NAILS 2000

What do you think doing nails will be like in the year 2000? How about in 2010? 2020? 2050? NAILS talked to top techs across the nation to get their forecasts on where the nail industry is headed for the new millennium.

Read what they think about the products, the techniques, the salons, the issues, and the trends that will dictate the FUTURE OF NAILS.

“I think that as nail manufacturers come out with better monomers, technicians will be able to apply nails in a healthier environment and in less time. This will come with the de­velopment of monomers that have less odor, require less filing, and result in less lifting. I believe that with these safer and faster ways to apply nail enhancements, the public will begin to trust this industry again. The consumer wants a clean and safe experience in a relaxing environment The consumer wants great service. But the consumer also wants to be in and out of the salon in 45 minutes. There will be two types of salons left in the future — high-end day spas and the quick in- and-out salon. I think that the small “mom-and-pop” salons will be lost in the hustle of large chains. With the growing consumer awareness of unsafe practices of discount salons, the state boards will have to take action. The state boards are set in place for the consumer and the boards will have to start listening due to public pressure. With bad services and techniques from uneducated techs over the years, nail enhancements have received a lot of bad press. Until we all get educated on the safety of nails, more and more women will be scared to get nail enhancements and will choose natural nail care.”

Diana Bonn

Color Classiques

Muncie, Ind.

“I really think that nails will gain in popularity. As society becomes more conscious of their looks and hygiene, nail service will become as common as a haircut. Along with this, hopefully the industry will continue to make great advances in enhancement formulations. But, I think the natural nail care products will be the area to watch. The consumer will be looking for a natural alternative to enhancements- In the coming years I think salons will divide up the same way the hair industry did several years ago — discount chains versus high-end salons. I think that you will see high-end salons continuing to grow. Quality will be a big issue to consumers and they will realize that nails, like other beauty products, should not be skimped on.”

Shari Finger

Finger’s Nail Studios Inc.

West Dundee, Ill.

“I believe that there will be small differences in the future for the nail industry. Fewer salons with better technicians will be the survivors. Giving die client more of what she comes in for will keep her coming back. Products will make advances toward speed of technique and quality of performance. Manufacturers are also up against the trends of the industry and fighting to stay one step ahead. Chemists are working overtime to create the new millennium product that surpasses those of older chemistries. I think products will have better bonding technologies, smoother finishes, and less dust and odors. These different chemicals require change in known techniques. A learning curve to perfect them will come through attending classes and trade show demonstrations. Video and other electronic media will also play important roles.”

Lin Halpern

West Conshohocken, Pa.

“Technology is advancing rapidly m this industry, giving us more forgiving, yet chemically advanced products. I see this happening more and more in the future — self-leveling, less caustic primers, less guesswork for ratios. The fight against MMA is growing stronger everyday with the help of communicat­ing over the Internet. More than half the states have now banned MMA. This trend will surely continue and I hope the FDA will take a stronger stand on this issue in the coming years.”

Debbie Doerrlamm

Wicked Wich Nails

Ronkonkoma, NY

“I think the trend of new and different kinds of artificial nails will continue. The dear nail tips will be perfected. I also think that we will see more products concentrating on natural nails. We will see more pampering products for the skin and products that will help make a woman’s hand look young again, such as spa manicures with glycolic treatments. I think that pampering will lead to more scrubs and lotions for the hands and feet The products in the new millennium will be more user-friendly for us to breathe in, as well as environmentally safe. I don’t think that the techniques will change that much. There He only so many ways to create a nail, but with new technologies, hopefully things will become simpler. I think that people will pay more for add-on services instead of less at discount salons. Hopefully with the new odorless and {Just-free products, we will see a decline in. health problems in our industry”

Faith Glionna

Cuticles Salon

Indialantic, Fla.

“In the new millennium, more time will be devoted to client consultation, diagnosing nail needs, and prescribing the correct service procedure. “Cookie cutter” nails, lifting, breaking, and cracking will no longer be accepted or tolerated by educated consumers. Antiquated procedures will be eliminated in favour of new technology and ideas. Products are already changing to meet the demands of the times. Primerless acrylic products are well on their way to becoming the new chemical trend, and the majority of nail technicians will choose to use these new systems in the future. Natural nail care will continue its upward growth, gaining more consumer attention due to the introduction of innovative products and marketing programs. Gels will become more widely used and recognized as an alternative to acrylics, and both systems will continue to improve, resulting in easier applications and even fester finishing times. Heavy-duty filing grits will become passe, being replaced by files with softer grits and more padding. Preparation, application, and finishing techniques will evolve with the introduction of the primerless systems. The use of protein-specific monomers to enhance adhesion will eliminate lifting and the need for any etching of the nail plate. And drill manufacturers will reduce the speed of their drills and refine bits using softer grits of natural stone rather than metal. I believe that salons will incorpo­rate more therapeutic and aromatic services, making the atmosphere full service rather than fast service. Discount salons will fade from the industry in favor of the larger spa-type facilities; and technicians will become more specialized, working in conjunction with dermatologists in client diagnosis and treatment, which will result in more clients seeking salon services. With the rise in repetitive stress injuries in the workplace, furniture and implement manufacturers will design and develop more ergonomic workstations and implements. Air exchange units will replace air conditioning systems in salons nationwide. State boards will mandate an affiliation with product manufacturers to aid them in setting guidelines for application procedures and lesson plans. I think that schools will begin to teach chemical knowledge, business skills, client communica­tion and speaking skills, and retailing as part of their curriculum. Nail lengths will be shorter, with product applications thinner, flexible, and more natural looking. Colored acrylics will become more widely used as alternative to nail enamel Continuing education will be mandated in all states for license renewal, with all states requiring licensing.”

Marti Preuss

Hooked on Nails

Rosenberg, Texas

“I believe that we will see significant changes in the nail industry in the near future. I believe that due to a more educated consumer, we will have to focus much more on sanitation and disinfection, as well as technical skills in the salon. Minimum safety standards will rise to a higher level. The technicians will have to be more skilled in all aspects of artificial nail enhancement products, not just acrylics. Consumers have a negative view of acrylics due to bad press on MMA, as well as horror stories about dirty salons in general. As a result, the industry trend seems to be going more toward natural nail cultivation as an almost holistic approach to nail services. I don’t believe that women will give up getting their nails done; I think that they will want a more natural-looking alternative. I also believe that properly done natural-looking pink and whites will always be in demand. Due to the fact that consumers are more demanding, the manufacturers are going to have to develop products that are considered safe by the consumer. I also believe that the industry as a whole needs to be more proactive in consumer awareness of nail products, sanitation, and safe salon practices.”

Nancy King

Nail Care

Laurel, Md.

“Lives will be so busy and hectic that our clients will be looking for a salon that has a relaxed, quiet atmosphere. More personalized attention on birthdays, anniversaries, job promotions, etc. will be highlighted with cards, small gifts, and gift certificates. We will progress from being just nail technicians to being “therapists”. I think that products in the future will be dust- and odor-free. Gels will play a big part in that area because they are sheer, flexible, and natural looking. Also, more tooling for nail preparation will be seen and used to create lift-free enhancements. Salons will have a more spa-like atmosphere — clean and white with subtle accent colours. I think that convenience will be key and salons will offer many services so that clients can have a “one-stop beauty spa” MMA will be banned throughout the United States and Canada for use on fingernails; and that health boards and the FDA will be made more aware of unsanitary conditions in salons. The consumer will be more educated on disinfection and sanitation through advertising, other salons, and media. Odor-free services will change how nail enhancements are marketed. Get ready for the 21st century and breathe new life into your salon!”

Darlene Johnston

Pampered & Polished Spa

Hagersville, Ontario, Canada

“I think that in the next millennium, we will raise our level of professionalism. We will do this with better salon protocol, by better educating our clients about the services that we provide and the industry as a whole. Nail technicians will work smarter — not harder. Retailing and add-on services will help nail technicians increase their income by 40%. I do not think that products will be that different. The products currently available are so good that we will probably see new and improved versions of what is already available. However, we will continue to see more natural products. If we are lucky, someone will make a solvent for gel removal. Salons are going to be more intimate and not so intimidating. I foresee a growing number of nail spas (natural nails, spa manicures, pedicures, massages, and skin care) that will probably be no larger than 1000 to 1500 sq. ft. I will also not be surprised if sterilization becomes a law, and more clients begin having personal implements and abrasives. I think that the industry is definitely going to see more men coming into the salon for manicures and pedicures, which may also prompt a growing number of men-only salons. Nails will be done with colored powders, and we will see many more embellishments in the nail such as sand, feathers, beads, etc. Finally, nails will have odd shapes and will be multiple lengths, nail to nail, and hand to hand.”

La’Shaun Brown-Glenn

NAILS 1999-2000 Nail Tech of the Year

Nails Naturally

Chicago, Ill.

“I think that doing nails will begin to be looked at as a profession instead of just a hobby. The profession will become more prestigious. In terms of what products will be like, I think there will be more art products, more glitter, and more color. I think people will start doing more design, sculptured nails, and lots of glitter. I don’t really think that techniques will be that different — maybe more artistic and more creative thinking. The trend with salons will be more progressive and less reserved, and they will tend to be more full-service. Until nail techs are more educated on health matters, it will continue to be a big problem.”

Tom Holcomb

Venus Hair Emporium

Ocala, Fla.