Happy Holidays!!

 

Wishing you a Happy Holidays and a blessed New Year!

UpKept 

707.208.7646

info@stayupkept.com

Address:

536 Main Street

Vacaville, CA 95688

(Inside Jon Edwards Salon & Spa)

The Importance of Sanitation in Nail Services: Protecting Clients and Yourself

Risks of Poor Sanitation in Nail Salons

In a nail salon setting, cleanliness is essential to protect everyone involved. When tools, surfaces, and workspaces are not sanitized regularly, they can harbor bacteria, fungi, and viruses. For example, without nail salon sanitation protocols, bacteria like Staphylococcus can transfer through nail tools or workstations, leading to infections. Other potential health issues include fungal infections, warts, and even certain blood-borne diseases if tools are not properly sterilized.

The nail salon industry, just like any personal care industry, requires high standards of sanitation to ensure that clients leave healthier than when they arrived. By adhering to nail care sanitation rules, nail professionals contribute to a safer work environment, protecting both themselves and their clients.

Key Nail Hygiene Practices for Nail Technicians

• Hand Hygiene for Clients and Technicians: Hand hygiene is the foundation of safe nail services. Before beginning a service, technicians should thoroughly wash their hands and have clients do the same. For additional safety, a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content can be used. Clean hands are a simple yet effective way to reduce the spread of germs.
• Using Disposable and Reusable Tools Correctly: Disposable tools, such as nail files and buffers, are intended for single use only. For reusable tools like metal clippers, nippers, and cuticle pushers, thorough sterilization after each use is critical. A best practice is to have dedicated tools for each client or to use a UV sterilizer to eliminate potential pathogens. This practice not only upholds nail hygiene practices but also enhances customer trust.
• Sanitizing Surfaces and Workspaces: Nail salon surfaces, from the worktable to the drying station, should be disinfected between clients. Technicians should use EPA-registered disinfectants to wipe down all surfaces, ensuring the area is free from any residual bacteria or fungi. It’s essential that every technician practices regular workstation cleaning as part of daily nail salon sanitation.

Nail Care Sanitation Rules for a Safer Salon

Establishing consistent nail care sanitation rules not only helps prevent infections but also builds a reputable and trustworthy salon environment. Below are some crucial rules every salon should incorporate:

• Follow Proper Sterilization Procedures: Sterilization is non-negotiable for tools that come into contact with skin or nails. After each use, tools should be scrubbed clean, soaked in a disinfectant solution, and stored in a sterile environment. This ensures that all tools meet sanitation standards, supporting overall nail salon sanitation.
• Educate Clients on Aftercare: While much of the focus is on in-salon sanitation, encouraging clients to practice nail hygiene at home can also prevent infections. Simple aftercare tips, like not biting nails and cleaning under them regularly, can enhance the benefits of professional nail hygiene practices.
• Maintain a Regular Sanitation Schedule: A cleaning schedule ensures that surfaces, tools, and equipment remain sanitized throughout the day. Technicians should follow a routine that involves disinfecting all high-contact areas at the beginning and end of each day and after each client. Following a structured cleaning schedule creates an environment of safe nail services where sanitation is prioritized.

How Proper Sanitation Benefits Both Clients and Technicians

For Clients:

Clients benefit from proper sanitation through safer, more hygienic nail treatments. Clean practices reduce the risk of common infections and create a better overall experience. Knowing that a salon adheres to strict nail care sanitation rules also instills confidence, as clients are more likely to return to a salon they trust.

For Technicians:

By practicing effective nail hygiene practices, technicians protect themselves from potential exposure to infections and health hazards. Working in a clean environment also promotes productivity and job satisfaction, as technicians are more comfortable and confident knowing they’re providing safe nail services.

Common Sanitation Mistakes to Avoid

Despite the importance of sanitation, some common mistakes can slip through if technicians aren’t vigilant. Here are a few practices to watch out for:

• Using Unsterilized Tools: Reusing tools without disinfecting them is one of the most dangerous practices, as it exposes both clients and technicians to possible infections.
• Neglecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wearing gloves and face masks when necessary can reduce direct exposure to pathogens, and it’s a simple step that many overlook.
• Not Cleaning Foot Baths Thoroughly: For salons offering pedicures, foot baths must be disinfected thoroughly after each use. This step is crucial in maintaining safe nail services, as foot baths can harbor bacteria if not cleaned properly.

In the nail care industry, strict adherence to nail salon sanitation standards is essential to providing high-quality, safe nail services. Following nail care sanitation rules and promoting nail hygiene practices helps technicians create a safe, professional, and welcoming environment for every client. Source

Why Our Hands Get So Dry in the Winter

What Causes Dry Hands?

1.) Lack of moisture

Sadly, that crisp, clear winter air we all love is the leading cause of dry hands in winter. The dry air of winter saps moisture from our skin. For most people, the two areas left exposed during winter, the face and the hands, suffer the most.

2.) Overwashing

While it’s essential to wash our hands often to prevent illness and infection, you can overwash your hands. And yes, unfortunately, this does include super long hot showers and baths. Spending a long time in a hot bath might relax your tired muscles, but it could also dry out your skin.

3.) Using harsh chemicals or soaps

Another significant factor in your skin’s moisture levels is the type of chemicals and soaps you use every day. While that strong detergent might be the best at removing tough grease stains on your pans, they’re also great at removing moisture from your hands. Similarly, the soaps you use for washing your hands and the hand sanitizer you keep on your desk could be drying out your skin.

How To Care For Dry Hands

While it might sound like it’s all doom and gloom for your hand health during winter, there’s no reason to worry. We’ve got six tried and true methods below to help you keep those gorgeous hands happy, no matter the season.

1.) Moisturize

The number one wellness practice is to keep your skin moisturized. During the winter, keep a bottle of hand cream in your bag or car; that way, you can apply it throughout the day. We recommend reaching for something stronger at night, like an intensive care hand cream. These more potent formulas usually contain shea butter and other nourishing ingredients and can go a long way to keeping your skin hydrated.

2.) Limit time in the bath or hot shower

As hard as it can be to get out of that steamy hot shower during icy, cold winter mornings, the truth is, it has to be done. Hot water can cause damage to the keratin in our skin cells, making it difficult for them to retain moisture. If you must have a long shower before work, do your best to keep the temperature warm (rather than blazing hot). And while you might love your long bath before bed, the same principle applies here: limit the time spent in a hot bath or reduce the temperature.

3.) Use gentle soaps and gloves

Everyone will have to keep washing their hands and cleaning their house. However, hundreds of gentle handwashing soaps are available on the market. Invest in high-quality hand soaps for your bathroom at home, and keep one in your bag for work.

Try not to expose your skin to harsh cleaning chemicals as much as possible. You can also switch to a non-alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which will be gentler on your skin. It’s also essential to keep a pair of rubber gloves with your cleaning supplies.

4.) Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is more than just a must for healthy, hydrated skin; it’s necessary for our health all around. During the winter, drinking the recommended amount of water daily is crucial. Keep a reusable water bottle with you, and do your best to refill it at least six times a day. Staying hydrated not only ensures that your hands and skin look great but you’ll also reduce general headaches and fatigue. Drinking water is a must for everyone, no matter your skin type.

5.) Use cotton gloves at night

If you need something more substantial, cotton gloves for dry hands are a great option. While sleeping in cotton gloves might seem like an excessive step, this simple step makes a huge difference when dealing with dry hands. Moisturize with good-quality hand cream, and then sleep in cotton gloves for the rest of the night to lock in moisture. We promise you’ll wake up with smooth, hydrated hands.

Source

5 Holiday-Ready Nail Colors for December

December is so chock-full of reasons to celebrate, it may as well be renamed “Cheers-ember.” Between family holidays, end-of-year work parties, and gatherings with friends, it’s easy to find yourself with a full social calendar—and you can bet that your nails will be on full display for all of it. According to industry experts, your manicure should really match the festive vibe of the season. Think: Reds, greens, and neutrals—plus dimensional design elements to up the jolly ante. “December is all about red and green hues, shimmering finishes, and glitter that brings in that New Year’s energy,” says celebrity nail artist and educator Erica De Los Santos. “[I’m] seeing a big rise in isolated chrome details and cat-eye looks, adding a modern, dimensional twist to classic holiday nails.” 

1.) Jelly Burgundy

The holiday season is no stranger to a deep-red nail. But consider a jelly burgundy manicure as a fresh reimagining of the classic. The hallmark of a jelly manicure is a polish that’s sheer and glossy, lending a juicy-looking finish. And better yet, you can achieve the effect with regular or gel polish. Adding a jelly effect to a holiday-ready burgundy nail provides a layer of playful lightheartedness to a rich color that typically reads as sophisticated.

“It’s rich, moody, and elegant, but because it’s jelly, it feels lightweight instead of a heavy, opaque color,” nail artist and educator Sofiia Mazur says of jelly burgundy. “The translucency gives that glossy, syrupy look that makes nails appear longer and more luxurious. It’s perfect for clients who want depth without going too dark.”  To DIY a jelly burgundy manicure, Mazur says it’s critical to start with two or three thin layers of polish in order to slowly build depth, then finish off with a glossy top coat. “Jelly colors look best when the light can pass through them, so avoid over-applying,” she says. “If you want a richer look, add one extra layer only near the center of the nail to create a natural gradient and extra dimension.”

2.) Taupe Cashmere

Looking for a fail-safe conversation starter to carry you through the holiday-party season? Getting a taupe, mushroomy cashmere manicure all but guarantees you endless discussions about what color it really is: Gray? Purple? Beige? According to Mazur, it depends. “It’s one of those colors that looks different in every light, as it’s sometimes a muted plum, sometimes a chic taupe,” she says of the elegant, earthy tone that lends a note of magical versatility entirely fitting for the season. “It feels like you have three different colors at once, [helping you to] never get tired of it.” 

Neutral tones also convey subtle refinement in your winter manicure. “It’s cozy, minimal, and quietly sophisticated for a chic, understated look,” says nail artist and educator Valeriia Telemaniuk. “It gives that ‘winter cashmere’ vibe without leaning into traditional holiday colors.” Donna Charloff, service and in-studio product director for MiniLuxe, agrees, noting that the winter neutral evokes the coziness of being ensconced in winter knits, “echoing the season’s camel coats, wool sweaters, and latte tones,” she says. “This shade sits firmly in the quiet-luxury, elevated-neutral trend space.” To get the perfect neutral winter mani, make sure to start with a clean foundation. “Prep is everything for earthy colors,” says Mazur. “These shades look best on a smooth, even surface, so spend extra time on cuticle work, buffing, and base application. Choose formulas with a creamy texture and use a soft, curved brush to perfect the lines around the cuticle, as these tones highlight precision. A satin or matte top coat can make them look even more modern.”

3.) Naked Nails

With the trend of “your nails, but better” still holding steady, you can expect to see the holiday spin on the naked manicure everywhere this December. A minimal look that showcases an elevated version of your regular nails, naked manicures involve “healthy nail beds, smooth surfaces, and subtle sheer shades that let the natural color peek through,” says Mazur. “This look has become one of the biggest trends because clients want something timeless, elegant, and super-wearable.”

This December, natural manicures will still feature the trend’s dependable tones of blush, sheer milky white, and delicate pink tones, Mazur says. To nail it, prioritize a smooth nail surface, opt for sheer colors (rather than opaque), and add a high-shine top coat. And don’t be afraid of a subtle shimmer or glitter layer—it is the holidays, after all. 

4.) Holiday Red

Red is an iconic—potentially even confidence-boosting—nail color all year round, and it’s particularly fitting for the festivities of December. “It’s timeless, luxurious, and always on trend. It instantly elevates any look and feels festive without trying too hard,” says Telemaniuk of the nail shade. To give your red nail a holiday-specific look, the experts suggest using a trending finish, like cat-eye. “Cat-eye uses a special magnetic gel that creates a shimmering, dimensional 'line of light' across the nail—similar to the reflective slit of a cat’s eye,” says Charloff, who adds that adding a “sheer layer of sparkle or glitter is also an option” for achieving a holiday-ready look.

5.) Forest Green

A sophisticated green nail embraces the seasonal winter vibe while still feeling appropriately festive. “It captures December’s nature and holiday cues, evergreens, wreaths, and winter botanicals, without leaning too literal,” says Charloff. “It pairs beautifully with winter wardrobes—camel, cream, charcoal, black, metallics—and transitions effortlessly from day to evening looks.” To achieve the look, De Los Santos suggests first focusing on cuticle prep, then applying a deep green color—a critical step, she says, if you’re planning to add any additional sparkle or other design enhancements. Source

The Holidays Are Coming… Give the Gift of UpKept Care

 

The holidays are right around the corner, and if you’re looking for a thoughtful, stress-free gift—UpKept e-gift cards are the perfect choice.

Whether it’s for a family member, a friend, a coworker, or someone who simply deserves a moment of calm, an UpKept e-gift card lets them enjoy one-on-one, hygienic, specialized foot and nail care right here in Vacaville.

Why Clients Love UpKept E-Gift Cards

 • Instantly delivered—perfect for last-minute gifting

 • Personal, practical, and always appreciated

 • Great for anyone needing relaxation, foot care, or a confidence boost

 • Supports a small, local, woman-owned business

Give the gift of healthy, happy nails this holiday season.

Purchase e-gift cards anytime at StayUpKept.com.

12 Tips for Stronger Nails

The good news is that we can always make changes to our lifestyle and habits to help strengthen our nails and get them where we’d like.

Here are 12 tips that you can use to help strengthen your nails in no time;

1. Take a biotin supplement

Biotin, also known as vitamin H and vitamin B7, is one of the B vitamins. Because it’s water-soluble, it isn’t stored by the body, so you have to ensure that you consume it daily. Biotin can help strengthen hair and nails. It also helps the body’s nervous system to function properly.

It can be found in foods like:

• sardines
• cooked eggs
• legumes

You may also consider taking a B vitamin supplement. Check with your healthcare professional before taking a biotin supplement to ensure that it’s safe for you.

2. Minimize exposure to water

Too much soaking in water can cause your nails to become weak and brittle. Wear gloves when washing dishes, and try to keep your hands out of the water while taking a bath. Of course, it’s impossible to always avoid submerging your hands, but this is something to be mindful of.

3. Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water is essential for health, and nail health is no exception. Without adequate moisture, nails can become brittle and break and peel easily. Drinking enough water helps them to retain moisture and stay strong.

4. Pay attention to your diet

Make sure you’re eating a nutrient-dense and varied diet and taking a multivitamin with minerals. A diet that’s deficient in crucial vitamins and minerals can affect your entire body — including your nails. Consider incorporating supplements into your diet that are linked to improved skin health, such as:

• zinc
• vitamin A
• vitamin B12
• iron

Research from 2019 also suggests that collagen peptides, which have been proven to improve nail and skin health, can be incorporated into your daily diet by consuming foods that are high in protein. You may include the following protein sources in your diet:

• lean beef
• pork
• eggs
• lentils
• peanuts
• poultry
• black beans

Speak with your healthcare professional before starting new supplements. They interfere with any prescription drugs you’re taking and pose other risks.

5. Be careful about the products you use

• Nail polish and remover

Many nail polishes or treatments contain harsh chemicals that can actually weaken nails. Nail polish remover that contains acetone should be avoided since it can damage nails. Look for nontoxic nail polishes and soaks as well as an acetone-free polish remover. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against other potentially harmful chemicals found in everyday nail care products.

• Hand sanitizer and cleaning products

If you use hand sanitizer, try not to get it on your nails and use it in moderation. Alcohol-based sanitizer dries out nails (and hands), leading to brittle nails. When cleaning around the house, wear rubber gloves. Many cleaning products or cleaning wipes contain chemicals that can weaken the nail. Gloves help you to avoid contact with these chemicals.

• Shampoo

If you’re using a shampoo that is drying or aims to strip oils (that is, meant for oily hair), it might dry out your nails and cause weak or brittle nails. Try changing your shampoo for a couple of weeks and see whether you notice a difference.

6. Avoid using gel or acrylic nails, if possible

While these are touted as an easy alternative for those who have trouble growing their nails, frequent use can cause your nails to peel, which weakens them. But if you’d still like to wear them, be sure to give your nails a break in between applications. Exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) light required for gel polish has been identified as a risk factor for cancer, although more research is needed. Exposure also ages the skin that supports a healthy nail. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying sunscreen to your hands at least 20 minutes before your hands are exposed to UV light.

7. Give your nails a break from polish

Along those same lines, although nail polish looks nice, your nails need to breathe. Constant use of polish, even nontoxic polish, can weaken the nail. After wearing nail polish for a week or so, remove the nail polish with an acetone-free polish remover, and then let your nails be polish-free for a week.

8. Keep your nails on the shorter side

Long nails are more likely to break and be caught on things, while shorter nails are less likely to be chipped, cracked, or split, helping to keep them strong.

9. Don’t use your nails as a tool

Instead, use the pads of your fingers to open a soda can or use a paper clip to reach something in a small space. Using your nails as tools can lead to breakage and chipping, which can weaken the nail.

10. Use lotion on your nails

After removing nail polish, or if you think you’re not hydrated enough, moisturize your nails with hand cream. You can do this every time you wash your hands.

11. Change how you file your nails

Filing your nails in a back-and-forth motion like a saw can actually weaken your nails. Instead, file them in one direction. Also, go easy on the sides of the nails since filing too much can weaken the nails.

12. Talk with your doctor

See a dermatologist or another skin care professional if you’ve tried multiple things for several weeks and haven’t noticed any change in your nails. They can take a look at your nails and ask you questions about your routine and overall health. If need be, they can prescribe a prescription-strength nail treatment that can help to strengthen your nails.

Our nails can send lots of messages to others, and weak or brittle nails may make you self-conscious. Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to help strengthen your nails and improve them. If you’ve tried various remedies and nothing helps, see your doctor. There might be an underlying condition causing thin or brittle nails, and only by treating the root cause will your nails be able to become strong again. Source

Last-Minute Holiday Week Openings at UpKept Nail Spa

 

If your feet or nails need some attention before the holiday weekend, I have a few rare one-on-one appointments available. These times are perfect for clients needing quiet care, seasonal maintenance, or help getting things back on track.

You’re welcome to book online for available slots at StayUpKept.com,

or call/text 707-208-7646 for any appointment listed above.

Your feet deserve care — I’m here for you.

Gift Cards, Appointments & Planning Ahead

 

Gift Cards Available Online

Perfect for anyone who needs foot care, a quiet moment, or a little self-care. Purchase anytime at StayUpKept.com.

December & Early 2026 Scheduling

If you rely on consistent appointment times, now is the ideal moment to:

--Confirm your upcoming visits

--Request your preferred 2026 spot

--Book ahead to avoid busy-season gaps

Since I work alone, the schedule fills quickly—but that means every service is calm, focused, and fully personalized.