I tell my clients to leave some bottles of cuticle oil in places where they spend a lot of time. For instance, one in the bedroom on the nightstand, one in a drawer at the office, and one by the phone at home. I also tell them to apply cuticle oil while watching TV to give them something to do.-Nancy Dagostino, Xanadu Nail & Hair Salon, Basking Ridge, N.J.
I ask the client about her nightly routine, whether she washes her face or brushes her teeth — something she does every night. I’ll tell her to place her cuticle oil next to her facial care products or her toothbrush. This usually reminds her to use the oil.-Misty Hackathorn, C. W. Michael’s Hair & Nail Salon, Akron, Ohio
I suggest clients apply it when they get an urge to pick or bite their nails or after washing their hands. I also tell them to take their cuticle oil with them wherever they go and apply it while waiting in the car or in line at the check-out counter.-April Brown, JC Penney’s Styling Salon, Frederick, Md.
I use cuticle oil on the client throughout her service, and each time I apply it, I explain the different benefits. During the final application of the cuticle oil, I’ll ask the client if she has any questions about how to use it at home. Then, during her maintenance appointment, I’ll ask her if she’s regularly using her cuticle oil. This gives me an idea of whether she needs more information about it. Once a client understands the benefits of a product, she is sure to use it faithfully.-Alicia Bryant-Mayes, Body & Soul Salon, Denver, Colo.
Since I’m a firm believer in the phrase, “Seeing is believing,” I give first-time clients a complimentary bottle of cuticle oil. I explain the way it works and how to use it. The trick is to have them apply it on only nine nails. When they return, the tenth nail speaks for itself — showing signs of dryness and cracking. Once the client sees the results, she becomes a loyal user.-Melody Baker, Simply Nails, Whitesburg, Ky.
I work at a nail school where we teach the students the importance of home nail care. We tell them that if a client complains about dry cuticles, tell her the only way to solve the problem is to use cuticle oil daily, which helps lubricate and moisturize her cuticles.-Kimberly Kelly, The Nail Clinic School of Manicuring, Columbia, S.C.
I tell my clients to place their cuticle oil near their bed or by their alarm clock. By applying it before they go to bed, their cuticles get moisturized while they’re sleeping, and they don’t have to worry about touching things with oily fingers.-Ana Maria Manta, Nailize, Boca Raton, Fla.