Poor cuticles not enough time.

[DinkyPinky]

What do you do when someone books in for what I call a classic manicure which only includes basic cuticle work and it turns out that their cuticles are a mess. A client I had today had loads of hangs nails, really dry peeling cuticles and had obviously not been pushed back for a long time. I did my best with the time I had and suggested she have a spa manicure next time but my polish job just wasn't as good as normal because of the condition. I don't suppose there is anything else I could have done but they didn't look fantastic. Is this just one of those things we have to learn to live with or should I have done more?

 

[naturalnails]

What cuticle product did you use?

For a normal manicure I use the AHA Cuticle Eraser. But if I have a client who is maybe a biter who has living tissue all over the nails then I will use the Cuticle Away to make the biggest difference at the first appointment.

But also like you, recommend that she has a regular treatment and also retail home care.

 

[DinkyPinky]

I always use Cuticle Away even on regular clients, should I not be using it all the time? She did buy a bottle of Solar Oil and said she would book in for the Spa Manicure I just hope she wasn't disappointed with the final results.

 

[JesseDavidNailDesign]

I have more than one manicure on my menu, but my goal is for the hands to look the same no matter which treatment they choose. To me, the difference between a basic manicure or a spa manicure is the relaxing elements, like scrub, hot towels and massage.

My first objective is the beautify. So, if I were you, I would have spent as much time as it takes to make the nails look perfect. That way the polish looks perfect, and they get the most wear out of their manicure.

I would definately recommend a professional cuticle remover, like Cuticle Away (love it!) to make the job easier. I don't recommend two tiers of cuticle care. You either treat them (manicure) or you don't (polish change).

 

[DinkyPinky]

Oh NaturalNails, you will probably know this, why is the brush for CND Stickey Base Coat so long, I find it a little wierd to use but it's probably just because I don't understand why it is that way!

 

[geeg]

Oh NaturalNails, you will probably know this, why is the brush for CND Stickey Base Coat so long, I find it a little wierd to use but it's probably just because I don't understand why it is that way!

To reach all the way to the bottom of the bottle. :green: People complained so much that the brushes did not go all the way to the bottom that now they do ... and STILL not everyone is happy!! :lol::hug:

 

[DinkyPinky]

'Jessbruner' I see what you are saying, do you just run into your next clients appointment in these situations? I am not sure I would be too comfortable doing that. I sometimes think people expect us to work miracles in minutes :lol: and I'm sure some technicians can!!. The Spa Manicure that I do allows time for soaking, exfoliating, mask, moisturise and massage e.t.c. which all helps with the rough/dry cuticles, nails and surrounding skin. May be I just need to speed up !!

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

Something else you could offer as an add on ,is a warm oil treatment , maggi foil wraps are perfect for this! Add a bit of solar oil to the pads wrap them on and then you could add the toweling mitts (the foil and body heat will warm it) or even heated mitts for extra effect and aromer !
This will sort out the hang nails , soften the cuticles and deep condition the nails quickly
Its a fab winter warmer to!
Just be sure to reallllly scrubfresh before polish ( or shellac before the treatment )

 

[DinkyPinky]

:lol: hilarious Geeg!! I'm happy that I know now, I thought it might be some technicial reason that I was missing out on!

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

OH forgot to add , what cutical tool are you useing? I bought a new one and found my old one was blunt and I didnt realise till I used the new one!

And for everything else the curett is FAB!

 

[DinkyPinky]

What a fab idea MizzyDizzy, I am going to do it on myself tonight - thank you for the suggestion :hug:

 

[DinkyPinky]

Oh I use the Precision Pushie and Curette. I have looked at the Cuticle Chisel but it looks abit scarey :lol:.

 

[JesseDavidNailDesign]

'Jessbruner' I see what you are saying, do you just run into your next clients appointment in these situations? I am not sure I would be too comfortable doing that. I sometimes think people expect us to work miracles in minutes :lol: and I'm sure some technicians can!!. The Spa Manicure that I do allows time for soaking, exfoliating, mask, moisturise and massage e.t.c. which all helps with the rough/dry cuticles, nails and surrounding skin. May be I just need to speed up !!

Absolutely not! I allow 30 minutes for a basic mani, and 45 min for spa.

First of all, I advertise this as a maintenance manicure and recommend it only for clients who get regular manicures.

Basically, they get what I have time for in 30 minutes. If they're good I have time for a massage. If they bring me an overgrown, hang nail mess, I spend 20 minutes working on them. But no matter what it's always gentle and as comfortable as possible.

Never compromise the finished result. It is what your client will be analyzing, and telling her friends about.

Hope this helps,

Jesse

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

No prob honey , if you wanted to add it as a winter warmer to your winter luxury manicure price list you could massage the hands first with CND sensations black cherry , then add the solar oil wraps and heated mitts the smell of the almond and the cherrys will be like cherry bakewell tarts mmmmmmm (my experience so far doing this ? Clients FLIP !)

 

[JesseDavidNailDesign]

Oh I use the Precision Pushie and Curette. I have looked at the Cuticle Chisel but it looks abit scarey :lol:.

I've worked with European techs who use the Chisel (looks like a knife). But I think you can do anything you would need a chisel for, with a curette.

I prefer nippers for trimming any little pieces flush to the skin. But those little "stork scissors" are just as good.

No matter what, be EASY. If it doesn't come away easily, put a little more remover and come back to it.

I've gained so many clients because of gentle, yet thorough cuticle care. It's hard to find and worth perfecting!

 

[Lucy-Jayne]

I do them. I've done so may overgrown, bad cuticles that it really doesn't take that long to take them away. Especially with cuticle away. Just make sure when you put it on, it's spread all along the cuticle line and up the side walls, and I do up the nail as well, because sometimes you can't see how high up their nail you'll be removing from.

If you've got the right pushie / chisel, you won't be there long.

Once cuticle away works it's magic it comes off in no time at all anyway.

 

[DinkyPinky]

I did wonder when you said you take as much time as it takes to make the nails look perfect Jesse because I would be running over appointments if I had done that on my client today. I think like you said I will advise new clients when they book that it is more of a maintenance service.

MizzyDizzy that sounds right up my street let alone clients - bring on the Cherry Bakewells I love 'em!!! Oh I need to order the Black Cherry Scentsations first :lol:. My clients love the Vanilla Shimmer but Black Cherry will be great for Winter just like you said xxx

 

[DinkyPinky]

I think I go too soft most of the time and then I don't remove enough. I will have to work on getting that fine balance.

 

[SColborn]

I find with some clients they just take longer than others if their cuticles are really over grown. If they are new to me I just take the extra time to do a good job and get behind a bit as I always want to do my best work as it is advertising. If I know ahead of time that a regular is coming in that has bad cuticles I just book a bit of extra time for them so I won't get behind. Some clients even with educating do not look after their nails at home or come often enough for me to get them in great shape. I just do natural nail manicures and not fake nails so the customer can come in whenever even though I recommend regular appointments. Most follow up but some only do if they are going some where. So always do your best work as clients tell others what they had done and where.

S.C. - 29 yrs and counting in the esthetics business.

 

[geeg]

Fake nails??? Are those not what people buy from the pharmacy?

I offer professional nail enhancement services AND am also a natural nail specialist ... you can do both without compromising the health of the natural nail ... and I do. :hug: