I'm here :green:
Okey dokey... here goes my 'tuppence worth' on my nearly 20yrs experience with them.
CONS.
They do not suit most people, particularly those accustomed to NSS/MMA (and so, you'll never be able to reform those clients)
They do not refill well, and require frequent soak-offs because they are so very porous due to the resin/adhesive (I personally preferred to soak every 3 apptmnt).
They are weaker than any other system I've tried to date (have not tried wraps yet).
I found that they didn't fare well as NNO's because of the porosity of the natural nail coupled with the product would cause free-edge lift on those who didn't use their oil, nor wear gloves.
Working with the dipping/sprinkling powder (depending on the brand, method will change)
They can be cloudy due to either A) Brand B) poor technique and are never as 'clear' as gel or l&p.
When you're unaccustomed to the 'runniness' of the resin, it is VERY easy to get it all over the eponychium which results in lift (easier to mess than gel or l&P) and a mess of filing. The brand I used "spread out", and so, I would start applying in the middle and work outwards, to avoid it running into sidewalls and the eponychium.
LOUSY for biters that you want to reform.
Not suitable for all nailshapes.
Pain in the butt when it's time to repair a broken nail, you have to soak off the whole nail and start over, as opposed to getting out a form and sculpting the repair.
PROS
Here in Montreal, most salons offer ONLY tip-n-dip because they are cheaper and faster to do than anything else (once you get the hang of it) and offer a decent return on profit IF you are good at it, and your clients aren't heavy handed (mind you, I had some clients that worked jobs that made you think the nails would never last, and yet they did)
If you do abysmal french's and suck at art: there are GAZILLIONS of different styles/colours in tips and they'll be 'perfect' every time.
Odour-free
You CAN build an apex, though this isn't taught (to my knowledge) but I know a trick if you're interested that I figured out.
You can use coloured acrylic powders for variety (to offer a service similar to the gel polish? so that the client doesn't have to use polish..)
You can EASILY encase dried flowers and similar...
They are GREAT for the "one-off" who only wants them for the day/weekend/week who you doubt will return for a 'safe' removal (why bust hump on something more time-consuming for that sort?)
They are GREAT for the Mum DETERMINED to put nails on her 12yr old for grade 6 grad (when you don't want her dragging her kid to the nss when you refuse) and you can retail a small jar to them to soak them off at home.
Great for the woman who's not heavy with her hands at all, doesn't have a demanding job messing her hands up... and only needs a tiny bit of 'support and protection' for her own nails, which are strong to begin with and want's only the thinnest overlay.
I am of the opinion that each system has it's place in the market and that the more you offer, the better you will be able to meet the needs of your clientel AND the more succesfull you will be.
In your shoes, I would not make it the 'mainstay' though.
If you're concerned about odours, make UV Gel your primary system BUT learn the other two. Save thet tip-n-dip for your 'one-offs' and the L&P for the tough cookies who are just too rough on gel.
While this is the mainstay here in Quebec for many........we're a different breed and my understanding is that elsewhere, it doesn't fare as well.
HOWEVER... if you wind up preferring L&P (because it offers far more versatility in art etc), there ARE ways to work smartly to minimize odours and it's really not that bad. After the first week, my hubby stopped complaining and doesnt really notice it now LOL
There are all sorts of threads on this very subject all over Geek... have a search.
I hope this helps.
PLEASE feel free to give me a holler any time.
:hug:
