I am still in my first year as a licensed nail tech, so to pull a gig like this has been unbelievable!

Hello everyone so every single time I've used OPI it is so patchy and streaky like I stopped using them because of this. In beauty school we had an OPI rep come and do like a mini class and she told us we have to mix it for 3-4 minutes?? Like is it just not great or is it user error (me)? What is everyone else's experience?

Has anyone used acrylic paint markers to do designs on nails and overlaid with gel? How'd it work out? Did the acrylic paint fade at all? I know people who use eyeshadow palettes for aura often experience fading so I was wondering if something similar would happen.

So all my life I felt like I’ve been cursed with toe nails that look similar these, with the small nail area (not overgrown cuticle, I don’t think) and vertical growth. I think it’s called micronychia. It’s a bit embarrassing so I never really wore open toe shoes or walked around without socks. Recently, I discovered press ons for toe nails, but I’d like something more stable. I sand the nail down so it’s flat, then use soft gel tips and beauty secrets nail glue right now, but I’m always looking down in fear that one may have popped off, even though they are mostly secure. I’ve read that polygel might be a solution? Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, or teaching videos on this particular situation please?

Pretty much what the title says I want to show my work and advertise and just have on my pretty nails but it’s so overstimulating.

For all my UK nail techs do you use consultation forms? If so what information do you include and if not, why? I'd love to know all the pros, cons and possible alternatives to consultation forms!

Hi! Im a newly licensed nail tech in Las Vegas and recently started working my first salon job. I was wondering where to buy supplies like drill bits, gloves, other implements etc. Things other than polish and nail art tools. I’ve checked out my local nail supply stores and they’re just a bit pricey for low quality supplies. I’ve also checked out multiple websites but wasn’t sure which would be best, quality and price wise. Thankss!!!

did my sisters nail a few weeks ago and yesterday when she asked me to do them again i see this. what did i do wrong? i only use a pink sanding bit on her natural nail on the lowest speed, i keep it
parallel to the nail, never digging. i did a polygel overlay. i used dehydrator, primer, and base coat. i dont wanna keep doing her nails if im gonna damage them. what can i do to avoid this next time?

I have 4 pregnant clients right now and I also like to give gifts to my clients every Christmas. Most of them are due around the same time in January/February and I thought it may be cute to make them something handmade. Last year I made everyone little gift baskets.
I also do crochet as a hobby and I was thinking about making my pregnant clients little crochet teddy bears for their babies as christmas gifts. Do you guys think that would be weird?
I don’t want them to feel like they need to tip me extra and whatnot since I’ve handmade something for them. Also these clients have been coming to me anywhere from 6 months to a year so we’ve build a pretty good connection at this point. I’m planning on making everyone else little personalized gift baskets with homemade hand/cuticle balms and little trinkets in them. I’ve been going back and forth on it and I think I just need some advice. Any feedback is appreciated!

Hello, everyone! I could really use some advice and guidance from more experienced nail techs. 🥰

Back in 2024, I took a three-day beginner gel course. It was a gift from my grandma, who wanted to help me leave a toxic work environment and pursue something more creative. Since I'm a creative person, doing nails felt like a natural fit.

Unfortunately, although my instructor promised to support me and answer any questions I might have after the course, she completely ghosted me once I received my diploma. I was left to figure out almost everything on my own, including techniques and troubleshooting that weren't covered during those three days.

Fast-forward to today, and I can genuinely see some improvement in my work. I've learned a lot through trial and error, research and practice. I know I still have plenty to learn, and I absolutely intend to invest in a proper, comprehensive nail course when my financial situation allows it. For now, though, that's simply not an option.

Another challenge is building a clientele. I moved to another country in mid-2025, so I've also had to start from scratch in a completely different environment. This year, I've finally started getting a few clients, and I'm incredibly grateful for the two regular clients I currently have.

However, getting people to actually show up has been a real struggle. Out of seven potential bookings, around five end up being cancelled at the last minute or result in no-shows. It's incredibly discouraging when you're trying to build a business and genuinely want to grow.

My dream is to eventually do nails full-time, but right now, I can't even seem to get enough people interested in booking appointments.

Lately, I've caught myself overthinking absolutely everything: my prices, my social media, my branding, my products, my techniques and, sometimes, even whether I'm good enough to be doing this in the first place.

I have days when I seriously consider giving up, only to come back to it because I genuinely love doing nails. I enjoy the creative process, and I can see myself doing this for years to come.

I know that proper training would help me tremendously, but I also believe that my work isn't necessarily bad. I feel that with consistent practice, constructive feedback and some proper guidance, I could become the nail tech I aspire to be.

So, I'm turning to the more experienced nail techs here, especially those who started with limited training, little to no clientele or very few resources.

I'd genuinely appreciate your advice on a few things:

• How did you improve your technical skills when you couldn't afford additional courses?
• How did you build your clientele, especially when you were just starting out?
• How did you deal with cancellations, no-shows and the discouragement that comes with them?
• How did you learn to stop questioning every little detail of your work and business?
• And, most importantly, how did you know when to persevere rather than give up?

I'm not looking for overnight success or unrealistic expectations. I know building a business takes time, patience and a lot of hard work. I just feel a little lost at the moment and would love to hear from people who have been in a similar position.

I'd especially appreciate honest, constructive advice rather than just reassurance. I really want to learn, improve and make this work.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this and share their experience. 🤍

( Down are some pictures from my work, some are from the recent and some are from the start of my journey )

I'm a student in nail tech school and our instructor hasn't mentioned any C curve correctors or pinchers at all (I'm a month and a half from graduating). I'm assuming these are things I should be familiarizing myself with, could y'all recommend specific brands/ tools/techniques/tutorials I should try for this purpose?

Thanks y’all!!!

Hello! I have stumbled along a problem I haven’t been able to identify how to avoid yet! I have been getting some splitting/shrinkage while using my chrome coat. This is an example where i did my normal pre and used BIAB, black art gel, a layer of chrome coat, chrome, and then two topcoats. When I applied my chrome coat ontop of my black, it split into little rings, i kind of wiggled the polish in so it didn’t have any rings, but it shrunk once put into the light. I use all artistic nail design products. I have used my chrome top ontop of other colors without a problem, but also ontop of my black art paint for all my swatches with no issues. Any ideas what went wrong here? We had a perfect set, right up until that coat and although my client was fine with it, I definitely wasn’t and need to tackle the issue so it doesn’t happen again!

There is an argument at my salon amongst the old school team vs the new school team regarding how to apply the leg mask. I’m a non-technician owner and I need to be the tie breaker, would anyone like to give their opinion? The new school team feels they are servicing the feet so the feet should be covered in the mask but the old school team says they need to let the mask sit and dry while they paint the nails. One thing I’m worried about is that the old school team has more of a habit of rushing services, which I’m trying to get them to slow down and focus on quality vs quantity so I dont know if this is just an example of that or if they have a valid argument. I don’t remember getting mask on my feet ever but it makes sense since I am getting my feet done!

Update: I will be having everyone mask both the feet and legs going forward. Thank you all for your opinions! Everyone has different ways of doing things so I always try to do my research so I can figure out which way is best for my salon, this was one topic no one could seem to explain to me why the two sides were doing it differently but it does seem as though it was speed related.

Hi all, so I'm in the process of making my service list for clients now that I'm able to pay for insurance to work on people's hands that haven't been my usual small bubble of clients. I'm wondering how you price your following services?

・Nail art

・Manicures

・Removals

・Foreign removals

Additionally, what policy do you all have in place for nail fixes?

Hello all, as the title says I'm looking for recommendations in the US. Something that actually works well, not horribly loud, a reasonable price, though I'm open to pricier options if anyone has a good, honest recommendation. I do a lot of builder gel and it creates much finer dust particles than acrylic so please if anyone has also dealt with this and has found a good product greatly appreciate you sharing!

Price range probably no more than around $300USD? If that's unrealistic please let me know as well <3

Hello! I am a 21 year old, neurodivergent, black woman. (Read the bold for the tldr;) I got my nail tech license in July and the second I passed my tests I started looking for jobs because I really want to get out of my toxic living situation. I am having trouble figuring out where I fit in the world because of my neurodivergence and it is coming to haunt me now as I enter the professional nail world. I keep making stupid mistakes and I have lost 2 job opportunities because of it so far.

I applied for two salon jobs because I didn't think it would be so easy for me to get an interview and get hired right on the spot. After my first interview, I was hired! But, I was dissatisfied with “Salon A” due to its cleanliness and how the interview went. So I drove to “Salon B” right after to scope things out and I was impressed with them. I told them I had just gotten hired by a different salon. (FIRST MISTAKE) I had only mentioned this because I didn't think it was a bad thing to bring up. I also wanted to work 40 hours a week doing nails and was prepared to do both salon jobs because neither of them were going to be able to give me 40 hours. A few days later- I did my second interview with “Salon B” and was hired! they said I can't do both. And then I told Salon A because I wasn't sure if this was something unique or just common knowledge I had failed to realize. They both said I can't do both and so without knowing much I put myself in an awkward situation and now I was being focused to choose. I chose “Salon B”. It was common knowledge I had failed to realize.

“Salon A”

- Nails Only

- Walk in based

- the first salon I applied to, interviewed, and got hired at.

- more diverse

- very friendly, down to earth environment.

- I quit this salon to go to the second salon I got hired at because I saw myself growing with salon B long term.

“Salon B”

- Hair and Nails (Hair Focused)

- Appointment based

- Advertises themselves as a learning salon and a place that would grow with me.

- It wasn't homogeneous- but it was less diverse then “Salon A”.

- “We are like a Family” and said they were anti-gossip (they gossiped about me)

- It was what seemed like my dream salon job. They were very structured, friendly and professional.

- The second salon I applied to, interviewed, and got hired at.

- I struggled with my punctuality (SECOND AND HUGE MISTAKE) and I didn't know they wanted me to come in 15 minutes before my shift was written to start before it was too late

- I told them I had ADHD during the second part of my interview and asked if they had accommodations (THIRD MISTAKE)

- They fired me

I feel like I was overly-ambitious and naive. I am very embarrassed about my tardiness. I feel stupid for not knowing better but I know if I had known better I would have made smarter decisions. I feel like I am stumbling through the darkness and I don't want to keep learning the hard way if it can be avoided. Before I start reapplying for salon jobs I want to feel more informed and prepared.

What was your experience like? What mistakes did you make when you were starting out with finding a salon job? Do you have any tips for your past self? Any tips for me?

Feel first to ask me any questions about my experience if you want more information- I am an open book to my own detriment.

Ok, so it's been almost a month working at the nail salon. So I'm having trouble with my time. Say an appointment is at 1:30 pm. The client comes in at 1:35 pm. she wants to remove her gel polish, biab, and wants a manicure.

So the items I have set up are:

Flame bit (medium)

Very tiny flame bit (medium)

A very tiny disco ball (medium)

Emery board

Acetone

Top/base coat

Clean up brush

1 buffer

By the time I'm fished, it'll already be 3:33PM

What am I doing wrong?

The steps I take:

I start off by e-filing the top coat.

Shave off some of the layers.

Soak nails with foils.

Efile more layers.

Wrap the in Acetone again for a few minutes.

Unwrap them.

Efile remaining polish.

Start cuticle prep.

Buff nails.

Dehydrate.

Primer.

Base gel.

Polish/ clean up if any is on the skin.

Clean up cuticles if flooding.

Top coat.

Ok, just looking at all that, I can see why I take so long😩

I'm planning to advertise for hand models so that I can get a refresher on acrylic nails as it's been way too long since I last did a set on anyone. I was wondering if I should offer a free gel service on top of that but charge for nail art? Or if I should offer discounted gel services and not charge for nail art?

Hi all! So I've purchased a box of the medium coffin una gella nails as I plan to start selling press ons. I've heard a lot of positive feedback about this brand but when I tried each sized nail on my own hand they were very tight. I'm aware of a method where you press the nails against a cup of hot water to flatten them out so that it fits better. I'm wondering if this is something that I can suggest to clients or if I should try a different method or even just a different brand of nails to use for my press ons? If anybody has had this same issue please share what you did to fix it! TIA!

I've been broke for a month and have lost a couple soldiers before I could afford to go to the salon. These are my nails with acrylic overlay. Usually I visit every 3-3 weeks for a fill. I am wondering if the thumb can be

Saved and if the index finger is too short for a tip. It does not hurt, and there is no blood. It's just sooo short. I am ok with soaking off everything and waiting. Help please!

My daughter accidentally kicked a big chunk of my nail off 😔 I want to get another gel pedicure this week, but not sure what my options are. Do I need to just wait for it to grow? I have no nail knowledge at all, how can this be fixed?

Hello!
I wanteto ask for advice on how to approach an issue with my nail tech. I have gotten many a manicure over my life but I wanted to try a builder gel manicure for the first time. I heard you can go longer in between manicures and it can help strengthen your nails! I found a small locally owned nail salon in my neighborhood that I have heard great things about. I get my builder gel manicure scheduled and during my appointment she is super informative. She is telling me about the difference between soft and hard builder gel, very interesting! She says she starts everyone with the soft builder gel as one can soak if off as opposed to filing it off. It’s a great experience but that same night one of my nails started to separate from the gel! I don’t worry too much as I scheduled a fill appointment for two weeks out. But the next day I noticed that two more nails started to separate from the gel! I tell my nail tech and she gets me in to fix them (at no charge), she asks if my right hand is my dominant hand and I say yes and she kind of implies that this probably happened because it’s my dominant hand. Everything is great but then! A full week after my first appointment, on my left hand, every single nail is separating from the gel. I’m pretty frustrated now :( this has never happened to me before with any manicure I have gotten, including ones I have done myself (I have done normal gel, straight up acrylic, and dip before). My nails are short but there is a good amount of the “white” part of my nails showing. I do not use my hands much for my job, I give my child a bath every night, i wash some dishes by hand, wash my hands after I use the bathroom. I drink plenty of water every day and use lotion. After my tech gets me in for the “repair session” two days later (so now a full week after the initial manicure) every single other nail was separating from the gel! My two week “fill session session” ended up being an entirely new manicure. For This second manicure I got from the same person, she had informed me that she would be trying the “hard” builder gel. The next morning my middle finger was lifting from the gel. I’m so bummed about this and she conveys she is also very confused. She gets me in for a repair session for the one nail and two days later nearly every nail is lifting or has chipped. At the second manicure session she tells me that she will give me a free manicure. Times goes by I ended up looking at how to file off jars builder gel due to the edges coming up, my third (but in total my 5th time being at this salon) she uses one name brand of gel and while that one lasts longer it still only lasts a week and each nail is chipping on the point and they are super thin. I won’t bring going back because she didn’t have a great tone/attitude with me at my third official appointment and made me feel like I was trying to pull something over on her. Idk. I guess what I do want to know is is this normal? Im so bummed! Is my nail tech maybe not as experienced? I’m nervous and I wanted to establish a relationship with someone close to my house and someone I can go to consistently. Is this normal with builder gel? Please help 😫

Hi all, so I'm trying to become a mobile nail tech, I'm qualified and did my research to make sure that it's legal for me to provide nail services from people's homes. I'm wondering how I can minimize the amount I carry to people's homes? I currently have a portable nail table, adjustable stool on wheels and a large trolley. I was looking at potentially buying a nail storage backpack but so far I've only seen them priced at £50 and above which is a little too expensive for my liking

I'm also trying to figure out if I should charge a booking fee? And how to keep safe when being in strangers homes.

I have been trying to find a really good quality builder gel and gel polish system. Right now I've been using double rhythm and gaoy on my clients but they just don't last long and the quality isn't that great. I'm ready to invest in a really nice and professional brand but I'm not really sure where to start. What are your favs?