exposure to acetone removes critical oils in the skin that help protect our bodies from other chemicals and elements in the environment. I do not see this prolonged exposure as a positive treatment for our clients. 3) Q) Are gels as strong as acrylics? A) Some gels are as strong as acrylics. One example of this would be our Extreme Gel. One reason why gels are perceived as weaker is the application technique. Because most gels do not have a solid polymer (like acrylic powder) in them, it is easy to not create an arch and curve in the nail. Since an arch and curve create integrity and strength in the enhancement, the lack of an arch and curve allow the nail to be more flexible and as such create cracking. Another aspect to consider is how easily gels file off compared to acrylics. When the nail technician shapes the nail too much product can be removed and this results in too little product remaining in the sidewall of the nail. This is where a crack can initiate and subsequently continue across the nail surface in the stress area. Both of these aspects of gels can be considered to be weaknesses unless the nail technician knows about the product that she or he is using so that accommodations can be made resulting in a beautiful and durable enhancement. 4) Q) Why do some people become allergic to gels? A) Clients generate allergies to various products used to manufacture fingernail enhancement systems. Many clients develop allergies to acrylic acids found in acrylics and some gels and epoxy acrylates found in some gels. Clients and nail technicians can even develop allergies to the urethanes used to make gels. Urethane acrylates used to make gels have less of a tendency to develop allergies than the acrylic acids and epoxy acrylate resins. Allergic reactions can be reduced dramatically if the nail technician follows a few simple guidelines: a) do not over expose your client s skin to the product by getting it on her cuticle, b) do not wipe or cleanse the sticky layer off of her enhancement while cleansing her skin restrict your cleansing area to the enhancement only, c) be careful when removing the gel from the container do not let the product drip onto the surface of the table where you could rest your arms. This results in over exposing the skin on your forearms to the gel that could result in an allergy. 5) Q) Do gels turn yellow in a tanning bed? A) Most gels do not turn yellow in a tanning bed. I know for certain that the Light Elegance does not. This is because of our selection of resins and photoinitiators that are used to manufacture Light Elegance are specifically chosen because of their UV stability. 6) Q) Are all UV lamps that are used to cure gels the same? A) No! Not all UV lamps are the same. In fact, not all UV bulbs of the same wattage are equal! There are inferior bulbs on the market and inferior lamps that use circuitry and ballasts that I would consider to be sub-standard. Choose a 9-watt lamp that uses name brand bulbs that you know you can trust (Sylvania Lighting SLI, Phillips, ). Ask questions regarding your lamp and be informed before spending your money.