FAQ
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
How do I create my own custom nail polish line or find a private label manufacturer that helps with polish design and branding?
How do I create my own custom nail polish line or find a private label manufacturer that helps with polish design and branding?... read more
How can I stop being such a perfectionist and work faster?
I have been doing nails for 15 years and instead of getting faster, I am getting slower. I am a perfectionist and it seems the older I get the more meticulous I become, which is becoming a huge problem. I am constantly running behind with clients. I get in such a zone with their nails, sometimes working on the same nail for 10 minutes and I don’t even realize it. I keep finding one more tiny bit of cuticle or the shape is just the tiniest bit off. I would appreciate any advice to help me work faster and stop being so obsessive.... read more
Can I service a diabetic client with discolored toenails?
I have a male client who is diabetic. I know you aren’t supposed to clip a diabetic’s nails but just file and buff lightly and rub lotion on his feet instead of massage. But on his feet his two big toenails were thick and hard and dark brown and yellow in some spots. It wasn’t slimy looking like a nail fungus but just yellowish and hard. The rest were normal looking. What could it be? Should I refuse to rebook him and recommend he see a podiatrist?... read more
What is causing the deep horizontal ridges and swollen cuticles in my client’s nails?
I have a client who has deep horizontal ridges in her nails. Her cuticle area is kind of swollen and irritated also. I’m thinking Beau’s lines, but I just want to see what an expert has to say.... read more
As a Tech, How Do I Keep My Own Nails Intact?
I’m in a small but busy salon. I struggle to do my own nails and to keep them looking nice — they always get filed, soaked, and scuffed. Any advice on what to use? I do acrylics, gels, and Shellac.... read more
What Nail Art Designs Are the Most Eye-Catching to Passers-by?
I want to promote my nail business by wearing an eye-catching design on my own nails. What designs do you most get stopped on the street for, and where (the grocery store, the bank, etc.) do you most frequently get noticed?... read more
Do I Need a Fitting Room in My Salon?
If I want to add clothing to the retail section in my salon, do I need to add a fitting room too? If so, do you have any solutions that don’t require me to add an actual wall?... read more
How Do I Learn Nail Art If No One Is Available to Teach Me?
I am an apprentice in a natural nail salon. Sometimes I get requests for nail art. I would love to learn how to do different nail designs, but I am a beginner. I live in Virginia and there are never nail seminars or lectures or even hands-on classes here. Do you have any suggestions on learning nail art designs when there is no one in my area to teach it? Watching videos is good but sometimes you just need hands-on.... read more
Is there a way to test nail monomer for MMA?
Is there a way to test nail monomer for MMA?... read more
What kind of nail services are safe to do on pregnant women?
I work for a medspa and some of the techs are concerned about nail treatments for pregnant women. We offer gel-polish and traditional nail polish manicures and pedicures — no acrylics or gels are done at the spa. What kind of nail services are safe to do on pregnant women? What about the acetone used to soak off gel-polish?... 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