Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Business

Reader to Reader

August 1, 2001

I usually upgrade my clients with a hand treatment. Nail Tek’s 7 Days to Beautiful Hands gives the client dramatic and immediate results.-Janis White, Genesis Salon & Spa, Reno, Nev.

After I finish a manicure, I rub the client’s hands with an exfoliant scrub made with sea salts and mixed with aromatherapy oils. It makes their hands –and mine-soft and smooth.-Faith Glionna, Cuticles, Inc., Indialantic, Fla.

I usually add a little spritz of body spray to my clients’ hands and arms. They leave with their nails not only looking nice, but smelling good, too.-Laura Strauss, Top 10 Nail Salon, Laurel Springs, N.J.

I promote my manicure by adding an essential oil blend that deeply and instantly rehydrates the nail plates. I also include paraffin in my regular manicure as well as a full hand and forearm massage. I thoroughly cleanse the nail plate with both alcohol and OPI’s BondAid to ensure long-lasting polish on natural nails. Some clients have had their French manicure last up to three weeks.-Carolyn Fielder, A Natural Nail, Spokane, Wash.

For clients with dry cuticles, I add baking soda to help soften them. Also, for clients with yellowing nails, I add lemon juice, rosemary, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil to their water and let their hands soak for five minutes before stating the service.-Joney Manley, Luke Walkers, Pasadena, Calif.

An application of Elegant Glass before base coat had helped me to promote my regular manicures. Most of my clients fall in love with it and are willing to pay the $10 charge for it as an add-on feature.-Audrey Lulow, Nails by Audrey Lulow, Woodbury, Tenn.


More FAQ

What’s the best way to recruit techs for a new salon?

I’m opening a new nail salon and am having a hard time finding nail techs besides myself. How did you find yours? I’ve tried Craigslist, cosmetology schools, and beauty supply stores. Any suggestions? — Jen McClain, owner, Completely Polished (www.completelypolished.com), Cranberry Township, Pa.... read more

What low-cost extras do you provide that clients perceive as having a high value?

A complimentary glass of wine, an extra-long foot massage … these are the small gestures that keep clients coming back — and sending their friends to your salon. We asked techs: What low-cost extras do you provide that clients perceive as having a high value?... read more

Should the salon owner do nails herself?

Should the salon owner do nails herself ?... read more

Services For Teenagers

I’ve gotten requests from a few moms to add services for teenagers to our menu. I don’t mean the “little princess” 12 and-under service, but the 14 to 18 set. Their input has been that they will get their nails done more often, but can’t justify the full, luxury spa experience. I’ve been thinking about doing a “teen night” each week with really basic mani/pedi options (no massage, no callus care, etc. — just shaping, light cuticle work, polish and lotion application) that focus on trendy colors and options for spirit manis in school colors, etc. What do you think is the best way to address this demographic?... read more

How do you react to negative feedback?

Reader to Reader: How do you react to negative feedback about your business on social sites like Yelp and Facebook? Do you respond publicly or privately?... read more

Starting a Salon

I’m just about to graduate from esthetics school in Canada. I would like to open a small salon that focuses mainly on pedicures. I’m at a loss as to where to start, beginning with what products to use. I would like to offer at least two different product lines. I would like my pedicures to make a difference (detox, make feet feel relaxed and smooth and happy). Any suggestions?... read more

Is it Better to Buy?

Is it better to buy?... read more

Will gel-polish cause traditional polish to become obsolete?

Will gel-polish cause traditional polish to become obsolete?... read more

Do Nail Techs Really Need Resumes?

Do Nail Techs Really Need Resumes?... read more

What’s the most unusual place you did nails?

From funeral homes to a Swedish castle to the great outdoors — those are just some of the places you’ve done nails for your clients. We asked readers to tell us the most unusual place they did nails.... read more

I’m an employee on commission and I’m paying for product. Is this fair?

I’m an employee working on commission. My salon has us pay for the product that we use. If, say, we charge $25 for a fill, they deduct $3. Then we get 50% commission on $22 instead of $25. So pretty much we only get 40% in total since 10% is taken off the top to begin with. On a busy day my product costs can be more than $25, so basically I am not getting paid for an hour I worked and one service I did. Is this a common practice and do you think it’s fair?... read more

Do I have to have a website in addition to my Facebook page?

I’ve got a Facebook page that I’m pretty active on, but I don’t have a website for my nail business. Do I really need a website?... read more