The problem with all those awesome pictures being posted on the Internet by polish and nail art bloggers and other do-it-yourself types of the nail art and fashion variety is that they do these amazing-looking things with their nails, post them online, and then my clients find those pictures on Pinterest and Google image searches and bring those pictures to me and say, “I was thinking of this.”

I’m pretty used to this. But lately I’m getting shown a lot of photos of “caviar” nails and other styles that make me look at my clients with my brow all furrowed up and say something along the lines of, “Uhhh, well, OK, but you know that’s not going to last very long, right?”

The other day someone showed me a photo of a what looked like a pretty cool hand full of sample nail styles, each one of the nails were done differently. They were very texture-heavy with glitters of varying styles and one caviar nail but all the nails were just that: glitter. Not embedded in anything, no top coat, just the glitter and beads.

The problem is that these things don’t last for two weeks between regular salon visits. It might look awesome for a night on the town or special event, but it’s not likely to last. When you’re doing your own nails, it’s no big deal if you have to touch it up or take it off after a day or two. But when you’re a regular salon client and you’re paying good money to have a pro do your nails, it doesn’t make sense to spend it on a look that won’t make it to the next appointment.

Which is not to say I won’t do it. I’m thrilled to get into these looks. Love ’em. But I think it’s important to make sure I have that conversation with the client before I charge them for something I know won’t last ... or at least, won’t last through that person’s lifestyle!

I am anxiously awaiting the day when the average person learns to recognize pictures of nails that were done to show off versus pictures of nails that were done to be worn.