So I sent in the dried up Gelac that I had back to the company, and a day or two later I receive a phone call I was told that they were going to send me out replacements with then new gel polish that they have. I was very happy with the customer service fast and quick, they fixed the problem.

Don't use Gelac I just recently notice that the few bottles that I do have had dried completely up, and they where brand new. I had to contact the company by email to tell them about this problem. They told me to send the colors in to them and that they where no longer making Gelac, and they where coming out with a new line this fall and they would send me some colors to replace my damage ones for free.... THE BEST GEL POLISH IS GELISH HANDS DOWN THATS ALL I WEAR ON MY NAILS........

If you are having this problem contact:
Abigail Bryant
Consumer Relations
American International Industries
2220 Gaspar Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90040
Email: ask@aiibeauty.com

For those of you that don't use the e-file/drill....cause that's what it really is....Please stop telling clients that it is damaging to the nail bed. That is so not true. The DRILL can go places the hand file will never be able to go especially around those cuticles.

I got my Valentino Beauty Pure last week, and I must say it’s a great item for all Nail Techs to have when I say this machine really work it WORKS. Especially with the nail dust it sucks it right up. It allowed me to get closer to the nail without a face mask. I also notice that I was sitting up a little better because of its height so that’s good for my back lol. It was a big deferent’s, and my clean up time between clients was shorter than normal, and most importantly my clients love it. If you want to know more about this machine visit http://www.valentinobeautypure.com/product-images.php

f you don't take credit card payments, and want to here is a great option (The Square) free app for iPhone, iPad & Android.
I use this method for my appointments it's really cool with no monthly fees or contracts.

https://squareup.com/

You Don’t. It’s already copyrighted.

You don’t need to submit a form, and you don’t have to use that “©” symbol or a digital watermark — those are just customary ways of identifying the copyright owner.

Copyright Is Automatic?

Yes, thanks to the Berne Convention. At the moment of creation, when the artwork is “fixed” in some tangible form, copyright applies automatically. For a photographer, when you press the shutter release you are making a photo and gaining copyright to that photo at the same time. You don’t have to declare copyright or file any paperwork. It is yours to keep until you explicitly give it away or you die (copyright expires after you, the duration in the U.S. is the author’s lifetime plus 70 years).

That said, there is an advantage to filing for copyright. If a dispute arises, you can get punitive damages (in addition to compensatory damages) if a form was filed before infringement.

What Is Not Covered By Copyright?

It’s important to note what is not covered by copyright.
Copyright covers form but not idea. It applies to the tangible artistic result — known as the “form of material expression” — not the underlying concept. So your photograph has copyright, but not the idea or viewpoint behind it. For example, if you take a great photo of some natural thing, such as a beach or Yosemite Valley, you can’t stop other people from taking the same photo.

Copyright can expire. In the U.S., the duration is lifetime plus 70 years.

This is just some information that I found that I thought was important for Nail Techs. If you find out some more reply to this blog....

I love working with other Nail Techs. We motivate each other at what we do. However it can be challenging to find the right ones to work with. I just pray that God to put the right people in my path.

From seeing what's going on as far as the nail industry. I feel like MInx Nails, Short Pointed Nails & Gelish Gel Polish is going to be in really popular this summer. Im a fan of all three myself, and I will be pushing them all. Trust me Nail Techs please don't slip on the Minx or the Gelish. Be prepared.

Aways take your new clients name and numbers write down the date that they came, and when two weeks are up give them a call to book an appointments. They will appreciate it.

Color business cards/flyers with pictures.

Get a website there're a lot of free ones where you can set one up. Also join free networking sites like Facebook, myspace etc.

This product is great. I love it I've also use Shellac before, but the Gelish you can play with it a little more as far as being heavy with the polish. I wear Gelish faithfully, and Im ruff on my hand being that I'm a nail tech, If it last on me it will last on anyone. I LOVE GELISH

I use a size 16 & 22 the name of the brush is called Vogel Finest Kolinsky here is the link to order from Tonynail.com

A Shellac manicure consists of a UV base coat, two coats of color, and a UV top coat. Hands are placed inside of a UV lamp drier in between each coat, with each process taking seconds to cure. Its goes on like polish, but last like gels.

To avoid ingrown toenails you must trim your nails straight across and slightly round off the edges with a file. It is not good to tear your toenails rather than cut them, that’s one thing that can cause an ingrown nail.

Acrylic nails do not cause nail fungi. However, some clients who wear nail enhancements do get a nail mold. Mold occurs when the nails are not maintained on a regular basis or when the artificial nails are not applied properly.

All of us have clients with a crooked nail. If it’s a new set try to glue the nail on in a way that it does not look crooked. If it’s an overlay you can apply more product to one side but don’t over due it. Please be advise that over a certain amount of time the nail will go back to its original look so pay extra attention to this nail, because you will have to always give it a little more care.

Use the proper liquid to powder ratio with your product. Sometimes pressing the brush to the bottom of the dappen dish to force air out of the brush will help. Try to avoid excessive patting of the product this can cause air bubbles to come in.

Yes, excepting credit cards has been so helpful, it caters to client that don’t carry cash.
In the past we have had people to walk out of the salon, because we didn’t take credit cards at that time.
Before you start accepting them please do your homework and see who charge what, and I also think you should have a solid clientele before you do so.

For me it would be pedicures for some reason it drains me, and the fact of me not knowing what the clients feet looks like until they take there shoes off lol.

I go maybe once a month even if I don’t need anything, I always stay stock up on my supplies, and plus I like to see what new to the nail industry.

I would love to have.....The OPI Axxium Ax900 Gel Nail Uv Lamp Light.

I get most of my supplies from craft stores basically any store that has a arts and craft area. I very seldom order from online stores. Sometimes what you think can't fit on a nail really can. It's just a matter of how are you going to get it on the nail, and make it look good.

I don’t wear a uniform to work. I’m a jeans, t-shirt, sneaker, and apron person but this summer I’m really going to try to wear a uniform.

I have new clients from time to time that come in and say they have on Diamond Nails or Solar Nails. They always ask me if I know how to do them. Well truth be told both of those products are just acrylic.

Mines are Graphic Design & Photography.

Mines are Pinky, Robbie, Billyne, Nailgoon, & Faye.

We use OPI (our favorite), China Glaze, Essie, Orly & Color Club.

I only take appointments, the only time I would take a walk-in is if one of my clients don’t show up. If you are just starting out then you should take all the walk-ins you can, because you are in the process of building up your clientele, but always have a cut off time for yourself that way you won’t burn yourself out. Some walk-ins will set an appointment before they leave, but make sure you get all of their names and numbers, make sure you put this information in your appointment book on the date and time that they came. By keeping this information you can go back into your book, and call those clients up letting them know that it's time for another service. (They will love it) This is a good way to cross them over to appointments.

I find it so funny that some nail techs want others to spend money with them, but they wont even try to help other techs out when they need it. They won't even talk to other techs on the phone, and when seeing them in person they shurg you off, and pretend they don't have time. I try to talk to anyone who seeks me out. I know how it feels when you have no one to talk to about something you love.

I use a size 22 Vogel Finest Kolinsky, My Coworker Robbie was using it first I tried it out, and I love it thanks Robbie.

Don’t know of any sites that sale it. I got it from a local nail supply store here in Atlanta.

Some Nail Techs say that they don’t use the E-file, because its not healthy for the nails (Not True), but the real reason is they're not comfortable or don’t know how to use it.

The E-file cuts down time tremendously. It gets to areas where the hand file can’t. The key to the E-file is merely practice.

I have been using the E-file for years, and to this day when one of my clients soaks off their nails it looks like nonthing was ever on them.

As one of my Nail Tech friend says……Its not the tool it’s the fool who don’t know how to use the tool.

Sweaty hands, picking with the nails, application or preparation of the nails, products or the primer these all can play a part in lifting

Is FUNG-OFF it goes right to the problem with easy application. This is what I use on new clients that come to me with problem nails. Its maximum strength formula keeps nails clean and healthy. Evaporation is immediate so there is no oily residue.

If the liquid is too cold it can make the product crystallized.

The best cards to have are color business cards with pictures of your work on them they work miracles. Free social networks like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter are all great ways to get you name out there. Take advantage of them.

Referral programs are good. Use current / previous clients to gain referrals (By passing out cards and putting their name on the card), and give them a discount if they refer two or more clients

Talk to your customers on a regular basis. And don't just wait till they ring you first. Have a communication plan to keep in touch will customers. This could mean using email messages, telephoning etc. Try and use a communication method that will impact upon your customers, rather than just what's easiest for you.

I use sandwich bags with a little bit of acetone in it along with a half of bounty paper towel fold up at the bottom of the bag this way the nails wont punch a hole in the bag while soaking. Place the hands in the bag then take a rubber band and tie it around the wrist of the client. This way you will not have to worry about them takings their hands in and out, and answering the cell phone etc...

A Good Reasonable E-File/Drill....Is The PRIMO SET ELECTRIC FILE The Price: $175.00, and the cool thing about it is the hand piece fits the upower box. This is a great E-file for half of the price of a upower, I know because I have used it. Click the link below to check it out.

http://www.naildrill.com/p-16-primo-set-electric-file-cool-purple-with-primo-hp.aspx

People always say to me, you are the Boss. I tell them know I’m not we are all coworkers in the shop, because I need them and they need me. I think that’s why we get along so well. We respect each other, and we always keep it real with one another. One of the things that I stress to anybody that works with me that trust is my biggest issue. I feel like my coworkers are my family, cause to be honest I’m around them more than anybody.

As nail techs we should be able to do a little bit of everything. When a potential client call us we should never say ( I don't do this or that). Its very important that we learn as much as we can, that's our job. Most people become nail tech because of the Creativity and freedom, but get stuck doing manis & pedis. We need to be able to do it all Acrylic, Gel, Sculpture, etc, and take our skill everywhere we go.

I see that some people take their pictures with cell phones. Now it's ok if your traveling, but when taking pictures of nails with a cell phone the small details from the nail designs does not show up, taking pictures of people is different because that’s a bigger image. Invest in a good digital camera so you can go back and see how you improved in your work it will be very helpful to you and your business.

1.File the split area lightly 2.Break a tiny piece off of a paper napkin 3.Drop some glue in the split area 3.Place the piece of paper napkin in the area and let dry 4.Buff the nail 5.Clean Off the nail, now it's ready for polish.

Try The Flexbrush. This is what we use. Copy and past the link below

http://transdesign.com/Nail Art/BrushesandTools.htm

No Lift Nails Primer is a Super Dehydrator that eliminates moisture and prepares the nail for the adhesion of any acrylic. No Primer also prevents lifting.

Nail Art is unimportant if you haven’t mastered your application. Nail Art is something extra added onto the service. Clients don't come back because of art they come back based on how well their nails hold up..

I never been a red polish person. I always said it was for old people, but for some reason it's looking really cute. I wonder if that means I'm getting old. To make a long story short I think red is back yall.

Then it is a must that you get, essie matte about you, it instantly transforms nail color from high gloss to matte in seconds. You can offer clients the latest style without investing in multiple matte colors and increasing needless inventory...

Creative Nail Design Stickey Base Coat is great for natural if you want nail polish to last on natural nails then you must get it.

From what I was told in school...3 to 6 months. I have seen them last over a year. It all depends on your product, and how you apply it. You do have those clients who nails may give you a hard time, its no telling how long those nails will last.

OPI Suede Collection Nail Polish. Lincoln Park After Dark, OPI Ink, Russian Navy, Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees, We'll Always Have Paris, and You Don't Know Jacques.

NOTE: These colors don't last as long as the regular OPI polish do.

Square Nails are always hot, and they will never go out of style this shape looks good on any length. The best time to rock rounded nails are when they are short, short rounded nails has a classy look about it, and for some reason they hold up better when a client has an overlay on their nails. long rounded nails make the clients hands look bigger than what they are.

This is a great new way to build your very own website for your business. WebStarts is everything you need to build your own website. You can also set up a free website. This is the company Poochiez Nails use. Since I have started this website it has been very helpful to the salon, when clients call and want to see our work or ask about our prices we tell them to go there that’s less time on the phone. Click the green link on the right side and get started.

OPI’s new Axxium Gel System is a really great system, I have tried it out, and when I tell you it's a great product to work with, it gives the nails a natural look that any client would want. I'm really comfortable with this product. I recommend it, you will not have any problems with this product.

That's something where time will tell. I have had nail techs to come and go. If they start off by coming to work late that’s not a good sign, if they go weeks without stocking up on their supplies not a good sign. If they take more than 2 hours to do a set that’s not a good sign, My thing is actions speak louder than words so in order to work with me you have to show me..