Rescue Your Nails

Many women can relate to Ji Baek's childhood desire to have bright shiny nails. She remembers "....begging for little pearly seashell pink dots of nail polish on my tiny, tiny nails, but the response was always a firm no."

After all, she grew up in South Korea in the 1970s under the guidance of a very traditional mother who wanted Ji to become a concert pianist, and definitely believed that nail polish "was only for trashy little girls."

It's been a long road from there to here for Ji . Here is now New York City where in 1998 she founded that city's premier nail spa, Rescue Beauty Lounge. Her accolades are numerous she's been called "Queen of the manhattan manicure" by Vogue's Beauty Director, the "nail guru" by the Beauty Director of Vanity Fair, and a woman with "straight-talk, charm, and uncompromising standards" by W's Beauty Director.

After reading Ji's "Rescue Your Nails, " I join her list of devotees. For many years I've been doing home manicures, saving salon manicures and pedicures for very special occasions. To me, my nails looked fine Thanks to Ji they look oh-so-much better!

Her book is an easy to follow, very practical guide to nail care. She opens by introducing the ABC's her ten rules of nail care, and explaining how much our nails reveal about who we are. (Try it next time you're out and about take a look at people's nails, both men and women, and see what you discover.) She gives us the straight scoop on fake nails, and lists the necessities for doing at home manicures and pedicures.

One of my favorite pre-pedicure treatments is her orange-mint soak, "one of the best parts of stiletto rehab." She also offers tips on reviving a manicure, and even instructions on how to file (Confession: I've just been sawing away!). It really does make a difference if you use long slow strokes and not short choppy ones.

Full-color photos and step-by-step instructions show how to do a professional at-home manicure and pedicure. Plus Ji makes each easy, fun, and relaxing.

Gail Cooke

I have a problem with raggedy cuticles all year long and when it's spring (sandal time), I feel like my feet still need to stay in hybernation. I saw this book at Barnes and Nobles and had to buy it. Ji, the author, provides a list of everything you need to do a self manicure and pedicure, as well as, clear and easy instructions. She also tells you how to improve the condition of your nails and cuticles. There are plenty of well taken photographs showing recommended tools, techniques and results. I have other "beauty" type books but none of them go into the detail this book does on improving the look of your nails.

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I picked up this book at my local Borders store and, after skimming through it, I became instantly hooked at the way it engages the reader in the complex topic of self-achievement of the perfect manicure and pedicure. I have always been a fan of doing my own nails and hardly ever visit a salon; however, I had never achieved such wonderfully clean and professional results until now. With glossy photographs and an easy to read layout, nail expert Ji Baek has given us the "secret" to always having the most glamorous-looking hands and feet.

Originally from South Korea, Baek was a musician who eventually got a condition in her fingers which precluded her to continue playing. It was then when she launched herself into research for her dream of becoming a "nail stylist" (of sorts). She runs the "Rescue Beauty Lounge" store in New York City, and has her own brand of nail polish, bath line and tools. Thanks to the step by step instructions, which are accompanied by excellent graphics and photos, one can finally say good-bye to the days of ugly looking hands and feet, as Ms. Baek's new book, "Rescue your nails" is the surefire ticket to fantastic, self-made manicures and pedicures. Throughout it, there are discussions on color theory, tools of the trade (including a very practical shopping list), suggestions and considerations for choosing a nail spa, as well as Ji's very own, proven program for NBA (Nail Biters Anonymous).

A few things that I picked up from the book go from Baek's insistence in sterilization of the tools after each use, even when the usage has been at our own home the idea made me run to my own manicure-pedicure kit and sterilize it right then and there (something, I'm ashamed to say, I had never done before); to the attention to detail and thought behind every color of nail polish in her line, with one in particular called "Underwear", that instantly caught my attention and cannot wait to try a neon white which can be worn alone or underneath other colors to "spark" their brilliance in a unique way.

As I get familiar with performing all the right steps to perfect manicures and pedicures at home, I am keeping the book next to my kit in the bathroom, since I do not want to miss any steps when performing them. The author claims in the cover that she can save the reader up to $1,080 per year in nail care. I have tried the techniques and they feel and look extremely professional. As for the savings, well... it is just an added bonus.

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I can see how this would be a little beginner-leveled for the experienced manicurist; however, I am certainly a beginner in sophisticated nail care. The book gives nice simple instructions on taking care of your nails, pictures of nail shapes, some recipes for spa-like treatments, etc. I don't agree with everything the author insists on either, but I also don't think that matters. As important as she thinks lotion is everyday, I really wanted to just learn more about how to trim my nails and the area around them in a healthy way and I feel she does a good job with that. If you can't get past the opinionated stuff or you're looking for something more masterful, you might get frustrated, but if you're just looking for some simple guidelines I think this is a great book.

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This book is chock full of basic information about manicures and pedicures, covering everything you'd need to know just starting out (for example, if you were a teen). It is also good for older people like myself who haven't taken care of their nails for decades and now want to start doing so. This is very basic information here, but I needed it, especially for information about how to care for my cuticles, how to pick a shape when filing your nails, and how to deal with problems.

The book also covers taking care of your hands and feet, troubleshooting nail problems, nail biting, and finding a professional nail salon that is safe. It is a quick and easy read. The information probably is on the Internet, but it was great having everything all in one place. There are lots of illustrations and the book is a quick read and a good reference too.

Recommended for beginners to nail care.

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