Do acrylic products act differently on different people? I use the same technique, but I don’t get the same results on everyone.
Tanis Darling: Absolutely! That’s why we have so many great products to work with. I have said on many occasions that if there was one truly superior product, we’d all be using it.
Some clients do better in acrylic, some in gel, some in resin and activator systems, etc. Thank goodness we have so many wonderful products out there to address each of the issues that clients have. That is why I believe it is so important to be a full-service tech who can perform any type of enhancement service. Otherwise you are cutting yourself off to potential clients and income.
How do you tell what to use on each person is the obvious next question. Usually I go through a few stages of problem-solving before I switch a client to another product. If your client comes in with lifting issues and breakage, then it’s time to do a review. First look at what you are doing. Is it my prep? Is it my application? Is it my filing technique? (You’d be surprised at how much trouble can occur from bad filing technique.) If you have established that it is none of the above, then go on to the secondary stage of investigation. Examine the lifestyle of your client. You should have addressed this at her first appointment, but clients can and do take up different hobbies and activities without second thought to their nails at any time. Talk to your client and update this information. If all these questions are answered and troubleshooting is complete, then you can conclude that perhaps this client requires a different type of enhancement.