Easing the Transition to EMA

Anyone who has ever tried to remove MMA from a new client’s nails knows the bond is tough to break. Maggie Franklin, owner of The Art of Nailz in Visalia. Calif., finds it’s even more difficult to deal with clients emotional attachment to their nails.

“In my area, MMA is not being used exclusively by the ‘sub-standard’ salons. Many well-established, upscale salons here offer what they call ‘porcelain/acrylic’ nails that contain MMA.” says Franklin. “So when someone who has always been satisfied with the performance of their nail products comes to me for the first time it is very hard for them to accept that they need to make a change.”

The first step, as always is education. “I explain to them that one problem with wearing MMA is that it sticks to your nail better then your nail sticks to your finger. This is the simplest way I’ve found to make people understand that no lifting isn’t always a good thing,” she says.

To compete with the durability of MMA, Franklin has switched from a more flexible. Easier to sculpt product to a brand of acrylic that sets up harder and wears better. Still says Franklin, “I really have to convince clients of the importance of using cuticle oil daily. I also insist they wear their nails shorter to reduce the incidence of hairline stress fractures, which they find difficult to accept.”

Unfortunately, says Franklin. “Some clients react to my attempts to educate them by attacking my products or skills, Sill, many appreciate that I’m knowledgeable and are willing to hear me out.”