We all miss you Sam but WE'RE ON IT OK?? Perhaps not with your style or particular brand of humour (well let's face it you are pretty unique) but we try.

Reputation is one way of doing this. Otherwise it gets into the realms of some 'all knowing' person passing judgement on someone else to ensure they get 'tagged' as 'all knowing too'.

Since no one on the site is 'all knowing' enough to start the process, we are stuck in a chicken-or-the-egg situation that would require a time machine to sort out (which could change someday soon!).

Anyhoo - in the meantime, we just need to work together to educate in these posts.

nJoy

yes i understand it would open up a huge can of worms xx thanku for answering xx

As we are all aware as well of the nss out there and the mma that is being used, we should really try to give back a good name to nail techs! So that people no longer think that enhancements 'ruin' their nails, us qualified techs should make sure we are doing everything NOT to ruin peoples nail and prove that skill and knowledge is required to make beautiful and kind nails! xx

Yep crappola is now my new "word of the week"
Hopefully if we put out some good advice in these threads then that can only be a good thing.
The quickest way seems to be the thing everybody wants but work is always going to take time and shortcuts usually don't work without problems.
I think that goes for any profession.

hi- I'm new and currently training in l&p and gel. having read some of the posts with the "great" advice and then geeg's' reply has really helped me understand certain practises therefore think you highlighting this shoddy advice only helps us learner newbies! thanks to all you genuine techs out there!

I'm a not so new tech (in more ways than one) and am very disturbed at some of the 'remedies' that are being posted on this site at the moment.

What disturbs me, almost more, is the attitude that goes with some of these posts.

I am more than happy to assist anyone who needs genuine help but am puzzled, to say the least, at the offensive, aggressive, attitude offered by some.

There are some 'greats' on this site who offer their skills and time freely, there are skilled technicians who do the same, and there are those like me who offer their best - we all try to help.

Like Gigi I question what is happening. I am happy to help anyone where I can, it is a privilege to educate but you cannot teach those who do not want to learn - or more to the point, have their own agenda

perhaps a big neon flashing crappiola alert could be added where necessary

OH SAM ! i quite like the idea of getting 'macdonald' style gold stars.....can we, can we

Am i going bonkers (quite probably) or did we used to have stars? before the 'bar' ?


amb x

Your bonkers lmao No I think we did actually

yep, there have been a few that have had me shaking my head and a couple that have made me wince, and I think the aggressive attitude is because they are so closed minded that the moment anyone questions their practices they get completely defensive, what a shame they can't spend time reading, learning and even pm ing peeps who know more then they do.

Personally I love reading about new stuff, trying it out on 'Thing' or daughter if she's home, and asking any geek who'll give me their time, its what our site is all about.

But when you have something special, there are always going to be those who don't want to be a part of it, they just want to try and spoil it.
How sad are they?

Geeg, Let me start out by saying that I am very happy to have found this forum both for research with the wealth of information on this site, and also that I can ask a question if I have it. I also agree that I have seen a few things on here that make my head spin.

I am just responding to this thread from the tension that I have felt in the past week with a few threads that I think may be bothering you. I have found though, on this site (not you in particular), that when someone doesn't agree with views on things, then you are immediately shot down as if you are "unprofessional" or completely wrong in your procedure. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing views on things and different procedures! I also accept corrective critisism if it is given in a nice manner, as I am contantly trying to learn as much about what I do as possible. However just because everyone does not agree on every subject does not make either party right or wrong in some instances.

For instance, I have purchased almost each and every Tammy Taylor instructional video available. She does teach us to etch the nail with a 100 grit file. As a matter of fact, her updated videos on her website teach this as well. So the answer to your question "Are there any professionals out there who would do these things?" Yes, Tammy Taylor.

I was basically just doing what I was taught by a Nail Tech who has been doing nails for years and has her own very successful industry. Has anyone ever contacted Tammy Taylor with their concerns regarding the 100 grit etch, or are we just assuming that her product is crap because she says it won't adhere to the nail without it? TT products are hardly crap or MMA nails. I have no doubt that if Tammy Taylor products were as available to nail techs as Creative is (being in every beauty supply store), that it would be just as successful, used and well known. I have read previous posts of other TT users who etch the nail with 180 which I have definitely begun to do since I tend to agree with you on this subject (and the results will be in when my clients come in for a fill lol).

Perhaps we should consider the source of why some nail techs do things different ways...possibly because they were trained that way? That being said, if time goes by and different techniques are used and found to be healthier for our clients, then by all means, share, because we must all keep on top of our industry and learn from each other on the best meathods and practices because lets face it, there is obviously some shoddy training out there. I personally had no idea that 100 grit wasn't to be used on the natural nail because I was just doing what I was taught.

Another thing that I think is bothering you Geeg is the fact that some of us choose to make our own cuticle oil. I know that you are a representative of Creative and that you are an advocate of Solar Oil and that's great, it's a very good blend. I think you are one of the best mentors on this site and I read your tutorials frequently. I am very thankful for all of the information you have posted and hope you continue to do so. With all due respect, I personally cannot afford to pay over $20.00 for a 4 oz bottle of Solar Oil, nor do I want to.

I have purchased 100% pure Jojoba oil, Sweet Almond oil, Rice Bran oil, Vitamin E and Tea Tree oil and have made my own cuticle oil which I plan to use at my station... and I can make two or three times as much for the same price. I am not planning on selling it for retail, but don't knock those that do. I personally don't see anything wrong in doing this since I am using the same ingredients, and they are all pure and natural.

I know that you may not agree with me but I don't believe that makes me wrong or unprofessional. I will also be the first one to admit to you that I should have listened to your advice if I find I have problems with my nails after using my home made oil. I honestly hope that I worded this in a way that does not offend you, as that is not my intention. I really think you are an asset to Nail Techs everywhere. Thanks again, Kat

Normally responding to a specific individual I would send a Private Message as those are the site rules, but as KitKat has made this post personal to moi and on the main forum then I will respond here on the site.

It may interest you to know, Kat, that I agree with everything you say in your post. And you have written it beautifully and no one could possibly take offence to it ... certainly not me, so thank you for that.

As I think most people know, the products mentioned in your post are a GENERIC product line. The products are not manufactured by TT but purchased and branded. No one is saying they are bad products but just ordinary, no advanced technology there, middle of the road type products that have seen some success largely because of TT herself. With Generic products it is necessary to be a bit more aggressive to the natural nail plate in order for the product to adhere, because they are not technically advanced. I think with brands that are generic no one wants to take any chances and wants to ensure the minimum of lifting for those who use it, so they advocate harsh methods to ensure this. If THAT is what a person is taught then of course that is all they know.

Many things are really not a matter of different opinions and someone not being in agreement!! You don't disagree with facts. Things that are FACT, are proved and are not really open to debate. When FACTS are presented on this site, it is the chance to learn more and maybe change your choices of how you want to work. I always say the 'cream' always rises to the top in the end and it is the same with great nail technicians; they are hungry and want to learn and have a desire to care for their clients welfare.

A 100 grit file damages the natural nail plate no matter how gently one thinks one is using it. This has been proved .. there are photos to prove it taken under laboratory conditions .. it is a fact. If it suits an individual to take no notice of that fact, then it tells me allot about that individual. Those that take notice and learn from it, make the necessary changes.

As to the making-your-own-cuticle-oil thing. I have always stated my opinion and the reasons why I have my opinion. I have never ever said not to do it or that it was a bad thing to do. All I have said is that personally I would never be bothered to do it as it would cost me more in my time to make it than to buy it. I would never spend my free time doing this and I do not believe I have ever 'knocked' anyone else for doing it. I have merely pointed out that if you add up the real cost of making cuticle oil yourself, it turns out not to be as cheap as people think and you do not save as much as you think you do. The money any busy nail technician would make in the salon would more then pay for a bottle of Solar Oil and they would have their free time to spend in any way they want. So please do not get me wrong. I was speaking a a nail technician and not a representative of CND. I choose to use CND products like thousands of other nail technicians. I do not officially represent CND.

My style is 'straight from the hip' and no nonsense, I know that; but that does not mean that all my opinions are FACT, they are just my educated/expert opinion based on considerable experience and I am not forcing them on anyone. But when I present proved facts, they are not my opinion, they are facts. Usually a case is closed once the facts are presented. One learns from it ... or one doesn't.

I thank you for all your comments and I appreciate and value all of them.

There's a nail tech about 2 miles up the road from where I work in the salon. She's been a nail tech for years longer than me. But, I have had 3 of her ladies try me and and stay with me because of how she works. Snaps the old nails off with clippers!!!!
Doesn't chat,,,, in and out so fast. That tel's me I am doing something right!!
I will stick with what I am taught and thats it!!!

Back to the 100 grit abrasive

I was taught to use 240 grit only, on or near the natural nail AND WHY

At the start I was amazed at the number of different abrasives in my kit because I knew nothing about different grits and their uses. This was all explained in my foundation course.

Many new people who have not yet trained or had very poor training may be as uneducated as I was at the start of my career. They may economise or think it is just easier to work with one or two abarasives and apply them 'gently'. This forum is, as Sam pointed out the place to educate them and that is what so many endeavour to do.

Surely if your system demands that you use 100 grit on the nail plate the sensible thing is to question your system NOT internationally reknowned educators who have THE FACTS, regardless of the system they use.

i have never understood why the tammy taylor system does advocate the use of the 100 grit file on the natural nail.

i used tt for quite a while but always used a much finer abrasive on the nail plate to simply remove the shine and i never had any problems with it lifting.

i dont know why they stick with that theory, maybe they just dont want to be seen to be doing a u turn.