Business
No More Nails-Only?
Between 2012 and 2017, nail salons will increasingly expand into full-service salons, which will allow industry operators to diversify their customer base and mitigate revenue fluctuations, according to a recent report by market research firm IBISWorld.
Nail Snapshots from Germany
Editor Hannah Lee went to Germany with nail tech and celebrity manicurist Elsbeth Schuetz where she attended a tradeshow in which the nail section alone spanned across two pavillions with massive booths.
Photographing Nail Art
With the explosion of nail art, nail artists are expanding their creativity into the field of photography. Here are tips on how to capture the best shot.
Beyoncé Cosmetology Center Opens at Phoenix House
The Beyoncé Cosmetology Center, founded by pop superstar Beyoncé and her mother and business partner, Tina Knowles, is an exciting addition to nonprofit drug rehabiliation facility Phoenix House's Career Academy. It is a fitting way for Beyoncé and her mother to give back together, as Tina Knowles worked as a hairstylist for many years, and a young Beyoncé would even "perform" for customers in the salon. In this video, Tina Knowles speaks about the project.
How to Create Your Own Pedicure Platform
Elevating clients for feet-focused services generally improves nail tech ergonomics, as you don’t have to hunch over to do close-up work. And building your own set-up means you can design and decorate it however you want. (Hello, purple paint and glitter!)
ePillow
Available in a variety of color options to match your décor, the ePillow contains a “ledge” that surrounds the pillow’s outside to hold the tablet either horizontally or vertically.
What's on Your Bucket List?
The idea of these ticking lists — of things to accomplish before you “kick the bucket,” so to speak — are gaining popularity via blogs, ad campaigns, and other media outlets. We asked our readers to share their professional ones. (No offense to pros-and-cons lists, but we think bucket lists are much more fun!)
by Sree Roy
European Nail Vacation
After several years of urging from Swiss-born, California-based nail tech Elsbeth Schuetz, Editor Hannah Lee hopped on a plane and headed first to Zurich, Switzerland, and then to Dusseldorf, Germany, to attend two European beauty shows.
by Hannah Lee
My Other Life: Rebekah Summers, School Bus Driver
“If you had told me 20 years ago that I would be a bus driver today and would be loving my job, I would have laughed out loud,” says Rebekah Summers, the owner of Perfect 10 Nails inside Don’s Barber Shop in Cadiz, Ky
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
With the explosion of nail art, techs are expanding their creativity into the field of photography. Here are tips on how to capture the best shot.
Retail Boutique: Patriotic Items
American-inspired accessories, decorations, and bakeware make great retail items. Stock your salon with fun and festive products for Independence Day, and don’t be afraid to display them again come Memorial Day, Presidents’ Day, Veterans’ Day, and even Thanksgiving!
Cuccio Acquires New Building to Aid Expansion Efforts
The growth of Cuccio Naturalé, including Cuccio Pro, has resulted in a demand for more space for Valencia, Calif.-based Star Nail International — 40,000 sq. ft. more to be exact.
Oh, App-y Day
Does your salon have its own app yet? If not, perhaps you can take inspiration from the folks at Knoxville, Tenn.-based Salon Visage, who recently released the Visage Concierge application for iPhone/Android.
Tranquility, Japanese Hospitality Hallmarks of New L.A. Salon
Mars The Salon, one of Tokyo’s most luxurious nail-care destinations, has opened its first outpost in North America with the debut of Mars The Salon Los Angeles.
A Modern Day Beauty Shop
Sisters Castle and Lauren Searcy built their business from the ground up, opening their very first salon, Tootsies Nail Shoppe, in 2006. After hard work and diligent cross-promoting, they now run two salons, a certified nail school, and a barbershop, all under the Tootsies brand.
Perfect Retail for the Shoe Obsessed
The flip flop junkies among your clientele will be thrilled with Tigerlily Interchangeable Sandals.
Turn a Negative Online Review Into a Positive
At some point every salon owner is going to come face-to-face with negative online reviewers, but it does not have to be doomsday for your salon or spa.