AboutMaggie Franklin Expertise Professional Nailcare: nail enhancement chemistry and technique, mancuring and pedicuring. I am not qualified to give medical advice or make medical diagnoses.
Experience I am a professional nail technician with 17 years experience in the professional beauty industry. I am licensed in the states of California (license #M120766) and Colorado (license #8611.)
I have been an active member of the online mailing list at Beautytech.com since 1999 where I network with 100s of nail industry professionals around the world.
Over the last 15 years I have accumulated several advanced training certificates, including the coveted Creative Nail Designs Master Nail Technician status, and personal training by Tammy Taylor, Tom Bachik, and Tom Holcomb.
I briefly joined the competition circuit in 2002, taking first place in the second annual Strut Your Stuff Online competition in the Enhancement 2 category. In 2009 I have decided to make time in my schedule to get back into competition by joining "Team Pink," the competition team captained by current world champion nail technician, Lynn Lammers.
I boast several contributions to articles that have appeared in both Nails and Nailpro magazines, including a brief stint as a Nails Magazine Help Desk contributor and now I write a semi-weekly blog for Nails Magazine while continuing to attend tradeshows and continuing education events.
Organizations Nail Tech mailist list at Beautytech.com
Publications Nails Magazine. Nailpro Magazine. Blogging for Nails Magazine since September, 2008: http://blogs.nailsmag.com/maggie/
Education/Credentials CA license #M120766. CO license #8611. CND Master Nail Technician. Tom Holcomb Academy. Personal training with Tom Bachik. Two day advanced training with Tammy Taylor. AEFM certified for use of electric file. HRTE (High Road to Education) in San Jose, CA 2009.
Awards and Honors 2nd Annual Strut Your Stuff Online competition, 1st place in Enhancement 2. Member of "Team Pink" competition team 2009. 3rd place, Novice tip-and-overlay relay at IBS Las Vegas, 2009.
Question I am allergic to acrylic and gel nails, have you ever heard of "Crystal" nails, they but a nail resin on and dip the nail into powder (looks like acrylic but it's not), and use the liquid to conceal it and then brush a small amount of get on top, then finish? I compare it to Silk wrap but what is it called? None of the salons around me call it Crystal nails.
Answer A very popular brand name is "Backscratchers Extreme" -- many techs also refer to it as a "dip method."
It involves brush-on resin (nail glue, basically,) dipped into powder and sealed with another coat of resin. No gel. It IS acrylic powder-- acrylic polymer (the powder) is an inert substance, it is does not contain chemicals in an active state, it's basically just finely ground plastic-- so it is almost never the culprit behind an allergy. Which is not to say "never" since I've seen people be allergic to all kinds of things!
As long as you aren't allergic to Crazy Glue, this product should work well for you. Call around and see if you can find a tech who uses the Backscratchers Extreme product line, even if they use a different brand product, they should know exactly what you're talking about when you ask about Backscratchers! (I've also heard that some places call it "diamond" nails... but terms like "Diamond," "Crystal," "Solar," "Lazer," "Rockstar" are all made up terms for marketing purposes, they aren't actual brand names so they aren't always the same thing at different salons.)
