can you help!!

[natalieprice84]

Hi,,, I use Acrylic l&p and i feel very confident using this method..Im going to start a part time mobile business as i have practiced lots on friends and family and feel ready to concour the world.haha..:green: I am in too minds as to whether or not i should do gel too??? I know people say that gel is alot less harsh on the nail??? is this true or is it just what nail tech like to use??? personally i feel that they are stronger and yeah ok they may start to lift after few weeks but does gel???? OR could i just use a uv top coat over the acrylic?? I am in two minds..... please help.....:irked:

Thank you

Natalie

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Hiya! I originally started with l&p 8 years ago, and did only that for a year. I then got into gel and totally switched and dd only gel for 7 years. However since June I have been doing both and find that doing so has really opened up my client base further. I never have to turn a client away!

Gel is not less harsh on the nail - this is a con used by some nail companies to try and push their product! Any damage is created by poor technician techniques or poor after care (ie pciking off) by the client.

However the application techniques are VERY different and I would advise a class in your chosen make.

Good luck

 

[natalieprice84]

Thank you ...what would you say client prefer?? gel or acrylic??? xxxx

 

[Katykitten]

Thank you ...what would you say client prefer?? gel or acrylic??? xxxx

I think it varies from one nail tech to another. Personally, about 90% of my enhancements are L&P (acrylic) and 10% Gel. However, the salon down the road from me does 50%/50%.

As Sassy Hassy said above, it would be a good idea to offer both if you are able to so that you are able to accomodate both sets of customers

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Thank you ...what would you say client prefer?? gel or acrylic??? xxxx

I would say I do slightly more gel than l&p ... I think a lot of this is down to the novelty factor!!!! Very few people do gel around here - and even fewer do it well - and when I joined the salon I am in many clients wanted to give it a try. Some love it, but some are better suited to l&p and converted back.

Many people decide what they want on past experiences - often this is not always the best way to choose as they may have had a bad experience of a shoddy tech or poor quality products. Or they decide by what their friends have. Really it is down to you, the technician, to decide what is best for the client at the consultation stage, and this often only comes with experience!

 

[Deena]

Sassy, assuming you had a client who was open to suggestion, how would you go about determining which system was best for her?

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Sassy, assuming you had a client who was open to suggestion, how would you go about determining which system was best for her?

Usually just a few questions about their lifestyle - hobbies, if they look after young children, housework etc. If they are very heavy handed I would steer towards l&p (mainly because I do tend to work pretty thin with gel!), if they have their hands in water a lot then probably gel ... sometimes it's just down to what I fancy doing at the time!!! Usually the client has some idea and it's often just a case of determining of what they want is right for them.

 

[Deena]

Thanks, as I've wondered about this. It can almost make you feel as though the only females who can successfully wear gel are the ones 'Wot do lunch,' and yet I know this isn't the case!

 

[natalieprice84]

what about a uv top coat over acrylic???:smack:

 

[Sassy Hassy]

what about a uv top coat over acrylic???:smack:

Yep I often do this, especially in the summer out here in Spain as clients are in their pools a lot, and it does get VERY humid too, and I do see an increase in the number of greenies - the topcoat defo helps to stop this.

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Thanks, as I've wondered about this. It can almost make you feel as though the only females who can successfully wear gel are the ones 'Wot do lunch,' and yet I know this isn't the case!

I have a gel client who has just moved house, been busy packing and cleaning and just gone SIX weeks since her last rebalance and not one ounce of a problem - AND SHE HAS THEM LONG! So it just goes to show that gel can be very strong - however it is often down to how well the client looks after them. I only have to see how the client goes into their bag for their purse to see if the are careful or just go diving in nails first! It gives you a really good insight into how well they will look after your work!

 

[shell28]

Im the oposite to you hun i only do gel but im planing on learning l&p soon as ive lost a few clients because they want l&p!! I would say if you only do one system you do limit yourself but thats just my opinion.:hug:

 

[suzie49]

I have to agree with Shell on this I work with gel, but have just trained in l&p sculpt, also going to train in fibreglass/silk as well, I think you need to have the knowledge of all systems if you want to be able to suit all your clients. Why limit yourself and have to potentially turn custom away. xx