I call my product manufacturer, Young Nails. I use their entire product line, so they are able to answer many of my technical questions. I also refer to columns on www.nailsmag.com. - SAMANTHA BEEMAN, Total Body Salon, Stowe, Vt.
I am definitely old school; I have so many nail magazines and other books on nails that I refer to for my technical questions. I also use YouTube.com, where I find a lot of demos, shortcuts, and techniques, often done by veterans. Before asking someone, I will try to go through all of these resources. When you research something on your own you never forget it because you did the work to figure it out. - TOPAZ WOODRUFF, The Nail Cabaret, Charlotte, N.C.
For all technical issues, I first turn to who knows the product the best: the manufacturers! If I still have issues, I contact my mentors, Heather and Cindy, plus get input from the Beautytech.com message boards. It never hurts to get multiple opinions. - ADRIENNE SCHODTLER, Blissful Lounge, Holly Springs, N.C.
I first turn to a nail forum on the Internet. In my opinion, they are the experts. They are working with the products on clients on a daily basis and see problems and issues. When I post a question I get a quick response from many people with different opinions, and they really try to help each other troubleshoot until the problem is resolved. It is a wonderful little community, almost like an extended family. - DEBBIE COLEY, Your Natural, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
When I have a technical question regarding nails, I usually think about the people I have met in the industry who I have grown to trust and contact them first — for example, a local educator or a manufacturer. Occasionally, I will do a search on the Internet. - DARLENE DONOVAN, Nail Creations @Bamboo Natural Beauty Salon & Boutique, Londonderry, N.H.
My greatest source of information is from the Beautytech.com forum. Readers post questions and nail technicians from around the world can respond. It has helped me tremendously to become the best nail technician I can be! - ANGE TIDWELL, Felicias at Fourth, Gadsden, Ala.
I refer to Tammy Taylor’s website (www.tammytaylornails.com) when I have questions. Whether it is troubleshooting or product info, her website has a ton of information. Plus, if the website doesn’t have exactly what you’re looking for, all you have to do is e-mail her and Tammy herself will answer you. I have the site bookmarked and recommend it to all techs — veterans or techs just out of school! - LISA SANTOS, Afterglow Salon, Defuniak Springs, Fla.
The Internet is my best coworker. I ask questions in multiple professional forums and e-mail my nearest educator. I also look at my CND binder, which contains how tos, troubleshooting, and MSDS. (These are obtained at CND’s website.) I get an array of suggestions and therefore a handful of solutions to whatever’s causing me trouble. - KELLI LYNN BURLESON, Harlow’s, Grand Blanc, Mich.