TPTW - Does the public have any idea how many choices they have in nail services?

[JesseDavidNailDesign]

Hello All,

First of all, I hope I can use the "TPTW" (thought provoking thread of the week) in my subject line. I really enjoyed these and had a question that I think could lead to an interesting discussion.

How savvy is the average consumer when it comes to nail services? It seems that (some) people are finally catching on that nail enhancements can be applied without damage to the natural nail. And they are aware that having a set of nails involves a regular financial commitment and I see more and more people with really nice nails.

But I'm always shocked when I meet people, who have been having their nails done for years, and have no idea that permanent french is an option. Most new customers I've encountered also have never seen a sculpting form.

I don't know when P&W's actually started, but I'm guessing 15 years at least. And if I'm not mistaken, sculpting is older than tipping. And in my experience, neither are that well known asides from among nail techs.

So what about nail bed extension, dual forms, gel polish, minx? These are all options that the public would take advantage of if they understood them and knew they were available.

Will it take another 10 years? Will the public ever catch up? And do they have to, or is it enough that we have these "tricks" in our bag to give them perfect nails?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Jesse

 

[deanosnana]

Great thread!

I don't think the 'average joe' does know about all the options out there for nails. I didn't until I went to school to become a nail tech.

In the early 80's, I used to get a service called a 'Liquid Wrap' (does anyone remember this)? It was a manicure followed with basecoat, two coats of base type coat with silk fibers in it, a coat of ridgefiller, two coats of color and a topcoat. Talk about taking a time to dry...LOL! Oh, and it was applied on top and underneath the nails.

I went to school in 1988 and all I learned was mani, wraps, tip application, acrylic (no fancy P&W) and we were told about gels.

I think a lot of nail techs are comfortable with the services they offer and some don't know about or want to offer new services. As long as I had enhancements, I never knew there was such a thing as a 'forever french' as the girl who did mine would NEVER offer that service.

Now that I'm back into the business, I like learning new things. I've done P&W, gels, PopIts and now, Shellac.

Hope this kind of answers your questions.

 

[MissOwen]

Great thread.

I'm yet to have a customer who knows what a nail form is, has ever seen white powder instead of white tips, has ever seen a coverage powder, or heard of minx.

Maybe its my choice of clients but they are at least 2 NSS salons that are very popular where i live and they just think that what they do is normal.

Most new clients i have tell me of a horrible experience they've had getting their nails done so the quality levels are poor too. Not many good techs around to help spread the word and let the clients know of all the fantastic things they are missing!!!

 

[geeg]

I guess if long-time clients go to a long-time technician who doesn't keep up with the advances in the industry, they just all stay in their little comfort-zone-bubble and are unaware of the choices available. Bad really isn't it? It seems unreal that a big percentage of profesionals don't even invest in an industry magazine to help keep them up to date!! For every up-to-date swithced-on quality nail technician there must be 10 or 20 (or more?) who are stuck in their rut and unaware and therefore unable to move on.

Those who follow celebrity trends seem to know a bit more about what's going on or the latest thing, but it is left to the techs to offer the choices and if they don't .. then clients don't get to know. Info takes a long time to filter through when things are like this.

Maybe someone (CND) should produce a look book of gorgeous before's and afters that could be given to clients ... good idea? They are the only company I can think of who would invest in something like that for their technicians.

 

[Belinda_92]

I dont know much about nails myself as I am still to be a student in beauty and the public would know more if more detailed advertisments were around...

 

[JesseDavidNailDesign]

I guess if long-time clients go to a long-time technician who doesn't keep up with the advances in the industry, they just all stay in their little comfort-zone-bubble and are unaware of the choices available. Bad really isn't it? It seems unreal that a big percentage of profesionals don't even invest in an industry magazine to help keep them up to date!! For every up-to-date swithced-on quality nail technician there must be 10 or 20 (or more?) who are stuck in their rut and unaware and therefore unable to move on.

Those who follow celebrity trends seem to know a bit more about what's going on or the latest thing, but it is left to the techs to offer the choices and if they don't .. then clients don't get to know. Info takes a long time to filter through when things are like this.

Maybe someone (CND) should produce a look book of gorgeous before's and afters that could be given to clients ... good idea? They are the only company I can think of who would invest in something like that for their technicians.

Have to say, when I watched Doug Schoons video asking technicians what they're looking for in nail enhancement products, I thought it would be great to have a campaign in say Vogue, Elle, Cosmo showing what the modern nail tech can do.

But, he wasn't asking for that :lol:

The only thing about a book, is that styles change, so things can become quickly out dated.

 

[geeg]

Have to say, when I watched Doug Schoons video asking technicians what they're looking for in nail enhancement products, I thought it would be great to have a campaign in say Vogue, Elle, Cosmo showing what the modern nail tech can do.

But, he wasn't asking for that :lol:

The only thing about a book, is that styles change, so things can become quickly out dated.

I was more meaning photos of different techniques such as custom blend manicures which elongate a short nail bed ... bitten to beautiful ... French and coloured French, wide nails made to look sleek nails .. etc rather than actual styles (but I WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THEM TOO LOL)

IN MY 25 YEARS, THE STYLES HAVENT CHANGED SO MUCH ... There are still plenty of ladies who want oval and squoval and square and squround and round and even the odd stiletto maybe even those god awful platypus duck nails (heaven forbid). How about the growing trrend of ladies who actually want their nails to look like 'real' nails?? They should be able to see that it actually can be done and that we don't all have to look like PORN stars; it is this look that puts more women off having their nails done than any other IMHO as they think it is the only thing on offer.

 

[JesseDavidNailDesign]

I was more meaning photos of different techniques such as custom blend manicures which elongate a short nail bed ... bitten to beautiful ... French and coloured French, wide nails made to look sleek nails .. etc rather than actual styles (but I WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THEM TOO LOL)

IN MY 25 YEARS, THE STYLES HAVENT CHANGED SO MUCH ... There are still plenty of ladies who want oval and squoval and square and squround and round and even the odd stiletto maybe even those god awful platypus duck nails (heaven forbid). How about the growing trrend of ladies who actually want their nails to look like 'real' nails?? They should be able to see that it actually can be done and that we don't all have to look like PORN stars; it is this look that puts more women off having their nails done than any other IMHO as they think it is the only thing on offer.

That's true, just have to make sure the hair and make-up is timeless too!
I think it's a wonderful idea, showing CBM, correcting the shape, and natural looking nails.

And, while I'm thinking about it, PLEASE use L&P and Gel so clients can see that each has the same look and is actually indistinguishable if done correctly. If I hear one more time "I love gels, they look so natural"...:lol:

 

[tracey louise]

i am always amazed at the people i see who have "porn star" nails and seem quite happy with them.
sometimes i just want to bring them home and show them what they could have and how different there nails could look.
i sometimes feel that i mabe confuse clients abit with the different methods and products they can have.
and it still amazes me how many dont realise that having there nails done doesnt mean having "false" ones it can mean having product applied to to there natural nails.i feel like being sarcastic, wheather you have tips put on or not the product is still applied over the top of your natural nails and they "go oh yeah i didnt think of that" :grr: lol

 

[vgml]

I can tell you from my side, that before I went into beauty industry I knew only about gel and acrylic nails!

 

[Deena]

I have encountered people who are so 'Unsavvy' that they don't even realise that their nails have to be maintained. They think that once they're on, that's it. Period!!

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

Maybe someone (CND) should produce a look book of gorgeous before's and afters that could be given to clients ... good idea? They are the only company I can think of who would invest in something like that for their technicians.

I think this is a fab idea, in fact ... There is a mag that I have only had one copy of (several times) when I herd about it I thought it would be a really good customer tool ,
It seemed like it would be like the hair mags , full of ideas .... It was BUT for a the polish color ideas and the like it gives web sites of where to get them from :irked: not exactly what I want to show my clients .... Not because it is a secret but because retail is a big part of salon life, It is a shame I would love to have had nail mags to add to the hair ones at the salon, and maybe even a bridle nail mag once in a while !

I do think that it would be good to have a book of photos, showing them before and after shots, as long as the photos wear achievable by the average tech, nail shapes and different smiles, would also be good to include,

As for the original question....
I think that a lot of clients get confused as we can offer so much, a lot of them think nails take 10 min's and are just a sploge of this and that and a quick file! , some get stuck in there ways and some do what they have herd .... E.g.: gel is better that kind of thing , then they look at you like your bad when you sagest L&P

 

[tigi]

Well I have a mix of clients, from not at all savvy to the very clued up. I have ones who WANT the porn look, I have a portfolio on my phone , lots of befores and afters . Lots of different types of nails to show my clients. I should get them printed off!

I think it's up the tech (us) to take an interest , stay updated or sooner or later our clients will walk..... And for the media to keep up!!!!

In fact when I think about it our customers can buy so many hair mags for when they want a hair cut, but nothing like that exists for nails ...........

 

[Aphrodites]

I use myself as a walking advertisement and constantly have differnt products on... gels, minx, trendy nail wraps, nail art, glitter, natural overlays etc.... and have loads of posters up in my room as well asa having a selection of magazines for clients to look through. What else can we do??? They should put a section on new nail products in Heat magazine!!

 

[skankinchar]

As a consumer and not a nail geek, I can honestly say that there is so much I have no idea about! It's only from looking on the threads here that I've realised how HUGE nails are, and that the possiblilties are endless!
Great thread

 

[cro-mari]

I know I'm from a different world than most of you are. On my planet, so to speak :green: average Joe knows (or can know, if he's interested, because there are always people who will come and say, make me beautiful, I don't care what, how and why you use) as much as the technician/therapist/etc knows.

So my clients that want to know, they know. Because I like to talk about new things. When I introduce something new, or even talk about something that is so great, but not available in our country. And that makes them feel good, they feel that they are special. For example, when I changed my rebalance. Or when I introduced Lori's speed waxing techniques. Leaves them knowing that I care for their both good looking, comfort and well being.

So I don't refer much on magazines and stuff, because all that are available here are... hm... presenting paying advertisements that can say anything from "galactically new breakthroughs" to "life threatening treatments", leaving that average Joe in blissfull ignorance.

But this is me and my planet :green: your market and media space is wider. So please don't go after me saying that not all the press and advertising is wrong, because it's not :green: this is only my little back yard.

So I guess the most of it is on us.

 

[Nailz73]

I think this is a fab idea, in fact ... There is a mag that I have only had one copy of (several times) when I herd about it I thought it would be a really good customer tool ,
It seemed like it would be like the hair mags , full of ideas .... It was BUT for a the polish color ideas and the like it gives web sites of where to get them from :irked: not exactly what I want to show my clients .... Not because it is a secret but because retail is a big part of salon life, It is a shame I would love to have had nail mags to add to the hair ones at the salon, and maybe even a bridle nail mag once in a while !
,

in response to this part... even Shellac is not safe from ebay btw x

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

in response to this part... even Shellac is not safe from ebay btw x

? nouthing is, but I dont understand ... what has e bay got to do with what I said?

 

[Nailz73]

LOl sorry it wasnt very clear was it !! i meant in reponse to the sentences you said below
"It was BUT for a the polish color ideas and the like it gives web sites of where to get them from :irked: not exactly what I want to show my clients .... Not because it is a secret but because retail is a big part of salon life,"

i sometimes type out loud and was also looking at Shellac on ebay .

xx

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

LOl sorry it wasnt very clear was it !! i meant in reponse to the sentences you said below
"It was BUT for a the polish color ideas and the like it gives web sites of where to get them from :irked: not exactly what I want to show my clients .... Not because it is a secret but because retail is a big part of salon life,"

i sometimes type out loud and was also looking at Shellac on ebay .

xx

Right, like I said its not a secret . Yes its there on web sites ,only a muppet would buy shellac from e bay though and I don't think my clients are like that, and its easy to Google a name and get the recommended site to ,hair mag's show up,do's you can buy hair clips sprays ect doesn't mean you can do it ? So to be honest I'm not worried if my clients did try,

I was getting at the fact that the one mag that was ment to be a nail mag for the clients to read gave away a little to much info and made it a little to easy that's what I was getting at .