As a consumer, I’m always slightly on edge when I’m “accosted” at a store by an overly friendly salesperson. You know the type — they’re on you the second you set foot in the store. Sure, I want to be acknowledged and it’s nice to know someone is available should I need help (how many times have I wished for a salesgirl when I needed to get into the locked dressing room?), but unless I ask for something specific, I’m usually just interested in browsing — on my own.

That is, unless it’s something that I actually need an expert’s opinion on. Like makeup. When I’m buying new makeup I need help because I honestly don’t know what eye shadow colors look best with my eyes or what shade of powder is best for my skin tone. But the girl at the MAC counter is a trained makeup artist and understands warm and cool skin tones (I still don’t know which I am…although I’d lean toward cool since I’m pale and freckly). And her trained eye knows what colors will look good on me way better than I do.

It’s the same at the nail salon. You, the trained professional, are the expert. And over the last several years, I’ve seen nail techs embrace this fact as more and more of you offer custom-made pink-and-whites for your clients. Gone are the days of old when one pink and one white would suffice for every client. Now you’re blending colors together to create the perfect pink and the ideal white for each and every client. It takes nail enhancements to another level — making what used to be a one-white-fits-all to a custom-mixed and more natural-looking nail. And the possibilities are endless. You can fix problem nails with camouflaged colors.

So why not take it one step further and help your clients pick out nail color? Sure, some of them come in knowing exactly what they like, but why not recommend something for her to try? You don’t have to be pushy, and it’s just a recommendation so she doesn’t have to take your advice if she doesn’t want to. But at least you offered your expert opinion. And there are plenty of clients who come in to the salon who have no idea what color they’re going to try next.

Sometimes it’s overwhelming looking through shelves of color. I mean how many possibilities are there for a sheer, pale nude or pink? And don’t even get me started on reds — you’ve got red with blue undertones, orangey-reds, pinkish reds — how is your client supposed to know which one works best for her? You’re the nail care expert and you can be the color expert too. Don’t ever forget that the most exclusive service offered at your salon is your professional expertise.

We’ve got a great color story all about understanding the color wheel and how it relates to skin tones. And since it’s September, we’re also featuring the new fall polish colors. I urge you to read both and then try your hand at recommending colors. It’s just one more tool in your arsenal for becoming indispensable to your clients.

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