To continue the DIY theme in another direction, some "stuff" hit the proverbial fan on a networking forum recently when a major figure in the industry stepped forward to ask for input on a project to develop "press-on" nails targeted at a specific demographic for a "major retailer."

The entire thread ended up being removed from the forum (don't bother looking for it), but before that happened it got plenty of notice — and commentary. On several points. Which leaves me with about a year of interesting topics to blog about but I'm going to start with the industry's reaction to the do-it-yourself market.

I think I said it well enough in the last post. The DIY market doesn't threaten me in the least. And frankly, I don't think it threatens you either. Like I mentioned, people can't even polish their own nails. Even if they are able to put together a decent-looking set of acrylics or gels on themselves, they still rarely figure out the fine-tuning points such as proper prep required to prevent lifting. And then there's time. Most people who do their own nails at home spend several hours or even a couple of days to get them done.

I talked to the BF last night about some of the comments from the thread I mentioned and we discussed how the DIY-ers affect us professionally (Have I ever mentioned the BF is a mechanic?) and we both agree: The DIY market is nothing but GREAT for us. We love the people who think they are going to save a few bucks by cutting out the trained professional middle man. Because after those people have invested hundreds of dollars into the products and equipment to do it themselves, then waste hours or days worth of valuable personal time, usually what they end up with is a bigger mess than they started with. As the BF put it, "...and they've turned a $100 job into a $400 job."

I don't think much of press-on nails either. I look down on them and sneer too. Press-on nails don't even require actually doing anything. They tend to be cheesy and look cheap. They are the absolute lowest rung of the DIY market.

BUT they do rock for little girls. I don't have a problem at all with 10-year-olds playing nail dress-up with some press-on nails. They definitely have their niche in the market. Press-on nails are often a young woman's first introduction to the world of nail enhancements. From press-ons, they discover they want something more tailored to the nail — something that fits better and lasts longer, even if it costs more.

Whether it's by way of press-on nails and peel-off polish, or by way of learning the hard way that it's not as easy as the pros make it look, the DIY market is the primary gateway drug to professional services.