Manicures & Pedicures - How Popular?

[Mani-fique!]

I'm finding the nail enhancement side of things a little difficult at the moment (confidence, health etc), so I'm thinking of concentrating on manis and pedis for a bit as something thats a little easier for me to be successful and therefore boost my confidence. I've got my VTCT in Manicure but not Pedicure and was wondering if its worth investing in the VTCT for it.

I know some of you just do enhancements and others do bits of this and bits of that so my question are how popular do you find manis and pedis and would it bring in enough work if I didn't do enhancements?

 

[Fingertips ND]

I would do it!

I love giving manis and pedis!

If you don't mind feet - go for it!!!

Good Luck

 

[Rose143]

Hi hun,

I get lots of people asing for manicures and pedicures but not sure if I would be able to cope on that alone income wise as I get more requests for nail enhancements. Just speaking from my experience!

Hope this helps! :hug:

xxxx

 

[nicjill]

Enhancements are by far my most popular service but I do quite a few mini-manicures. I'm finding that pedicures are becoming more popular now it's summer & feet are on show. It's an ideal time to get into manicures & pedicures while the weather is good, this is when demand is normally highest for natural nail care.

 

[izzidoll]

Hi, I must admit it was nail enhancements that were the core service of my salon, clients were booked in regularly for maintenance.......every 2-3 weeks come hail or shine. But manis & pedis were a bit more hit & miss. Manicure clients booked for a basic manicure sometimes on a regular basis with a Spamanicure every 4th visit as an extra pamper..... but pedicures seemed to be just busy at the start of summer then would die away until the Chrismas party season. I wouldent like my liveliehood to have depended just on manis & pedis......Maybe we are different up here in Scotland and only show our tootsies in summer and at Xmas. I dont know what system you use in your enhancements but maybe you should consider a skillbuilding course on whatever area concerns you, to boost your skills and your confidence!!
I dont know your health concerns,but if you cant work long hours, surely doing 1 set of enhancements is better that having to do 3 manicures or 2 pedicures to make the same money, and a lot less energy.
Hope this helps...........

 

[marina]

Hi,

I do l&p enhancements, wraps, manicures and pedicures, and I find that most of my clients book in for the manicures and pedicures.
I offer treatments such as hot oil man/ped, paraffin wax, masks, spa etc , so the client has plenty of choice. I also like a more 'holistic' atmosphere, so I burn candles (only when doing mans and peds), play soft music and use aromatherapy oils in my treatments etc.
This all seems to attract a fairly large clientele, and the relaxing environment makes them feel more pampered. Therefore they always come back!!
Manicures and pedicures can be quite lucrative, and a lovely addition to the acrylics services you provide.
Go for the VTCT pedicure certificate too! I got mine from Highbury College in Portsmouth in February. I had fab tuition and really enjoyed it.

Love Marina xx

 

[Jennykins]

I think its always a good idea to add new treatments to your service menu! You could add a few different options for manicure and pedicure so that clients book the one that suits them best. I used to offer just a basic manicure or pedicure as this was not my main focus but as soon as I updated my info and expanded my treatment list the response was great!! I have specialised mainly in Semi Permanent Make Up and Nail Enhancements for around 6 years (slightly less for spmu) with doing other beauty treatments sparingly but had to make a few changes now that kids are in the equation!!

I will pm you my website address so you can take a look at the treatment list if you want, this may help with some ideas for what you could offer!

Hope this helps!!

 

[scattyfox]

I have done the same as you gone back to basics and am concentrating on manis & pedis. Can't say i am getting rich from it yet but it is building slowly but surely.

I know that my manicures are geting very good and am hoping that with the oset of autumn the pamper parties will start again and this will be a good growning concern. When ihve them down to a fine art I will then pick up my L&P classes again and start concentrating on that again.

i found i was trying to do too much all at the same time so ahve gone back to basics.

HTH

 

[Karen]

...here in California that's all I get asked for - natural nail manicures and pedicures and French polish everytime!

I gotta say it's surprised me how much I enjoy doing them. The only acrylic client I have has a split nail from a damaged matrix.

Kx

 

[smiler13334]

Hi Tamm

Going for your VTCT in pedicure is a good idea - it gives you a nice shot of confidence and makes you feel good at what you do.

Mani's and pedi's are amoungst my favs, with the summer coming and sandals and flip flops coming out that is when it's nice to show off perdy feet and well groomed nails. And the aroma's of the products are amazing, and your hands are so soft and gorgeous eh? i will calm down now :lol:

You can always put an offer on, say book up for both get free french on both - french on the toes is always a fav with my clients.

keep doing your enhancements remember practice makes perfect, and if you want something bad enough go get it.

Take care

 

[Mani-fique!]

Thanks for all your replies, its given me some things to think about. The VTCT course is not starting til November so this summer is out lol but I'll be ready for next summer.

I doubt very much if I'll ever be working full time due to my health so, so long as it brings in sufficient part time then I'll be happy. I'm not going to entirely give up on enhancements but I've had to face the fact that since doing my FDFC 18 months ago I've still not got off the ground and not likely to so I'm sort of shelving things for the time being. Unfortunately this blasted M.E. sucks some of the passion out of me for nails and its become a nightmare to do enhancements. I keep trying to force myself as I get frustrated that I can't do a lot and keep comparing myself to other people that trained the same time as me but are coming on in leaps and bounds and its depressing. Now I've started dreading doing anybody's nails and making my health worse. I enjoy manicures and doing hand & arm massages so thats why I needed to know if it was worth me spending more money on training in pedicures.

I understand the comment about doing more training for to help me with my enhancements and that it would take 2 or 3 manicures to earn the same as one set of enhancements but the trouble is even after all this time I take up to 3 hours to do enhancements so for me it doesn't work out as simple as that. Maybe if I can get myself going with something that I can do then later when my confidence is better opt for the skill building classes?

I too want to go back to basics anway as my instincts are telling me that more and more people are getting more interested in natural nail care. Not saying that enhancements are old hat, far from it but I think they're becoming part of natural nail care rather than the other way round. I've noticed that there is an increase in people wanting shorter, well groomed nails, that are practical for the every day working woman...

Scattyfox.... you'll have to let me know how you get on with building up your mani/pedi clientelle maybe we can compare notes. What products do you use etc?

Its funny but when I first started out in the world of nails I did so by doing my VTCT in Manicure. Thats what I wanted to do foremost but got seduced by this site to do enhancements as they were so popular, and that being just a manicurist wouldn't be enough, but now I realise that at the moment its not for me and I need to go back to my first ideas for a while.

I'm not happy about it at all as I feel such a failure but I'm just banging my head against a brick wall and the wall 'aint shifting!

 

[izzidoll]

Hi, gosh don't be so down on yourself...your title says enthusiastic little geek after all!
This is not failure in any sense of the word...you are diversifying and utilizing your best assets! You have had some great replies here I particularly liked Marinas describing her Holistic approach. I am far from Holistic! Thats probably why I do more enhancements, I like to just get on and do nails.
I don't haver the personality for the relaxing treatments, as I don't know how to relax myself! When I do a spamanicure I really have to concentrate on slowing things down, and I really envy techs who have that natural laid back relaxing attitude.
It does actually say in some of my literature that when you are doing manis/pedis you should have a smile in your hands........If you have that smile in your hands then you go for it !!!

 

[Mani-fique!]

Thank you Isabel for your encouragement. You're right I'm diversing and its not a failure.... although that bit of belief is difficult lol

I definately like the 'holistic' atmosphere I must admit.... candles, relaxing music.... oooh makes me want a pedicure just thinking about it lol. Thats definately 'me' so maybe I'm doing the right thing... I've been thinking of doing Indian Head Massage at some point, which looks like the massaging and relaxing clients is becoming a bif of a theme with what I want to do.

It does actually say in some of my literature that when you are doing manis/pedis you should have a smile in your hands........If you have that smile in your hands then you go for it !!!

Now I loooove that! I used to be called smiler by the dinner ladies at school when I was little. I've sort of lost my smile at the moment so get that back and transfer my cheshire cat grin to my hands and I should be made. lol

 

[scattyfox]

Love the idea of the holistic approach and incorporating indian head massage sounds like a good add on.

keep in touch honey and we can compare notes.

Just a note if enhancements take 3 hrs you will earn just as much as a manicure will only take an hour and you can fit in three in that time so it evens itself out. i agree with you about natural nail care and saw that in the marketing for custom blend manicure that it said 90% of women are untapped so maybe these can be our target area, might be worthwhile putting together a nail biters package. Pm me and we can ahve a chat about it.
x

 

[marina]

Hello again,

Mani-fique, I, too have health issues. I've got type 1 diabetes, and am on beta blockers for my heart and blood pressure. I get really tired, really easily.
My holistically based manicures and pedicures are brilliant not only for your client, but also for you. Having a completely relaxed atmosphere makes so much difference. Plus, for example, when I do a hot oil manicure or pedicure, I add lavender or peppermint oils to my massage oil. The clients absolutely love this, and its beneficial for us therapists too! If you do little bits like this, the clients will come back, and tell their friends and family too!
Natural nail treatments can be a lovely, therapeutic experience for clients and therapist!
I'd say that 70% of my clients have the natural nail treatments, and the other 30% have enhancements.
Love Marina xx

 

[Mani-fique!]

Thanks again Lucia, I'll PM you so we can have a natter....

Marina, I'm glad you've been able to overcome your difficulties in order to become successful.... I hear what you're saying big time when it comes to relaxing mancures being good for you not just your client! I find when I do enhancements that I'm all hunched up, and get terrible neck and shoulder aches (which I get anyways from permanently being stressed lol), but with manicures its so much more a pleasant experience!

I'm going to look into doing this pedi course and look into how much and whats involved with the Indian Head Massage one, and look at products and nice smelly massage oils and the like. Any that you find work really well? What oil do you use and are you covered by insurance if you use aromatherapy oils if you haven't been trained in aromatherapy?

Infact all of you please share your tips on your best manicures etc I'm interested to know what works for you.

Thanks

 

[Glorsclaws]

Tamm... why dont you get yourself along to Holistic Health on the 18-19th September. Its at Donnington Park (not that far from you really).
On the Sunday there is a talk at about 16:45 p.m on Indian Head Massage.
Although between us we'd prob be better attending the Monday talk on Musclo-skeletal pain and dysfunction. :wink2:

 

[Mani-fique!]

Tamm... why dont you get yourself along to Holistic Health on the 18-19th September. Its at Donnington Park (not that far from you really).
On the Sunday there is a talk at about 16:45 p.m on Indian Head Massage.
Although between us we'd prob be better attending the Monday talk on Musclo-skeletal pain and dysfunction. :wink2:

Apparently... according to hubby its about an hour and half away.... so maybe a trip is in order we'll have to see... you'll have to let me know more info if you have it
As far as the Monday talk lol I'm hearing you extremely loud and clear!!!! Oooh to not feel twice my age lol!

 

[Glorsclaws]

Apparently... according to hubby its about an hour and half away.... so maybe a trip is in order we'll have to see... you'll have to let me know more info if you have it
As far as the Monday talk lol I'm hearing you extremely loud and clear!!!! Oooh to not feel twice my age lol!

Apparently topics covered will be:
Bach flower remedies, Crystal meditation,Reflexology,Iridology,Thai massage,Hot stone chakra massage, plus many more.
It was advertised in this months copy of The Guild.

Go to www.beautyserve.com/holistichealth
Hth.

 

[Mani-fique!]

Thanks for the link Glo... I'll look into it!

In the mean time I'm wondering if peeps can give their best tips on manicure/pedicure products, tips, techniques and options continuing from my previous post.....

Also is there anyone who has done the Indian Head Massage who can give me some pointers on how difficult it is to learn..... I understand you have to do the the Anatomy & Physiolgy course as well.... is that very difficult also?

Thanks and sorry for being a pain.:irked: