Even the political scene likes to get a little makeover once in a while. Last week marked the 10th annual Welcome To Our World event, hosted by the Professional Beauty Federation (PBF) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. And while members of Congress get to be pampered on this evening, some of the most important political issues facing the beauty industry are also brought to light. Let’s just say, it’s like ironing two birds with one flat iron.

According to the PBF, the beauty industry is a $60 billion industry that has limited qualified individuals to meet the demand they face. In fact, the shortage is about 3:1 — the demand is three times greater than the supply of qualified individuals. For this reason, it is paramount that the beauty industry have representation and fairness in taxation and other issues so that more individuals will feel confident in entering the beauty workforce.

Facing the beauty industry this year are important issues, such as inclusion in H.R. 3724 — the Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act. With this, salon owners could claim a tax credit for FICA taxes they pay on the tips of their employees (similar to what restaurants already have). Another big issue is access to beauty education and giving students the option to choose the programs that meet their own needs and career goals.

Beauty volunteers that included hair stylists, nail technicians, massage therapists, makeup artists, and others were on hand to give over 600 members of Congress (plus their key staffers) a little beauty treatment. This was the perfect way to engage Capitol Hill in an industry that dedicates itself to helping other people and have them see what their supporters do on a daily basis.

-Amanda Fornecker

Happy June to all of my spa beauties and welcome to the fifth edition of the Beauty Smarts Blog Carnival! Summer may not be official on the calendar, but I’m already in that summer mood. Let’s be honest — there are lots of reasons to focus on beauty during the summer. Your skin is more likely to be exposed to the sun’s rays so properly caring for your skin is essential. You may also take a dip in the pool, which can certainly do a number on your hair. Finally, the warm weather screams sandal weather to me and if you’re going to break out your finest flip flops then you may want to make sure your feet are in tip-top shape! See some of these blog posts and get into summer gear!

Your Face

Your skin is so important. That is why I always say that you need to take care of it with the proper products. This will help prevent aging, wrinkles, and any other skin problems. For the summer you especially want to have a product with SPF on your face. There are so many products that already contain SPF — including moisturizers and foundations — so finding them for daily use is fairly simple.

In Summer Challenge: No Breakouts! Risi-Leanne Baranja presents us with some tips and tricks on getting the most out of our summer beauty routine at Palacinka Beauty. Preferred products are listed for various uses.

Do different types of food really affect your face or is it all a myth? Victor answers some of these common questions in Skin Care – Eat Right And Your Skin Will Reward You posted at http://www.acnesolutionsinfo.com.

There are lots of options when it comes to face wash and face masks. So what can you look for? “Here are some of the best and worst ingredients you can find in facial masks and cleansing products,” according to VANYA in Best and Worst Ingredients for Facial Masks & Cleansing Products | Facial masks for facial skin |VANYA posted at Facial masks for facial skin |VANYA.

Speaking of facials, “A” of Makeup Lovers Anonymous explains a little bit about facials and what to do in between when you need a fresh face in A Face for Facials.

Despite getting out of your teen years, you still may fight off some nasty remnants of acne and teenage skin. Vicky Allison gives us some tips on fighting this off without breaking the bank. Check out Twentysomethings with Teenage Skin: Skin Care posted at AntiCelebrity.net.

No one wants to age. So what can we do to prevent the signs of again? IAWT presents Aging Gracefully posted at It’s a WOMAN Thing! to give us some tips on how to treat our skin in each decade of our lives.

Your Hair

I always want my hair as shiny and healthy as possible. The summer can tend to take a toll on my locks if I go to the beach or hang out in the backyard, poolside. There are definitely ways to counter this problem before it even begins. Check out some ways that these beauty bloggers deal with hair.

Hair removal is often a necessary evil, especially in the summer. Julie presents Hair Removal Treatments – Getting Ready for Summer posted at Healthtrition Beauty and Health to advise you on the best ways to prep for the warm months.

“Most Acupressure Therapists swear by this,” says Aparna in Rubbing Nails Cures Hair Loss?. “They say that rubbing the nails of both the hands can reduce hair fall and give you dense, thick and strong hair. Moreover, it can also prevent graying of hair.” Check this phenomenon out on Beauty and Personal Grooming.

Courtney presents Healthy Hair Means A Healthy Internal Body posted at Female and Proud, saying, “Eating foods that are high in B vitamins are crucial to the development of healthy hair.” See why.

There are so many shampoos and conditioners out there that it’s sometimes tough to pick one that will work best for you. Woman Tribune gives us a look at the latest shampoo to hit the drugstore shelves in Aveeno’s Nourish+ Hair Care Line. Also posted at Woman Tribune is All Natural Beauty Care You Can Make at Home, giving us some simple recipes to make natural beauty products.

Your Nails

I don’t know about all you spa beauties but I love getting pampered. And I also like to have my nails perfectly manicured, especially if I’ll be showing off my tootsies. Here are some things to check out and keep in mind when working on your feet in the summertime.

It’s typical of the summer months to wear flip flops. This can surely do a number on your feet. In Three Steps to Getting Rid of Dry and Cracked Heels, Sheena of SpaBoutique.com explains a few things you can do to help your feet feel soft and smooth. She makes a great point about being consistent: “The products don’t work if you don’t use them and give them time to work.”

In our very own A Minute With SpaBeautySchools we present you with 10 I’ve Learned From Doing Manicures and Pedicures Professionally from Sheena at SpaBoutique!

That does it for this fifth edition of the Beauty Smarts Blog Carnival! Thanks for reading and be sure to get your beauty on for Summer 09!

-Amanda Fornecker

• Are you a blogger? We invite you to contribute to the next Beauty Smarts carnival: Submit here.
• Readers: Let us know your favorite post here, and what you’d like to read more about in the future. Comment below!

Nail technicians have a lot of potential in the job market these days. There are a variety of places nail technicians can find work, like in spas, salons, and on cruise ships. But this isn’t the only reason you should attend nail technician schools. It is at nail technician schools where students get the best training possible, support, and an “in” to the world of being a nail technician. There are lots of reasons why nail technician studies are a very good option for those interested in a nail career. Take a look at Robyn Tellefsen’s Top 10 Reasons to Go to Nail School for more encouragement.

And once you’ve made the concrete decision to attend nail school, you may want to ask some important questions to those who are in charge. 7 Questions for Nail Schools breaks down some great things to ask as you get deep into your research and closer to the career you want.

Enjoy these great reads!

-Amanda Fornecker

With the wrap of New York and London Fashion Weeks, and Milan and Paris showcases still to come, the nailistas, especially those behind the scenes at Creative Nail Design (CND), are providing a glimpse into what’s hot in nails this fall, winter, and spring. A breakdown for nail techs:

Color
The best nail techs are no longer settling for the basic color palette of reds, corals, and pinks. They’re customizing colors, sometimes to match fabrics, accessories, or even lipstick.

Nail colors are more extreme this season, with fashionistas wearing anything from gray to beige to black. After all, gray is the new neutral. Lighter or cooler skin tones look best in pale, cool shades of gray, while darker or warmer skin tones can handle extra richness with warmer shades of gray.

Nails are deliciously dark and metallic, appearing in hues of gold, silver, burgundy, and sapphire blue. Brown has been declared the polish for fall — think warm, yummy chocolate. Ultimately, rich, dark color is the way to go. For clients who are a bit more traditional but still want to keep a finger on the pulse of fashion, steer them toward the richest reds and burgundies.

Texture
Texture is another defining element of this season’s nails. Creamy lattes, dove-soft grays, cloudy pastels, and gritty, sooty, grainy blacks are all the rage.

Since huge, faux jewels are replacing the “it” bag as the accessory to covet, gem-crusted nails are taking the runways by storm. Sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, and rubies are bejeweling the hottest nails of the season.

Shape
Fall and winter are bringing the longest, darkest nails of the year. Shapes are dramatic and extreme, extending the short square nail to a longer soft almond (this is where tips come in!).

For clients who are reluctant to show a little more length, be sure to mention the almond shape’s lengthening effect on hands, making short, chubby fingers look longer, leaner, and more natural. Plus, this shape is stronger and can actually absorb more impact when filed correctly.

Want to be on the frontlines of global fashion? Start by becoming a licensed nail technician, then take the nail trends from the catwalk to your chair.

-Robyn Tellefsen