The textbook I could not live without would have to be “Milady’s Standard Nail Technology,” which I received in nail school. This book has been a wonderful source of information for me. From basic “how to’s,” to nail diseases that you can and can not work on, I have continually referred to this book throughout the course of my career. I have even covered it in contact paper so that it lasts forever without falling apart.
— Kimberly Wiatrak, Sebastian’s Hair-um and Day Spa, Middletown, N.J.
I would be incomplete without my copy of Doug Schoon’s book, “Nail Structure and Product Chemistry” (second edition). He has an amazing talent for breaking things down in a way that makes nails and the nail industry easy to understand. The book is fact-based and brings together every aspect of natural nails and enhancements you could ever want to know — and things you might not have even thought of yet. I could write its praises for pages. Every nail professional on the planet would benefit from this book.
— Holly L. Schippers, Education Ambassador CND, Oskaloosa, Iowa
I’ve been a nail technician for more than eight years now, and with the constant changes that take place in our industry it is vital that we have good resources available to us. One of the books that I absolutely cannot live without is “Manicure, Pedicure, and Advanced Nail Techniques,” by Elaine Almond. The book takes the nail technician from the basic manicuring and pedicure techniques, to the advanced level nail extensions and nail art. It covers everything, and it gives new technicians the information they need to further their knowledge in this ever-changing industry.
— Patti Fleenor, Talking Heads Salon, Hesperia, Calif.
The one thing I have always wanted to learn more about is the business side of the nail industry. But when I couldn’t find any books out there that could do this, I decided to write one myself. I just finished it last year, and I don’t mean to plug my book, but it is packed with tools for building a cutting edge salon business and getting a head start on life by working smarter, not harder. It’s called “How to Build a Clientele and Keep It,” and it is a quick and easy read that will hopefully inspire others to get excited about finding and keeping clients.
— Dawn Marie Bassett, manicurist/ educator/author/consultant