Summer's Over

Another summer has come and nearly gone! Soon it’ll be cooling off, kids will be going back to school, and your clients who took a summer hiatus from having their nails done regularly will look at their hands and shriek. Then they’ll rush to you, the miracle worker.

Fortunately, all the average neglected nail needs is a little attention to make it beautiful again. Still, there are problems that require a little something extra—like maybe a visit to a physician.

In our cover story this month, we outline some of the disorders and diseases of the nails. While there are situations where all that’s needed is a change of habits or a regular manicure, we urge you to remember that having a client consult a physician is not a disgrace. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and most clients will appreciate your concern for their well-being.

It’s impossible to tend to your clients’ well-being, or anybody else’s if you haven’t tended to your own. Working closely with other people ever day, no matter how much you love your job, is stressful. Add that stress to typical end-of-summer doldrums, and you may find yourself ready to fly to pieces. No, you’re not losing your mind. Everybody gets stressed out. Relax, take a couple of deep breaths, put your feet up, and read Marie Payzant’s article on minimizing stress.

Terri Tarrico of The Final Touch Boutique and Nail Salon in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is featured in our Modern Nail Salon profile this month. Tarrico got into nails after getting out of the Air Force just a few years ago, but she’s learned a lot in those few years. She keeps up with the latest happenings in the industry, and her diligence has certainly paid off.

The end of the summer is perceived by many people as their last chance to get wild before settling into their normal routines again. Maybe it’s a hangover from school days, when the beginning of summer meant the beginning of freedom, but most people seem to view summer as a time for trying new things, being more adventurous than usual. With the end of the summer comes an almost desperate desire to do something out of the ordinary. This sense of daring makes August a perfect month to talk some of your more conservative clients into doing something outrageous—like nail art.

Nandra Thompson sent in her step-by-step guide to nail art for our Technique Article contest. Although Nandra didn’t take first place in the contest, we feel that her article is well worth printing. Nandra shows you how to do several nail art designs guaranteed to excite your clients.

We’d like to encourage all nail technicians to follow Nandra’s lead and send us information on your favorite technique. Tell us how you do nail art, sculptures, or any other nail service, include illustrations and a clear photo of the finished product, and see your name in print in NAILS Magazine!

See you next month!