Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Business

How do you interest hair clients in nail services?

February 1, 2000

Make sure that the hairdressers in your shop have their nails done by you – they make good walking advertisements. It’s also good to offer complimentary manicures or nail repairs to hair clients when you’re not busy. Some hair clients may have never had a manicure and if they happen to have a broken nail, you can introduce them to artificial nails.

Yvonne Mitton

Haney’s Happenings (Lamesa, Texas)

If I’m not busy and one of the hair stylists has a client, I approach them and ask if they’d like anything to drink. I let them know that if they want to pamper themselves, they should give me a call. I also give our stylists pedicures and manicures and paint daisies on their nails. Their clients usually ask about those and get referred to me.

Tina Daubenspeck

Sanibel Beauty Salon (Sanibel, Fla.)

I’ve found that giving hair clients complimentary hand massages is very effective. I just approach them, offer them a massage, and we usually start talking about nails.

Caroline Pomakis

Eclipse Salon (New Orleans

We’re very busy in our salon so we usually don’t have time to mingle with our hair clients. However, we have nail art that has appeared in NAILS hanging on the walls, and we also have a book filled with different designs that’s passed around the salon.

Gabriella Ellena Carino

Gabby’s Razzle Dazzle Hair & Nail Studio (Islip, N.Y.)

I approach hair clients with a big smile on my face and tell them that I am offering a special on manicures and would love to treat them to a manicure or any other service they are interested in. This worked when I was a new tech and was still building a clientele. People love to pamper themselves and the worst thing they can say is no.

Tina Robertson

Fingerpaints Salon (Clovis, Calif.)

We were a nails-only salon when we first started out. Now, we’re about 50-50, so in order to attract hair to nails, we put ads on our ceiling. While clients are getting their hair shampooed, they lay back and see our “Ask About Acrylics” ads. We also put up ads on the mirrors. We’ve received a huge response from these.

Judith Zaretzke

Bridgewood East (Neenah, Wis.)


More FAQ

How do I announce to my clients that I will be moving to a new salon?

I  just gave my two weeks’ notice at the salon where I work. How do I announce to my clients that I will be moving locations?... read more

The new products I’m using are adding time to each appointment. How do I adjust my schedule?

I have been doing wraps for over 20 years. The products I used to use have changed and the new ones are adding about 10 minutes to my appointment time. I used to be able to get a rebase done in an hour — complicated client or not. Now almost everyone is taking 10-15 minutes longer, so by the end of the day, I am really behind. More clients are asking for nail art now, too. I do my scheduling at the beginning of the year for the whole year. All my clients have standing appointments, so making adjustments in my schedule is next to impossible. How do I fix this? Should I do 1-1/2 hour appointments just in case someone wants nail art or the application requires extra time? Obviously, that would cost time and money. Also, I’m not comfortable with charging someone extra because it takes me longer to do her nails because she is harder on them than others. I am a one-person salon and I don’t take walk-ins, so there isn’t anyone to cover for me.... read more

How do I get conversation going and not sit in awkward silence?

I am naturally a pretty quiet person who doesn’t like to talk much. But after doing nails for a year, I realize that talking to clients is a must during services if you want them to come back. I don’t know what to say besides asking questions basic questions like, “How are you?” and “Do you have any children?” How do I get conversation going and not sit in awkward silence?... read more

What’s the best way to handle friends and relatives who expect free nail services?

What’s the best way to handle friends and relatives who expect free nail services — especially now that I’m working out of my home? I don’t want any hurt feelings, but that’s not something I can afford to do.... read more

Should I take it personally when a client doesn’t tip?

Should I take it personally when a client doesn’t tip?... read more

What should I do when clients have their check prepared for one service, but the price ends up higher?

I have been a nail tech for many years and I’ve never been good at standing my ground with clients. What should I do when they come in with their money (cash or check) already prepared for one service, but actually get a higher-priced service? For example, they need a repair on top of their fill, or if it’s been longer than three weeks since their last fill (which I charge more for). I’ve tried putting up signs but that hasn’t made any difference.... read more

Should I have a TV in my salon?

My question is about TVs in the salon. How do I know what kind of programming to show? In talking to customers, some like it when the salon shows a new movie, others prefer a music channel, and some others just don’t want a TV at all. What’s your advice?... read more

I’m thinking about not doing pedicures anymore and just specializing in traditional and gel-polish manicures. Any advice?

I’m thinking about not doing pedicures anymore and just specializing in traditional and gel-polish manicures. Most of my clients only get their hands done and honestly that’s what I love doing. I’ve never really enjoyed giving pedicures nor do I think I’m very good at them. A friend of mine is looking to make a change in salons so I thought about renting my room to her and I would move my manicure table into a smaller room in the building. My husband is worried that I’ll lose business to my friend, but I think that I’ll get more business from her and business from being more specialized in one area. Any advice?... read more

Are Facebook contests a good way to get my name out there?

I’m a new tech trying to get my name out there. I have seen a couple of nail techs offer contests on Facebook, such as “like and share and you could win a free manicure.” What do you think?... read more

Is perfectionism on the job a blessing or a curse?

To Be or Not to Be … A Perfectionist: Do you lose all sense of time and place as you do and redo in an effort to create the perfect nail? Or do you regard good enough as good enough? Some nail techs view their perfectionism as a plus, whereas others find it a curse. We asked readers to weigh in.... read more

As a new booth renter, I’d like to know how I should pay myself.

As a new booth renter, I’d like to know how I should pay myself. I have a separate business account. Do I give myself a salary?... read more

At what age do you think it’s OK to use gel-polish on kids or teens?

I’m reluctant to apply gels or acrylics to girls younger than 16 because they pick and can’t maintain the nails. At what age do you think it’s OK to use gel-polish on kids or teens?... read more