Business

Will gel-polish cause traditional polish to become obsolete?

August 15, 2013

While my clients and I both love the new gel-polishes, they will not totally replace traditional polishes or manicures. While they offer many great benefits, many of my clients can wear traditional polish two weeks or more. There are also those that want to be able to remove the polish without soaking. I still prefer traditional polish for my pedicures. They last at least four weeks with no soak-off time. — Lydian Flash, Austin, Texas

Natural nails are important to our clients. To some clients that means no UV/LED curing and no soak-off, while others love gel-polish’s long-lasting high-gloss shine. Many clients will use gel-polish for a special occasion or vacation even if they don’t want to use it on a regular basis. I think traditional polish is here to stay. — Angela Baumgartner, St. John Club Day Spa, Deland, Fla.

Traditional polish will be a distant memory like vinyl records and cassette tapes. — Amy Bickel, Salons at Tucson Square, Temple, Texas

I think regular nail polish will be obsolete. Gel-polish is the new best thing out there. People can even buy kits themselves. Next up is a gel-polish that doesn’t require a 10-minute soak-off. I personally don’t have any clients that get regular polish on their nails. — Char Miller, Couture Lux Nails, Chicago

The nail industry has evolved in a major way with the introduction of gel-polish — its convenience and lasting wear has definitely made it a mainstay on nail service menus around the world. Nevertheless, traditional nail lacquer need not fear extinction. It provides endless color change options, and applies and removes without the need of additional tools or gadgets. Being a busy working mom I love the no-dry time of gel-polish, but the fashionista in me will always keep bottles of my favorite nail lacquer close by in case I need to change my nails to match my shoes. — Melanie Singleton, Signature Touch Waxing Studio & Nail Design, Beaufort, S.C.

I think possibly in the far future traditional polish might become extinct. Why pay for a traditional manicure when you can have a gel-polish manicure that lasts up to three weeks? I only use gel- polish in my salon. I haven’t done any traditional manicures since January. Even children know what gel-polish is. Times are changing. Gel-polish all the way. — Lolly Outram, Lolly’s Nails at Kelly Anza Hair Design, Cornwall, U.K.

I am really torn, I quit wearing acrylic nails three years ago and gel-polish has helped my nails return to a beautiful state. I was hoping it would be the same for my clients (I would love to file less and have less exposure to dust/fumes) but if they have worn acrylics for a long time they are dependent on its “strength.” So they think gel-polish falls short. My manicure/pedicure clients however love it and I rarely use nail polish on them. I do wish removal was easier. — Lisamarie Gerly, Salon Lofts, Whitehall, Ohio

Here in Germany gel-polish is taking over. Especially on toes, since our winters are long and for most clients it’s much more comfortable to put their socks and shoes back on after a pedicure. — Alexandra Natascha Morgan, American Nail Spa, Kaiserslautern, Germany

I introduced gel-polish to my clients about three years ago and I have seen a more educated clientele emerge because of media, current nail practices, etc. Some clients will gravitate to gel-polish because they want to strengthen their natural nails. Or in several of my client’s cases we chose gel-polish over traditional because of the viscosity/flexibility for those clients with spooned/lifting nails and it’s been an amazing transition. Although we preach that our beautiful gel-polished nails are jewels not tools, we all agree that we love the strength and durability it offers. — Rose Griffith, Nevaeh Day Spa, St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, Canada

Illustration by Yuiko Sugino

Topics:gels

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

Prev Next