Don’t say the word “work” around Tammy Taylor. When it comes to doing nails, Taylor says you either have to have fun or get out of the business. At a recent Two-Day Advanced Class in her company’s Irvine, Calif., headquarters, Taylor proved it.

She said to the 35 nail technicians who came from all over the country to take the class. Her 12- step method of applying pink-and-white acrylic nails was outlined on a huge banner on the wall [photo left, below] as well as in the detailed folders handed to each attendee. Taylor designed each step to simplify the process, prevent lifting and “green nails,” and allow a nail technician to apply a full set in less than 20 minutes.

Two lucky attendees were at the class compliments of Tammy Taylor when their names were drawn during a mid-summer contest. They each received airfare, hotel accommodations for two, meals, a rental car, passes to Disneyland, $100 in Tammy Taylor products, and the class itself (usually costing $250).

Most of the first day was spent learning theory. As Taylor ran through the 12 steps, questions flew “Should I still etch if my client’s nails are thin?” “Which pink looks the most natural?” ‘Why do we need to use primer?” Taylor said that although her system works on nearly every client, there are nevertheless some exceptions. “You’ll have clients who ought to be on a natural nail care program,” she said. “Acrylics are not for everyone.”

During the lunch buffet, Taylor was back in the classroom helping one attendee expertly fit her forms. Since the class was for advanced nail technicians, sculptured nails were emphasized instead of tips. “Sculpts show you have personal pride in your work,” says Taylor. “They really take talent to do correctly.” Later in the afternoon, Taylor rolled up her sleeves and began demonstrating her personal techniques. She started by putting a full set on an attendee’s toes [top photo]. “It’s so easy? she said, “and you’ll make lots of money.” Taylor also demonstrated a backfill, using a special drill bit she designed herself. “The secret to a good backfill is in creating a perfect ‘happy face’ (smile line),” says Taylor. “They’re so fun — I could do happy faces all day.” Meanwhile attendees roamed through the retail area stocking up on Giorgio Sanitize and A-Coat (a top coat for acrylic nails). And since a day of honing one’s Tammy Taylor skills works up an appetite, everyone headed over to Planet Hollywood for dinner.

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