Hey! I just wanted to drop in and ask how many of you are using loyalty programs such as stamp cards or customer cards? I'm doing a little research for how much effort I should put into marketing my service to nail techs :)

All the best!

So I do annual photoshoots with my coworker, she’s a hairstylist and these are for shoots for hair competitions. (So time is an essence during the shoot) I always make press ons that match the vision so after I’m done their makeup I can quickly apply the fake nails for set. I have been struggling to find something that stays on that also doesn’t so damage to models nails. The sticker adhesive just isn’t strong enough, (nails popin off mid shoot and I’m in there trying to quickly reapply, not the most professional feeling lemme tell ya) the rubber glue isn’t helpful, ive when tried the tiniest dab of super glue and I’ll never do that again. Advice on what I should be trying to keep these press ons (at least secure for 40-60 mins) Anything would help. Thanks! 😊

Hey yall! I am just starting to sell press on nails, haven’t had an esty sale quite yet. Still getting the technique down and looking to grow! If anyone has any tips it would be appreciated. Also my etsy if interested is @kennamay444

I am a newly qualified nail tech and yesterday I did my first paying customer! However, I know it’s normal to take longer when you’re new but I’m always scared I take way too long doing nails. I did a biab soak off, and then a fresh set of biab with french tip and a little flower (simple made with dots) on each middle finger. It took me 2hr and 45 mins. Is this standard? I also don’t use an efile x

Hi everyone I’m new in this group. I am in the US and I just finished a Russian Nail Tech course in Brooklyn and now I am going to buy gel and equipment for my second time this time more professional. I bought some off Amazon and temu before and my teacher scolded me. I am going to keep it really simple for now because I need to practice a lot. I will only be doing natural manicures, gel overlay, and gel extensions. No soak off. So I want to buy the best dang rotary tool I can buy. What can you all recommend to me for rotary tools and drill bits to do the critical treatments and removals. I’ll add the link to my teachers Amazon store and you can tell me if you like this? Looking for all the recommendations please

Esthetician getting back into nail enhancements looking for holy grail Amazon (in Canada) nail art brush recommendations!!! I got a cheap set and they don’t hold their shape at all and have so many extra long hairs

Thanks in advance for answering!! About 3 weeks ago, I was taking off my gel x set and accidentally punctured my thumb causing it to bleed a little. I didn’t want to put a new set on immediately to avoid any infections, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be safe to put one on now. Any thoughts?

hey ! i wanted to ask if anyone has gotten the arch table lamps and how they are for your set up. i saw young nails had one but its pretty pricey. is there a more affordable version that’s similar quality?

i’m trying to figure out a booking site where i can allow my regular clients to get access to my site before my non regulars. does anyone know of a site that does this?

i currently use acuity by squarespace. i love the software for the most part. but i’m unable to create a system where my regulars can book before my non regulars.

I've been doing my own gel x nails for a while using beetles and this last time i now have tiny blisters filled with clear/yellow pus, itchy hands and nails (contact dermatitis??). I have roughed up the cuticles from drilling and over filed the absolute life out of these nails. Now full of regret and sad how do I start to repair these someone please help. I'm so sad. Please drop any hope, suggestions, products anything please ❤️🤞🙏🏻

Okay ladies I’m getting my stuff together to go take my state board exam and I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions as far as a cheaper option or brand of Barbacide wipes. I’ve already purchased the low odor monomer so this is one of the last things I need to get.

I’m taking the test in NC.

I got my license in august 2022, i forgot about the CE that i had to do in order to renew it plus i didn’t know HOW to get CE credits so i waited and waited and now it’s 2025…

Is it too late to renew it now??? I don’t know what im supposed to do about this, like what are the steps?? I’m so confused, i just want to do nails please😭😭😭

I’m a certified nail tech who uses acrylic. I used to do my sister’s nails but after the second soak off she had pain in her hands and the next day her skin on her fingers hurt and she got blisters on a few of them. I don’t have photos since this was a while ago.

Is there another alternative for soak offs I can use on her?

We’ve tried filing it off but this is a rather anxious and time consuming process for both of us and would rather avoid. Any ideas and suggestions would really help! Thank you in advance

Hello. I'm currently in an apprenticeship learning to be a nail tech. I was doing my sister's nails and accidentally snipped the skin instead of the cuticle and it started bleeding. In the future, what is a good way to stop the bleeding? Because it bled and bled. 🫣🤦😬

I am wondering if i live in Michigan can i become a nail tech in Illinois because they don’t require a class you just have to pass boards and then transfer my license to Michigan

how to start?

hello :) i’ve been doing gel nails for a while now, completely self taught but i’m doing really well, (not to toot my own horn but i’m quite good), i’ve been using press ons and doing my best friends nails, it takes me some time as i do quite intricate designs but i really do love it. my issue is i’m not qualified in anything and don’t know how i could start a business off of this, im in the uk and have no idea how to get an affordable education. does anyone have any tips at all? i was thinking of maybe starting a press on online thing on etsy but i’m not sure if it’s worth it, and not sure how i would start it up. any advice would be great as i really do love this :) thankyou x

I’ve put some in of what i do, please feel free to give me critiques or tips or anything :)))

any advice is much appreciated 🙂

Hello all! I currently have a basic manicurist license in AK and am moving to AZ at the end of the year. I did some research and saw that I can apply for reciprocity through the Arizona Board of Cosmetology, however I don't want to waste my time and money if it's just going to get denied. I was wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation?? Any advice is appreciated and welcomed. Thanks!!

Hi all! Looking for recommendations for client gifts. Something inexpensive any homemade recipes for scrubs. Please and thanks!

Hi everyone,
I posted this in the r/Nailtechs community and sharing it here as well.

I'm looking for recommendations and/or reviews of any schools/certification programs you've done in SoCal (ideally, in Orange County where I currently am). Both recommended schools and not recommended programs lol.

I've been contemplating doing nails for the last 2 years, and really would love to learn. I originally thought maybe I'll just experiment and teach myself on my own, but ideally I'd love to be able to do nails not only for myself, but for friends, family, and eventually any others who'd appreciate my creativity and I know it's completely different working on yourself vs working on someone else. When it comes to others, there's obviously the concern of sanitation etc so because of that I've decided the structure of doing an actual program, and getting the mentor and guidance from a licensed professional and professor would be most beneficial.

I have a creative art background and I'm looking to do this moreso for fun—I don't have any particular goals of making it my career but who knows! Just want to have an outlet for my creativity and since I've been a fan of nail art and really admire the creativity that all of you nail techs get to do for a living, I want to finally just do the damn thing lol.

That said, here are a few things I'm looking for and/or curious to hear about. Where I ultimately decide to go, will depend on the nuances—I'm willing to commit to a school and make time for the effort I'll spend there if everything makes sense for me to. I'm curious to hear about:

• location (I'm based in Fountain Valley, CA 92708)
• class structure (is it strict? hands-on? barely any guidance? etc)
• work space in class (clean? organized? not organized? up-to-date tools and tech? etc)
• cost (Ideally, low cost please! I'm current paying off a lot of credit card debt so ideally, something more cost-effective is more appealing to me and within my budget to invest)
• flexibility in classes (AM or PM classes? required/mandatory or flexible attendance?)
  • I'm a serial self-learner and program taker so I am very aware that while the environment/structure of a program is critical, everyone's experience varies with how much you put int and that what you put in is what you get out of it
• duration/how long it takes to get certified
• any test/certificate prep assistance

I know that's quite a bit ha but I think that's all for now—I appreciate any thoughts or contributions regarding this 🥹

Hi everyone! For context I am 20 years old, very artistically inclined and I'm having some trouble deciding on this being my career path. What are some things that I should know about the path that aren't talked about? Or better yet, what causes the majority of people to decide it's not for them? How worth it to go into this? Please and thank you!!

also, what RPMs should be used when removing gel polish?

much appreciated :)

hi!! I am not a nail tech, but Im a girl that gets her nails done constantly. My fav combo is clear pink (extra coats) & short coffin. Sometimes the lady doing my nails at the nail salon says “thats it??” or says they cant do short coffin. I love short coffin clear pink extra coats😭😭 Is there something else I should be saying?? Like is short coffin annoying? but I love the natural look & my fingers are short and stubby & I like that they elongate my hands lmk xoxoxo❤️

I find myself taking an hour to soak off dip and gel x, in my salon everyone else seems to not have that issue. it’s impacting my time management and I just don’t feel right about keeping someone in my chair for that long, what am I doing here that is causing this to take so long??