Nail Enhancement .. a specialist profession in its own right??

[pazzy]

I agree that its difficult to do be good at both nails and beauty - but there is a link between the two in terms of knowledge and skill. I mean I couldnt see a hairdresser specialising in beauty simply because of the speed inwhich a hairdresser works at(they can have a few things on the go in 1 hour where we are hands on with 1 person for an hour 1/2)

But I am good both beauty and nails and like someone said earlier theres no way I would do the treatments if I wasnt producing good work and happy clients...(but my career has spand over about 15 years so I know what Im doing) I do loads of waxing manicures brow waxing and know I do good eyebrows. My nails are the best I have seen and have loads of regulars. I do really good make-ups (I am recc often) and dont do any other advertising but yellow pages and yell.com. (I dont want to sound over confident cos if you met me Im not a confident person)
Am I in the minority?
The great thing about having a variety is I dont get glued to a chair allday doing the same thing.

 

[geeg]

Never said is couldn't be done, but YES you are definitely in the monority. xx:lol:

 

[crazysaz]

i wouldnt say one is harder than the other, i started a beauty course last yr and some of the physiology you had to learn was unreal but i think there is more skill in doing good nails. however i think that you can spread yourself too thin, eg a wee bit bout massage, some facials, bit o tinting, nails, pedicures, waxing etc. in my opinion if i wanted nails done id go to a nail tech, a massage, i'd go to a masseuse. For a facial, waxing or tinting id go to a beautican. i think to be good at nails you need to be doing them on a reg basis or skills start to slip. in my town theres a pile of beautican's and not one can do a decent set of nails. for me to be a true nail tech, i have to be able to do EVERYTHING! i want to be the best at manicures, pedicures, natural nail care, nail enhancements etc. in my salon i might do a waxing course for no other reason other than its a quick money maker. im going to employ a beautician soon to see if she can pull in the beauty clients so i can have a one stop shop but i want to stick to nails as my bread and butter as thats what i want to concentrate on and specialise in.

 

[liza smith]

what a great thread!
i so wanted to put my reply in straight after geeg's opening post, but i had to keep reading everyones posts as i was really interested in what everyone ha to say.
i will try to add things that havent yet been mentioned.
i will now put a spanner in the works, as even thou i agree with nearly everything that has been said...
i specialise in... all kinds of nail services on the earth
cutting and colouring hair
waxing including brazilians
facials and tanning
wedding & photographic make-up
i trained 20 yrs ago for 3 yrs full time (when full time meant 5 days a wk 9-5!) to do beauty therapy and hairdressing to level 3.
i opened my salon upon leaving college.
therefore, i would hardly call any of my treatments "add-ons".
i take every service i offer as seriously as the others.
i have had clients for 15 yrs that i cut and colour their hair, wax their legs and manicure their nails!
there have been points made about the difference between the hourly takings of nails and beauty. i will give you an example of how it is for me..
rebalance 1hr 15 £25
full leg bikini underarm wax 45 mins £26
full head foils, cut and blowdry 2 hrs £75
at 1st glance, this looks like the nails earn me less, however my nail client comes in 3 times in 6 wks
my wax client comes in once every 4-6 wks
my cut & colour client comes in once every 6-8 wks.
even thou that means the hourly rate is much better for hair and waxing, my nail clients are more regular, and form more of my "bread and butter" earnings.
i know that if i wanted to, i could fill my days with nails only, however, the biggest disadvantage with that is to my body. if i have a few days on the trot doing back to back nails, my fingers hurt, and my back & neck suffer.
it suits my body to be siting sometimes, standing sometimes and even bending over a couch sometimes!
i have however drifted towards taking my nails onto a higher level.
i put this down to being part of a team of people who have such passion for the nail industry, that it has fuelled my fire.
i have had the pleasure of working alongside some of the best nail techs in the world.
because of this, i feel that my nail skills are more advanced than my hairdressing skills, however, i am a follower of fashion and hair designs are closly connected to the make-up and nails industry as it follows similar fashions.
2 other points that have been made
1. i wear smart trousers and my creative t-shirt as my uniform, i havent worn my beauty tunic for a long time. i agree with mum on this one, recognisable salon uniform with the lee way for individuality.
2.i have reached the conclusion that hair and nails go together slightly better than nails and beauty. mainly because they both have smells, and usually involve more creative atmosphere.
a spa should b serene and with gorgeous smells, and a calm atmosphere.
it really depends on your clientelle.
for both of the above reasons, i no longer do much massage and body treatments especially electrical treatments.
not for any other reason than i feel we dont offer a "spa" envoirment.
however, tanning; eyelash treatments; waxing etc seem to thrive.
apologies for the essay length reply, i could go on, but i fear i may drift off topic!
x

 

[tamimac]

Just to add on to that rant I resently had to fill out a form for my daughter school where they were trying to gauge education levels of parents, I was ranked with factory workers only one step up from being unemployed.[/quote]


Oh, this BITES!!! Im sick of being stuck below checkout girls in the skills department. I am a skilled worker, highly motivated (and not just by money) who has managed to make a fair living in this hugely competitive industry without the backup of any employer and yet as soon as you write self employed nail techincian on a job application, you may as well write 'out of work nail painter!!! '

 

[tinkywinky]

Have to agree with Dids on this one, as a beauty therapist I have a passion for nail enhancements as well as beauty. I do two to three sets a week and have very pleased clients. I also wish to extend my knowledge and learn constantly.

Many beauty therapists are expected to do some kind of nail enhancements. Personally I did not train in enhancements for 5 years after doing beauty, but in the end had a passion to learn and a client base that asked for this service.

My customers are very happy with the treatments and service they receive from me, and whilst booking their infills may also book for a leg wax, facials etc.

Over the past two months I've had three very happy nail customers who have said their enhancements have been the best they have ever had. That to me feels like I've conquered mount everest. It is one of the hardest thing I've ever learnt, it is a skill in itself and a challenge to persevere for such a long time to see good results.

But I do understand where Geeg is coming from and appreciate the too eggs in one basket theory.

I was worried when I had a client who said she'd come and do a free set of acrylic nails on me, she's had one day of training. I just thought "I DON'T THINK SO" I'd rather do them myself as I've been trained by pro's and apply them like a pro. So yes there are some dodgy technicians out there!

 

[Pirate Sarah]

Yes nails are definiately a specialist skill and should be classed as a profession in its own right!

I am fed up of people assuming that I am doing this because I am an idiot and cannot do anything else!!!

This is totally not the case, I am very bright and intelligent, can learn things really easily and at 20 I am earning a heck of a lot more than anyone else at my age in an office job.

I want to leave that job because its BORING and not what I want to do! With nails I can be as creative as I like, I can use my brain in managing my business and I can always learn new things! whilst in my office job I just chug along messing around with databases and files! :zzz:

The only other thing that I am doing is threading i think this a very nice service to add on. But first and foremost nails is for me! :green:

xx

 

[Snugglepuss]

Great thread Gigi as always - my main passion is nails but I do do a bit of waxing and spray tanning as an add on - but nails seem to be the one I get more clients for as you say they prefer someone to either do nails or do beauty - not both:hug:

 

[justgel]

I see Nail Enhancement as a profession in its own right and far more like the hair industry than the beauty industry.

My opinion is that Nail Enhancement should not be thought of as an 'add on' service to beauty because it is far too skilled a job to be merely an 'add on' service. If you don't use it you loose it! Too much time on beauty services and loose the nail skills .... too much time on nail services ... and loose the beauty skills. Nail enhancement is a specialist job .. I believe in the 'Jack of all trades and Master of none' philosophy.

Lack of respect for the skill of the really excellent nail technician is one of the things That personally bugs me!!!

How do you see it?

hello gigi,
my thoughts and gripes exactly!!!!
yes, t'is me the 1 who whinges incessantly about the NSS's. my gripe is that people pay alot of money to be educated and have extra training and these people are poaching clientelle with HUGE DISCOUNTS! how , PLEASE can we educate the consumer on the nasty services they provide?? check out my story on "hello from oz" and let me know what you think about my VISIT to 1 of them.
regards, meg

 

[justgel]

whoops, sorry.... it was on NSS or just MMA bars

 

[IllumeGirl]

I see Nail Enhancement as a profession in its own right and far more like the hair industry than the beauty industry.

My opinion is that Nail Enhancement should not be thought of as an 'add on' service to beauty because it is far too skilled a job to be merely an 'add on' service. If you don't use it you loose it! Too much time on beauty services and loose the nail skills .... too much time on nail services ... and loose the beauty skills. Nail enhancement is a specialist job .. I believe in the 'Jack of all trades and Master of none' philosophy.

Lack of respect for the skill of the really excellent nail technician is one of the things That personally bugs me!!!

How do you see it?

havent read through the other posts as yet, but have to say i definitley agree that to absolutley perfect your skills to absolute perfection you do need to TOTALLY immerse yourself in nails, ALL DAY, day after day. i like some hair salons ideas that have a specialist in cutting, or colouring. to me this indicates someone who excels in this aspect of thier work and is guaranteed to give you a wonderful result. i personally know of some beauticians who dread doing nails in thier work place as they dont have the skill developed adequately to perform the service in the allocated time... and the end result certainly shows this. also the time spent during a beauty therapy course on learning nails is certainly NOT enough, its certainly almost like an after thought and quite insulting that some of these places think there is so little needed to learn,lol. alot of beauty salons that i have seen AND hair salons i have been in its very apparent how much they think of nails just by looking at the sorry amount of equipment and pitiful desk for nails.... and they charge the client top end dollars,lol. i definitley feel for the beauty therapist though who has paid all this money for tuition and loves to do nails and finds they have 6 old bottles of polish, no hand sanitiser and a boss who books nails clients in for a 45 minute service no matter what they require:irked: . sorry for going a bit off topic but its kind of relevant to my post,lol! xx

 

[Rose143]

I agree with Gigi's point and I feel that a Nail technician should be shown alot more respect, I also agree that it shouldn't be an add on service as it is a stand alone profession. I have beauty treatments as add on services but want to be known as a Nail Technician.

I must disagree with the jacks of all trades and master of none as I have become quite good at all the services I offer. If I am indeed a jack of all trades, what would make me a master at all of them? How do you define a difference between the two. If you spend time doing nails and waxing all day aren't you mastering them both?

Maybe a little off the topic but very much the same ......

"Lack of respect for the skill of the really excellent nail technician is one of the things That personally bugs me!!! "

I sometimes feel what Gigi feels when people on the site discuss mobile nail technicians. I think we deserve a bit more respect and good pat on the back. Admitidly some poeple believe that going mobile is the easiest way out or the easiest route, it's not!! I have tried my utmost to change the nail industry's and the client's perspective on mobile nail technicians that we are just as good if not better than some salons. I do have competition in my area that proves this very point. Do you have any idea how hard it is to compete against yourself every day, especially if you are a perfectionist. When I get to a client's house, they cannot believe how professional I look, how I work and the beautiful nails I do. Alot of them admit to expecting my work to be tacky but in the end realise that my service is the best they've ever had.

This is only my opinion, I don't mean to sound defensive or offend anyone but to me this seems to be along the same lines.

xxxx

 

[Vetty]

I sometimes feel what Gigi feels when people on the site discuss mobile nail technicians. I think we deserve a bit more respect and good pat on the back. Admitidly some poeple believe that going mobile is the easiest way out or the easiest route, it's not!!xxxx

I couldn't agree more Rose..... New clients are surpirised when I turn up in my uniform with tons of kit asking what colour/length/shape they want - soft white, white or natural? I've had comments about my level of sanitation etc. that they haven't experienced in salons...... AND added to all this is the fact that I drive to their house and do their nails while they watch Eastenders if they want to!!!

Mobile does not equal unprofessional. Right, I'll climb down off my soapbox now.....

 

[pazzy]

One of my favourite clients has been to some of the best salons and spa's up here but when she became poorly she had to have someone to the house...that was me...but she admits she was kind of dreading it cos she didnt know what to expect...she couldnt believe that someone with my skill was mobile and that the nails, facials, pedicures,tanning and lashtinting was of the best she had experienced...
On my pricelist I make mention of the fact that because the treatments are carried out in the home they are no way inferior to that of a salon...just to hit home Im no fly-by-night!!!

 

[pinkmummy]

I do both nails and beauty and feel that I am great at both. Nails came later than beauty for me, but since I've done my creative and jessica training I'd like to say that I specialise in nails (both natural nailcare & natural looking enhancements). I did my creative conversion, rebalance, sculpting, problem nail types and embedded nail art courses with Anne Swain at Milton Keynes & think I can offer a damn good service.
I only offer the best treatments I can (Guinot, Australian Bodycare & St Tropez for beauty, and Creative & Jessica for nails) & in my last home based salon, I had aprox 50/50 split of nails and beauty, with most of my clients coming in for both types of treatments. (A 2.15hr facial & a rebalance on the same appointment can be a killer! Lol.)
When I advertise I say that I am a Beauty Therapist & Nail Technician, I agree that they are two industries in their own right, but think they can work work well together if you put in the training, commitment & effort.
I really love this site, but would hate to think it's becoming a bit eliteist,
just because I do beauty aswell doesn't make me any less of a nail technician. Although I'm not a great speller, lol.

 

[geeg]

As I said earlier, there always are exceptions to the rule ... as for becoming elitist?? Please!

Trouble is, it is always the exceptions that tell us how great they are at both genres (nails and BEAUTY) but in my considerable experience I have only seen and experienced this a very few times. I'm one of those that need convincing, I'm afraid. Usually I come across a person who does nails (ie goes through the motions but whose work is not spectacular) or a person who does beauty (goes through the motions but whose work is not spectacular) ... those who specialize are far more into it and passionate and therefore usually have the magic touch in their profession.

There are exceptions, there always will be ... but in my experience they are rare.

 

[pazzy]

I do agree with you though that most people who do both nails and beauty dont seem to excel in either area and yes I too have seen it for myself...I think that is why I feel I have the upper hand to the competition up here because I can do both very good...sometimes the nail side attempts to take over but I dont want to do nails all the time even though I love even painting nails to perfection...I know alot of people would love the skills and knowlege I posess...but I still want to improve all the time and learn more...trouble is I dont have much free time these days.

 

[liza smith]

after reading more of the posts, it has occured to me that the reason that im a master at all 3 areas of my work, is that i spent 3 long yrs training to qualify as a hairdresser & beauty therapist.
this obviously gave my a great grounding in these services.
i then opened my salon straight away, so i found myself striving to continue my education at a furious rate.
i actually have geeg to thank for bringing me into the nail industry 17yrs ago!!
it was her vision and passion that convinced me that nails was a viable career also.
my passion carries itself all through my services, i just get more publicity for my nail stuff!
so geeg, its your doing that i'm a master of all 3 trades!
x

 

[Debsidoo99]

My passion is nails and i hope one day to employ beauticians to do facials, waxing, spray tanning, massage etc. At present i do probably 65% nails 35% beauty and it is the beauty side of things which is paying the extra bills. My long term aim is for me to perform nail enhancements to a high standard and let my staff do the grafting for me. That is not to say my nails aren't of a high standard because I think (and so do my clients i believe) that they are.
I need waxing and spray tanning to keep me in business although I'm on a steady progressive curve upwards re nails. I'm trying to keep my training up too re: nails and i still love my job (all aspects) with a passion and long may it continue.