Maggie Rants [and Raves]

New Polish

by Maggie Franklin | February 6, 2009 | Bookmark +

I'm tired of carrying this polish line.

 

You know which one I'm talking about. I know you know because we have had hundreds of debates about it on the forums.

 

We do not love this polish.

 

Aside from it thickening to the point where I can use exactly half a bottle before having to thin it (then getting to use another quarter bottle before the thinner wrecks the polish entirely) … Aside from the lack of color consistency from one batch to another … Aside from seeing the same colors tweaked and called "new" season after season after season … Aside from the price increases that now have me paying per bottle what I can get higher-end OTC polishes for at Target ...

 

Well. I guess I can't really argue too much with prices. Or maybe I can. I see consumers paying $20 a bottle for Channel or MAC polish at the local upscale department stores, so on one hand it irks me that the most recognized salon label polish is currently retailing for half of that. On the other hand, I don't retail my polish. I buy polish to use on clients. I don't want to pay high prices for polish that I rarely even manage to get halfway through before having to chuck it or thin it.

 

And, btw, yes. I have had professional polishes that I was able to use down to very last, tip-all-the-way-over-to-get-just-enough-for-one-more-coat drop. Heck, I've had cheap drug store polish that I was able to use that much of.

 

What really irritates me is that they discontinue colors every season. Actually, it irritates my clients who, in turn, irritate me as if it's my fault.

 

It's not that I don't understand why they do it. Or why any company does it. Or even that I wouldn't do the exact same thing if I had a big polish company. It's that I just don't understand why they can't let us know about the polish colors that are about to go belly-up.

 

Really, how hard would it be when announcing the new collection each season to say, "BTW, the following colors will be discontinued as of (date)?" That way we have a chance to head down to our local supplier and pick up the ones we'll miss. Not to mention how fabulous it would be for us — as professionals — to be able to offer that service to our clients: "As of (date) the following polish colors by (brand name) will no longer be available. If any of the colors listed are your favorites, please be sure to let me know and I will be happy to get them for you."

 

Wow. Imagine how much our clients would love us if we could do that. Instead of barking at me each season, "What do you mean they don't make it anymore?!"

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.

a Bobit media brand

Create your free Bobit Connect account to bookmark content.

The secure and easy all-access connection to your content.
Bookmarked content can then be accessed anytime on all of your logged in devices!

Create Account