Gina's Platform

Your SUPER-powered WP Engine Blog

Lifestyle

Staying Safe While Supporting Salons During COVID-19

by Leave a Comment

Social distancing is the new black. But whether scheduling conference calls with the office or FaceTiming with family, clients still want to look presentable. And let’s be real, doing so might also help us all stay buoyant and feel better in these uncertain times.

Some may be asking, “Is it safe to go to my hair stylist?”

For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention haven’t issued specific guidance on whether it’s safe to get your haircut or nails done. However, everyone should be taking social distancing seriously, avoiding crowds of 10 or more and keeping a 6-foot distance from anyone you don’t live with. 

Looking to reassure your clients? Let them know their health and safety is the most important thing to you right now: 

  • Share any enhanced cleaning measures you’re using to keep your salon safe 
  • Distance your work stations at least 6 feet apart if you’re not in a standalone suite 
  • Discuss the possibility of making house calls 
  • Take the temperature of anyone entering the salon, including your own 
  • Wear any protective clothing or masks you have and offer them the same

If you live in a state that is recommending everyone shelter-in-place, here are some ways clients can still help their hairdresser or favorite salon:  

  • Don’t simply cancel, postpone appointments for a future date 
  • Prepay for any services you usually get, like regular root touchups 
  • Tip in advance
  • Buy salon gift cards 
  • Set up appointments for online consultations
  • Leave positive social media reviews and tag selfies accordingly 
  • Stock up on any salon products (it may be a while so buy in bulk!)

Are salons a non-essential business? That’s up for some serious debate! Currently, in the United States there are OVER 1,000,000 Independent Lifestyle Professionals that represent an estimated $50 Billion in revenue A YEAR!

To us, this community of professionals called “The Business of One” is a deeply essential part of our lives. And we’ll do everything we can to make sure they stay safe, well, and able to make money doing what they love.

CLICK HERE AND TELL US YOUR STORY OF HOW COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS SO GINA RIVERA CAN FIGHT FOR YOU, SHORT TERM LOANS, AND RELIEF PROGRAMS FOR YOUR BUSINESSES IN DC!

Make sure to hashtag – #BusinessOfOne

xoxo,

Gina

Glass French Manicures Are THE Trend

by Leave a Comment

#OscarFashion is irresistible – looking at you Janelle Monáe. But for most of us, its couture gowns and statement jewelry are way out of reach. Though there is one award show trend you can totally nail (pun intended).

Glass French manicures are jumping off the red carpet, taking over our Instagram feeds, and becoming a staple at the top nail salons in Los Angeles – and we’re totally here for it.

The look is a long, transparent take of a 90s classic. It’s part jelly manicure, part floating French, and totally nouveau.

The emphasis is on the ends but not in a white-tipped-acrylic way. Instead, the nails are elongated with a translucent tip then outlined, bejeweled, and shellacked to perfection.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up our favorite variations for the Oscar manicure-obsessed.  

Classic Glass Slippers

Photo Courtesy of: @nailjob Instagram

In this modern-day Cinderella story, the nail beds are slightly pinkened and capped with see-through ballerina tips for a graceful finish. This is the foundation from which nail artists are building their masterpieces. (Though they’re slammin’ solo, too!)

Glitterati Glass

Photo Courtesy of: @umas.beautyworld Instagram

These bases are loaded with inventive shimmer designs that give the glass tips additional star power. We especially love the focus of making the cuticle cute and will be copying immediately.

Blinged Out Beds

Photo Courtesy of: @candylandnailz Instagram

Sometimes, more is more. If extra is your middle name, this swarvoski crystal glass nail design has your number. Bedazzled from base to tip, it’s not for the faint of heart – emphasis on the ‘art’. We can’t wait to get our hands on this dynamic design, literally.   

Stained Glass

Photo Courtesy of: @nailcandyshop Instagram

Few works of art are more revered than stained glass. Something about the interplay between light and color is completely captivating. Now, it’s a mesmerizing experience you can capture at your next manicure appointment, and believe us we’re planning to!

Single Pane

Photo Courtesy of: @jessiepnails Instagram

Like the look of glass French manicures, but aren’t sure if you’re ready to take the plunge? Why not test out the look on just one nail to start? It’s a gradual way to try the trend without committing to a whole new nail experience.

Basically, Oscar nails are the newest way to get your celeb fashion fix. But if Billie Eilish’s long black Oscar nails aren’t quite your speed, don’t worry. Maybe these crystalline cuties will be. 

xoxo,

Gina

Click on the Nail Care tab on ginasplatform.com to find the best nail salons in NYC and LA or use the Gina’s Platform app to find a Manicurist near you

Why are Eyelash Extensions so Beautifully Irresistible?

by Leave a Comment

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, eyelashes are the drapery. That is to say they dress up an already beautiful facial feature, making it instantly more mesmerizing. 

Dark, elongated lashes have been celebrated for centuries. As far back as ancient Egypt, men, women, and children have gone to great lengths (pun intended) to amplify the eye.

It’s a trend that isn’t slowing down anytime soon either. In fact, eyelash products and treatments are exploding in popularity.

Why? For starters, they’re markers of feminine beauty in the first degree. Their presence also signals good health. And, most importantly, lashes make our faces look younger by helping brighten and widen the eyes.

But even if you weren’t genetically blessed with mascara-ad-eyelashes there’s a simple solution. Lash extensions are an easy, irresistible way to invest in yourself.

Reasons You’ll love Them

Want to bring out your inner Cleopatra? We’ve rounded up a few reasons you’ll fall in love with eyelash extensions and wonder how you ever went without.

  • More time. If your morning makeup application is getting a little out of control, listen up. Great eyelashes are essential for any fresh face. With long, fluttery lashes you can practically forego everything else and still look red carpet ready. Seriously! Use that extra time to catch up on your beauty sleep, make yourself a full-blown breakfast, and still get to work on time.
  • Improved confidence. Let’s be real. When you look better, you feel better. No sense comparing yourself to impossible standards and photo-shopped faces. Lash extensions are the start to a more naturally confident you. With bigger, brighter eyes you can recapture your most youthful-looking face and simply enjoy the rush of compliments.
  • Easy maintenance. These weightless wonders will change your life, but not your day-to-day. In 48-hours you can shower, swim, and sweat as you normally would without worrying that you’re going to look raccoon-eyed by the end of it. Most of the time, you won’t feel or even notice them – unless you’re starting at your gorgeous reflection in the mirror. Just remember that in general, the dryer they stay, they longer they’ll last.
  • No pain. “Pain is beauty” is antiquated. Appointments for lash extensions are more like spa treatments from start to finish. The entire pain-free process is rejuvenating, relaxing, and most importantly, safe – as long as you go to a reputable technician.

Most Popular Types of Eyelash Extensions

You might not guess that the process of simply sticking individual extenders to your natural lashes would come with so many options. But the truth is getting eyelash extensions is a completely customizable experience. 

You can go natural, getting a few modestly sized, strategically placed extensions throughout. Or you can go full blown drama queen, getting as many as 10 extensions applied to a single, mama-given eyelash (as Kim Kardashian does).

Before a drop of adhesive is applied, you and your lash artist will work together to select the length and curl that will make you feel like the most elevated version of yourself.   

Many lash salons also let you choose from a variety fibers made of mink, faux mink, sable, silk, cashmere, or synthetic hair.

Long, lovely eyelashes can truly transform the face. Extending your lashes is an addictive practice that will forever change the way you feel about your face. One treatment and you’ll understand why this age-old infatuation is so irresistible. 

Ready to give your lashes some love? Click on the lashes tab on ginasplatform.com or on the Gina’s Platform mobile app to find an eyelash technician near you.

xo,

Gina

All-in-One Gina’s Platform Will Automatically Run your Beauty + Wellness Business

by Leave a Comment

What’s the best part of your job? If you said something along the lines of, “being creative and making meaningful connections with my clients” we’re talking to you.

Sure, scheduling still has to be done and payments need to be tracked, but if simply running your business is taking all the joy out of having it, time to call in some help.

Gina’s Platform is a personal lifestyle resource center connecting beauty, grooming, fitness, fashion, personal care and wellness professionals with their current – and future – clients. This free, all-in-one business management app helps salon owners, beauticians and wellness professionals tackle everything from scheduling and communications to marketing and payments so you can focus on actually growing your business, not just running it.   

Let’s do a deeper dive to see how this business app for beauty and wellness professionals is revolutionizing personal care services! 

Make a Personal Connection with Current Clients

Does Sarah have a gluten intolerance or latex allergy? Does Erin always go a shade darker during the winter months? Track it all in Gina’s Platform’s organized, comprehensive Customer Relationship Management system.

From client records for formulas to preferences and personal info, you’ll know everything there is to know about your clients. You can even send personalized messages like birthday and holiday greetings through the app.

Trust us, they’ll be touched you made them a priority!

Take the Headache out of Scheduling

Everybody’s busy, but there has to be a better way to coordinate schedules. Our beauty and wellness scheduling app lets you easily and instantly drive existing and new clients to make appointments, all while keeping your schedule perfectly organized.

Want the app to send automatic appointment confirmations and reminders? Done! Wish your clients could simply claim an open appointment on your calendar without involving you? Simply publish your availability and allow your clients to slot themselves in. 

No more back and forth with Stephanie or trying to remember if you need to see Summer every six weeks or six months. The advanced appointment scheduling tool does it all.

Collect Payments in a Snap

You work hard for the money. Gina’s Platform makes sure you keep more of it, and keep it organized.

Take POS and invoice payments with a credit card fee of just 2.5%– the lowest in the industry! No contracts, no fees, a free reader, and no fine print.

Track cash and check payments too, using our revenue tracking and inventory management tool to prevent any shortfalls. Come taxtime you’ll be grateful you did!

Grow Your Business

You’re awesome. Why not give even more clients the opportunity to experience your personal service?

Gina’s platform has over 90 million potential users and a huge selection of free marketing templates to help connect you with customers looking for your services.

We’ll make you look like the polished, professional business you are with a Gina’s Platform website, free social media tools, and optional “Gina’s Deals” promotions to help you attract new clients.

Want to cut the time it takes to run your business and focus on nurturing it instead? Try Gina’s Platform for free. It’s the first-ever beauty and wellness business management app and the last one you’ll need to take your business to the next level.

Visit ginasplatform.com or download the Gina’s Platform mobile app to get started.

Using a Personal Stylist: Not Just for the Rich & Famous!

by Leave a Comment

“I have nothing to wear!,” said every woman, ever. It’s the age-old story of girl meets dress, girl falls out of love with dress, girl does a complete wardrobe overhaul. But what if you hate shopping? Live in yoga pants? Can’t seem to break out of your t-shirt and jeans uniform? 

Enter: your personal stylist. Once reserved for celebs and the ultra-rich, personal stylists are now as accessible as your cell phone!

Seriously, it’s a new decade. Time to improve your confidence and put your best, cute shoed foot forward. Here are just some of the ways you can expect your life to change when you use a personal stylist.

What does a personal stylist do?

Before we go into detail about the life-changing art of personal styling, let’s first get you acquainted with the process.

The main goal of a personal stylist is to get your wardrobe in tiptop shape. They’ll help you identify your personal style and put together ready-to-wear outfits that fit your lifestyle.

First things first, what’s the state of your closet? Your personal stylist will usually start by helping you sift through your current wardrobe. During this process they’ll be able to identify holes to fill and encourage you to give away anything that isn’t up to par.  Afterwards, a personal stylist will often do the shopping for you. Other times you might accompany them so they can get a better sense of what you’re drawn to. In either case, you’ll probably start with basic and essential pieces, and with their help, build different outfits for different scenarios.

Now that you know a bit more about how personal styling works, here’s why it works!

You’ll Spend Less Time Shopping

Can’t stand crowds? Does the idea of digging through racks and stacks of clothing make you want to tear your hair out? Let your personal stylist do the hunting for you. That’s what they’re there for. 

You’ll Never Miss a Sale

Everyone loves a bargain. Personal stylists keep tabs on all the in-store and online sales. Be it a flash sale or end of season clearance, you’ll be the first to know.  

Your Clothes will be Tailored to You

Whether you have your clothes tailored to fit your frame, or simply want outfits that are “tailored” to your lifestyle, a personal stylist can easily orchestrate both.

You’ll Get Out of the House Faster

Never be late to meeting or date again. Well, at least not because of outfit indecision. A personal stylist will help you construct grab-and-go ensembles for every occasion. 

You’ll Feel More Like Yourself

It’s true that the clothes don’t make the person. However, when you feel good about yourself, it shows. Your clothing is ultimately an extension of your personality and communicates so much to the world.

With a personal stylist in your corner, you don’t have to be a fashion expert to look like one!

xoxo,

Gina

Click on the stylist tab on ginasplatform.com or on the Gina’s Platform mobile app to find a personal stylist near you.

Massage: Which Type Is Right For Me?

by Leave a Comment

The human touch is a powerful thing. For the last 5,000 years humans have indulged in massage for a variety of mental and physical health benefits. Different cultures have perfected their versions of the therapeutic rubdown, adding various techniques in the process. 

Today, massage remains one of life’s most universally enjoyable experiences. There are hundreds of variations to choose from, so picking the right type of rubdown can be painfully overwhelming. 

Don’t stress. Ahead are ten popular massage types and a little guidance to help you get the one you’ll most enjoy.

Best Massage for First Timers – Swedish Massage

Swedish massages are the most common form of bodywork – and for good reason. This ‘best all around’ rubdown  helps with a host of healing properties from improved circulation and relaxation to decreased muscle tension and joint pain.  

Best Massage for Relaxation – Hot Stone Massage

Sore muscles are best soothed into submission with a hot stone massage. The masseuse uses flat, warmed rocks to loosen muscles through heat transference. The combination of stone and hand kneading will melt mental and physical stressors.  

Best Massage for Tension Relief – Deep Tissue Massage

If you have seriously tense muscles, and a high pain tolerance, a deep tissue massage may be the perfect remedy. This technique focuses on the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. It’s a hurts-so-good type that will likely leave you sore after. 

Best Mood-Lifting Massage – Aromatherapy Massage

Essential oils are said to emit mood-elevating properties. When these concentrated plant extracts are used in an aromatherapy massage, it can be a mood-altering, anxiety-relieving experience that lasts long after you leave the table.

Best Massage for Knots – Trigger Point Massage

Does your back pain feel like it’s radiating from one particular spot? A professional trigger point massage could help “untangle” you by using a technique that micro-targets myofascial pain.

Best Massage for Athletes – Sports Massage

Sports massages take their cue from Swedish and deep tissue massages. They’re designed to help athletic types improve their performance while treating the soreness and pain that comes from being super active.

Best Fully Clothed Massage – Shiatsu Massage

Not sure you want to completely disrobe in front of a total stranger? Try Shiatsu massage. It hails from Japan and is known for increasing the body’s natural energy flow. Practitioners make rhythmic gestures over your clothes, using just their hands and palms.

Best Rejuvenating Massage – Thai Massage

If you’re a yogi or simply love the feeling of stretching your muscles, definitely try Thai massage. During this interactive spa session your masseuse will manipulate and extend different parts of your body, using different parts of theirs. You’ll leave more flexible and energized without having to do any of the work yourself.

Best Spiritual Massage – Ayurvedic Massage

Ayurvedic massage is part of a 3,000-year-old medical practice that began in India. This full body treatment is paired with ancient techniques and oils that are said to have spiritual properties associated with them.

Best Massage for Specific Injuries – Neuromuscular massage

Neuromuscular massage is a cousin of the trigger point technique. It’s best for treating things like pulled muscles, back spasms, and lower back aches. It’s also good for helping heal soft tissue injuries by improving blood flow and oxygen levels.

Ultimately, massages are supposed to be relaxing. Next time you find yourself stressing about which type to choose, consult this guide to make sure nothing rubs you the wrong way.

xoxo,

Gina

Click on the Massage tab on ginasplatform.com or on the Gina’s Platform mobile app to find a massage professional near you.