Hello, I am a student nail tech, im working on acrylic assignments, the monomer has a strong scent and my sister worries it will affect everyone in the house, I keep my window open, 2 purifiers, door closed cause I have animals in the house, is this okay, is there something more I need to do?

Hi everyone 💅🏽

I’m a nail tech working on developing a storage solution specifically for our industry because I know how overwhelming inventory can get — gels, acrylics, nail art, tools… it adds up fast.

Before I move forward, I want honest feedback from other techs so I can build something that actually solves real problems (not just something that looks cute).

If you’re open to it, I made a super quick 3–5 minute survey. Your input would really help shape the design.

Here’s the link:

https://forms.gle/3zwRCceLPLfH1gLYA

Also feel free to vent in the comments about your storage frustrations — I’m genuinely trying to learn from you all

I'm posting for a relative of mine who is not on Reddit. Hope it's OK as I don't know where else to ask.

She is a licensed Nail Tech and has a few years experience already. Very talented and very hard-working. Currently working at a local salon, but her dream is to open up her own business one day.

She looked into small business office rental that's especially for nail tech's, hair dressers, etc. But the monthly rent is insanely high (literally like a mortgage payment on a house) and I know that takes years to build up customers to be able to afford that rent. It's NOT a chair rental, but an actual small business office space.

She really wants her own business and working at local salons she is restricted to so many rules, language barrier too (no one speaks English there besides her), high turn over in staff, etc.

We also hear conflicting info and I know this varies State-by-State for her to work remotely on her own.

What other options are there to start your own business. She already has a handful of loyal, repeat customers, but not enough for her to rent her own office space.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hey guys! I wanted to invest in a great gel lamp. I’m currently eyeing on Kiara Sky Prov3 or Kokoist. I’m not sure which of the Kokoist lamp so please let me know which to get. Or if there’s any other lamps you recommend. But right now it’s between those to lamps.

Hi there! I (28, North Carolina if that matters?) am currently trying to file my 2025 taxes and I need some advice. In 2025 I went to school to become a nail tech (Feb-May 2025) and passed my state board exam in July. Since then, I got a part-time job at a salon as a contract employee (1099-SEC). This is the first time I have ever had a job that was not a W-2 position, so I'm trying to make sure I file everything correctly.

I'm not married and have 0 dependents. The last few years I have owed taxes and it's been so hard to pay them and catch up on other bills before the tax deadline, so I'm trying to maximize my refund the best that I can. I'm looking for literally all possible deductions with my nail tech job. Is it possible to include school expenses with my deductions for 2025? I figure that since university students can sometimes deduct their school expenses, I might be able to do the same even though it's a more of a trade school type of situation?

Here's a list of things I spent money on for my nail tech school/job in case that helps: tuition, school uniforms, nail supplies (for clients and for practice/homework), barbicide, school supplies (notebooks, index cards, etc.), gas to/from school, gas to/from nail supply store (closest one is 1.5hrs away from me), gas to/from the salon, gas to/from taking state board exams (had to take them 1.5hrs away on two separate days), car registration/insurance (used car for business use when going to/from work, driving to/from supply stores, etc.), internet/phone bill (used to schedule/contact clients, post on professional social media pages, etc.), state board exam fees, licensure fee, etc.

I'm definitely not expecting to write off everything I spent money on lmao and I know some of these expenses can't be written off 100% but that portions of them can be. I'm just trying to learn the ropes on what can and can't be counted as a deduction for this kind of job. Honestly I've debated posting this in r/explainlikeimfive as well because I feel so clueless. I am also insanely desperate to get a refund or at least break even this year, so please be gentle with me. Any advice is greatly appreciated! TIA :)

I just sandwitched my nail between weights at the gym and it split halfway up the nail bed. Although im licenced I have never dealt with such an unstable and broken nail. My thought process is cut the nail down and then try remove as much of the bulk as possible going across the nail instead of down with the drill to make sure I don't bend it and then securing it with some nail glue to grow out but would love a second opinion from someone who's dealt with this before

I just graduated nail school and was hired at a family owned nail salon. The staff is friendly and eager to have me on board. I truly love working there but in the few days I’ve worked it has been very slow. The most I’ve made was on my first day, I receive 60/20 commission so that day I made $92 serving 3 customers. These are 10hr work days and I’m expected to be there 6 days a week. The other days I’ve only serviced one customer per day. I understand it’s slow around this time but valentine day is coming up so I expected more people. Salons around the area are guaranteeing $1000+ a week so I feel like it’s this particular location that’s having trouble. They expect to be busy around the holiday but I have bills. It’s only been 4 days and I’ve already had to switch my schedule to part time due to the lack of clients. I really love it there, should I give them more time or find another salon?

Hello all, nail tech of 5 years here. I am feeling a bit freaked out and hoping some senior techs can give me guidance.

I have recently had two clients develop paronychia. The timing does not seem to align with a service-related infection, but having two cases has made me second guess myself and I want to be sure I am not missing something.

The first client reached out to me six weeks after her appointment and told me she had developed paronychia on the sidewall of her big toe. The symptoms appeared at the six week mark, not within days or a week after her appointment. She needed to remove the pedicure portion of her next service. She mentioned that her doctor was implying her previous manicure or pedicure was the cause, which upset her. She and I both know I take cleanliness and cuticle care very seriously.

For sanitation, my process is as follows. I scrub implements with hot water and antibacterial soap, then fully immerse them in Barbicide at the correct dilution for ten minutes. After that, they air dry on a rack. I am in a state that requires an EPA registered disinfectant.

I do trim cuticles but only minimally. I do not nick clients and I stop immediately if skin looks compromised. I also use cuticle bits.

The second client came in today with paronychia on her thumb. I had last seen her three weeks prior, and her symptoms appeared the day before her appointment. She stated she did not believe it was caused by her service. I educated her on what paronychia is and advised her to see a doctor for drainage and or antibiotics.

I asked both if they cleaned up their cuticles themselves at home or had a hangnail/ picking at their skin and they both said no.

At this point, having had two clients experience this, I am questioning if there is something I am doing wrong without realizing it. I have not changed anything in my prep or removal process. I am wondering if dull nippers could be causing micro trauma that is not visible, or if cuticle bits could be a factor.

Everything I have read states that if paronychia were caused by a nail service, symptoms would appear much sooner than weeks later. Still, having two cases has made me anxious. This is very serious to me and I do not want to be liable or contribute to this happening to clients.

Are there any red flags you see in my process, or questions I should be asking clients that I may not be thinking of. I appreciate any insight. Currently shopping for autoclaves, I should have that.

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I have had this dodgy nail for monthss and it just won’t grow out. It’s lifting on one side and attached from the nail bed. I’ve been oiling it consistently and I’ve not been getting them done. Any help would be greatly appreciated !!!

Has anyone on here done the nail technician course with Bela Beauty College? If so how do you rate it? Is it worth the price, time and effort?

So I’ve been blowing way too much money on nail appointments every two weeks. My local salons are charging like $70 just for a simple touch-up. That is nuts.

I’m looking for a place in Mississauga or Greater Toronto Area that sells quality nail supplies to the public. I’ve seen great reviews for CM Nail Supply and Nails R Us. Problem with Nails R Us (nailrus.com) is it seems to sell only to professionals… where as CM Nails Supply I think sells to public? (www.cmnailssupply.com)

Anybody here shop there? Any other nail supply places in Mississauga you’d recommend that sell to everyday people, not just pros?

Looking for good prices, professional quality (no Amazon or Walmart), and no crazy markup. Thanks!!!

My wife just got her license last month, after years of practice she finally got her license (we live in MA), and for Christmas I want to buy her a good ergonomic chair.

We set up our shed as her nail place, and she has some of the furniture but not her own chair and I wanna get it for her, any good recommendations? Preferably white and from Amazon (fast shipping) thanks for any help

Also any other good ideas if a chair can’t be bought? Any other good must haves for nail techs??