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Add Gel Mani's and Gel Pedi's to your menu!
Many people go crazy over these new styles, shapes, Bling nails etc... It seems like the more outrageous it is, the better. I wear stiletto's, edge nails, crazy stuff. I get lots of comments on them, some are good and some think I'm nuts. The bottom line is, I'm an artsy person and I like it. But is it marketable? Lets be honest here, I have a few clients who will go for the crazy stuff, lots of people love the glitter, but what most people really want is a nice natural manicured look.
Now you can offer a service that is so new, many people have never heard of it , that uses very little product per service and clients will rave about it. You can charge double what you would for a regular manicure in the same amount of time, and the same amount as a fill with half the work and product. Do you see where this could build your business even in these difficult economic times?
Many people will be cutting back on everyday expenses and going without. But just as many woman still need to feel good about themselves. Getting a Gel Manicure is a relatively small luxury that makes them feel good and look better and lasts up to 4 weeks. With Pedicure season approaching fast, now is the time to add these services to your menu.
I opened my salon almost 2 years ago and it was booming within 6 months, and we have inexpensive nail salons on every corner here in RI too. We set ourselves apart by offering something different and people raved about it. Word of mouth advertising is the best way to advertise, and when woman find out about something new and exciting, they want to let everybody know and be the first to tell it!
I've recently moved to a new location(6 months ago), and our nail business is already getting very busy. I only have 3 girls working for me but they are already getting booked and on Saturdays we are turning away business. That is remarkable for the simple fact that this is the slowest month for the industry and the worst economic recession.
I would love to see everybody that is struggling open their minds to something new. Investigate it, try it, and most of all MARKET IT!!! Be positive about it, talk about it in the salon, set up refferal programs, offer to do your co-workers nails at NC and have them market it for you. Grab your local Dunkin Donuts girl and give her a complimentary Gel Mani, let her market for you. Upsell yourselves and think success. It will be sure to follow.
Here is a quick tutorial. Akzentz Options is a flexible gel that can be filed off or soaked off. Because of its flexibility you can apply it nice and thin and it will not chip. We also have a new bonging gel Opti-Bond, so if you tried Options before and felt it didn't last as long on everybody as you'd hoped, you might want to give it a try again. It is not fool proof, but once you now the product and have your technique perfected it will be. And we are always available for troubleshooting. We use it in our salon with 100% success. If we can do it, so can you!
As for maintenance, I always advise to remove all color, because you need to be sure nothing is going on under the color...
I'm good with my efile, so I file off. I use an xcut carbide to remove the bulk from the surface (never directly on the natural nail), then switch over to a cross cut diamond at low speed, and I'm very careful not to damage the nail. The product is on so thin it's easy. Some people like to soak it off. If doing so, the fastest method is:
Starting one finger at a time file off the bulk, place cotton ball saturated w/acetone or soak off solution, wrap in aluminum foil, move to the next finger et cetera et cetera...
By the time all 10 are wrapped, go back to the first nail, remove the foil from that one, push off the loosened product, file & shape the nail and prep cuticle area. Move on to the next et cetera et cetera...
By the time you are finished, all product is removed and the nails are prepped and ready to re-apply. Should take 15 minutes or so. Then application should take another 20. Throw in a massage and give yourself another 10 minutes if you constantly look up to converse with your clients instead of head down working... you get the picture. I'm pretty much no nonsense when I work. I talk all day long but my head is down and I don't stop until I'm done. I very rarely look my clients in the eye, but I can recognize their voices anywhere!
"After attending HRTE in AZ I started using Options Gel colors. At first I hesitated to jump in and make that investment in yet another product that might not be all it was marketed to be. We've all been there done that. I took the chance and WOW!!!!!!! I have been able to build NEW business with new clients and add extra income from existing clients. I work in a salon that has no walk-ins and is off the beaten path. I'm so glad I found this product. I will also be converting to Akzentz traditional gels as soon as I use up the rest of my Brisa. I too had a probelm at first with peeling, but since Akzentz introduced Opti-bond I no longer have that problem. In fact, clients can't believe how well it wears. Their comments are "If they weren't getting so long and grown out I could have went longer". I'm getting people going about 3 weeks for maintenance.
I have done the wiping off of the tacky layer and it really does make a big difference in the gel not shrinking from the tip (no little hump at the end of the tip).
If your sitting on the fence about Akzentz Gel colors you won't be disappointed."
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Jerri Ferguson, Co
"I totally agree with all you had to say Gina! I started using Akzentz just a month ago after taking a class with Jess....and I LOVE it! I have a couple clients so far that I am doing the gel polish on and they LOVE it! One of my ladies' husband said that is all she talks about is her "nail polish" and that she shows everyone! The first time I did it I didn't know about removing the tacky layer after the b&g and I thought I was going to go nuts trying to keep that gel down at the free edge. Then I read a post about how to do it with removing the tacky layer and wow! What a difference! I personally like to soak it off and it works really nicely!
I recommend it to everyone who is remotely interested...you won't be dissapointed!"
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Elizabeth Seaman, ID
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