MENU
SEARCHWhile still in school, Derr took first place in the academy’s student nail art competition and in 1988, she won first place in the professional nail division at the NCA's national championship in Atlanta.
The Pittsburgh Beauty Academy would be hard-pressed to find a better candidate for its Hall of Fame than 1986 graduate Christine A. Derr. While still in school, Derr took first place in the academy’s student nail art competition. In 1988, she won first place in the professional nail division at the National Cosmetology Association’s (NCA) national championships in Atlanta, Ga. Since 1990, Derr has served as an official judge for nail competitions at the International Beauty Show. She will be the chairwoman for the nail competitions at the International Beauty Show to be held March 12-15 in New York City. Derr was chosen as a trend designer for the NCA’s spring and summer 1994 nail trends. For the trend, named “Tapestry,” Derr will be creating designs for children, easily executed tricolor designs, and an elegant golden-thread design.
Beyond trendsetting, Derr is into the practical side of doing nails. She and her husband had been considering making a video on nail techniques when one day her brother-in-law, a landscaper, came over with a toenail he needed reconstructed. (He had dropped a cement block on it!) “I said, ‘This is too good not to get on camera,’ so my husband videotaped me reconstructing the toenail. This was the push we needed to finally do the video,” says Derr.
The 90-minute video, Christine Derr’s Tips on Nails, covers nail technique basics; problem-solving for acrylics, wraps, and tips; and toenail reconstruction.
Derr credits an instructor at beauty school for inspiring her to choose nails as a career. “It was the last month of school and I still couldn’t cut hair,” says Derr. “An instructor talked me into competing for nails and I won first place. After the nail competition, the school asked me to teach manicuring and nail design.” Derr taught at the school for two years. When she met her future husband, the owner of Hair Craft and Nail Craft in Gilbertsville, Pa., she began working in his salon as the sole manicurist.
What is Derr’s advice to nail technicians who want to soar to the top in their career? “Do one thing and do it better than anyone else,” says Derr. “I think talent and perseverance are extremely important. But positive thinking and a sense of humor are absolutely essential in this field,” she says.
With all these accomplishments, it came as no surprise that Derr was inducted into the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy’s Hall of Fame recently at the school’s 15th anniversary celebration of its alumni association. According to Art DeConciliis, director of the graduate division at the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy, being inducted into the school’s hall of fame is a high honor. “To become a candidate for the hall of fame, an individual must, of course, be a graduate of the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy, and she must be out in the industry at least five years. She must have made a major contribution in her area of study on a national level,” he says. Then the school’s Alumni Board of Directors, a 12-member board of salon owners and managers who graduated from PBA, vote on the candidate. “Christine was an excellent instructor and competition director here,” DeConciliis says. As director of training of the school of manicuring and nail design, she trained students who were going into specialized competition.
Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.
When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.
Sponsored by Amex
Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.
Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.
The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex
Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.
Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.
Sponsored by Amex
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.
Sponsored by Vagaro
Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.
This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.
Education is necessary for beauty professionals to maintain their cosmetology licenses, and paying for that education can be burdensome, but it doesn't have to be. Understand which education tax credits can help you offset those costs.
