Is It Me?

[Frooty Moo]

Hi Peeps! Haven't been on site for a while and I have a few problems that, hopefully with your help, may be solved.

Problem 1

After having qualified as a nail tech for the last eighteen months (not long, I know) I am beginning to lose faith in my ability. The reason? Well, I don't understand that on some of my clients I can do a fab full set of either acrylic french or natural (with or without tips) and when they return...no lifting...zilch...nada.
However, other clients have lifting on a few or sometimes on all nails. I don't do anything different from one client to another and was wondering...is it just because some clients have really soft, thin nails to begin with? Does anybody else have this kind of problem? Or is it me?? :cry:

Problem 2

Now, I know this may seem a tad trivial and I'm almost sure you'll think I'm being a bit daft! Do you have those days when you just don't feel like talking? On days when I'm feelin a bit low or I just want to get on and concentrate on my job without having to talk about their illness/operations/boyfriend/husband/infidelities/holidays/children/grandchildren/ sex life or lack of sex life etc. what I really want to do is tell them to shut up and let me get on with it!

Anyway, I've had a thought about wearing a face mask! Does anyone who wears a mask find this kills conversation?!!!!! :lol: If so, I'm gonna by me a big box of them buggers!!!!!!!

Thanks for reading my moans! :hug:

 

[blossom]

Anyway, I've had a thought about wearing a face mask! Does anyone who wears a mask find this kills conversation?!!!!! :lol: If so, I'm gonna by me a big box of them buggers!!!!!!!

:hug:

No it doesn't kill conversation but you do find you're eating the mask a lot!!lol

I went through that phase too (prob 1), I think an element of it can be down to very thin or damaged nails but I found when I did a much more thorough prep on the ones that were lifting, 90% of them were suddenly much better! A couple of them tried gel instead and actually fare much better with gels than l&p so that may be something to try.

Good luck, you sound absolutely normal to me :hug:

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Have a read of this chick http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/16999-stop-doubting-your-ability-let-your-confidence-soar.html Hope it will help.

I also have days when I really don't feel like chatting, but I'm afraid it's part of our job. You have to paste a smile on your face come hell or high water, even if inside you are screaming "shutup. you're mistaking me for someone who gives a damn"!!!!!! I often find a week off cures you of this feeling, nothing like a break to recharge the batteries.

 

[melissaq]

I also have days when I really don't feel like chatting, but I'm afraid it's part of our job. You have to paste a smile on your face come hell or high water, even if inside you are screaming "shutup. you're mistaking me for someone who gives a damn"!!!!!! .

I was thinking the same thing......

 

[littlegrohl]

Crikes' i could talk under water.. but i do get like that sometimes.. Just cant seem to get into the conversation.. normally its because i dont know the person or how far to push it.. what to say.. blah blah blah.. I tend to steer the conversation to them and let them yap away.. lots of hmm's and au huh's..
That said
Its a major part of the job.. I once had a lady do a set on my nails.. great nails.. hard woman.. said two words and i felt uncomfortable the whole time.. and really very bored.. never went back.

 

[SthrnComfort]

for your problems 2.....sometimes i feel like this too. what i have done is providing clients with a range of movies to choose from that they can watch. we put it on before i start anything....and either we chat all the way through the movie or client just watches it.....it saves any quiet uncomfortable moments, and also makes the time go so much quicker; for both client and myself. the sound level is at such a volume that we can hear it but if we want to chat we dont have to talk loud.
ive only just started doing this, but have had a great response from clients.

 

[Sassy Hassy]

I think as well you need to be able to tune into a client, which is one of the hardest skills to learn if it doesn't come naturally to you. When I have been for manicures, or even when having my hair done I just love to switch off and can't stand it when I am forced into conversation. So although you may find the silence awkward your client may be in total heaven!

... and of course there's the "going anywhere nice for you holiday" question!:green:

 

[nicky's nails]

aww bev, dont be doubting yourself hun, im sure your doing fine job

maybe its prep? maybe its clients not you, if loads were having probs id say re-assess what you doing, but if its only a few, maybe its them more than you, do you give them aftercare advice, and more importantly do they follow it:?:

anyway ill come in for a set one of these days and i promise to keep my big gob shut , so you can enjoy the silence pmsl xxx:hug::hug:

 

[pazzy]

Thats why tv presenters are really glum most of the time cos they having a break form that pasted smile they have mastered.

I am a total professional at work - listen- ask questions about them - but gawd when I get home or Im socialising or picking my son up from school I look a total misery...Im all talked out.


And yeh - there are the rainy days where my smile has been washed off while getting my stuff from the car, the rain has also ran into my ears cos Im not hearing them too well either.


And dont worry about problem 1 - some clients will have great non lifting nails and others loads of lifting. I would try and find out as much about their lifestyle they will admit to and you can just keep trying different solutions out (ie scrubfresh nail then apply overlay immediately etc) so dont doubt yourself - your human after all.

 

[CadenceAlex]

for your problems 2.....sometimes i feel like this too. what i have done is providing clients with a range of movies to choose from that they can watch. we put it on before i start anything....and either we chat all the way through the movie or client just watches it.....it saves any quiet uncomfortable moments, and also makes the time go so much quicker; for both client and myself. the sound level is at such a volume that we can hear it but if we want to chat we dont have to talk loud.
ive only just started doing this, but have had a great response from clients.

Wow... be careful doing that.. you might end up with several women in at the same time, all crowding around trying to watch the ending!

On another note, I think some women just love to chat and talk about their Jewellery that they have just removed, or how Alec hasn't fitted those damn loft boards and I've told him time and time again... or anything..



To the original poster, when you're feeling down about those nails that are lifting.. think of the fab sets that are perfect and all your happy customers xxx

 

[Frooty Moo]

To everybody that has replied - many thanks for your time and trouble in answering. I have to say that 90% of the time I am jolly and happy with my clients and that my down days are usually due to my 'girls troubles' days, those and the bloody menopause!!

Anyway, Blossom - if you asked Joe 90 if she thought I was normal I guess she'd laugh her wotsits off!! But thanks for the support chick!.

To Sthrncomfort - your movie idea is fantastic - I wish I had the room.

Sassy, thanks for your confidence guide. I had read it but it doesn't hurt to refresh the old grey cells. Ta hun.
And to everyone else thanks for replying and your support. Oh and Nicky - get in to see me and get yer nails done girly - freebie!! Would love to meet up with you mate.

 

[joe90]

Anyway, Blossom - if you asked Joe 90 if she thought I was normal I guess she'd laugh her wotsits off!! But thanks for the support chick!.

Normal, ha! you wouldn't be my mate if you were normal chick and yes I have laughed my wotsits off and there is a fair bit to laugh off I can tell you.

Now don't you go doubting yourself, if your prep is the same with every client as I am sure it is, it must be something your clients are doing. I know we have had this conversation on the phone but the set you did me lasted almost 4 weeks and then I had to regretfully soak them off before I went into hospital for my op. I had no lifting, no chipping - nada, nowt. I was gutted cause they were damned beooootiful!