Happy Holidays!

 

Wishing you and your families a healthy and safe holiday season!

UpKept Spa

536 E Main St, Vacaville, CA, United States, California

(707) 208-7646

12 Winter Nail Colors to Try Now, According to the Pros

When it comes to winter nail polish colors, one can argue that anything goes. Whether a little bit glam or a little bit goth, winter nail colors are always a striking signal of the season. Some match their dusk-by-five surroundings with a navy blue or a vampy bordeaux, while others reflect a certain attitude or emotional expression. For example, a vinyl midnight manicure is a timeless classic in the fashion and music worlds.

The winter months don’t always call for something deep and moody. There are a couple of bright sleeper hits that always make their way into our nail rotations. (Think classic whites and iridescent metallics). You can’t really go wrong this winter season, but if you need some nail ideas to get those creative juices flowing, you’ve come to the right spot. 

Here, the pros share the winter nail colors they’re wearing and using on clients;

1.) Deep Reds

Think of you classic red and go a shade or two darker for your winter nail look. “These iconic deep reds never go out of style,” says Soon. “They are the most recognized color in fashion among models and fashionistas.” Falcone adds: “A deep, vampy red is always in for a sultry winter," and is even better when “used for a moody French manicure.” To play off of changing temperatures, Belakhlef likes Cirque Colors polish in Rothko Red, which “changes to dark oxblood red when cold and bright crimson red when warm.”

2.) Absolute Blacks

Pushing red carpet ensembles to the very edge, black digits have recently been spotted on everybody from Olivia Rodrigo to Diane Keaton. Falcone describes the short onyx nail as “a clean look with a slightly rebellious edge” and likes an ultra glossy finish with a top coat like Orly’s Shining Armor quick-dry formula “so the black looks creamy and shiny rather than dull.” Soon notes that black nails work for everyone—like a tailored suit. “They are so rich that they starkly contrast with many skin tones, much like a black wardrobe does,” she says.

3.) Midnight Blues

Navy and night-sky blues are the choice of new romantics—like Louise’s favorite Chanel polish in Rhythm, a shade the musician is unabashedly obsessed with. Belakhlef describes Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre as “the dark and intense blue of the receding night at the break of dawn.” And for the season, Falcone points out that “midnight blues always reflect the cold weather and are somewhat expected for winter.” But in the spirit of adding a touch of heat, she pays close attention to the undertones. “I like a royal blue with a slight warm undertone to it, so the look isn’t so chilly,” she adds.

4.) Glassy Evergreens

Not too far off from the classic jewel tone emerald green, mossy evergreen nails are what Falcone describes as “midnight greens”; they look best in intensely pigmented shades with a glassy finish. (Interestingly, Midnights queen Taylor Swift has been wearing the hue on- and offstage for years.) “Midnight greens are perfect for the cold weather,” says Falcone. “It’s actually really earthy, like the forest outside a winter cabin.” For wet-look shine, Orly’s Glosser top coat creates a protective barrier with a salon finish at home.

5.) Chocolate Browns

The cocoa shade of Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Brun Bistre that drew in Louise and fellow musician Vegas is setting the tone. “Richly pigmented chocolate metallic shimmer is the perfect nail color to evoke the coziness of the season,” says Belakhlef. They describe Orly’s metallic Stop the Clock lacquer as “a perfect luxurious neutral for those looking to add some interest without straying too far from the classics.” And for those who prefer a sparkle-free finish, there’s power in its depth. “I love a grayish brown as a dark neutral shade for winter,” says Falcone. “It’s like a dark taupe that reads neutral and is flattering when we lose our summer tans.” Plus, there’s just something so warm about a chocolate brown to bring on all the cozy winter vibes.

6.) Metallic Charcoals

There’s something a bit sci-fi about the metallic charcoal nail that feels particularly relevant this season—blame the Beyoncé Renaissance world tour or Rabanne's beauty launch. Belakhlef calls a “near-black holo a must” and dubs KBShimmer’s Stark Raven Mad a favorite. “In the light, the linear holo comes through, adding a pop of rainbow goodness,” they promise.

7.) Winter White

A white nail is a winter classic—and can also can help warm up your skin tone. “By winter, many of us have lost our summer glow. Wearing white nail polish can add a tiny bit of color back into our skin,” says celebrity manicurist and educator Mimi D. “Plus, it’s a shade that looks good on everyone.” Her favorite shades include Orly’s Snow Angel or OPI’s Chill ‘Em With Kindness. To make sure your white mani stays intact for as long as possible, she recommends capping the edges of your nails when polishing.

8.) Glitter Gold

What better way to brighten a gloomy winter day than with a bright shiny gold nail? “I love gold and other shimmery colors because when the light hits it, it instantly boosts my mood,” says Mimi D. “There are so many levels to gold. You can do a chunky gold glitter or a chrome look to add some sparkle to your outfit.” She recommends polishes like the CND Vinylux in It’s Getting Golder or the OPI Nail Lacquer in Five Golden Rings to get that sparkly yellow—either light or deep-toned—for some added glamour to your winter nail this holiday season.

9.) Silver Chrome

Beyoncé’s influence is everywhere at all times, but Renaissance silver especially makes for the perfect nail color this wintertime. “I love this on short and long nails,” says celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce, “Silver chrome is bold for a color choice, but very in style.”

10.) Soft Mauve

According to celebrity nail artist and educator Julie Kandalec, we’ll be turning to soft mauves as our new neutrals this winter. In what she calls “vintage-inspired” and “understated,” this muted purple makes for a perfect nail look that will match everything. “Mauve shades of the ‘90s are back in a big way,” says celebrity nail artist and educator Julie Kandalec. “They’re a throwback yet a nail color that we haven’t seen in a while.”

11.) Dark Plum

If you’re looking to go deep and moody, opt for a dark plum violet.

12.) Pink Pearl

Want to go bright and fun for the colder months? A summer nail trend that you can take with you to the colder months, says Kandalec, is a sheer pink pearl shade. She recommends Chanel’s Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Songe D’été for a fresh spin on the classic pearl iridescent we’re used to seeing. “It’s [also] incredibly versatile in its layering capabilities,” she adds. We also like Cote’s Pink Opal, Nails Inc. Shells Aloud Iridescent Nail Polish, or OPI’s I Meta My Soulmate to get that glittery effect with a pink tint for a really pretty nail look. Source

Need A Last Minute Gift?

The holiday season is here but with all that running around sometimes things can be forgotten! Don't let that be you! What is better than a gift of self care for your loved ones or yourself!

We have the perfect last minute gift for you;

A UpKept Spa Gift Card! Click this link to learn how to get one today! 

536 Main Street

Vacaville, CA 95688

(Inside Jon Edwards Salon & Spa)

Tel: 707.208.7646

All About Corns And Calluses

Corns and calluses are hard, painful areas of skin that often develop on the feet in response to pressure or friction. People may manage them at home but should not attempt to remove them without medical supervision. Corns and calluses are lesions that happen when the skin tries to protect an underlying area from injury, pressure, or rubbing. The lesions are more common among people who wear ill-fitting shoes, have sweaty feet, or stand for long periods each day.

Calluses and corns are not usually harmful, but sometimes they may lead to irritation, infections, or ulcerations of the skin, especially among people with diabetes or poor circulation in the feet.

What is a callus?

A callus is a section of skin that thickens because of friction, pressure, or irritation. They often happen on the feet but can also occur on the hands, elbows, or knees. They usually do not cause much discomfort. However, a callus on the foot may become painful when a person puts pressure on it while walking in shoes.

Calluses are yellowish or pale in color. They feel lumpy to the touch, but because the affected skin is thick, it may be less sensitive to touch than the skin around it. Calluses are often bigger and wider than corns, with less-defined edges. They commonly appear where the skin frequently rubs against something, such as a bone, footwear, or the ground.

They typically form over the bony area just under the toes, which is the area of skin that takes the person’s weight when they are walking.

A plantar callus is a particular type of callus that forms on the bottom of the heel. It happens when one of the foot bones is longer than the other and hits the ground more forcefully when a person walks. This causes the skin under this bone to thicken.

What is a corn?

A corn is a kind of callus made of dead skin. Corns on toes are very common because these are smooth, hairless skin surfaces. The corns are usually small and circular, with a clearly defined center that can be hard or soft.

Hard corns tend to be small. They occur in areas of firm, hard skin, where the skin has thickened or where there are calluses, and in bony areas of the foot.

Soft corns tend to be whitish in color, with a rubbery texture, and may look like an open sore and cause a person pain. They more commonly occur between the toes, in areas of moist and sweaty skin. A third type of corn is a seed corn, which can form  on the soles in clusters and is usually not painful.

Signs and symptoms

Corns and calluses can make a person feel as if they are walking on stones. The following signs or symptoms may indicate a corn or callus:

• a raised, hardened bump
• a thick and rough area of skin
• pain or tenderness under the skin

If a corn or callus becomes very painful, leaks fluid, feels warm, or looks red, a person should seek medical advice. These may be signs that the area is infected.

People with poor circulation, fragile skin, or nerve problems and numbness in the feet should also talk to their doctor before treating corns and calluses at home. People with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral arterial disease need to be particularly watchful.

Causes and risk factors

The primary risk factor for both corns and calluses is any pressure or friction on the skin. On the feet and hands, this may be caused by:

• wearing shoes that are too tight, too loose, or too high-heeled
• having a badly placed seam in a shoe
• wearing socks that do not fit well
• not wearing socks
• walking barefoot regularly, as the skin will thicken to protect itself
• using hand tools, sports equipment, or musical instruments without gloves
• cycling frequently
• kneeling or resting elbows on a table repeatedly
• Additional risk factors include older age, joint diseases, other foot problems like bunions or hammer toe, walking a lot on flat surfaces, or having flat feet. For calluses specifically, diabetes is also a risk factor.

Source

3 Massages for Pressure Points in Your Feet

Whether you spend all day standing or complete hard workouts daily, your feet really take a beating. But did you know that all that walking doesn’t just affect your feet? It affects your whole body. Targeted foot massages can ease tense areas that cause problems throughout your body, lower stress, aid digestion, and improve sleep through reflexology.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a type of alternative therapy that involves applying varying pressure levels to the feet, hands, and ears. It is believed that pressure points in these areas correspond to different parts of the body. By releasing tension in the trigger points, reflexology helps restore balance and encourage healing in other places.

Pressure Points in the Foot

Here’s a general guide for corresponding body parts on the foot:

• Toes: The head, specifically the brain, side neck, and sinuses
• Inside surface (along the arch): The spine
• Outer edge: The shoulders, arms, hips, knees, and legs
• The entire bottom of your foot corresponds with various organs.
• Top third (near the ball of your foot): Chest organs, including the lungs and heart.
• Middle third (near your arch): Abdominal organs, like the stomach, spleen, liver, and intestines
• Bottom third (near the heel): Pelvic organs, such as the bladder, colon, reproductive organs, etc.; the sciatic nerve

Three Foot Massage Techniques

1. For Anxiety

Stimulating the cardiovascular system can promote relaxation and ease some effects of anxiety.

• Curl your toes and identify the small dip between your 1st and 2nd toe right beneath the ball of your foot.
• Use your thumb to massage the area in a circular motion.
• You can also firmly press down on the area for 10 to 15 seconds.

2. For Lower Back Pain

Some people report that reflexology on the foot can relieve lower back pain even better than an actual lower back massage. You’ll want to focus on the arches along the inside of your foot for this massage technique.

• Move your thumb in short strokes from your heels to your toes.
• You can also walk your thumbs along the arch.

3. For Full-Body Reset

This technique doesn’t focus on one area. Instead, you will use a tennis or golf ball to identify areas of tightness all over your foot and release them. This method is one form of myofascial release therapy, similar to what you’ll experience during massage therapy in Bend.

• Roll your foot around over a tennis or golf ball until you find a sensitive spot.
• Press down to apply pressure until you feel it soften.
• Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds.

Source

Should You Take an Epsom Salt Bath?

What is Epsom salt?

Epsom salt is one of many naturally occurring mineral salts, a compound of magnesium and sulfate in rock-like formations. The name “Epsom salt” is a nod to the town of Epsom, located a stone’s throw away from London in England, where the salt was supposedly discovered about 400 years ago.

While it resembles table salt, it has a very bitter taste and isn’t really meant to be consumed. Most users dissolve it in a warm bath for a soak with the hope of relieving stress or sore muscles.

How can you use Epsom salt?

The idea is that when you pour Epsom salt into warm water, it dissolves the magnesium and sulfate and allows it to be absorbed into your body through your skin. Centuries of user testimonials claim wonderful benefits from using Epsom salt this way.

Scientific research, however, isn’t quite as vocal in its support. There are no definitive studies showing that magnesium can be absorbed through your skin in sufficient amounts to address potential deficiencies of the mineral. And what research has been done offers skepticism.

Still, integrative medical experts commonly recommend Epsom salt to people with muscle pain and mental stress. If you want to try it for yourself, the process is pretty simple and light in risk.

Pour about 300 grams (1.25 cups) of Epsom salt into a clean bathtub as it fills with hot water. (Avoid using Epsom salt in a tub with jets, a hot tub or a whirlpool bath unless the manufacturer says it’s OK.)

Once the bath is drawn, test the water for its heat level and adjust as needed. You don’t want to scald yourself. Slowly ease yourself into the tub and relax. A 15-minute soak should be enough. When purchasing Epsom salt, look to buy a product that’s 100% magnesium sulfate.

The benefits of an Epsom salt bath

Despite the lack of available scientific data, tales about the healing power of Epsom salt have been circulating for centuries, says Dr. Umeda. Users typically dissolve Epsom salt in bath water to release magnesium and sulfate ions and reap the benefits.

Stress relief

While some experts suggest that stress relief comes from the warm bath itself, others believe Epsom salt helps stabilize mood and relieve stress, anxiety and depression. In fact, some claim that taking magnesium increases serotonin (happiness or relaxation hormone) production in your brain.

Muscle pain

Epsom salt is used to relax muscles and relieve pain in the shoulders, neck, back and skull. For example, by relaxing the muscles surrounding your skull, the magnesium in Epsom salt may help release a headache or migraine. This benefit can also aid sore muscles in the recovery period after a workout.

Inflammation

Some experts also think that magnesium is good for reducing inflammation in internal organs. This may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve digestion/bowel movement. Source

The Importance of Nail Care for Seniors

Why Nail Care is Important for Seniors

Prevents Infections

Proper nail care helps prevent fungal infections and other conditions that can affect the nails. Seniors are more susceptible to infections due to reduced circulation and a weakened immune system, making nail care crucial for maintaining health.

Enhances Mobility

Keeping nails trimmed and clean can prevent discomfort and pain, especially in the feet. Overgrown or ingrown toenails can make walking difficult and lead to mobility issues. Regular nail care helps ensure you stay active and comfortable.

Improves Circulation

Massaging the hands and feet during nail care can improve blood circulation. Better circulation promotes healthier nails and overall well-being, helping to reduce swelling and improve joint function.

Boosts Confidence

Well-groomed nails enhance your appearance and boost self-confidence. Feeling good about your hands and feet can improve your overall mood and encourage more social interaction.Source

Book your appointment at UpKept today! We specialize in Geriatric, Diabetic, Problematic foot care.

A Gritty Guide About Nail Files

Navigating through the nail section for the perfect file can be overwhelming, especially with so many options from design to functionality. It really comes down to what your needs are.

The number one trick to selecting the perfect file is understanding grit numbers. “Grit” is the bumpy particles you feel on the file when you run your finger over it. The grit number refers to the abrasiveness or smoothness of a file. This number tells you how many grit particles are in one square inch of the file. The lower the number, the more abrasive the file. The higher the number, the smoother the file. 

File grits range anywhere from 60 to 12,000, but realistically, there are only 4 major categories the average person will need to use:

1. Coarse files usually range from 100-150 grit. These are on the more abrasive side since they have less grit particles. These types of files can be used to file, lengthen, or shape acrylic or gel enhancements. They are not recommended to use on natural nails since they are too abrasive.

2. Medium grit files usually range between 180-220 grit. These are considered medium grit because they contain more grit particles. These types of files are smooth enough to work on the natural nail. They are great for filing the free edge of your natural nails; however, they are not recommended to buff natural nails. They can be used to lightly buff acrylic or gel enhancements.

3. Fine grit ranges from 240-400 grit. These types of files are soft enough to lightly buff on top of the natural nail without thinning the nail out and causing damage. Perfect for removing natural oils in the nail bed to help make your manicure last longer before applying your favorite polish.

4. Buffer files have 1000-4000 grit. These will feel smooth when your run your finger over it. You won’t even feel a bump. These types of buffing files help to create high shine on natural nails and enhancements, making the nail appear as if top coat has been applied. Buffers like these work best for polishing the nail to reveal a shiny finish. Source