Melissa Meisel, Associate Editor03.21.16
Who would have thought the nail care industry’s most innovative company would get its start in a dentist’s office? That’s where Dr. Stuart Nordstrom got the idea for a new nail enhancement product after a patient remarked that the material used to prepare temporary caps smelled like the material used to sculpt porcelain nails. That off-the-cuff remark led to the invention of SolarNail Liquid, the industry’s first-ever monomer formulation for greater nail strength and flexibility—and the first product to deliver natural, non-yellowing nail color.
SolarNail was a transformative event. It changed the future of the nail industry. Founded in 1979 and based in San Diego, CA, CND (Creative Nail Design, Inc.) is a global leader in professional nail products and services including the popular Shellac gel hues. Interest in gel polish manicures continues to be on trend today, as new research from Mintel reveals 23% of female consumers have received a gel manicure at a salon in the last year, an increase of 35% over 2013).
CNS is now sold in 65 countries worldwide and is part of Revlon’s professional portfolio after being sold by the Colomer Group in 2013. Crucial to the company’s success is Jan Arnold, CND’s co-founder and style director, and daughter of Dr. Nordstrom.
Arnold is one of the busiest business executives during New York Fashion Week. Top designers request thousands of custom-made nails for their catwalk collections every couture season. Nicole Miller, Cynthia Rowley, Oscar de la Renta, Betsey Johnson, BCBG and Carolina Herrera are just a few names associated with the dozens of shows that CND does in New York alone. The brand also has a celebrity following.
“Angelina Jolie has been spotted wearing Vinylux Weekly Polish on the red carpet,” Arnold told Happi in an interview. “We’ve recently worked with Nail Pro Emi Kudo to supply Janet Jackson with Vinylux Weekly Polish to ensure that her manicure never missed a beat while she was on tour.”
For the past three seasons, CND has extended invitations to up-and-coming nail professionals to collaborate with CND’s Design Lab team during New York Fashion Week. This “artist in residence” program was developed to give younger cosmetic artists a unique experience and the opportunity to receive hands-on training and mentorship from the best in the business, while honing their own skills. It also ensures the Design Lab team is on the forefront of trends and expertise at Fashion Week by merging veteran members with solid technical skills with new faces and innovative ideas, according to the company.
Ashley Craig of Fort Myers, FL was winner of Season 1 of Oxygen’s “Nail’d It!” and joined CND as its Artist in Residence.
“The program is something most nail techs could only dream of, and I'm just grateful I got to be part of it, ” said Craig. “CND and its dream team are every bit of amazing that you would imagine. If I were asked to spend a year with them, that still wouldn't have been enough. From tips, tricks, and techniques to an overall sense of unity, they create an environment that can only produce the most unique and fashion-forward works of art.”
For Spring 2016, CND is branching out with a new spa care line that hits global locations in March. According to the company, CND unlocks the beauty of botanicals that effectively prep, purify, perfect and restore for a “new level” of salon-style benefits.
“With the new CND Spa Collection, we encourage you to pamper your clients with a revitalizing salon service,” said Arnold. “Spa manicures and pedicures are an opportunity for ritual, comfort and superior results. Developed with both the consumer and professional in mind, this line allows for a customized and memorable experience.”
The new CND Spa Collection features two unique ingredient stories: Gardenia Woods and Bright Citron. Each includes a soak, scrub, masque and lotion, allowing for a choice of fragrance moods and specialized four-step treatments for deeper care. Meanwhile, Cucumber Heel Therapy offers a range of targeted treatments for tough and resistant calluses on the heels to provide a more intensive remedy.
In April, the brand is set to roll out a major addition: Creative Play Nail Lacquer. With 80 colors across 10 different finishes, they’ll provoke consumers to be unique and self-expressive through shades that are bright and fun, according to the company.
“At CND, we are always looking for opportunities to elevate the standard in professional nail color,” said Arnold. “Nail lacquer plays with dimension, pops with pigment and pushes outside the boundaries. This new line redefines traditional nail lacquer with color that breaks the rules through emotive, energized shades that allow you to express your individuality.”
Formulated with micronized pigments, this traditional three-step system delivers smooth, uniform application with high-gloss and richly saturated color. Developed for consumers who desire frequent color change, and to simultaneously serve the needs of the professional nail community, Creative Play Nail Lacquer offers flawless results with minimal effort for the ultimate color story every time.
The advanced brush is designed with nearly 400 bristles to allow for precise and smooth application; the collection is also “7-free” – free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, phthalates (DBP), formaldehyde resin, xylene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
And, femininity is on the menu for Summer 2016 with the classic CND colors in the Flirtation Collection, touted as a playful palette of soft yet bright shades.
“This season, sweet, creamy pastels are inspired by modern lace and embroidery for a delicate and refined glamour,” Arnold noted. “The summer nail is a slim oval glazed with tender shades of coral and lilac, blushed with the spark of deepening allure. Flirtation’s summer code allows you to be irresistible!”
SolarNail was a transformative event. It changed the future of the nail industry. Founded in 1979 and based in San Diego, CA, CND (Creative Nail Design, Inc.) is a global leader in professional nail products and services including the popular Shellac gel hues. Interest in gel polish manicures continues to be on trend today, as new research from Mintel reveals 23% of female consumers have received a gel manicure at a salon in the last year, an increase of 35% over 2013).
CNS is now sold in 65 countries worldwide and is part of Revlon’s professional portfolio after being sold by the Colomer Group in 2013. Crucial to the company’s success is Jan Arnold, CND’s co-founder and style director, and daughter of Dr. Nordstrom.
Arnold is one of the busiest business executives during New York Fashion Week. Top designers request thousands of custom-made nails for their catwalk collections every couture season. Nicole Miller, Cynthia Rowley, Oscar de la Renta, Betsey Johnson, BCBG and Carolina Herrera are just a few names associated with the dozens of shows that CND does in New York alone. The brand also has a celebrity following.
“Angelina Jolie has been spotted wearing Vinylux Weekly Polish on the red carpet,” Arnold told Happi in an interview. “We’ve recently worked with Nail Pro Emi Kudo to supply Janet Jackson with Vinylux Weekly Polish to ensure that her manicure never missed a beat while she was on tour.”
For the past three seasons, CND has extended invitations to up-and-coming nail professionals to collaborate with CND’s Design Lab team during New York Fashion Week. This “artist in residence” program was developed to give younger cosmetic artists a unique experience and the opportunity to receive hands-on training and mentorship from the best in the business, while honing their own skills. It also ensures the Design Lab team is on the forefront of trends and expertise at Fashion Week by merging veteran members with solid technical skills with new faces and innovative ideas, according to the company.
Ashley Craig of Fort Myers, FL was winner of Season 1 of Oxygen’s “Nail’d It!” and joined CND as its Artist in Residence.
“The program is something most nail techs could only dream of, and I'm just grateful I got to be part of it, ” said Craig. “CND and its dream team are every bit of amazing that you would imagine. If I were asked to spend a year with them, that still wouldn't have been enough. From tips, tricks, and techniques to an overall sense of unity, they create an environment that can only produce the most unique and fashion-forward works of art.”
For Spring 2016, CND is branching out with a new spa care line that hits global locations in March. According to the company, CND unlocks the beauty of botanicals that effectively prep, purify, perfect and restore for a “new level” of salon-style benefits.
“With the new CND Spa Collection, we encourage you to pamper your clients with a revitalizing salon service,” said Arnold. “Spa manicures and pedicures are an opportunity for ritual, comfort and superior results. Developed with both the consumer and professional in mind, this line allows for a customized and memorable experience.”
The new CND Spa Collection features two unique ingredient stories: Gardenia Woods and Bright Citron. Each includes a soak, scrub, masque and lotion, allowing for a choice of fragrance moods and specialized four-step treatments for deeper care. Meanwhile, Cucumber Heel Therapy offers a range of targeted treatments for tough and resistant calluses on the heels to provide a more intensive remedy.
In April, the brand is set to roll out a major addition: Creative Play Nail Lacquer. With 80 colors across 10 different finishes, they’ll provoke consumers to be unique and self-expressive through shades that are bright and fun, according to the company.
“At CND, we are always looking for opportunities to elevate the standard in professional nail color,” said Arnold. “Nail lacquer plays with dimension, pops with pigment and pushes outside the boundaries. This new line redefines traditional nail lacquer with color that breaks the rules through emotive, energized shades that allow you to express your individuality.”
Formulated with micronized pigments, this traditional three-step system delivers smooth, uniform application with high-gloss and richly saturated color. Developed for consumers who desire frequent color change, and to simultaneously serve the needs of the professional nail community, Creative Play Nail Lacquer offers flawless results with minimal effort for the ultimate color story every time.
The advanced brush is designed with nearly 400 bristles to allow for precise and smooth application; the collection is also “7-free” – free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, phthalates (DBP), formaldehyde resin, xylene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
And, femininity is on the menu for Summer 2016 with the classic CND colors in the Flirtation Collection, touted as a playful palette of soft yet bright shades.
“This season, sweet, creamy pastels are inspired by modern lace and embroidery for a delicate and refined glamour,” Arnold noted. “The summer nail is a slim oval glazed with tender shades of coral and lilac, blushed with the spark of deepening allure. Flirtation’s summer code allows you to be irresistible!”