MENU
SEARCHYou don’t ordinarily think of doing nails as a test of endurance, but sometimes it can be — especially when you’re first starting out. We asked our Facebook friends to tell us about the set of nails that took them the longest to complete — whether due to their newbie status or the intricacies of a special design.
Nails by Monique Scott
Nails by Jamie Peery Warren
The nails I spend the longest time on were a set of form-sculpted acrylics I did for a dancer at a nightclub. I did all handpainted nail art and they took about four hours.
— Jamie Peery Warren
The first time I did a French manicure it took me two hours just to paint it. Plus it took me another hour to do the manicure — for three hours total. And it didn’t even look that great in the end. — Cassidy Stewart
Nails by Hope Szymanski
A coworker and I did nails for a salon photo shoot that had a zombie pop art theme. We continued the theme from the nails to arms using paint. It took us three hours to paint our arms and four days to complete the detailed press-on nails we put on each other.
— Hope Szymanski
When I was a newbie in a high-end salon, a client who was one of the owner’s closest friends sat in my chair. After I applied each nail, she would pull her hand away, shake her head, and say, “They’re just not right.” A new set would usually take me an hour and a half, but this woman exhausted me! After a few months and extra training I had become a very good technician, but I refused to allow her to sit in my chair again.
— Kathy Skeens Parris
Nails by Monique Scott
Recently my client spotted a Gelish how-to in a magazine. We started on her fill at 9:15 and then I started to create my masterpiece using the latest colors from the Street Beat collection. We finished at 12:45 — after a few great photos of course.
— Monique Scott
My first full set in nail school took five hours...and it sucked! I was so sad since I thought I was going to be a natural talent. I was wrong! Thankfully, over 21 years I have improved my time and the quality of my work.
— Jill Neely
One of my first sets of sculpted nails took me 11 hours. It was at the client’s house surrounded by her family with little children taking my products and playing with my glitters while my client was snacking on tacos. Instead of relaxing her hands she wanted to follow the whole application and kept her fingers very tensed and pointing up. It was awful. But the worst part was that she wanted extra-long nails and her nails were very small (she was a nail biter). When I was finally done she changed her mind and wanted her nails shorter. I just wanted to run away from there.
Nails by Lucy Spalding Mardres
— Bella Martinell
I did these nails for my new salon menu. It took me four-and-a-half hours because I don’t do extreme nails often, but I love them and want to offer them.
— Lucy Spalding Mardres
I was new to acrylics. I had just finished my course and the mom of one of my friends asked me to do her nails. It took me five hours and three files. I also did some 3-D nail art.
— Perla Muñoz
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.
