Nails: Hillary Fry, Brookfield, Wis.
Photographer: Alan David Charles
Model: Mary Gahn
April 19, 2013
Check out Dianna Medeiros’ technique for encasing real snakeskin in clear acrylic.
April 19, 2013
Beautiful Nails by Kupa gives nail technicians everything they need to construct high-quality, long-lasting, and awe-inspiring 3-D acrylic nail art designs.
April 19, 2013
Dorota Palicka of Ibiza Sun salon in Fort William, Scotland, uses small pinching clamps to hold the form of her flawless C-curves.
April 19, 2013
If you think marbling was just for dotting tools, think again.
April 19, 2013
Light Elegance Gels offer excellent color coverage and hold that come in a wide variety of colors.
April 19, 2013
Kathleen M.M. Ringwood-Wood of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., takes regular flocking from her local craft store and puts it right on top of wet polish.
December 26, 2012
Affordable and reliable, UV Gel Curing Bulbs from Purely Products are high-quality lamps for gel nail dryers and UV-curing lamps.
December 21, 2012
Created by nail tech Melissa Bozant and her friend Karen Waters, the Sublime Bliss product line used in this pedicure is organic and natural.
December 20, 2012
Dr. Murad products add Vitamin C benefits to this pedicure by Honolulu's Ville de Coco.
December 28, 2012
Zoya has a new address on Twitter.
December 26, 2012
Colored acrylic and acrylic paint create this nail art by Jade Sewell that's perfect for the winter months.
December 25, 2012
Raelynn Durbin uses Light Elegance gel-polishes to create this bright design.
December 24, 2012
Double-load your brush to create this floral design by Lorri Silvestre.
December 23, 2012
These pointy nails by Tina Alberino were inspired by a comic book villain.
December 22, 2012
Hang Tran molds 3-D acrylic into fun shapes.
December 21, 2012
Striper brushes are used to create this heart design by Rosa Vargas.
December 19, 2012
A licensed nail tech for five years, Missi Barry sells custom-blended indie nail polish.
December 18, 2012
Nancy Dodd sent us an e-mail — subject line “awesome nail tech” — a few months ago, singing the praises of S. Maria Chheo-Shen, who has influenced her life via YouTube tutorials and Facebook nail giveaways.
December 18, 2012
Alfalfa now offers customization on this spa: You select the base color, panel color, massage chair, and upholstery color.
December 18, 2012
Gelish educator Rose Velez and her team of manicurists were tapped to apply Gelish manicures on the models backstage at the Case-Mate ShowCase 2013.
December 17, 2012
What is a good gel that you can make designs in but doesn’t run?
December 17, 2012
Not an expert at handpainting? No matter.
December 17, 2012
Eye Kandy Cosmetics launched a full line of glitters made specifically to wear safely around the eyes. I found that these glitters were perfect for use in nail services.
December 17, 2012
Cover tech Hillary Fry explains how she got the “hammered metal” look featured on NAILS’ January 2013 cover.
December 17, 2012
Inspired by the Far East, this style translates to the West in such exotic flourishes as obi belts, kimono sleeves, and origami pleating.
January 15, 2013
For some nail clients, there just seems to be no distance wide enough to keep them from getting a great nail service from their favorite tech. We asked our readers to tell us about some clients who regularly travel great lengths to come in for their nail fix.
January 4, 2013
What happens when two recent nail graduates interview a handful of veteran salon owners to find out the secrets to a long-lasting salon? They were privy to a host of knowledge from a combined 132 years of salon experience. Here they share it with you.
January 1, 2013
As a nail tech, salon owner, and consultant with Summit Salon Business Center, Jill Wilson often sees nail techs struggling with charging clients what they should for their time and services. She's ready to see nail techs take charge and charge what they're worth.
December 29, 2012
This time of year we often get to thinking about those things we’d like to be doing that we’re not doing. We asked our readers: Is there a business-related New Year’s resolution you find yourself making every year?
December 29, 2012
Whether to use in your treatments or sell on the shelves of your retail section, private-label products are a sure way to impress customers. Peruse our collection and find something you’d be proud to put your name on.
December 29, 2012
She’s been a whale watcher for over four years now. More properly known as a “marine mammal observer,” marine biologist and nail tech Megan McManus looks out for marine life on surface seismic ships and rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.
December 28, 2012
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has rolled out a new look, logo, and tagline as part of its newly unified association and direction.
December 28, 2012
Not long ago, Clayton, N.C.-based nail tech Melodie Hand held a Bra Fit Clinic at her salon, Tickled Pink. It sold her on the service and inspired her to become a “Bra Lady” herself.
December 28, 2012
What would happen to your profits if you did one more CND Shellac manicure per week?
December 28, 2012
Tweezerman’s Slant Tweezer was named the best tweezer in the “Tools” category and is the recipient of the prestigious Allure 2012 “Best of Beauty” Award for the 12th consecutive year.
December 28, 2012
London was buzzing in September as the world’s top nail technicians traveled from all over the globe to compete in The Nailympics London, one of the nail industry’s most creative and hotly contested competitions.
December 27, 2012
Nail techs must think outside of the box to do business in 2013 and beyond. One way we’ve done this is by opening up the salon to hold different events.
December 27, 2012
As a nail professional, my goal is to get the guest to come back — over and over again. How do I do that, you ask? My strategy is simple: service, experience, and education.
December 27, 2012
Here Candice Everest, owner of Panache Nail Studio in Stanwood, Wash., explains her decision to institute a no tipping policy — a decision that proved popular with clients. Jesse Bruner, owner of Jesse David Nail Design in Wilmington, Del., counters respectfully with why it wouldn’t work for him.
December 21, 2012
Located in the tourist town of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and nestled in an enclave of diverse shops, ranging from gourmet yogurt to a mini-golf course, is the aptly named Colour Bar & Spa. Even its website lives up to its colorful and engaging name — plus the spa pays attention to retail like few others!
December 20, 2012
At Posh’aah Nail Spa, guests are treated to pampering mani-pedis in a comfy-chic atmosphere. The owner — who quit her successful career as a mixed-use property manager in 2012 to embark on her lifelong dream of opening a nail salon — shares the story of making her dream a reality.
January 4, 2013
In 2000, when news broke about the potential dangers of whirlpool spas, many salon owners were horrified to hear of the sanitation shortcuts happening within the industry. Today, conscientious techs find creative ways to let every client know of their pledge to provide safe services — every time.
January 2, 2013
With pincer nails, an excessive curvature of the nail plate causes the nail to pinch into the soft tissue of the surrounding skin.
December 26, 2012
I have a few clients who swim or do water aerobics a few times a week. They have a lot of trouble with keeping polish on and their nails becoming dry. They peel and split. Is there anything I can do, or tell them to do, to help this problem? So far I have just told them to apply cuticle oil every night before bed to try to hydrate the nails.
December 26, 2012
There are a lot of heated opinions about the safety of nail polish. As nail techs, we care, of course, but is this a topic that’s foremost on the minds of clients? We asked readers: Do your clients ask about polish being “three-free”? Do they seem to care about the ingredients in their polish?
December 26, 2012
For 2013, SpaRitual’s overarching theme is Slow Matters.
December 26, 2012
Tweezerman’s Eco Friendly File is 100% biodegradable and uses 100/180-grit for medium sanding on acrylic nails as well as for filing edges on natural nails.
December 26, 2012
Whether you’re after the tax deduction or the good karma, donating your extra products to the Beauty Bus Foundation is a good thing to do.
January 29, 2013
Seche Nail Lacquer is a high-intensity color polish collection that debuts with 33 classic hues.
January 17, 2013
Your services already sparkle, so why not get aprons to match?
January 16, 2013
Did the word “awww” just come out of your mouth when you saw this adorable petite foot-shaped chocolate?
January 15, 2013
Thanks to their thinness, these decals can be layered and grouped.
January 31, 2013
Light and nude nails ruled the runways.
January 7, 2013
Readers just fell in love with Hillary Fry’s edgy image. Take a look at all the incredible images that vied for the winning spot in this year’s Cover Tech Contest, as well as some other great entries that caught our eye. Thank you to all who entered and all who voted.
January 1, 2013
Organization may not be your forte, but with these clever storage ideas, you’ll feel — and look — like a natural.
January 1, 2013
A quick lotion or hand scrub can make a manicure quite memorable. And a sales pitch on the beneficial ingredients of a hand care product as you massage it into your clients’ skin can make them want to purchase the product for home use. To help you with retail as well as with themed services, NAILS has compiled the latest delicious-smelling hand products to keep hands well-moisturized and supple.
January 31, 2013
Glamour magazine shared seven eye-catching prints for the new year.
January 30, 2013
For Glamour magazine's seventh annual "Fashion Gives Back" project, four designers were paired with nail techs at NCLA to make runway-inspired nail wraps.
January 28, 2013
Why not try wearing bright colors in winter? Marie Claire's January 2013 issue asked the question after noticing a steady trend toward bold, spring-like colors.
January 25, 2013
Mariah Carey's new line of OPI polish was featured in Marie Claire's Winter Must-Have List.
January 23, 2013
While the world loves nail art, 81% of Glamour readers agreed that "too kooky" designs are a fashion "don't."
January 21, 2013
Cosmopolitan interviewed actress Hannah Simone, who plays the role of Cece on hit television show New Girl, to find out some of her beloved beauty products.
January 18, 2013
Lucky magazine editors suggested taking a breather from elaborate nail art to try a classic, red manicure again this year.
January 16, 2013
OPI's Liquid Sand nail lacquer in Can't Let Go is a recommended shade this winter, according to magazine Red Book.
January 14, 2013
Allure magazine blogger Shannon Ray vowed to show her toes more love in 2013.
January 11, 2013
Opaque white nails polish was listed as one of Spring's Top Five Trends in InStyle's January 2013 issue.
January 10, 2013
A collection of shiny, metallic shades was listed in Harper's Bazaar's "Manicure Must-Haves" for January 2013.
January 9, 2013
InStyle magazine tried top gel polish brands at several different neighborhood salons to weigh the pros and cons of getting a professional-quality gel mani or pedi.
January 7, 2013
InStyle magazine suggested touching up gel polish manicures with regular polish if clients are in a pinch or need a quick at-home remedy.
January 4, 2013
InStyle magazine dispelled a couple long-standing misconceptions about gel manicures this month and provided remedies on how to keep gel nails healthy.
January 1, 2013
Accompanying the new season of HBO's hit TV-series Girls is an array of new, custom-designed polishes from Deborah Lippmann.
