The Great Nail Tech Challenge

great Nail Tech

the

challenge

We at NAILS Magazine strive to help nail technicians become better on many levels.

Better at running your business. Better at your technical craft. Better at maintaining sanity in your life. We’ve created this set of challenges to help you push yourself and break through some of your boundaries. We challenge you to get outside of your comfort zone and accept the tasks at hand. Do you accept this challenge?

BY TIM CROWLEY, HANNAH LEE, JUDY LESSIN, AND SREE ROY

In addition to our 52 challenges, we’ve also included a special advertising section of 24 great challenges posed to you from some of the top manufacturers in the professional nail industry.

OPI Products Cuccio Naturalé CND T4 Spa China Glaze Young Nails Hand & Nail Harmony Dashing Diva Dr. G’s NSI Tweezerman ibd

p. 77 p. 79 p. 81 p. 83 p. 85 p. 87 p. 89 p. 91 p. 93 p. 95 p. 97 p. 99

p. 101 p. 103 p. 105 p. 107 p. 109 p. 111 p. 113 p. 115 p. 117 p. 119 p. 121 p. 123

Lexor Light Elegance EZ Flow Jessica Cosmetics J&A USA Nubar Seche Bio Sculpture Mehaz Akzéntz Salon Pure Air Kupa

GO online!

for more information

We’ve created a page online with links to past NAILS articles that offer further explanation of how you can accomplish these challenges. Go to www.nailsmag.com/challenge to see all of the links.

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the Great Nail Tech

challenge

Create a new signature service.

Take the time to create a themed service or to incorporate seasonal changes to your menu to add some excitement. Brainstorm with your team about what mani or pedi services you’d like to offer: maybe a chocolate pedicure for Valentine’s Day or a Cosmopolitan Manicure for the after-work crowd. You can develop services both initially inspired by the service idea itself (say, “olive manicure”) or by first researching unique products (say, finding an olive hand lotion). If you have a product line you already prefer to use, then consider contacting the company to find out the different ways the product can be incorporated into signature services or what other lines are available to help you switch it up.

Create a portfolio.

A portfolio with photos of your work should show your skills while also letting clients, potential clients, and employees see how organized you are. Purchase a simple binder and plastic sheet covers from an office supply store, or go all out with a professional portfolio book (like the ones at www.houseofportfolios.com). Be sure to include photos of your specialties (be it nail art, Minx, or glitter toenails), plus some essentials like a classic French. You should also include any accreditations or certificates you’ve earned, like certificates of completion from manufacturer courses.

If you’re an aspiring celebrity manicurist, you’ll need an online version at well. Post your photos on photocrew. com or hire a web designer to create your own individual site. You can include videos or electronic press kits that include your resume and bio.

If you have a smart phone, organize your photos so you can show your portfolio using the phone screen.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

OPI CHALLENGE:

Build Your Business with Color!

The color gel color revolution is here! Give your service menu a makeover with these tips for building your business with OPI Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquer System.

1

Paint your way to profits. Paint color palettes (available from OPI) showing all the Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquer shades. If you offer nail art, create art on palettes too, changing your design selection seasonally.

2

Give clients a sign. Make a tent card for your table saying, “Ask me how you can get color that lasts 2 weeks or more!” You’ll be booking appointments in no time, while generating service add-ons that add up.

3

Power up your pedicures — with boot-proof pedis! Don’t leave pedicure services out in the cold during the winter months. With Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquer, feet go straight into shoes with no chance of smudges.

4

Get the OPI advertising advantage. OPI is the only professional nail care company that advertises professional services like Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquer in the most popular beauty magazines. Attend an OPI Axxium SoakOff Gel Lacquer workshop and get your salon listed on OPI’s Salon Finder at www.opi.com.

OPI Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquer System.

Top-selling OPI Nail Lacquer shades in a long-lasting, UV-cured gel.

www.opi.com 800.341.9999

SOAK-OFF GEL LACQUER SYSTEM Polish on and UV cure for results that are nothing short of brilliant!

Color lasts up to two weeks or more in a service that will keep clients coming back for more of the affordable luxury of OPI!

Call 800.341.9999 ©2010 OPI Products Inc.

the Great Nail Tech

challenge

Market your sanitation standards.

Salon sanitation is a major concern with your clients, as well it should be. Why not let them know that you’re already way ahead of them?

Using the flier and brochure templates available in Microsoft Word, you can easily create and print out a document that tells your clients what they’re eager to know. Be sure to cover topics such as ventilation, disposal, inspection reports, sanitation processes, and foot spa policies and cleaning logs.

By doing so you’re letting your clients know that you’re the ultimate professional and they’ll feel safe and secure in your hands.

Practice proper ergonomics.

If you’re like many nail techs, you go home after a long day with aches and pains in your hands, shoulders, and back. Proper posture and improved ergonomics can help reduce these symptoms.

Pedicure Do’s: > Elevate clients and place their feet or legs on a footrest that bears their weight. > Keep your back straight and supported, and use both the height adjustment of your chair and of the footrest. > Be sure to sit straight with feet on the floor to give you the best balance and support. Sit back fully in the chair to get all the benefits of the lumbar support.

Manicure Do’s: > As with a pedicure, some sort of rest should bear the client’s weight. > Use a desk lamp with a magnifying lens. > Keeping both feet on the floor, back straight, with sitting bones supported. > Invest in an ergonomically correct chair.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

CUCCIO NATURALÉ CHALLENGE: CU

Create a Full Sensory Manicure and Pedicure Experience

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Take your manicure and pedicure clients’ skin to the limit in hydration with a full sensory experience featuring unique benefits. For that extra wow-factor, add the following to your current services: 1. Cuccio Naturalé Sea Salt — Exfoliation is your first step in maximum hydration.

Why moisturize dead skin cells? Slough them off with gently dissolving sea salts that rinse off easily. Apply Cuccio Naturalé Sea Salts, massage into the skin until dissolved, and rinse with water.

2. Deep Dermal — Contains Comfrey Root Extract, which promotes regeneration of skin cells and deep moisture penetration into the dermal level of the skin. Apply Deep Dermal liberally with application brush. Wrap with warm moist towels, heated mittens or booties, and leave on the skin. The wrap will turn from a cream to a clear glaze as it penetrations into the dermal layer (approximately 5-10 minutes). Remove the mask with a warm moist towel.

3. Butter Blends — The ultimate in daily hydration, our Butter Blends feature timereleased emollients that moisturize skin every two hours. This unique formulation is like no other and it leaves the skin feeling amazing long after their service. Apply to the skin for the best massage and hydration available. The Butter Blend can be warmed for an added enhancement.

4. Cuticle Conditioning Butter Stick — Why carry just a lip balm for lips? Have one for your dry cuticles as well! Don’t let your clients leave the salon without the exceptional Cuticle Conditioning Butter Stick! The fantastic combination of essentials leaves the cuticles hydrated, absorbing into the skin for the perfect balance needed in the cuticle area.

HOUR

HYDRATION

Cuccio Naturalé Sea Salts and Butter Blends are available in Milk & Honey, Pomegranate & Fig, Papaya & Guava, and Tuscan Citrus Herb. Cuccio Naturalé Cuticle Conditioning Butter Sticks are available in Milk & Honey and Pomegranate & Fig.

Condition

1.888.912.3463 cosmoprofbeauty.com

www.cuccio.com 800.762.6245

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the Great Nail Tech

challenge

Help out a newbie tech.

You may feel like you’re just a beginner yourself, but it’s never too early to help. Reach out to local schools and offer yourself as a mentor for students who are passionate about nails. They’ll likely have similar questions to what you had when you first started out — questions about sanitation procedures, mix ratios, application techniques, filing advice, and so on.

Taking the time to help out a fledgling tech at the beginning of her career will surely make a difference and she may even pay your help forward to another newbie.

Suggest a service your client doesn’t normally get.

It’s popular to incentivize clients to refer new clients and earn free nail services, but you can make this relationship even more productive by giving clients an incentive and getting them to try a new service at the same time.

Instead of giving a regular acrylic client 20% off her full set if she refers five customers, give her a free set of colored acrylics. That way she tries a new, higher-priced service that she’s more inclined to like since she’s already an acrylic customer. Or, once a natural nail client refers three new clients, offer her a free (she still pays for the manicure) gel-polish application. The best way to convert clients to a new service is to get the product on their hands so they can see just how well it wears. After a two-week, no-chip manicure, she’ll be hooked.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

CND CHALLENGE:

Turn Manicure Clients into Shellac Clients Shellac Nail Color is the ultimate service for your natural nail clients who are sick of chips, dulling and smudged manicures and want a better alternative.

Shellac mega-manicures outlive basic polish manicures by 2-3 times, yet they don’t take any more time to do. The brilliant glossy shine of this super-powered polish lasts for two weeks and does not chip, dull or need touchups. Shellac is safe; it’s hypo-allergenic and 3-Free (no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP). Best of all, it comes off easily in 10 minutes without weakening or damaging natural nails with buffing or filing.

Clients will love the range of 24 perennial classics and fashionable favorite colors including opaque pink Romantique, siren red Wildfire, chrome taupe

SAY HELLO

Iced Cappuccino and deep purple Rock Royalty.

TO THE FUTURE!

Here’s how to convert your clients to Shellac: Guarantee two-week wear. Challenge your client to dull or dent her Shellac manicure during day-to-day wear — after witnessing Shellac’s long-lasting durability and shine, she’ll be hooked!

1

Pinkie Swear. Client not quite ready to take the plunge? Shellac one pinkie finger and just wait for your client to request the next nine in two weeks!

2

Shellac Yourself. When clients see your impossibly glossy nails that withstand polish remover, they’ll want to know more. You are the best representative for the product — hairstylists tell clients the best products to tame their mane, and nail clients rely on you for advice and manicure guidance.

Shellac™ UV3 Technology • On Like Polish.

• Wears Like Gel. • Off In Minutes. (really!) patent pending

3

Key Tests for First Timers. Clients are accustomed to waiting for wet nails to dry and no purse digging post-service. Challenge your Shellac clients to retrieve keys from their handbag — and make them try to scratch a nail by dragging the key directly across the manicure!

Looks of shock and awe will follow.

4

Nourish the Nail. Teach that oiling nails is as good as oiling cuticles. Show how applying CND SolarOil on a daily basis penetrates through color and nourishes the nail plate for the best in Shellac or basic polish manicure pampering.

www.cnd.com 800.833.NAIL

cnd.com/shellacN ©2010 Creative Nail Design, Inc.

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challenge

Visit other salons to give yourself new ideas. as.

Gain a competitive edge by experiencing other salons. Things to look for include design and decor, prices, quality of customer service, sanitation habits, retail set-up, and product lines. Then, take the best of the experience back to your own salon and make positive changes.

It’s possible to gain a lot of information incognito, but we recommend being transparent and letting the other salon’s staff know that you’re also in the industry. (Go to a salon outside your immediate competitive area, if you’re concerned your neighborhood salons will see you as a threat.) This is a great opportunity to talk shop and share techniques.

Get just one client per day to try nail art on just one nail.

You know how powerful this tip is. Because once someone starts to understand the beauty and fun of nail art, they get addicted and they can’t go back to the way things used to be.

Show some samples. Keep your ears open to your client’s mention of an upcoming special event that you can make a suggestion for. Tell her you have an idea that’s just for her. If she’s hesitant, offer her a free design on her big toenail.

Before you know it, you’ve got yourself a regular client at a higherpriced set. One is all it takes.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

®

Vệ sinh an toàn số một™ • Every visit a clean visit™

spa

We believe nail salons should be as clean and sanitary as dentists’ offices. We have designed the SaniSmart® system to achieve the goal of safe and sanitary nail salon services. With our revolutionary SaniSmart® jet coupled with liners, and our disposable products, sanitary salon services become easy and cost efficient.

Follow these four simple steps after each customer to clean the SaniSmart System properly:

w w w.t 4 spa.co m 1.866.556.237 2 1x use

SA S A N FE IT & A RY

SANISMART ® disposables

SANI SMART ® PEDISPA LINERS

1x use

SANI SMART ® PEDISPA

jet

2.0

SA SA N FE IT & A RY

Sanitize Your Pedi Spas With SaniSmart

SaniSmart®

SA S A N FE IT & A RY

T4 SPA CHALLENGE:

Patent Pending

Step 1: Drain dirty water, remove SaniSmart Jet and discard used liner in recycle bin.

Step 2: Take apart SaniSmart Jet. Rinse jet parts and basin to remove debris. Wash jet parts with soap or detergent. Rinse jet parts with clean water.

Step 3: Soak jet parts for at least 10 minutes in disinfectant solution. All parts should be immersed in the double concentrated amount of EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant solution or 2/3 cup (5.34 oz.) of bleach for each (1) gallon of water.

Spa shown is Bellini™ with HT-135-PS Duotone Espresso Cream Chair.

Patents Pending Patent Number US D541,903

Step 4: Rinse jet parts with clean water. Put together SaniSmart Jet. Dry basin walls with clean towel, then wipe chair’s armrest, entire footrest, and basin’s surface with disinfectant wipes. The spa is now clean and ready for the next customer with a new liner.

Tip: For faster results, two SaniSmart Jets are suggested. While one jet is being cleaned by immersing it in disinfectant solution, the other jet is being used in the service.

www.t4spa.com 866.556.2372

T 4, and Logo are trademarks of T 4 Spa Concepts & Designs, LLC. All other brand and/or product names and logos appearing are the trademarks of their respective owner. All rights reserved.

Certain products displayed in this ad are protected by Patents Pending. The Sanismart System Was designed to enhance your sanitation procedures.

Salons should adhere and comply to their state board’s rules and regulations.

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the G Great reat N Nail ail T Tech ech

challenge

Be an environmentally conscious salon..

You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to be an environmentally conscious salon; you can quite easily do your part for the environment and the people in it with some simple changes in the way you work.

How do you dispose of products? You know you’re not allowed to pour monomer down the drain, right? Are you also aware of how to get rid of old polish? Do you have a low-flow toilet in the salon bathroom? Do you recycle paper? Do you use fluorescent lights in the salon? (If you still think fluorescent lights make the place look like a cafeteria, look again. The “ice cream twirl” bulbs have been greatly improved.) Do you know the rules in your city about proper waste disposal? (Waste disposal is generally a municipal issue.)

You can also create a flier on your salon’s environmental policies. Don’t be afraid to point our all of the good you’re doing for the planet.

Volunteer at your local cosmetology school.

We hear from so many nail techs who graduate from cosmetology school who say they didn’t learn many business skills or current nail styles and nail art techniques. Many students don’t know what to expect upon graduation. Why don’t you take matters into your own hands?

You can contact your local cosmetology school and offer to come in and talk to students about what they can expect when they graduate.

Maybe you could offer to teach a lesson on interviewing skills. Tell the students what kinds of questions you ask and what skills you’re looking for in new hires. This is a great way to help students see what real salon life is like and it also allows you to get your salon name out there.

Mentoring students allows you to see their work habits and skill levels, which gives you a better idea of who you might want to hire once they’re ready to enter the workforce.

If you’re an artist, maybe you want to contact the local school and volunteer to teach a lesson on nail art or stiletto nails. Again, real world experience is a huge plus for nail students, many of whom are being taught by cosmetologists who aren’t that well-versed in nails.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

CHINA GLAZE CHALLENGE:

Polish Like a Star What do Katy Perry, Kim Karsdashian, and Lady Gaga all have in common? These fashion icons have traffic-stopping style. They set the trends we all want to emulate and their nail colors are no exception. Want to rock your favorite celebrity’s look? China Glaze has got it! Here are seven of the hottest trendsetters’ nail looks and the China Glaze shade that will make you look like a star!

Celebrity Style Icon

The Trend

Katy Perry

Bright neon yellow nails

Lady Gaga

“Bad Romance” black nails

Get the Look China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

China Glaze Liquid Leather

Kim Kardashian

Vampy dark nails

China Glaze Evening Seduction

Dita Von Tese

Vintage red nails

China Glaze Vermillion

Nicole Kidman

Lightly blushed nails

China Glaze Innocence

Rihanna

Rock star purple nails

China Glaze Coconut Kiss

Megan Fox

Flirtatious pink nails

China Glaze Exceptionally Gifted

www.chinaglaze.com 800.621.9585

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the Great Nail Tech

challenge Cross-promote with one of your business neighbors.

Your business neighbors are your friends. Let other business owners know you’re interested in working with them to promote both businesses. The relationship may be as simple as keeping each other’s business cards displayed by the register, or you can get more creative: Have each business donate a prize that can be raffled off to the other’s customers, or go in together on a promotional mailing and split the cost.

You can also find synergies outside your immediate neighbors and seek out businesses that complement what the nail salon is all about: How about a sporting goods store or orthotics business?

Offer a discount coupon for your runner’s pedicure.

How about a local jewelry or bridal store? Make sure their clients learn about your wedding services.

You might even consider contacting corporations and getting them to give your gift certificates to employees as a reward for top performers.

Go to at least one trade show this year.

For career nail techs, going to at least one trade show in their career is a must. If you’ve never been to one, you’ll be amazed at the number of companies and booths present that are completely nail-focused. And there is a multitude of classes and education available at the big trade edures, shows, each offering valuable information on procedures, sanitation, safety, and business advice. w nail And they also can be a great way to bond with fellow techs and hairstylists in your salon. A group trip to a big trade show usually spells fun for everyone, and you’lll no doubt come back with some stories to tell. his Challenge yourself to go to one major trade show this n year. Make it a point to try out a different product on each nail and see how much you’ll learn.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

YOUNG NAILS CHALLENGE:

Add One New Client Per Month Really challenge yourself. Roll up your sleeves and do something. Even a lot of somethings. So here’s the throwdown: Gain one new regular client each month for the next year.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1

Get educated: Continuing education isn’t just for novices but for true professionals, as well. Staying on top of your skills helps you gain confidence, improve your technique, gain speed and efficiency, and learn new tricks and styles to provide your clients. Also, you should set aside a little time each week to practice new techniques and moves even when you’re not taking a class.

2

Social media: Yes, definitely promote yourself and your business on Facebook and Twitter, but definitely don’t combine your personal and professional accounts. Keep them clean and separate and you’ll be glad you did in the long run. Update often, but not to the point of being spammy. And when you update be new, genuine, informative, and fun.

3

Do a website: If you don’t have one already, be sure to make it understated and elegant. If you already have one, make sure it’s understated and elegant.

Less is more. On-line appointment making is a plus and be sure to answer e-mails promptly.

4

Plant seeds: When you listen to clients chat, seek out organic opportunities to add business and offer a helping hand. A relative is getting married, a friend is moving to town, maybe she’s started a new job. Make a proposal that makes your client look good to her friends. Offer a package deal, an idea for the wedding party manis, and so on. And give your client goodies, too. It doesn’t have to be a freebie; sending a Thank You card can go a long way.

5

Be proactive: Don’t just sit there, do something. Clients, loyalty, and income aren’t going to miraculously fall in your lap. Make a plan, work it just a few minutes a day, and you’ll be rewarded. One new client each month for a year can increase your income by $10,000. What if you got two?

6

Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life. But you should still be a Pro about your business; this isn’t a hobby or a skill or an art demonstration. Give our profession the respect it deserves. If you don’t love doing nails, it’s time to do something else.

R

www.youngnails.com 800.777.9170

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challenge

Build a referral relationship with a doctor.

Innovative techs and doctors are working together to build relationships that result in cross-referral between professions. The most important factor in successfully establishing a relationship with a doctor is knowing and adhering to industry standards or higher. When you communicate your knowledge and attention to detail regarding salon safety standards, it gains you respect.

When you first meet with the doctor — usually a podiatrist or dermatologist — have two to three main points and keep the meeting friendly, brief, and concise. Bring pictures that show the set-up in the salon and a list of practices you use to keep the salon clean and implements disinfected. Also bring along a promotional item that you can leave to remind the doctor of you and your salon.

Remember, doctors are impressed by a tech who knows her limitations and will refer to a doctor before she crosses the line from recognizing a problem to diagnosing a problem. Also remember the doctor knows it’s beneficial to have a salon where she can refer clients, so present yourself with confidence.

Master stiletto nails.

Want to try this sexy nail shape out on your clients?

1. Prep nails and apply forms. (To apply the form for the stiletto nails, prepinch the tip of the form to a point so it looks like the bottom of an ice cream cone.) Apply clear builder gel or acrylic to extend the free edge in the shape of the cone. Make sure you are eat applying a thin layer that is flush to the natural nail. Repeat on all 10 fingers. p 2. Remove forms; pinch the C-curve and pinch the tip n to a sharp point. You might need to bend the tip down if it’s arching up.

3. Apply a diagonal color fade one nail at a time, blending ed for this design: the colors together when they are still wet. (Colors used Young Nails Golden Orange, Royal Red, and a combo of Dark Gold, Fori b tune, and Shimmering Sand Glitters mixed with Speed Cl Clear, O Orange ffrom th the R Rainbow Collection, and Tippy Cup Turquoise from the Pastel Collection.)

4. Apply a layer of clear over the entire design, file down, then apply UV top coat.

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4

HAND & NAIL HARMONY CHALLENGE:

Use Gelish as a Maintenance Fill Application

1 3

2 4

Gelish® is a versatile product that not only can be used as the ultimate long-lasting/ no-chip manicure but also enables technicians to maintain a high-gloss Gelish mani fill for a quick in-salon service that’s odor-free, fast, and gorgeous. This Gelish fill step-by-step can extend the original application’s 21-day wear time.

Steps for grow-your-own long, strong (yet flexible) natural-looking Gelish nails: Gently break the seal of Gelish Top It Off by lightly filing over the existing Gelish with a 100-grit buffer. Then, using a lint-free wipe, cleanse the hands and nails with a small amount of Hand & Nail Harmony™ Cleanser. Sanitize, prep, and push back cuticles. Next, apply Hand & Nail Harmony PH Bond over the entire nail surface.

1

2

Polish on Gelish Foundation Gel on four fingers (do thumbs later) in a thin application from cuticle to free edge, making sure to seal the edge of the nail. Place the hand (do thumbs later) in an LED light for 10 seconds (or 1 minute in a UV lamp).

Lightly remove any residue from the nail with a clean dry gel brush.

3

Apply your choice of Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish Color and cure in an LED lamp for 30 seconds (or 2 minutes in a UV lamp). For fills, we recommend filling with the same color or a darker color for proper coverage. Use a second coat of your choice of Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish. Cure in an LED light for 30 seconds (or 2 minutes in a UV lamp). If there is a ridge line that won’t blend, fill the nail with Gelish Structure and cure for 30 seconds in an LED light (or 2 minutes in a UV lamp) and then apply Soak-Off Gel Polish Colors. Now, repeat steps with thumbs.

4

Apply Gelish Top It Off Top Coat Sealer from cuticle to free edge using a light application. Place hand in an LED light for 30 seconds (or for 2 minutes in a UV lamp) — thumbs separately. Using Hand & Nail Harmony Cleanser and a clean wipe, remove any tacky surface from the top of the nails.

www.NailHarmony.com 562.623.4203

the Great Nail Tech

challenge

Get found online.

You’ve got your place on the web, but how do you get people to go there? Use these search-engine optimization (SEO) techniques to get more potential clients to find you online.

Make sure your business listing is appearing on the major search engines. It’s free and easy, and you don’t even have to have a salon website to sign up: Google (www.google.com/places), Bing (https://ssl.bing.com/listings/businesssearch. aspx), and Yahoo! (http://listings.local.yahoo.com/csubmit/index.php).

Think like a consumer when writing the words for your website. “Nail salon” gets more searches than “nail spa” (according to wordtracker.com). Also, link to other sites — and get others to link to your site. This helps your credibility in the search engines’ rankings.

Add one party a week to your schedule.

Salon mani-pedi parties are the perfect way to bring new clients into your salon. “Usually only the host of the party has been in, and she is bringing many new clients to us. Most times, they end up being repeat clients,” says Sherrie McCarter, co-owner of Hermosa Beach, Calif.’s The Nail Bar. If you’re never done a party before, here are a few questions that McCarter recommends answering first: What services will you offer?

Will you charge just for services or add a space rental fee? Will you close the salon to other clients during the event? Will you allow food and drinks to be brought in or catered?

Market your parties to existing clients, recommending them for occasions like birthdays, bridal showers, corporate team-building events, and girls’ night out. Include general party information on your salon menu, on your website, put up fliers in your salon, and tell all your employees to talk them up.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

DASHING DIVA CHALLENGE:

Who says

Provide Perfect French Manis, Every Time

you can’ t be perfect?

4

5

Dashing Diva French Wrap Plus

6

Finished

No-chip French color.

Perfect smile lines.

Flawless results.

EVERY TIME.

Though every nail salon may offer French manicures, few provide them with ease and consistency. For techs looking to offer the perfect French with polish, gels or acrylics, Dashing Diva’s French Wrap products are the answer. With Dashing Diva French Wrap Plus, every nail technician can offer quality non-chipping, non-fading French manicures in minutes, with perfect smile lines every time. This added value means clients will pay extra dollars for the service, translating into more revenue for techs and salons.

1. After cleaning and prepping nails, size French Wrap Plus for each nail. French color should fully cover free edge and be flush with sidewalls.

2. Lightly buff free edge with the 240-grit side of Dashing Diva’s Pink Sponge File. Use a dry lint-free wipe to remove all dust and filings from natural nail plate.

3. Apply Dashing Diva Brush-On Glue onto side corners of natural nail free edge and onto entire band of French color inside French Wrap Plus housing applicator.

4. Apply French Wrap Plus by placing it onto nails so that the French color is aligned flush with free edge. Avoid any overhang of French color. Holding French Wrap Plus in place, press from the center of the housing applicator out to the sides of the applicator 2-3 times to help with adhesion.

5. Clip application tab with nail clipper at center circle to release housing applicator from French color. Carefully wipe away excess Brush-On Glue with a dry lint-free wipe before adhesive dries. Shape French color band to align with free edge so there is no overhang of French color.

6. Apply overlay of your choice: A. Natural Overlay: After buffing over French color with the 240-grit side of Pink Sponge File, remove all dust. Apply one coat of Dashing Diva Base Seal followed by two coats of Dashing Diva Top Seal. Let dry 2-3 minutes.

B. Gel Overlay: Apply Dashing Diva French Bonder sparingly over French color only.

Proceed with gel overlay of your choice, curing and completing service as needed.

C. Acrylic Overlay: Proceed with acrylic overlay of your choice. ©2010 Dashing Diva Professional. 866.665.3482

www.dashingdivapro.com

www.dashingdivapro.com 866.665.3482

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challenge

Take three continuing education classes this year.

If you don’t challenge yourself to learn, you won’t be able to grow and improve your skills. So take it upon yourself to go to three continuing education classes this year. You can find info on them online at www.nailsmag.com/resources/ showcalendar.aspx.

Classes almost always accompany the big beauty trade shows, but you can sometimes find them closer to home as well. Nail tech education events like The High Road to Education (www.thehrte.com) and other local networking events are excellent retreats that help nail techs focus on improving their skills.

You can also inquire with your local distributors to see if they are sponsoring or know of any classes in your area.

Get your most difficult natural nail client to try soak-off gels.

For most of you, your natural clients don’t want to wear nail enhancements, or “fake nails” as some may call them. Clients can be wary of enhancements because of the perceived damage to the natural nail. Since most of the brush-on gel polishes need no etching of the natural nail, just a simple base, color, and top coat application, it’s more palatable to your traditional natural nail client.

Since it relates more closely to a polish application, all you have to do is market the hybrid gelpolish service as a longer-lasting manicure. Explain to your client that it’s a semi-permanent color that doesn’t chip and has no dry-time. The simple “key test” — having the client grab her keys out of her purse immediately after application — works wonders.

And while you might be losing a weekly manicure appointment to a bimonthly appointment, you’ll charge accordingly (we suggest at least $15 more than your basic manicure) and you’ll free up time in your book for more appointments. That means more money toward your bottom line.

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DR. G’S CHALLENGE:

Offer Your Clients a Germ-Free Pedicure Dr. G’s spa line is a physician-formulated and salon-approved skin care line. This complete line is easy and pleasant to use for both technicians and clients. Dr. G’s spa line provides efficacious antimicrobial technology for your clients’ health and safety while enjoying their pedicure and relaxing!

1

Start using Dr. G’s hand sanitizer on your hands to protect yourself from disease-causing germs. You should always sanitize your client as a first-step to the pedicure or manicure process.

2

Add a few squirts of Dr. G’s Spa Soak to the pedicure bowl to protect you from germs that may be on your client’s skin, while soaking your client’s feet. The soothing aromatherapy scent will help your client relax while staying protected thanks to the antimicrobial technology.

3

After soaking, apply Dr. G’s Callus and Cuticle Exfoliator cream to foot and work into skin for 2 to 3 minutes (also effective and designed for use on cuticles). Then gently remove skin debris using a callus file or a pumice stone. This 3-in-1 antimicrobial formula will keep your client protected as scraping can lead to infections. Rinse skin thoroughly.

4

You can then apply Dr. G’s Sanitizing Moisturizer and massage it up to the knees. Send your clients home with the 3-oz. tube to keep them germ-free in between visits.

5

Always apply Dr. G’s Clear Nail around and under the free edge of nails to keep fingers and toes looking healthy. Offer it to clients for continued at-home use.

www.drgsbeauty.com 800.780.6999

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challenge Track your numbers. > What’s the cost-per-service for products used in your enhancement services? > What’s the average service ticket amount excluding retail and tips? > What’s the percentage of clients who pre-book appointments before they leave the salon?

Statistics don’t lie; in fact they can be liberating.

Here are just a few of the statistics you should know about your business in order to make smart decisions: cost-per-service, average service ticket, pre-booking rate, gross income per square foot, retail sales, and fixed vs. flexible expenses.

The statistics that apply to your salon will be different from those for a salon down the street. The important thing is that you know what they are and can use them to drive your decisions in a healthy manner.

So grab a calculator and get going.

Overcome your fear of retail.

When it comes to retail, do you say things like: “I know my client won’t buy it,” “My clients can’t afford it,” or “I am a nail tech, not a sales person”? If that sounds like you, consider yourself officially diagnosed with retailphobia.

Begin overcoming your retailphobia by making a commitment to talk to each client you see today about at least two products.

A successful talk consists of three steps: > Describing the features and benefits of the product. > Explaining why you love it and why you choose to use it. > Inviting the client to take it home, or at the very least having the client write down the products you used on her.

Most salon professionals who take the challenge are surprised by how many clients will say yes.

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NSI CHALLENGE:

Make More Money, With No More Time

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We know you love your enhancement clients and you can depend on them to come to you every other week. Is there a way to take the clients who would never consider having “artificial” nails, and who only want natural nail manicures, and double your income without spending any additional time?

Yes! There is a way that does not require any additional training, or more grueling, back-breaking hours. And it’s as easy as applying nail polish!

NSI Polish Pro is a revolutionary light-cured polish formula that lasts for an unbelievable two weeks without chipping, smudging, or cracking. The next generation of nail polish can be completely dried in minutes in a UV or LED lamp, and can soak off in just 10 minutes.

The average price of a manicure in the United States is $18.65, and it takes 30 minutes. You could increase that to $37-$45 in that same 30-minute time frame — wouldn’t that be the BEST way to get a raise?

In fact, that would make your hourly income $74-$90!

Here’s how you can make more money with no additional time: Step 1: After shaping the free edge of the natural nails, remove the cuticle using Vanish.

Remove leftover Vanish with a Nail Wipe saturated with Cleanse. A gentle light buffing to remove surface oils will improve adhesion. Clean and dehydrate using Nailpure Plus on a Nail Wipe.

Step 2: Apply one extremely thin layer of Polish Pro Base Coat to all five fingers. Be sure to cap the edges. Cure in the Versa Cure UV Bonding Lamp for 10 seconds.

Step 3: Apply a very thin layer of the Polish Pro color, capping the edges. The first layer should look translucent. Cure for two minutes. Apply a second thin coat of color (for full coverage) and cure for another two minutes.

Step 4: Apply a thin layer of Polish Pro Top Coat and cure for two minutes. Remove the tacky layer with a Nail Wipe saturated with Cleanse. Condition the cuticle with a drop of Nurture Oil. With no additional drying time, your client will love chip-proof, smudge-free color for a full two weeks — the mani of her dreams.

www.nsinails.com 800.354.6741

The cure for the common manicure.

Introducing NSI Polish Pro – a revolutionary light-cured polish formula that lasts an unbelievable two weeks without chipping, smudging, or cracking.

We’ll keep making the cure.

You keep giving your clients the mani of their dreams.

nail systems international

For more information on NSI Polish Pro and to view a step-by-step demo, visit nsinails.com/polishpro.

Or call 800-354-6741.

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challenge

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Get five clients to review you on Yelp.com.

In this day and age, there’s no denying the power of positive (and negative) reviews on online review websites. For many potential clients, these sites are the first place they look when picking a salon.

That’s why it’s so important to encourage your satisfied clients to write short reviews of your salon, especially on the more popular sites like Yelp.com.

You can encourage clients to write reviews by holding a monthly drawing for a free nail service among all clients who reviewed you in the previous month. You can also put a direct link to your Yelp. com page in your e-newsletter and on your website.

Also, be sure to monitor your Yelp.com page, so you can respond to both positive and negative comments. “If a customer takes the time to write it, we should take the time to write back. It’s a personal touch,” says Sandra Miller, co-owner of salon Color Me Green in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

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Spring clean your salon.

Just like physical beauty, your salon’s appearance registers as attractive depending on who’s looking. Customers come in with critical eyes, not purposely, but because they are entering a new environment. So here are some easy things you can tend to and make sure your salon looks nice and clean for clients.

1. Dust Dust is easy to overlook. A salon can look clean, bright, and inviting when a client walks in, but when she sits down she gets a different angle. As these photos show, accumulated dust can get ugly.

2. Dirty Where dust is almost excusable, these dirty shelves have no defense. This didn’t build up in a week. In today’s cooties-conscious culture, owners need to clean these messes as they happen. What takes only a few minutes to clean will make a huge difference in the appearance of your salon.

3. Bathrooms Bathrooms could have been filed under dirty, but they really have enough influence to warrant their own category. Let’s say your whole salon is spotless, but your bathroom resembles one of these pictures? What will the client remember? A good way to combat this is to check the bathroom throughout the day and wipe down any visible watermarks; at the very least, this should be done each night.

4. Clutter The problem with clutter is that it is so hard to detect—until you view your area with new eyes. Clutter problems can be solved by deliberately looking around the salon and removing anything that is out of place or unnecessary. If space constraints are an issue, buy closet or drawer organizers to maximize the space you have.

TWEEZERMAN CHALLENGE:

Buy Quality Tools to Give Your Client the Best Service

1

Invest in Quality. Look for durable, wear-resistant tools made from the best materials with the highest quality-control standards. Make sure they are guaranteed to perform and guaranteed against manufacturing defects.

Buy from a trusted, proven company to ensure absolute precision and excellent performance for the life of your tools. Always ask if free sharpening is included as part of the guarantee.

2

Educate Yourself Before You Buy. Many states ban certain products from being used in salons. Make sure you invest in products that are legal to use and meet sanitation standards in your state. In addition to being dependable and wearresistant, tools should be sterilize-able to meet the highest standards of safety and sanitation.

3

Test for Comfort and Control. No matter what style tools you use, they should be ergonomically designed for their specific tasks. Any well-made tool should be perfectly balanced and feel good to hold, like a natural extension of the hand.

Blades should be ultra-sharp and tool tips should be perfectly aligned and precisely calibrated to always close evenly with no gaps. Complementing your skills and talents with the right tools will make customers feel comfortable with you and keep them coming back.

4

Cheaper Isn’t Always Better. As a pro you deserve the best. While buying cheaper or disposable products might seem more economical in the short term, building a smart collection of essential tools that will last a lifetime will give you greater payoff in the long run — and a better bang for your buck. Invest in the kind of precision performance tools that help your abilities and artistry shine, after all that’s what makes the difference between a so-so look and the “perfect look” for your client. Invest in tools that any successful professional would be proud to use.

widely imitated, never duplicated THE BEST IMPLEMENTS HAVE THE BEST GUARANTEE™

www.tweezermanprofessional.com 800.645.3340

Tweezerman beauty tools are guaranteed to perform and are guaranteed against manufacturing defects. Tweezerman was the first company to offer FREE lifetime sharpening on all its implements and to this day does not charge outbound shipping or handling fees for the service. We operate our own highly skilled repair and finishing department to back up our lifetime sharpening guarantee. For more information on our guarantee, please visit tweezermanprofessional.com.

1-800-645-3340 • tweezermanprofessional.com To request a catalogue: tweezermanprofessional.com/catalogue

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challenge

Add a UV top coat service.

Whether it’s a natural nail manicure, gel, or acrylic service, a nail tech can add a UV top coat at the end to ensure clients are getting the maximum protection on their new set. Most techs charge between $2 to $5 for the quick application. All it takes is a couple repeat customers to turn this simple add-on into a steady source of extra income.

Selling The Service > Research thoroughly which type of gel top coat will work best for the services you give. Most UV gel top coats are meant to go over acylics, gels, and wraps, but others are more specific to particular enhancements, and some can even be used over polish. > Inform your clients to the benefits of a UV gel sealer. A high-gloss protective layer can really extend the longevity of colored gels and acrylics and pink-and whites. The formulas typically have UV blockers to prevent yellowing, and some will even have brightening agents to make the colors underneath really pop. > Price it moderately if it’s an add-on. If you have a gel top coat that isn’t included in your service, add about a $5-$7 charge. > Endorse it yourself. One of the best ways to get a customer to try something new is to give them your personal experience with it. If you typically cap your nails with a UV gel sealer, so should your clients. > Give the first one free. This is the best way to test out clients and see if they’re interested. More than likely they’ll be impressed with the results and will incorporate a UV gel sealant into future services.

Pick a NAILS client handout (or create your own) to distribute to interested clients.

There’s a lot of confusion and ignorance in the general public when it comes to nails. But as a nail tech or salon owner, you’re in the perfect position to distribute client handouts, which contain expert insight into topics like what to look for in a nail salon or how to care for nails at home. Handouts are readily available on the Internet (and sometimes in the pages of NAILS) and can be printed out or photocopied (maybe with your business card attached), then given to interested clients. You may also consider keeping these handouts at the front desk and in waiting areas. Take the challenge to pick at least one of these handouts and distribute it to clients this year.

You can get ready-made handouts from: > www.nailsmag.com/resources/handouts.aspx: Choose from Emergency Nail Repair at Home, 10 Nail Myths to Stop Believing, Caring For Your Nail Enhancements at Home, Do-It-Yourself Acrylic Removal Guide, and more. > www.probeauty.org/about/committees/nmc: Choose from What to Look Out for in a Nail Salon and Facts About Salon Nail Polish Products for Consumers. > www.schoonscientific.com/resources-publications-technical-articles.html: Choose from Do UV Lamps Emit Unsafe Levels of Ultraviolet Light?, Where is the Cuticle?, and more.

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IBD CHALLENGE:

Say “Mais Oui” to the Inverted French Manicure

Offer your clients an alternative to a traditional French manicure with this inverted French look. What better way to create this fun look than with ibd’s Gelac? It will last longer and wear better than if you achieved the look with traditional polish.

1. Prep nails and apply Gelac Nail Prep and let dry.

2. Then, apply Gelac Base Coat. Cure for one minute.

(Appearance should be grainy, not shiny, before applying gel polish.)

3. Apply one coat of Gelac Mint Julip. Cure for two minutes.

4. To create an inverted moon, apply one coat of Gelac Totally Teal to the inside quarter of each nail from the cuticle to the edge. Using a dry gel brush, create a concave smile line by edging away the Totally Teal polish. Cure for three minutes.

5. Apply Gelac Top Coat. Cure for two minutes.

www.ibdbeauty.com 800.621.9585

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challenge

Work smarter, not harder. ail We’ve all heard the adage, “work smarter not harder.” For nail d techs this means finding easy ways to decrease service times and product costs, or boost income without putting in more hours.

Here are just a few tips. > To cut down on wasted manicure and pedicure products,, buy small dishes that match the decor of your salon that can hold the appropriate amount of product needed for each service. > Set aside a certain time to return calls and check e-mail. > Know when to cut people loose. Don’t allow toxic employees to remain at the salon. ur clients before > Remember to say “keys, cash, and coat or sweater” to your you polish. This will save time and money in redos. But avoid letting your clients pay ahead of time. It prevents upselling and retailing. > Reminder calls (or texts or e-mails) are important. Salons that don’t take advantage of reminding the clients of their appointments could be missing the boat.

Hand out 10 business cards a week.

If business is slow, it’s time to crank up your “brave meter,” says salon consultant Kristi Valenzuela. Create a plan of action to pass out at least 10 business cards each week. Include an aggressive first-visit voucher printed on the back of the card and come up with a clever way to introduce yourself.

No place is off limits when it comes to handing out your cards, which should go to everyone you encounter in your daily routine. Day care staffers, teachers, waitresses, and dry cleaners should all have your card. When you get your car’s oil changed, use those 20 minutes to walk around the strip mall giving out your card. If you don’t live near the salon, then travel to your work area to get your errands done there.

Of course, if you work in a full-service salon, introduce yourself to the non-nail clients and offer free hand massages, polish changes, and paraffin dips. Give all new clients in other departments a salon tour and complimentary service.

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LEXOR CHALLENGE:

See How Simple “Smart” Technology Really Is

With DAS you can control the entire pedicure spa with a simple touch of a button:

1

Auto-Fill™: Press one button on the DAS and the water automatically fills and starts the whirlpool for you — unattended.

and more!

P Pedicure Chairs

You complain about tedious manual and time-consuming work of waiting to fill, drain and clean your pedicure spa, yet you still have to do them. What if we can provide a way to make things simple? Check out Lexor’s new “Smart” Technology: Digital Automated System (DAS), the only one in the market.

2

Sureflo® MG: Press the Pureflo button to automatically start the magnetic whirlpool jet. It runs for approximately 45 minutes and shuts off on its own.

TM

3

Sani-Drain™: Press the Sani-Drain button and two steps happen: The drain stopper opens and the drain pump activates draining all the water. When the basin is empty, the drain pump automatically deactivates and the stopper closes again.

4 5

Seat Adjustment: Press either of these two buttons to adjust your client’s seat without having to tell them to do it from their own remote.

Foot Spa Products

This Digital Automated System can only be found on the new Infinity model.

AutoFill and SaniDrain are standard on most Lexor Pedi-Spa models.

Salon Furniture t

AutoClean™: Press either of these two buttons for AutoRinse (quick 1-minute cycle) or AutoClean (10-minute cycle). After you finish your pedicure service, all you have to do is press the AutoRinse/AutoClean button. The system will automatically drain the rest of the water left in the basin, fill it up again with water, inject EPA solution into the water basin, and run the whirlpool jet. After the set time duration, the jet will stop and the system will drain the water. It’s as simple as that — no waiting, no overflow, no attendance.

Sensation foot spa essentials

www.shoplexor.com/bigbook2010

www.Lexor.com www.ShopLexor.com 800.211.7404

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challenge

Set up a retirement savings plan.

Sixty-five: It’s the age you’ll be when you can finally take advantage of those senior-citizen discounts at the movies. (Woo hoo!) And if you plan right, the discount matinee won’t be the only great thing about your golden years — you can also get the relaxing retirement you deserve.

The first steps to financial freedom, says C.P.A. Jane Honeck, are to commit and choose.

Commit to use your hard-earned dollars for both today and tomorrow. Sounds easy, but how do you do that? Divide a sheet of paper down the middle. On the left side, list all the reasons why you don’t save now.

On the right side, list the reasons why you want to save. Analyze the list and decide which side you want to be on.

Choose one day a week to contribute to your future. Take the entire day’s earnings (or a portion) and deposit it into a separate savings account. Make this a weekly ritual that takes priority over everything — no excuses. After a month, it will become a habit replacing your old pattern of spending.

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Take control of your schedule.

When you first entered this industry, it might have been necessary to adopt the attitude that the client always comes first.

But by catering to your clients’ every whim, you’ve created a monster. It’s time to train your clients to respect your time — and it starts by running on time yourself.

Time yourself and find out truthfully how long it takes you to complete each service, then start booking precisely that amount of time. If you’re consistently late, clients will start coming in late, compounding the problem.

Assuming you’re on time, enforce timeliness in others by reducing the length of a service if clients are late and enforcing your no-show policy.

Get clients to pre-book. As a service provider it’s up to you to teach your clients how to reserve their next visit and to show them how convenient it is to plan ahead.

LIGHT ELEGANCE CHALLENGE:

See Yourself as a Legitimate Business It’s important to remember that no matter how much fun you’re having and how much you love your clients, you are still running a business. All too often nail technicians sell themselves short and don’t charge what they’re worth. In order for you to offer your clients the best possible services at the best possible prices (while still making a living for yourself), you need to align with partners who support you.

A few key points to remember when you’re thinking about product lines that will support your business:

1

Time is Money: Everything we do as a manufacturer is to save you time and money. Light Elegance is here to make you happy, you are here to make your client happy, and together we make the perfect formula. Amazing that it doesn’t have to be complicated!

2

Price Compare: Consider it a part of your job to compare prices. As a salon owner, Lezlie McConnell understands that price is the bottom line — you shouldn’t have to sacriďŹ ce the quality your clients deserve. Best quality products + unbeatable prices = Light Elegance

3

Tech Support: We offer answers NOW (remember time is money). When you are successful, we are successful. Call (800) 275-5596 and no one will ever answer the phone who can’t answer your questions.

4

Human Contact: We live in a fast-paced world with constantly changing technology. One thing that will never change is the need for human contact.

You are a business that is all about the personal touches — and so is Light Elegance!

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Go Glam.

Go Glitter.

Smart Chemistry made Č?ďż˝É¤Éœďż˝Č˜É¤ďż˝ &DOO IRU D )5(( /LJKW (OHJDQFH *OLWWHU *HO VDPSOH

ZZZ OLJKWHOHJDQFH FRP

www.lightelegance.com 800.275.5596

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challenge

Master perfect smile lines.

Getting nice, deep smile lines doesn’t require years of laughter, it takes practice. One way to practice is to divide the nail into sections and apply your smile line one piece at a time. Lois Kuntz of Trendsetters Salon in Lemoore, Calif., describes her method of divide and conquer — smile line style.

Divide the smile line and free edge into two sections vertically, then focus on the smile line and fade it down toward the free edge.

1. The left side of the smile line fades into both the right side, and the free edge.

2. The right side of the smile line fades back toward the left side, and the free edge.

3. The bead on the tip of the free edge gets faded back toward the smile line.

4. Remember to continually wipe and clean your brush as you work to keep it sharp. This helps you get nice, crisp smile lines.

1 3

2 4

Fire a client you don’t like.

Unfortunately, it’s not unusual in this business to encounter clients who drain you, who abuse your kindness, or who are just plain impossible to please. Before giving the client her walking papers, you may first want to start setting some stricter limits.

Try simply saying no to difficult requests, enforce your no-show policy (you’ve got one, right?), and shorten service times for late arrivals.

If these actions don’t ease the situation, it may be time to let the client go — either by phone or by mail.

It is completely OK to fire a client, says Julie Shepperly, director of professional services for Milady.

Just remember that honesty is the best policy. Your response to your client’s consistent dissatisfaction can go something like this: “I’ve had the opportunity to take care of you now for over (length of time). I’ve appreciated the opportunity to serve you, however it is apparent to me that you are less than satisfied. I’ve worked to do my best and sometimes my best may not be good enough. I would recommend that you try (X Nail Salon) as they may be a better fit. Thank you for your patronage and if I can do anything to help with the transition please just let me know.”

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EZ FLOW CHALLENGE:

Sculpt Perfect Pink-and-Whites

1

2

3

4

5

6

Creating the perfect pink-and-white set presents two challenges: The nails must be beautiful, and they must be long-lasting. With our combination of Q Monomer and A Polymer Powders, along with our revolutionary “cross-link” molecular technology, you can sculpt nails that are flexible, strong, and classically beautiful.

1. Apply Nail Forms. Make sure the form fits securely under the free edge and that there are not any gaps between the form and the free edge.

2. Apply your extension ball of EzFlow A Polymer Truly White Powder at the center of the form at the edge of the natural nail. Lightly press the product out into the nail groove on the right side and push up the side wall. Then from the center, begin to press the product into the left side of the nail groove and push up the side wall. Using your brush handle angled back toward the cuticle, carve your smile line.

3. Using EzFlow A Polymer Pink Powder, cover the remainder of the nail plate. This ball should be slightly wetter in consistency to blend to the natural nail plate.

Place the ball in the middle of the nail. Press the product into the cuticle area and then lightly stroke over the top of the nail. Leave the pink product thicker than traditional applications and thin the cuticle area during filing.

4. Optional C-Curve (concave arch). Once the nail is in its molding stage, use both of your thumbnails to pinch the entire length of the nail.

5. For shaping and perfecting, use a 100-grit EzFlow White Tiger to file the free edge, side walls, and the lower arch straight out from the nail groove. Contour the nail using a 150-grit EzFlow Grey Wolf, and bevel the nail from the apex to the free edge. Continue around the cuticle and the arch of the nail. Continue by buffing the nail using the EzFlow Sand Shark 2. Begin with the 220-grit side and graduate to the 280-grit side. Finish by buffing the nails to a high-shine using an EzFlow Killer Whale 3-way buffer.

6. Apply two coats of EzFlow UV-30 Acrylic Top Coat to seal the acrylic nails and to make the white free edge of enhancements whiter-than-white!

www.ezflow.com 800.621.9585

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challenge

Participate in a community event.

“Many communities have local road races, fairs, and other outdoor events,” says Nanette Miller, author of 101 Media and Marketing Tips for Salon Owner, Stylists and Managers. “Make portable pedicures available for race runners, facials for pie-eating contestants, and fun nail polish applications for children attending the fairs.”

In addition to being a great way to meet the media, community events are a great way to network with other business owners and potential clients. At the Clayton Harvest & Music Festival, Tickled Pink Salon & Nail Spa owner Melodie Hand says, “We met many people who were interested in our pedicure services, plus the fact that we use Footsie Bath with disposable liners seemed to attract many people. The gift basket we were giving away at the booth generated a lot of interest as well.”

Sign up for newsletters for your chamber of commerce and neighborhood associations to find out about upcoming events.

Keep a pedicure cleaning log.

From clients to the media to your friendly inspector, salon sanitation is on everyone’s minds. It’s in your best interest to keep a detailed written record of your pedicure spa sanitation routine whether or not it’s required in your state. A written log will reassure clients that you are scrupulously following your state board’s guidelines and our industry’s best practices. You may even want to post a sign reaffirming your commitment to a safe and sanitary salon and inviting clients to view your daily cleaning logs.

These records are for your legal protection as well. In the unlikely event you are the target of a client lawsuit, a log can prove you took all required precautions to protect your clients’ health.

Find a sample log at www.nailsmag.com/handouts. You can copy it or modify it to meet the requirements in your state.

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JESSICA CHALLENGE:

“Make Over” or “Make Under” Your Clients’ Nails

Jessica Cosmetics The Jessica® Nail System of Natural Nail Care and GELeration Soak Off Gel Polish provides a solution to every manicure woe.

Have an acrylic-using client whose long, squared-off nails are out-ofdate and need a more natural look but cannot commit to weekly manicures?

Transitioning an acrylic user to GELeration Soak Off Gel Polish is the healthier manicure option for women who want low-maintenance nails. The benefits of gel strength combined with a three-week maintenance schedule are the perfect recommendation for this type of client. Backed by Jessica’s expertise in treating nail types combined with her unique and luxurious product ingredients, GELeration is the first soak-off gel product to enable women to easily transition between natural nails and gel while protecting them.

How about a client who wants long, beautifully grooming nails but can’t seem to let them grow? GELeration protects the nail while enabling it to grow. Available in 26 of Jessica’s best-selling Custom Colours, GELeration lasts for more than three weeks with no chipping, peeling, smudging, or fading. Easily applied or removed in minutes by a nail technician, GELeration gives active women the freedom to look their best without slowing down. Then, when their nails grow out, they can easily transition to the Jessica’s Nail Cultivation System while keeping their favorite Jessica Custom Colour.

Jessica’s GELeration Soak Off Gel Polish combined with our Nail Cultivation System offers lifetime solutions to treat every nail type while maintaining healthy, beautiful nails.

www.jessicacosmetics.com

800.582.4000 www.jessicacosmetics.com 2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

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challenge

Learn a new technique.

If there’s a service your clients have been asking for that you’re not offering yet, whether it’s stiletto nails or brush-on gel polishes or Minx, make this the year to learn this new technique.

Trade shows, your local distributor, and your favorite manufacturer’s website are the best places to start your search for technical education. You can also look into nail tech educational networking events or retreats, which are frequently announced on BeautyTech.com and in the pages of NAILS. Many of these are worth the cost of airfare, and product samples are sometimes included in the event price.

If in-person technical education isn’t affordable, look into digital options, including instructional DVDs and online videos. Once you’ve completed the training, be sure you’re completely proficient in the technique before trying it out on paying clients.

You may want to use family and friends as your first guinea pigs.

Buy educational books and DVDs at www. nailsmag.com/store.

Watch instructional videos at www.nailsmag. com/nailstv.

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Hire a professional photographer.

If you want to have great photos of your salon or your nail art for marketing and advertising purposes, it might be useful to hire a professional photographer.

Professional photographers vary in price and expertise, so it’s important to call different photographers and talk to them about what you would like to do. You can search the phone books and the Internet to find local photographers, or talk to other local businesses owners who may have used a professional photographer in the past and ask for their recommendations.

Before deciding on a photographer, check her prices and see if she has experience in the type of shots you are interested in. You’ll want to see her portfolio too.

SPAFINITY/J&A USA CHALLENGE:

Buy Luxury, Quality, and Affordable Pedi Spas

Black Nickel

Champagne Gold

Crystal Reflections

With over 30 years combined experience in designing and manufacturing pedicure spas, SpaFinity Inc. and J&A USA Inc. have joined forces to bring the Lenox Spa to the spa and salon industry. The Lenox Spa is a pedicure spa designed with luxury, built with quality, and offered at an affordable price. A common challenge for spa and salon owners is finding pedicure equipment with such qualifications — luxury, quality, and affordability. Today, manufacturers have inundated the pedicure chair industry with numerous styles and features making the decision extremely difficult.

SpaFinity and J&A USA are pleased to offer some insights on how to reduce the challenges you might face when searching for luxury pedicure equipment. They are as follows: 1. With longevity comes knowledge so make sure the manufacturer of the equipment you purchase from has longevity in the marketplace.

2. Make sure the manufacturer has a good name and a good track record with producing top-quality products.

3. Read the fine print; make sure what you see is what you get. Lengthy warranties and promises that can’t be kept are often found out after the purchase is made.

4. Remember that sometimes more is not always better. Too many electrical parts and components can sometimes confuse customers and not offer any benefit to the service you are providing.

5. Various pipe-less jet systems are available today. Make sure the system you are acquiring is proven and allows for ease of cleaning.

6. After-sale customer service and support are critical. Make sure that the manufacturing companies you are contemplating doing business with have a proven track record of taking care of their customers and standing behind their products.

www.spafinity.com 866.726.0324

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challenge

Market to seniors.

When mobility becomes limited, aging men and women who always saw pedicures as a beauty treatment may realize it’s a great alternative to monthly visits to the podiatrist for basic foot maintenance. Tap into this niche with some targeted marketing techniques. > Get offline. Supplement your website and e-mail campaigns with print marketing. A yellow pages advertisement will allow you to target your message to these types of clients. Direct mail is also a good route. > Network with medical staff. Become involved in the charitable efforts of your local hospital. Also introduce yourself to area podiatrists to see how you could work together. > Advertise to their kids. Encourage your client base to allow you to care for their parents. Holidays are good opportunities to market to adult children looking for practical presents for their parents. > Create special deals. Offer specific deals for residents of retirement communities. You can advertise these deals in the community’s newsletter or in the community’s buildings.

Enter a NAILS Magazine contest.

It feels great to win ... but you can’t win unless you throw your hat into the ring. Challenge yourself to be recognized for your outstanding work. Here’s what’s on tap for 2011 when it comes to our contests: > Mini Masterpiece Contest (call for entries will run in the April issue): Select a famous work of art and paint a miniature version on a nail tip. > Self-Portrait Contest (call for entries will run in the June issue): Paint a tip-sized portrait of yourself. > Cover Tech Contest (call for entries will run in the August and September issues): See your fabulous nails on our January 2012 cover. > Mural Contest (call for entries will run in the November issue): Display your nail art work across five of 10 nail tips.

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JANUARY 2010

WWW.NAILSMAG.COM

Welcome to My HOME [SALON] 22 PRODUCTS

by Nail Techs, for Nail Techs Coworkers Play Our “NEWLYWED” GAME

10th Annual Cover Tech Contest

COVERS ARE BETTER THAN

1

READER-WRITTEN ISSUE

[see page 104 for the other winning cover]

NUBAR CHALLENGE:

Understand Your UV Lamp

Challenge #1: What does a tech do when she travels or works in two different countries and they need different voltage UV lamps?

Nubar’s New Zebra Designer UV Lamps have muli-useage in any country! With the new “volt switch” on the back of the machine you can use the same UV lamp in 110-volt mode or 220-volt mode.

Challenge #2: When curing what do you do if you want to freeze the nails only or switch the cure time?

Nubar’s New Zebra Designer UV Lamps have a new digital timer that has a 15-second freeze mode, 60-, 90- and 180-second timer options.

Challenge #3: How does a tech save time when using a UV Gel Lamp?

Nubar’s New Zebra Designer UV Lamps come with a new auto start and stop feature so you do not have to pay attention. Once the UV lamp is turned on and the timer is set every time the client re-enters the UV lamp the sensor turns the lamp on and the timer turns it off.

Challenge #4: With the UV scare recently how do I protect my client?

Nubar’s New Zebra Designer UV Lamp has a tilt-up visor that can be tilted down when the UV lamp is curing so it will protect the client’s eyes from the light.

Challenge #5: How do I find a comfortable UV lamp for feet?

The new visor on the Nubar Zebra UV Lamp flips up and allows more space for the client to place her foot, never touching the hot bulbs or scraping the top of the foot.

818.241.0519 www.bynubar.com 2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

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challenge Wash your (and your clients’) hands.

Use an electric file for your fills.

If you could cut five minutes off your fill time, it could help you stay on schedule all day long.

But where do the five minutes come from? Your electric file. It saves both time and energy and speeds things up without compromising the quality of your work. If you see 10 fill clients per week, then saving five minutes per client could help you save 50 minutes a week, allowing you to potentially add one more client to your week. That’s a savings of practically one full work week every year — just by picking up your electric file.

If you’re not yet truly comfortable using an electric file, check into taking a class from an electric file manufacturer or certified instructor.

This one is pretty simple. Hand-washing takes care of 99% of the germs. That’s right, basic soap and water are our best defense against bacteria. It is recommended that you wash your hands for 15 seconds. Some people say you should sing the “Happy Birthday” song (quietly to yourself unless you want to garner stares) while washing your hands.

Whatever the case, you and your client should both wash your hands before beginning any service. And it’s actually required by many state boards, so if the inspector comes in that’s one of the thing she’ll be looking for. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if you got fined for not washing your hands?

Take three breaks every day. (Or 100 micro-breaks.)

Eye strain. Headaches. Cramped muscles. Sound familiar? Then give yourself a break — a couple, in fact.

If you don’t refresh yourself, you can’t be your best for your clients. Promise yourself not to let an entire day go by without taking a “me” break. Studies have shown that taking several short breaks — even as short as 30 seconds — are effective in reducing tension and stress, both physically and mentally.

Here are some tried-and-true time management benefits for taking a break today: > Your body will thank you, and maybe everyone else will too. > You’ll be more creative. You’ve got to make time to let your brain do its thing. > You’ll be more social: with your world, your coworkers, and your clients. > You’ll be more productive and efficient. Yes, even with a little time off thrown in there. > You’ll love your work more. > You’ll like your job more. And you’ll feel better about tomorrow.

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SECHE CHALLENGE:

Achieve the Perfect Nail

All nails are not created equal.

Different problems require different solutions. Each Perfect Nail formulation provides effective nail therapy for specific nail conditions. Whether your client has soft, peeling nails; hard, dry nails; or healthy nails that she wants to protect, there is a Perfect Nail formulation to meet her needs.

Seche Perfect Nail products — Retain, Rebuild, and Recondition — help grow and keep healthy natural nails.

1

Strong Equals Long. Long nails must be strong nails.

And to be strong, a nail must be healthy. Nails consist of multiple layers; unprotected, these layers can peel away leaving the nails soft and weak. With each application, Retain’s protein formula seals these layers together to reinforce and strengthen your nails. Retain is continuing therapy. Once you have long, beautiful nails, Retain will condition, protect, and improve them.

2

Flex Your Options. Weather, lifestyle, and daily living all influence the condition of your nails. Rebuild helps weak, thin, soft, or peeling nails. With each application, Rebuild reinforces and thickens nails providing durability while promoting strength and flexibility.

3

The Perfect Nail. Applied daily, Recondition helps regain the healthy balance necessary to resist stress and enhance durability. Recondition provides extra conditioning for nails that are hard, dry, and brittle. This special formulation replenishes the natural moisture content of the nail. This formulation is ideal for pedicures.

www.seche.com 800.621.9585 2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

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challenge

Network with your peers.

Take the challenge to make a new “nail friend” this year. Someone you can talk shop with, learn new techniques from, and maybe even room with at trade shows to save on expenses.

You can start networking online any time.

Some great networking sites include www. beautytech.com and facebook.com/nailsmag.

Face-to-face networking with local techs also works well. Have you considered throwing a “practice party” during the off-hours at your salon? It’s where you and other techs get together to essentially “play nails” — try out new products, do each others’ nails, and hang out.

Also, many trade shows have networking events, with one of the best being the annual Nail Tech Network Orlando during Premiere Orlando. For a calendar of trade shows and other networking events, visit www.nailsmag.com/resources/showcalendar.aspx.

Give your salon a fresh look for less.

Changing up your existing salon decor doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. You can: 1. Reupholster existing furniture and pillows.

2. Light up the pedicure area with table lamps.

3. Hang a mirror to make the salon appear larger.

4. Add live or faux plants.

5. Paint the walls or add a faux finish.

1

4 6.5-ft. Butterfly Palm

Angela Adams for Architex, “Lulu, Majesty, Mona, Adriana, and Spike” www.architex-ljh.com

Mirror 3 Millennium (silver leaf finish)

www.silkflowers.com

www.howardelliott.com

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Bourgie Table Lamps www.dwr.com

5 Encaustic Faux Finish www.kobolt.com

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BIO SCULPTURE CHALLENGE:

Customize Your Clients’ Nail Needs

You can customize your clients’ nail needs with flexible, medium or solid (less flexible) finishes all with one soak-off system. Bio Sculpture Gel has a unique feature to create No Chip Manicures (natural nail overlays) or to sculpt durable, natural-looking gel nail extensions.

First...

• Apply a first layer of Clear Gel or extend the nail with Sculpting Gel (no primers, bonders or base coats needed).

• Apply color gel to create a No Chip French or color overlay. (Great on toes!).

Think outside the box and take it one step further; whether you are doing an overlay or creating gel nail sculptures, you can offer different end results (finishes) depending on your clients’ natural nail type and lifestyle choices.

We realize that clients’ nails have different needs, just like hair. We are not just enhancing clients’ nails but enhancing their lifestyle. Nail technicians and clients can choose the gels that will provide the best results: All you have to do is choose the correct “treatment” gel to create a flexible, medium, or solid (less flexible) end result.

Then...

• If you have clients with weak or scooped nails, you can build an upper arch to reinforce their nails with either: > Clear Gel for a flexible finish > Flexi-Gel for a medium finish > S-Gel for a solid (less-flexible) finish.

(If your clients have strong healthy nails, skip building an upper arch.)

• Finish with UV-Gel Coat and cure for 40 seconds for a brilliant shiny end result.

For more tips, follow us at: Twitter.com/BioSculptureUSA and Facebook.com/ BioSculptureUSA

www.biosculpturegel.com 800.770.4493

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challenge

Use social networking to market your business.

You’ve likely heard the buzz about Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social networking sites. NAILS gives you the lowdown on which sites can help you build your business and how to get started.

Facebook: With more than 200 million active users, Facebook has a reach that makes most other social networking sites pale in comparison. The site allows salon owners to set up a free page for their business (you do have to create a personal page first, but if that makes you uneasy, just fill out the bare minimum of information on the personal page and go to the “settings” menu to set stringent privacy settings), which then lets you send updates to your clients, add links to related businesses like polish manufacturers whose brands you use, upload digital photos and videos, and write public notes.

Twitter: Twitter’s niche is being short, simple, and to the point — which is a must when each “tweet” (AKA message) your salon posts can only be a maximum of 140 characters. Create a logon and password for your salon, then start tweeting away. Janet Sanders, who’s in charge of the Twitter account for Fort Collins, Colo.-based Cleopatra’s Day Spa, says: “The information you tweet about can be in several categories, including: 1. Informative — ‘Don’t forget to put SPF on your hands, too!’ 2. General — ‘What a great day for a Papaya Pedicure! Choose from great new Zoya colors!’ 3. Announcement — ‘We are closed on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. for a private party’, and 4. A ‘retweet,’ which is when someone else says something neat and you want to pass it on to your followers, while crediting the original source.”

Youtube: For salons, good subjects for videos include nail art and other technical step-by-steps and virtual salon tours. You don’t need fancy equipment to start shooting. Many of the techs we talk to use webcams or a basic digital camera that has a video setting. If you need to edit your video, there are free programs available, including h are usually in Windows Movie Maker and iMovie, which included on any new PC or Mac, respectively. It’s advisable alo lon name aan and website, so viewers have a place to follow up with you. to add text to your video that states your sal salon

Dare to dream.

Have you fallen short of achieving your goals? A little healthy daydreaming can jumpstart your efforts. First identify your goals, then brainstorm all the different ways you could reach your desired outcome. This starts by asking the following questions: > Where is the best place to begin? > What tools will I need? > How much money will it take to reach my goal? > How much time will I need to spend? > Who in my network of people can support you? > How committed am I to achieving this goal?

Asking these questions brings out possibilities, ideas, clarity, and ways to reach the next step, which is taking action. Break your big picture down into manageable steps. Set completion dates that are absolutely achievable then strive for early completion. When you’re done, give yourself a pat on the back for all your accomplishments.

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MEHAZ/FLOWERY CHALLENGE:

Keep Your Clients (and Yourself) Safe!

You can buy the best tools, perfect your technique and offer the most unique services, but to keep your clients coming back, you must provide a safe environment.

1

Keep your clients safe from cross contamination by using implements manufactured from stainless steel that can be safely disinfected in solution or in an autoclave. Many stainless steel nippers from Mehaz Professional also contain Cobalt, which makes the steel harder so it holds its sharp edge longer. A nipper that has a long-lasting sharp edge will not tear the cuticle and injure your client. Always look for tools from a well-known brand name with a lifetime guarantee and free sharpening service.

2

If you prefer a disinfectable file, Flowery Purifiles is the solution.

Crafted from materials that can be disinfected in sanitizing solution, these files can be safely used over and over, and the grit remains strong and effective.

3

Remember that you spend most of your day holding hands with your clients. Protect them and yourself by practicing safe procedures in your salon.

www.mehaz.com 888.225.6342

www.floweryprofessional.com 800.347.7456 2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

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challenge

Improve your customer service.

C t i is i an easy, and d frequently f Customer service cost-free, way to set yourself apart from competing salons. Chances are even if you’re already doing a good job at customer service, there’s still an opportunity to take it to the next level.

For instance, do regular written client surveys (consider offering an incentive, like the chance to win a free service, to encourage clients to participate) in which you ask questions like: Were you greeted upon entrance? What did you like and dislike about your service today? You could even hire secret shoppers (these could be friends of current clients) to visit your salon anonymously, then provide feedback. The most important part of these surveys is acting on the responses.

Milady’s Ana Loiselle says, “You need to fix the things the customers have complained about. You need to investigate their suggestions. You need to improve your company in those areas the mean the most to your customers, and you need to make sure you don’t change the things they like. Most importantly you need to give your clients feedback that their answers were appreciated and are being acted upon.”

Also, do you sometimes put your clients on hold? If so, provide a touch-tone menu of options that the customer can select to get immediate answers (i.e. directions, hours, etc.).

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Give yourself a raise.

No matter the state of the economy, if it’s been a while since your last price increase, you’re probably entitled to give yourself a raise. If you’re timid, you need not necessarily increase prices across the board; you can select only those services where your product costs have gone up significantly.

Before notifying clients, get everyone at the salon onboard with the increase. If you’re an owner, notify staff members in advance about the increase and ask for their input. If a salon rents booth space, it’s ideal if all renters agree to a price increase.

You can notify clients of an impending change in by putting signs up in the high traffic areas. On the sign, state the date the price increase will take effect and the new prices. Put one sign in the waiting room, one sign in the bathroom, and one sign where clients dry their nails. (Do not put signs at the nail technician’s desk.)

Prepare a response for when clients ask why you are raising prices. Explain that you must keep pace with increases in supply costs, education expenses, and other overhead expenses, or even let them know that a particular service is difficult to perform.

AKZÉNTZ CHALLENGE:

Master Spa Gel Pedicures in Under an Hour

Akzéntz Options Gel Colours are formulated to be longlasting, durable, flexible and easy to soak off. Your clients will love the different looks you can create for them with the added bonus of no waiting time for the color to dry. Minimal filing is required and when used with Akzéntz non-acid based primer, the natural nail is left undamaged. Easy removal by simply filing or by using Akzéntz specially formulated Soak Off Solutions makes this the perfect product to add spa-style gel pedicures to your service menu.

1. To cleanse feet, spray the feet with a pedi-septic foot spray and wipe with a clean terry towel. Remove any residual polish or Options Gel Colour. Apply Cuticle Remover.

Push back cuticles and trim if desired. (15 minutes) 2. Wipe surface of nails with Nail Prep to remove all dust and clean. Use a fine file to buff the entire surface of the nails and around the cuticle to remove all shine. Shape the free edge. Wipe the surface of the nails with Nail Prep to remove all dust and cleanse.

Apply a thin layer of Sure Bond to all 10 toes. (5 minutes) 3. Apply Options Base ‘N Gloss to all 10 toes. Cure for two minutes. Apply two coats of Options Colours and Aurora Sparkles if desired. Cure each layer for two minutes before switching feet in lamp. Apply Options Base ‘N Gloss or Options Clear as a gloss. Cure for two minutes. Wipe surface with a new Gel Wipe moistened with Gel Cleaner. (20 minutes) 4. Spray feet with a callus softener. Scrub feet with a foot file to remove any calluses or rough skin. Set up a pedicure bowl for a five-minute soak. (10 minutes) 5. Remove one foot from the foot bath and dry. Massage foot and lower legs with your favorite exfoliating foot scrub. Place foot back into foot bath and rinse off the scrub. Repeat with other foot. Finally, dry each foot and massage with Massage Lotion. (10 minutes)

www.akzentz.com 800.720.7833 www.akzentz.com 800.720.7833

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challenge Buy in bulk for massive savings.

This is one of the simplest changes you can make and you’ll start seeing savings immediately in your business overhead.

A lot of nail techs operate on a “just-in-time” method of product inventory.

You buy only what you need and only when you need it. But that adds up.

Not only do you spend more money buying smaller quantities in smaller sizes, you spend more time ordering and you pay lots more for shipping in the long run. As an example, say your favorite acrylic manufacturer offers two sizes of nail liquid: a 6-oz. and a 32-oz.

On average, the 6-oz. is $19.95 ($3.33 per oz.) and the 32-oz. is $69.95 ($2.18 per oz.). The difference is a savings of 1.14 cents per ounce — that’s more than $145 a gallon.

Smart shopping and watching expenses is as important to profitability as your income.

Bring more men into the salon.

Bringing more men into your salon can be easier that you think. With a few small tweaks to your existing service menu, a male-friendly environment could be just a beer away. > Offer menus for males too. If a guy walks into a salon and is hesitant to actually indulge in a service, simply handing him a menu that includes male-specific services will let him know it’s not “odd” that he’s there. Tina Albanese-Stauffer, owner of Tina’s Natural Nails in Rochester, N.Y., says of her Manly Men’s Pedicure, “It features products that are unscented and the service concentrates more on the massage. And it’s important to name the service something masculine so men know we cater to them as well.” > Men have different interests than women. Don’t forget to have some men’s magazines on hand for them to read during a service or while they wait. Albanese-Stauffer puts out Rolling Stone for her male clients. > Partner with local gyms, and get to know some of the trainers. Offer them a free service or two in exchange for recommendations. Athletes typically need quality foot care so having an ally at the gym can bring in some clients you otherwise never would have had. > A beer will quell the fears. Many salons offer drinks as a complimentary treat for a service, and what says man more than beer? Faith Glionna, of Cuticles in Indialantic, Fla., offers beer and wine to her male customers to help them relax and rewind during their service. > Add boyfriend discounts. Leah Pierce, owner of Simply Nails in Punta Gorda, Fla., encourages her female clients to purchase gift certificates for their spouses or boyfriends. She then tries to schedule them to come in at the same time. “Mondays are good days for a relaxed atmosphere,” she says, “And once they come in, our quality of work keeps them coming back.”

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SALON PURE AIR CHALLENGE:

Improve the Air Quality in Your Salon From long-term health concerns for nail techs to being a conscientious neighbor in multi-tenant business locations, nail salon air quality is receiving increased attention.

How do you maintain a healthy environment and ensure that your salon is in compliance with current and future regulations?

Consider the following:

1

Determine whether or not to exhaust fumes and dust outside or to filter and re-circulate. Exhausting outside can be challenging and requires architectural and construction assistance. In addition, salon owners may find an increase in utility costs due to lost heating and/or air conditioning. While filter systems require occasional filter replacement, this is a fraction of the cost of increased utility bills.

And do you really want to exhaust unfiltered chemicals into our environment?

2

Doesn’t it make sense to install a system to capture dust and fumes from the point of generation (the source-capture method)? This method removes contaminants before they can come into contact with people.

3

When choosing an air cleaning system for your salon, make sure that multistage filtration is used. It is important for the system to use a high-efficiency particulate filter and several pounds of adsorbent filter media. Be sure that the filter media, the motor and the electrical components are UL- and CE-listed.

4

An appropriate source-capture air cleaning system should draw the dust and fumes downward or sideways, away from the individual’s breathing zones or skin. A good system should be able to easily adapt to in-table vents or use a selfsupporting arm to draw in fumes and dust.

5

Beware of air cleaning systems that promote “ionizing, ozone, or oxygen.”

These systems rarely achieve the desired results and can expose the user to potentially harmful ozone levels. Warnings have been published by Consumer Reports as well as the Consumer’s Union.

Salon Pure Air produces a wide range of innovative, high-quality air purification products, specifically designed for the specialized air purification needs of the salon industry. As the concern for indoor air quality continues to grow, Salon Pure Air strives to develop products that comply with OSHA-mandated standards, create safe environments, and improve workplace health.

www.salonpureair.com 800.236.1889 2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

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challenge

Increase your full set price by 5%.

Sure. Sounds simple. But it has far-reaching impact. ell Many of you are perhaps a little too reluctant to raise your price because, you tell yourself, the market is so competitive. But our advice is this: You deserve a fair price for your services. And we’re recommending an increase in only one service.

Let’s do the math. The average price for a full set of pink-and-whites is $47.38. Iff you w many raised it 5%, the new price would be $49.75. Based on statistics from NAILS about how 2 per year. full sets nail techs typically do in a week, that little increase comes out to nearly $1,232 Just from this one simple change.

Have a complaint-free day.

Sayings become clichés because they’re true — hakuna matata, keep your sunny side up, happiness is an attitude. True, true, and true.

Did you know that a positive mental attitude is one of the quickest, cheapest, easiest and most impactful things you can do to improve your life? Not to mention your health, your business, your beauty, your finances, your relationships. What’s not to like about that?

You’ve got to try it. Just for one day. Then see how you feel. Try to stop complaining, gossiping or criticizing and go as long as you can. To start, it’s as easy as keeping a positive train of thought. Don’t let negativity control you and don’t beat yourself up when you go offtrack. You will. A lot. No one’s expecting you to be perfect.

Hang in there with the baby steps and before you know it, it’ll be a way of life. Then you’ll be one of those people who seem to always have a smile on her face, a nice thing to say, and positive state of mind. That’s worth a million bucks.

Create your own gallery on Nail Art Gallery.

Are you a nail artist? If you are and you don’t yet have a profile on Nail Art Gallery (nailartgallery.nailsmag.com), what are you waiting for?

Nail Art Gallery is a new social networking/photo sharing site from NAILS Magazine. It’s a cross between Facebook and Flickr, and allows you to do more to showcase your own art, as well as browse and get inspired by other nail artists’ work.

On Nail Art Gallery, you can create a personal profile, become a fan of other nail artists, and upload all of your nail art photos in one easyk h to-share place. In addition, you can interact with other nail artists by browsing, lliking, or commenting on other techs’ art and photos.

You can use your profile to interact with other techs, share your work with your friends and family, and show your clients (and potential clients) examples of your art. It’s free to sign up and easy to get started right away.

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KUPA CHALLENGE:

Practice Safe Electric Filing

1

Practice Techniques: Kupa machines offer the smoothest electric filing with virtually no vibration, which makes it easy to learn how to use them safely. Practice your techniques with a low to medium speed (5,000-10,000 RPMs) by holding the bit flat to the nail and shaping the top surface. Use the machine in one direction from right to left and continue to pick the bit up off the nail to return to the right side of the nail and repeating these steps. Use light pressure as you work.

2

Comfort Handling: Kupa’s KP 36 handpiece is shorter, thinner, and lighter than most high-quality handpieces, allowing you to hold the handpiece with confidence with the new rubber grip. Place your arms on the table and use the fulcrum finger to balance your hands as you work. The rubber grip allows your index and thumb secure placement as you hold the handpiece like a pencil.

3

RPMs: RPMs start at zero and go as high as 27,000. The slide bar allows you to adjust the range of speed easily. Kupa machines all have a high torque, which allows you to work slowly without bogging down.

4

Precision E-Filing: Kupa has a wide range of carbide, diamond, and sanding bands, which should all be used flat against the nail. Hold the handpiece parallel to the nail and angle the bit so the bottom of the bit is on the bottom of the nail. Center the bit so when electric filing the center of the nail you are using the center of the bit. And for work closer to the top of the nail use the top half of the bit.

5

Safety Bits: A variety of cones and safety bits in diamond and carbide allow beginners to work safely while learning how to use the electric file. Cones and safety bits come with rounded tops for use at the cuticle areas so you do not cause rings of fire as you would with a flat topped bit. For the seasoned tech these bits are perfect for refining the cuticle area and prepping the product for a fill.

714.739.2081 www.kupainc.com

2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

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the Great Nail Tech

challenge

Send at least one press release to your local media outlets.

Pick an angle for a press release — whether it’s your salon charity food drive, anniversary party, a list of seasonal tips for healthy nail care, or anything else potentially news-worthy — and write a one- to threeparagraph e-mail about the event. Attach one or two relevant photos (such as your salon exterior façade or a nail art photo), include your contact information, then send this to several relevant local media outlets — for instance, your local newspaper, city magazine, talk radio program, and beauty bloggers.

Follow up quickly if any of the media representatives want additional information — many of them are on tight deadlines. Start by sending one press release this year. Later, you’ll want to send about one release a quarter and to invite media into your salon regularly so that you’re always in the forefront of their minds when a beauty-related story breaks.

Enter a nail competition.

A great way to test yourself and improve your skills is to make the leap and enroll yourself in a nail competition. They happen throughout the country at different times of year, typically coinciding with large beauty shows, and they can be great ways to network and learn new tricks and techniques about your craft.

NAILS posts the schedule for most competitions in the U.S. on www.nailsmag.com, so you can plan ahead, and we also host an online blog (blogs.nailsmag.com/competitioninsider) about the year’s competition prep and results, with contributions by some of the top nail competitors.

The practice that comes with competing in acrylic and gel competitions will immensely help your everyday salon applications, and you will likely see gains in your accuracy and speed. Don’t worry about winning. Just have fun and get involved.

You will no doubt learn valuable artistic ideas from your fellow competitor’s work, and you’ll be able to cultivate your creativity as well.

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2010-2011 THE BIG BOOK

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