Sometimes a new client will apologize for not removing her polish, but I’ll explain to her that it’s part of the service. Besides, clients can sure make a mess when removing their polish.

Rachel Valtierra

Tangles to Toes

Merced, Calif.

I offer clients their own Client Guard Implement Pak and a 2-oz. polish remover so they can remove their polish and sanitize their hands prior to the service.

Jennifer Morse

Nails By Ramona

New Hartford, Conn.

I have a box of beauty cotton coil and remover as well as a Lacquer Whacker for clients to remove their polish as soon as they arrive. I’ve had clients do this for years. It drastically cuts time off my services.

Heather Sweat

Billy Shears

Knoxville, Tenn.

I provide a container of Pretty Nails, which includes a sponge, for clients to remove their polish before I start. It’s neat and saves me time.

Marcia Ware

Craze Salon

Jacksonville, Fla.

We never let clients remove their own polish. Many of our clients will apologize for having polish on their nails and we’ll tell them not to worry because that’s what we’re here for—to help and service you.

The staff

Patterns Salon and Spa

Haddonfield, N.J.

My rebalance charge includes polish removal. If I’m running late, I will have my next client remove her polish and explain to her that it will save her time. Usually this is not a problem.

Carmella Brown

Shear Precision

Eagle River, Wis.

I always make it a practice to remove my clients’ polish. Many technicians don’t want to do this because it may mess up their own nails. I’ve had clients offer to remove their polish so mine stays nice, but I’ll tell them they have come to the salon to be pampered and it’s my job to do this.

Regina Walker

JC Penney Styling Salon

Columbus, Ohio

We have a waiting area with polish remover and cotton squares so clients can remove their polish. This helps in getting them to the salon early. However, they tend to use more polish remover and squares than nail technicians do, but the time saved in having clients remove their polish outweighs the cost of extra remover. I personally believe that my nails are my best advertisement. If I remove polish all day long my nails will look terrible and I’d have to repolish every day. I know there are ways to be “careful,” but then your time goes out the window doing so. Who has the time?!

Lisa Hudson

The Art of Nails

Lafayette, Ind.

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