MENU
SEARCH
Sharon Lavicott, a nail instructor, manufacturer’s educator, and freelance writer, has collected many humorous anecdotes during her nine years in the nail industry. Here, she shares some of the more outlandish nail stories she’s heard from clients in the course of her career:
My client Jeannie loved the burgundy-red leather interior of her Jaguar so much, I concocted a special blend of nail polishes to match her car’s interior. One day, while driving and admiring how color-coordinated her nails and fag were, she was involved in a fender bender. No one was hurt, except for her fingernails’ paint job, of course.
In her new red outfit, with her nails painted to match, Kathryn sipped a piña colada. As she had requested, her hairstylist had cemented her hair with spray. “Everything else may blow in the wind,” she thought, “but not my ‘do!’” As she felt the eyes of a gorgeous guy watching her from across the bar, she unconsciously raised her hand to fluff her hair. Horror overwhelmed her as she realized her nail was stuck in her hair! Mr. Gorgeous thought she was waving at him and took the opportunity to introduce himself. Quick wit came to her rescue, and she apologized for not being able to shake his hand, explaining her hand was “otherwise engaged.”
Mr. Gorgeous (whose real name was Rob) helped her disconnect her nail from her hair and connected with her the next day for a date. At last report, the “otherwise engaged” hand is officially engaged — sporting a diamond engagement ring! Kathryn gave the nail responsible for this happening a place of honor in her memorabilia, right next to her first prom flowers!
For Chris, an artificial nail wearer, her New Year’s resolution was to stop smoking, and when her fingernail caught on fire while on a date, she hardened her resolve. She could have been mistaken for the Statue of Liberty with her glowing artificial fingernail! She doused her flaming fingernail in a glass of water. Her date was (no kidding) a volunteer fireman! To this day, Chris still gets teased about her “hot date!”
Housecleaning proved to be hazardous for one client named Joy. She was good about wearing gloves most of the time when cleaning, but she removed the gloves to remove a small item stuck in the sink drain. Don’t ask me how, but she managed to get her nail stuck in the drain, too. Can you imagine calling 911 for that?
The next incident happened to me. One time, while checking into a posh hotel for a hair and nail show, I reached into my pocket to tip the bell-boy. The tip he got wasn’t exactly what he had in mind. As I pulled out the bills, my red nail tip, which had broken off the week before, was mixed in with the money I handed him!
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.
