Who Makes This List?

Okay, this photo has been floating around Facebook for a couple of days.  This is the second time I have seen this "List", maybe even the third time.  Each time I've seen this list I had the same though, "Who in the hell made this list?"

Now, don't get me wrong, there are a number of people on that list that deserve to be on that list.  Then there are those on there that you are like, who the hell is that?  I've been around the block in the past 18 years, I know a lot of people.

So, who actually makes this list?  What's their criteria for making this list?  To me, it looks like any company that submits an "Educator" and I use that term loosely, is ranked based on what classes they teach at shows and what industry events they participate in.

This list is a sham.  You know it and I know it.  This list is lacking.  Even though you can't see the whole list of 40, you have to ask yourself, where is Holly Schippers?  Where is Elaine Watson?  Where is Lynn Lammers?  Where is Joseph Pham?  These people are more talented than some on those list, they educate tirelessly to make us all better professionals.  Where are they?  Maybe they were too humble to toot their own horn.

--Nancy

Is Your Second Face Pretty?

Recently, I came across some postings of someone who was criticizing work that was being done at a beauty show.  I decided to look this tech up.  OMG.  Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!  Her work was subpar, at best, yet here she is criticizing the people who are trying to make her a better nail tech.

Maybe if people, like this tech, would get off of their high horse and quit trying to revel in the mistakes of others and actually try to learn from someone, maybe they can be as awesome as they THINK they are.  Because it is clear to see, they need help.

I just shake my head at some of these people in this industry.  If you are out there, putting yourself out and trying to make a difference and make people better professionals, KUDOS to you.  Don’t let these jealous bitches, who can’t do a decent nail to save their life cut you down.  Carry on.

--Nancy

Let Me Help You!

So, I've already got one illegal salon shut down and now I am working on a few others.   I want to shut as many as possible down.

We've all been in the position, at one point in our careers, where we have a local salon or even a salon we work in or have worked in, that are blatantly thumbing their nose at the law.  What do you do?  If you turn them in and they find out who you are, they say you are jealous.  That you are only doing it because they are your competition.

What if you aren't jealous, but you are just sick to death of following the rules and laws that all are to abide by and are sick and tired of everyone else breaking the rules/laws and getting away with it?  Well, let me help you!!

I will turn those salons into your state board for you!!  Now, I am not going to do all of the work, so you have to do the work for me, so that I can easily report these salons.

Things I need:

Link to your state board's site, preferably the complaint page.
Link to salon's Facebook Page or website that shows proof of wrong doing.
Photos of wrong doing.
Anything that can PROVE your case and get the attention of the state board.

Let's start cleaning up our industry.  One salon at a time!  Email me at nailtechtalk@yahoo.com or friend me Nancy Nailtech on Facebook and send me a private message.  I will submit everything under my name and keep you totally anonymous.

--Nancy

ISSE Long Beach

For the most part, this show was pretty good.  There are only a few things that made me want to go postal and I will share them with you.

SUITCASES.  Really.  Why do you need to bring a freaking suitcase with you and fill it up.  First off, it says in the brochure that they are prohibited, yet they still allow people to bring them in.  Now I totally understand if you are a nail or hair competitor, you need to have a case to bring your supplies with you.  I am talking about these women that haul around up to three suitcases filled with shampoo, conditioner, etc.  Don’t you realize that most of these companies will ship these items to you for FREE?

It’s quite funny, actually, to sit there and watch people, who aren’t paying attention, in awe of the show, wait for someone to pass, only to trip over the giant suitcase that they are trailing behind them.  Or how about the ignorant ones with those suitcases, who prop them all up against prime counter space to make their next purchase.  Five other people are now not able to get waited on because you and your mountain of luggage are taking up the space of 10 people.

Next, we have the loud, blaring music and the people with microphones.  I think everyone is trying to out yell the next person.  There’s nothing worse, than trying to visit a booth and you can’t because the neighboring booth has people crowded all in the walkway and you can’t walk through, let alone visit the booth.  You also can’t hear the demo because the booth next door has their platform artist screaming into a head mic.  My ears have been raped for the year.

How about the people, who can’t respect your personal space?  You are intently watching a demo, only to have someone, stick their head, directly in your view.  Ummmmm, hello!  I can’t see through you!  Wait your turn, like I did, to be able to be up front to see.

This last one is just a little pet peeve of mine.  Why do women teeter around the show in those stiletto heels?  You can tell they are hard to walk in on that show floor carpeting.  Walking miles each day on the showroom floor is probably growing the most wonderful bunions on their feet.  I am all for looking cute, but you can look cute in practical shoes too.  You don’t have to look like a hooker ever day.

Some of these stylists seem to try to one up each other in the shock value of their clothing.  I mean, I saw a grown man that looked like a human Dalmatian.  His hair was shaved and dyed platinum with black spots and then he had on an awful, matching spotted suit. 

Gelish has to be commended for keeping on the cusp of everything that’s new.  Last year, they gave us the Rio collection of neon soak off gel colors, last fall it was the Auroras, shimmering, glittery top layers.  This year, they gave us Magneto, soak off gel with magnetic additives in it so that when you use the magnet that comes with it, you get a really cool pattern.  Hey CND and Young Nails!  What did you give us new?  Oh some new colors.  Those aren’t anything to get excited about, hell half of them look exactly like colors you already have.  MAGNETO is something to get excited about!!  You better stop sitting on your laurels or Gelish is going to run circles around you come Premiere Orlando.

I checked out the Nailpro Competition area.  I was very pleased to see that they finally added some interesting competitions to the schedule for this year.  Competitions that represent what most of us are doing in the salon daily.  They had a Soak Off Gel art competion.  I loved this one!!!  They also had a stiletto competition that required a minimum of two inches in length. 

My only complaint is, unless you were there and in the right spot at the right moment, you don’t get to see these beautiful creations.  Nailpro, you are a magazine for goodness sakes.  Why can’t you take a photo of each and every entry and upload it to your Facebook page for everyone to enjoy.  It costs you NOTHING but the few minutes it would take to snap the photos and upload them.

Think of all the technicians who would love to see these nails.  Think of the thrill a competitor would have, seeing their creation on your page!

Oh and another thing, I think you need to finally put Salon Success to rest.  Let’s face it.  These nails do NOT represent the nails that we do in the salon, day in and day out.  These are not the nails that bring us the money.  Times have changed and so should this competition.

All in all, it’s been many years since I’ve attended this show and I am glad I was able to take some time and attend this year.  Now, I have to decide if Orlando is going to happen this year.

--Nancy

My Honest Feedback

I recieved an email from a reader:

"Are you going to post any honest updates about the Lomasi Gel Line? I don't "want" to feel like I have to call Habib and I don't appreciate the secrecy around things...but my curiosity is killin' me! Sigh."

It seems as though Young Nails way to handle this is for you to call and talk directly to the CEO, Habib.  They will not be issuing a statement, they will not be answering the numerous questions on their Facebook Page and it seems they are not answering emails about this, just asking people to "Call Habib"

It is obvious that a great majority do NOT want to "Call Habib".  They want their questions answered and addressed without having to sit down, call someone and be told he's on another call and then wait for a return call.  Props to the guy, though, to be able to sit and talk to his customers, all day long.  It has to be exhausting, especially considering the subject.

So, I took a closer look at the whole thing, as requested.  I am still not upset about this.  DIY'ers don't concern me.  I think I agree with the statement above that the whole secrecy thing is annoying.  

BUT there is only one thing that kind of ticks me off.  The names.  Why do we, the professionals, get such stupid, generic names like Green 101 and Blue 101 and the consumer gets LANDSCAPE and ISPIRE for the exact same colors.   THAT is what ticks me off about the whole thing!

So, if you still have concerns about Young Nails selling a soak off gel polish kit to the general public, under the name Lomasi Mani Pedi, then give Habib a call at 1-800-777-9170.  Please be sure to let us know what you think of his response.


--Nancy

BUYER BEWARE!!!

I was tipped off to a FaceBook group that was started to buy, sell or trade things within our profession.  While I think it's a great idea, the moderator needs to set up some kind of rules because it seems as though she is allowing people to sell things under false pretenses.

First case in point, was the reason why this link was sent to me.  Someone was offering a CND ProFinish 20 watt, two handed light.  It said she paid $265 for it and was entertaining any reasonable offers.  She stated that it was practically brand new and used only a few times.  Well, a number of people assumed that this is a UV light that will cure gel and gel polish and soak off gels.  When someone posted that this light was "Nothing more than a glorified polish dryer" all hell broke loose and then all the ridiculous came out.

Ridiculousness like statements like this:

The light has 5 "4WATT BULBS" if you add that together u get 20WATTS!This is what I do with my 36 watt lamp, i remove 3 bulbs which leaves me with 9 watts and I use that to cure my builders to lessen the heat spike more bulbs DOES equal more curing power!  it works the same way iff you want less wattage to cure, u just remove how ever many bulbs u want to get the wattage u want--common logic i do it All the time!I asked this very question to a woman who works for star nails and developed her own UV/LED and I asked this very question to the President of CND, Gelish reps and a President of Forever French Nail Systems and they all told me the same thing.

WOW, I am glad you aren't MY nail tech or that you don't work for me because that is just bat shit crazy!

First of all, the number of bulbs doesn't matter.  More bulbs just gives you more even coverage.  A one bulb light will not cure a whole hand, you have to cure the thumbs by themselves.  A light with four bulbs will give you the ability to cure the full hand.  A 36 watt light is a light with 4 - 9 watt bulbs, just like this light is one with 5- 4 watt bulbs.  Four watt bulbs will cure or should I say DRY a UV topcoat.  Who the hell uses those any more?  Are any of you people really still polishing nails?  I haven't polished a nail since February (I just looked) and that was someone from OUT OF TOWN.

Second, I would like to call bullshit on the statement that you asked people from Star, CND, Gelish and Forever French and they confirmed what you are saying.  Elaine Watson of Star would NEVER tell you that 4 watt bulbs will cure gel, gel top coat, gel polish and soak off gel.  I laugh at the thought of actually being able to ask the President of CND a question.  Really???  Hell, I can't get them to return a phone call or an email, yet you can just ring them up anytime you want?  Give me a break.

Lastly, if you are having to remove bulbs from your light to avoid a heat spike, might I suggest that you either find a new product to work with to take a freaking class and learn how to use your product.  Taking bulbs out of lights?  Who the hell has time for that ridiculousness???

Everyone do yourself a favor and educate yourself on UV lights.  Jim McConnell from Light Elegance is like the guru of UV lights.  Start reading on page 14.  

I have looked through this page some more and while I see a lot of good things, like people looking for pedi carts and people selling newer things like the new OPI soak off gel system, I still see crap like this.  Someone is selling SOLARNAIL powder.  How the hell old is this stuff??  CND discontinued it how many years ago (Just like they discontinued ProFinish, which is what that stupid light above was for).  Don't you people know that there is a shelf life on products.  I would garner that that jar of Solarnail powder is five or more years older.

So, BUYER BEWARE!  Don't be buying someone's old ass product.  Don't purchase someone's nail polish dryer (because lets admit it, that is exactly what that lamp is) and be all bummed because it won't cure your gel.  Don't buy other people's shit.  If they don't want it, why the hell would you???

Thank you for the tip on this little gem.  I have also received a tip on some things to watch on International Competition Judging as well.  Keep them coming!

--Nancy

Planning Ahead

Does anyone plan ahead anymore?  I mean, I don't know about the rest of you, but December is a killer month for me, my staff and my salon.  We are crazy busy each and every day.  Yet, there are still people who don't get it.  They must think that we are sitting around waiting to do their nails.

It's not only bad when people call the day that they want an appointment.  It's worse when they want it at a specific time, usually, 5:00.  Really?  I mean, come on.  If the salon you are calling is even half way decent, it is pretty safe to assume that they are not going to have an appointment for you on the day you call and they are never going to have the perfect time that you want.

How about the brides that call the week of their wedding wanting to schedule their nail and pedicure appointment for themselves AND their nine bridesmaids?  Really?  You have been planning this wedding for how long and you call five days before the big day and want us to magically produce 20 spots in our book?

So, if you want your nails done and have them look awesome, and have them prepared in a safe and clean environment, with legal products being used, PLAN AHEAD.  If you don't care about those things, I am sure a walk in place at the mall will be more than happy to apply a set of Chicklet nails with a side of infection.

--Nancy

Share the Love - Purchasing Stuff for Friends and Relatives

Well, we've had those that are pissed at manufacturers who are selling their stuff in Sally Beauty Supply to the general public.  We have had those who are pissed at industry professionals teaching consumers how to use a consumer brand of gel polish.  Now, it seems as though we have those who are pissed because people with a license are purchasing retail for family and friends at cost.

REALLY?  Come on!  With all the things going on in the world, this is what has put the bee in your bonnet?  As I was out shopping, on Black Friday, as I was standing in line, which was snaking through the Health and Beauty Department, I couldn't help notice "Professional" hair products for sale.  I noticed a can of Big Sexy Hair hairspray for $17.95.  In the beauty supply stores we can get that for about $8.95.  It is worth, $8.95.  You have to be on some really good drugs to think that it is worth $17.95.

So, if I, or anyone else, decided to share the love with my family and friends, who cares?  Are we breaking any laws or rules? NO!  A licensed person is purchasing the stuff.  So now we have people who want to tell us what we can and can't do with the supplies that we purchase?  I think not.

I can totally understand, not purchasing color or perms for unlicensed people, but come on, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, polishes and lotion are not in that category and lets face it the mark up is ridiculous.  Just think, the manufacturer is making a HUGE profit on it from what WE pay them, so once it gets to the consumer, they have been totally raped in the pocketbook.  So, if I want to help out my family and friends, how dare you look down your nose at me or anyone else who does it, even if they have a license and have never practiced before.

If you are losing so much by not being able to retail, I am going to say it again, you need to look at your business plan, because you have some serious problems in your business.  Maybe you bought into one of those classes years ago that pushed you to sell so much retail each month so that you could retire early.  Now that people aren't buying as much retail, you are hurting.  Look at your service menu, add new services, determine how to make money by doing your craft not by being a product salesperson.

It's time to stop pointing the fingers at everyone else, blaming them for our own shortcomings.  Remember, when you point a finger at someone, three other fingers, point right back at YOU!

Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Do-It-Yourself-er?

Not me.  Come on people!  Are you really so offended by these people, who purchase product and do their own nails?  Really?  Do you really think that those people would even consider walking in your salon door?  If you think they would, if they didn't have access to things like Gelish or Sensationail, well you obviously don't think too much of your own work.

Not everyone is going to be a client of yours.  Some people are cheap and want to do things at home.  Look at the results!  The photo shown, is one that has been passed around the Internet by a lot of people.  It is a DIY'er.  WOW, don't those nails look snazzy!  So, I guess your work looks like this, huh?  Oh, it doesn't?  Then why the hell do you have a wild hair up your ass about all of this?

First everyone got all pissed off because Gelish is being sold in little, itty, bitty bottles with a tiny, battery operated UV light in Sally's.  *GASP*  Never mind that you can find other brands of acrylic and gel by your favorite manufacturers in that store, just under a different name.  I've got to give it to Danny Haile, at least he keeps it honest.  So, very few of the colors are sold, they are little bottles, big deal.  Again, the people buying these products will never be in your chair to begin with.  Calls were made to boycott Harmony Nail and all of their products.

Next we have the big uproar about Vicki Peters and company teaching the general public how to use Sensationail gel polish, by Nailene.  Again, they are teaching those who will never be in your chair how to use a product that may or may not be a professional product in a consumer package, with a consumer label, marketed to the consumer.  Knives were thrown, virtually, at Ms. Peters and her team of educational ambassadors.  Their integrity was questioned and some very nasty things were said PUBLICLY.  

Finally, last week, Jennifer Cherry of Nail Talk Radio, posted this photo of KISS nail wraps that she saw for sale.  It was immediately determined that they look very similar to Dashing Diva's new wraps.  So, what?  Is everyone going to start boycotting Dashing Diva?  Should Patricia Yankee-Williams start watching for the knives to start flying her way, since she is in a pivotal position in that company?

It's time to just shut up, get behind your table and do the best job you can do.  All this bitching and moaning and pointing fingers and boycotting is just ridiculous.  You are all pissed off about product being in the hands of people who will never be your client.  You are pissed that people are teaching those non-clients how to use their products.  You accuse companies and industry professionals of taking money out of your pocket, taking business out of your salon and taking food off your table.

If DIY'ers are hurting your business, them maybe you need to look at your business plan.  Maybe there is another reason why your business has dropped.  Maybe your skills, just aren't up to par.  Maybe you are so stuck in your ways, that you will never consider doing anything new.  I remember all the stubborn, old timers, dissing soak of gel polish when it came out.  Finally, nearly two years later, they jumped on the bus because they saw the business they were losing.  Guess what?  You are two years behind the rest of us who were innovative and took a chance on a new product.  We have now mastered it, and are now taking it to another level, while you are still at square one, trying to master application.

So stop your damn bitching about manufacturers and professionals selling you out.  No one sold you out, you sold YOURSELF out, you just refuse to stay on the cutting edge of what is happening in the nail world.  I could care less about the DIY'ers and if you do, then maybe you need to take a couple of classes because your work is obviously on par with that lovely photo at the top of this post.

--Nancy

The Viciousness Of It All

The nail industry is vicious and it is such a shame.  Technicians will put some up on a pedestal and then when they do something that they don't particularly agree with, they will rip that person to shreds.  Sometimes, it is quite disgusting to watch.

It's almost like they get enjoyment from watching a peer go through a bad situation.  What makes it even worse is when they gang up and really go at someone.  Is that really necessary?  To gang up against someone?

Those of us in the business see the same things as you.  Some of us feel the same way as you.  But there are some of us who choose not to be so vicious, and totally lambaste someone in public.  We choose to pick our battles.  We choose to let the person learn from their mistakes with dignity.

Those who are vicious better hope that when they slip up in life, and we all do, that when their time comes that their gang of merry friends will be there to support them.  My guess is that they will turn on you faster than a dress comes off on prom night.  Past history has proven that.

So, everyone should treat each other with a little kindness and respect.  EVEN if you don't think the person deserves it.  Otherwise, you are nothing but a bully and because of people like you, we have to have a website like this, so that people can say things without others holding it against them, even when it is things that they need to hear.

--Nancy

CAUTION: They want your SOUL!

It's that time of year again.  The time, where manufacturers start recruiting educators.  Younger, newer nail tech's, tingle with excitement of the imagined glamorous life of being an educator.  What they really need to do is look around and ask some questions and proceed with caution.

They need to ask why some companies totally turn their backs on the creative people who have helped to make their companies and products what they are today.  Tech's who were so innovative and creative that they set the bar for all others to want to copy and to be like to this day.  But hey, when you have a baby and take some time off, when you come back it's like you are an untalented newbie again.  You've been replaced and with someone who thinks they are now better than you.

Or how about a company who uses a big name tech, to help them develop and fine tune their product.  Once the product is a hit, they throw the person, who is ultimately responsible for the success that they have, to the curb, with no regard to the fact that they have a family to feed.  They are expendable.

See, with a majority of these companies, they will use you and abuse you for everything they can get out of you.  They don't care about you, despite the good show that they put on.  They just want all you have to offer them and I do mean ALL.  Once that has been procured, you will be kicked to the curb with the rest of the "little people" that they have stomped on to become the mega power house that they are today.

So, this is a message to all you new, aspiring educators out there.  We will be here, when you need us, to pick up the pieces.  We will soothe your bruised ego.  We will help you build your self-esteem back up.  We will be here to support you when things end, because they always do and it's never a "good" ending.  We've been through it and no matter how much we warn you or try to make you proceed with caution, you have been bit by the bug that they have set out to you.  You have bought their line.

--Nancy (And all the other veteran educators out there who have been there and done that)

STATE BOARD - You SUCK!

Two months ago, I contacted my state board about a local salon, who was advertising that they were performing services that were beyond the scope of their license.  The complaint was registered and a case file number was assigned.

Through the past two months, I have provided more and more evidence of the salon’s violations.  Photos of signs, advertisements and announcements on Facebook.

Finally, last week I sent two more photos and asked what the hell was up.  Why are they still, two months later illegally doing services that they are not permitted to do and doing them poorly, may I add, to the point that they are destroying people’s hair.

The response I received makes me want to kick a puppy and I love puppies. 

Please be advised that this matter is still under investigation.  Normal processing time is 9-12 months; however, it can take longer depending on the caseload of the investigator and/or the attorney.

REALLY?  Nine to twelve months???  You are kidding, right?  WOW, way to enforce those rules.  I mean do you realize how much damage they can cause in nine months to ONE YEAR??  How much money are they making ILLEGALLY in a years time?

People wonder why things are the way they are and THIS is the reason.  WHY have the government regulate our industry when they really AREN’T regulating it, they are just pretending to.  Pretending, so that they can take money from us in forms of individual and facility license fees.

So hey, the next time you are worried that you “may” be doing something inappropriate, just go on ahead and do it.  No one cares.  By the time that they get around to caring, a year has passed and that trend or fad has already passed.  Most of us with professionalism and integrity won’t do that, but you bet your sweet ass others will.

--Nancy

Competition Scandals Continue

I knew something was up.  The hairs on my arms have been raised for over a week now, I just couldn't put my finger on it.  Slowly, this is all starting to come out.  I previously touched on the Nailympics in Long Beach in a previous post.  Sadly, this would be the last time most would see the legendary Tom Holcomb, as he passed away on October 28.  I considered removing my past post, out of respect for Tom, but decided not to, for some reason.  I am glad I didn't, because I think it will help to document the events that happened.

This morning I saw this post by Rich Pun.

As you can see from this post, Rich alludes that something was up in Long Beach.  Dirty little secrets ALWAYS have a way of coming out.  It's just a matter of time.

Sadly, we will not have the opportunity to see Tom take the nail industry back. We will not be able to see him shut his doubters up.  We have lost a great man.

Things that make you go.....Hmmmmmmmmm

So, earlier this year, a link was shared on FB to a blog that promised to expose a competition conspiracy at the 2011 World Nail Championships in Germany.  Many, who follow this blog, have been waiting for the story to be told.  Some of the story has been told, but for the most part, we've just been fed snippets of info by the Author.

The Author alludes to a conspiracy by two main people.  Accused number one is an owner of a company and is accused of rigging competitions to help boost the sales of his company.  Accused number two is a former top competitor that is accused of being the "winner" or helping to provide the winners to help aid the aforementioned company, who's owner is a friend.

Forgive me if I got this all wrong, but this is what "I" perceived from reading the blog.  Fast forward to today, where I saw links to photos from the Long Beach International Beauty Show, where the Nailympics have been resurrected in the US.  I see that accused number 2 is now competing with Crystal Nail product, which is the SAME company that the blog author used to use when she was competing.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

So, since the blog in questions has been pretty dormant, even though it promised to expose the truth, I have to ask myself, was this all just a case of sour grapes?  You lost, so you were mad.  You lost your deal with Crystal Nail and now accused number two has replaced you.  I just have to say Hmmmmmmmm.

Wonder what kind of shenanigans and cheating are going on right now in Long Beach, CA.  I just have to wonder.......

--Nancy

Thieves

In this industry we deal with all kinds of thieves.  It depends on the level that you are in your career, which determines what level of thieves you experience.

If you are a salon owner, you probably experience the most common thief.  Every salon has good employees and every salon has a thief.  Every. Single. Salon.  Sometimes the thieves are found out and fired, other times, the thievery isn’t found out until the thief leaves.

Techs steal product all of the time.  A busy salon owner will pull their hair out when they go to the really large jug of monomer that they just got a week ago and there are a few drops left in the jug.  “But we have been really busy”, the staff will explain.  Not THAT busy!  That’s a lot of monomer to use in a week.

Brushes that are supplied to staff members will be missing when the tech isn’t at work, along with other products.  They are obviously doing nails on their off days, most likely their own, more than likely others, being paid on the sly.  Most salons allow you to do your own nails in the salon for no charge and family members for a small supply fee.  There is no reason to take salon supplies home with you unless you are stealing them.  It is never a good idea to travel back and forth with supplies, if you live in a warm climate, you can really mess up the quality of the product if you allow them in a hot car for a period of time.  So, even if the thief didn’t steal these products, most likely they will be ruined and will cost the salon money in the end anyways. 

Techs within the salon will try to steal other techs clients.  You see it all of the time, another tech goes on vacation or is sick and the shady tech will try to make the other tech look bad and try to get the client to rebook with her instead.

All of these examples above, are written from a Salon Owner’s point of view.  There are a number of instances that a Salon Owner has stolen from their staff.  If this has happened to you, I would love for you to write to me and share your experiences, anonymously, of course.

Moving on, you have techs that use photos of other technician’s work that they have found on the Internet and use them as examples of their work.  They use those photos in ads for their business.  How flipping lazy or untalented are you that you can’t use a photo of your own work?  I can understand using a company photo with the brand of the product that you use, that’s what they are provided for, and everyone knows you did not do the nails.   I can’t tell you how many shady people I have seen over the years use OBVIOUS photos of work that they didn’t do.  What happens when someone sees one of those photos and asks them to recreate the nails.  I would LOVE to see a photo of THOSE nails!

My favorite kind of thief is the one that steals all of your ideas.  One that has a salon and tries so hard to be exactly like your salon.  Right now I know of at least six Salon Owners going through this.  Yes, the idea thief may have worked in your salon at one time and learned a lot from you and your salon.  Instead of coming up with their own style or signature, so to say, they just copy what you do.  The joke is on them, though, because people see this and realize this.  How sad to be so unimaginative that you have to use Other People’s Ideas to better yourself or your business.  (How many people just got that?  Gold star if you do!)

It’s time for the thievery to stop.  Stop stealing from your Salon Owner.  Stop stealing from your Staff.  Stop stealing from each other.  Theft is still a crime and it is just plain wrong and it makes you nothing more than a See You Next Tuesday (Platinum star if you get that one!)

--Nancy

Industry Bullies

Yes, people are bullies, but so are manufacturers in the nail industry.  Last week, I came across a post that said that if you were already listed on CND’s site as a salon that performs Shellac services, you may have to re-register your salon.  Well, after a quick search of their new Mobile Application, I quickly found out that my salon is no longer listed, despite the fact that “I”, the owner, am a Grand Master and we DO provide Shellac services.

So, I went through the procedure to get our salon added once again.  All was fine until I came to this little beauty, and then my head about exploded.

Way to go CND.  Way to be the biggest industry bully.  You want us to ONLY use your light.  Come on, as someone who has been using your product for sixteen months, SUCCESSFULLY, with a good-old 36 watt (4 – 9 watt bulbs) tunnel lamp, I have to laugh at your audacity.  YOU expect us to purchase your light for $150 in order to receive referrals?  I have five stations in my salon, there is no way in hell that I am shelling out $750 for lights, when the five that we already have that we paid $70 each for work fine.  Do the math, $350 or $750.  Any smart business owner can see the writing on the wall.

Next, you want us to ONLY use your base and top coat, well, what if we have found that using someone else’s top coat gives a much better end result?  Also, your base and top coats cost the same price as other companies, but those other companies bottles are TWICE THE SIZE.  Again, any smart business owner can see there is no value in using your base and top coats and that over priced plastic thing you call a UV light.

Next, you want us to say that we don’t mix products.  Again, what audacity you have to tell us what we can use and how we can use it.

Now here’s another one that really made my head pop.  You want us to say that we do not file the nail surface during application.  ANY manicure service includes a light buffing to smooth the nail and give a perfect surface for either traditional polish or soak off gell – Oh, that’s right EXCUSE ME, your product is a HYBRID.  Whatever.  Way to scare the public into thinking that a light buffing of the nail surface is wrong.  YES there are those who are heavy handed and do this step wrong and can cause damage, but we are not ALL idiots.  Some of us are trained and take our jobs seriously.  To have us say that we won’t do this is an INSULT!  Our job is to preserve the natural nail, not destroy it.  Any professional that doesn’t understand this should just quit right now.

Finally, you have us say that we do not soak nails in a bowl of acetone to remove Shellac.  Any tech with an ounce of intelligence will not soak.  First, it is not necessary, second it is a waste of acetone and third it really increases the odors in your salon.  Cotton balls soaked in acetone, applied to a nail and then wrapped in foil is all that you need.  I am really surprised, CND, that you didn’t make us say that we only use your stupid little diaper-looking thingies to remove product.  That seems to be your thing, CND, demanding that we only use CND things.

So, I have decided that I am not re-registering our salon.  Hell, I may request to have my name taken off of your Grand Masters list as well.  I really don’t even like Shellac, I just liked it for French because your white was the easiest to apply with a good result.  As of right now, two of your competitors have whites in a bottle that are doing a pretty good job and again, I get twice the amount for my money.  I will not be purchasing any more Shellac.

Now, CND, I realize that you have spent millions on your advertising campaign.  I realize that you are trying to make that money back.  I wonder how many people are going to blatantly LIE on that form, trust me, I considered it, but I guess I have a little more integrity than that.  You will NOT recoup your advertising dollars from me, CND.

So, is the CND police going to be out in full force?  Will they be visiting every salon that is listed to make sure they are complying to your ridiculous stipulations?  Hell, we can’t even get State Board to come in and inspect for MMA and credo blades, maybe we can have you strike a deal with all of the state boards and you can kill two birds with one stone.

I, for one, am done.  I will not be told to use an over priced light.  I will not be told that I have to use your over priced base and top coats.  I will not be bullied.  Period.

-- Nancy

Striking a Nerve - The Truth Hurts

So, it looks like our last post struck a nerve with a few people.  I guess the truth does hurt when you read it.  The difference is, what do you do with it.  Do you get mad and lash out?  Do you try to get even?  Or, do you take a good, hard look in the mirror and try to learn from it?

Looks to me as though those who are offended will not learn from it.  We get comments like "who is the miserable bish who started this blog anyway?" and passive aggressive postings on Facebook.  This is the perfect example of WHY this blog is written and contributed to anonymously.  We even let you comment anonymously.

I have been around the block in the past 18 years.  I have seen a lot and I have spoken up a few times too.  When I did, I was scolded and ridiculed.  I've been told a few times that "I will never work in this industry "I" will make sure of it" just because I called someone out on their bullshit.  This happens every day.  These too big for their britches people will try to black ball you from the industry.  I have seen it happen over and over.  Some of these top guns are the biggest bullies there are.

So, this is why this blog is here.  It's a way for you to say what you want with no fear of people trying to black ball you from the industry.  It's a way to tell your client they are acting like a jackass without them taking offense that you are telling them that, they can read it and see that they are being a jackass.  It's a way to tell your salon owner that she is being unfair.  It's a way to tell your staff that they need to shape up without having them take offense and all walk out on you at once.  This blog is all about making peopler THINK about their actions.  It's about making our lives a better place.

By holding all of our frustrations in, we are not moving forward.  We are not progressing.  Some of these things NEED to be said.  These things NEED to be read.  We NEED a place to say these things without the fear of being blackballed, ridiculed, singled out or bullied.

So, I repeat, if anything in this blog offends you.......please march back the hallway, go into the bathroom and look in the mirror.  Does the truth hurt you?  If it does, what are you going to do about it?

The ClusterF#*K Called Competing

I’ve competed a total of two times in my career.  You always hear that it is such a great experience, that you will learn so much and get so much out of it and it will make you a better tech.  While that may be true, it is not the most awesome experience I have ever had in my life.  Actually, it ranks as one of the most frustrating to date.

You have people who check you in who are rude and bark orders at you at 7:00 in the morning.  Never mind that you are new, have no idea what you are doing.  Yes, the rules were read, yes, the competition class was attended the day before, yet you still don’t know all of the procedures.  Some simple guidance would be appreciated instead of being barked at.

Next, you have the people attending and competing with a supposed language barrier.  I say supposed because I feel some of these people use this as an excuse.  I sat and witnessed one girl, be told over and over that she was not allowed to touch her model.  Yet she continued to do it when no one was looking.  She did this for all three competitions during that two day time period.  At what point, should these people running the competition disqualify her?  I heard a veteran competitor complain and say that she was warned three times and should be asked to leave.  The floor girl just shrugged her shoulders and the rule breaker kept breaking the rules.

I have heard through the years about the rampant cheating that goes on.  I didn’t witness any, but then again, I am new, I wouldn’t know how they cheat.  I didn’t see anyone getting busted for cheating, but then again, no one was really watching things too close.  I know that there were things that I asked about and was told I couldn’t do, yet others were doing it.  When I questioned someone later, I was told it was a miscommunication.

Here’s the worst part, you pay $85 per competition and unless you are one of the top ten, you don’t get a score sheet.  So, no critique for you.  How are you to get better without a critique?  They say that judges will be around later to critique, but I never found one to do it for me.  They say that this type of judging makes it go faster.  REALLY?  It took hours for the judging to be done.  I am kind of happy I didn’t make the top ten or my model would have been sitting in a chair all day long.  No exaggeration.

I think the thing that bothered me the most was reading on Facebook, one of the judges saying something like (totally paraphrasing here) “So proud of my girls today, it was such an honor to hand them their trophies”.  Now this sure sounds like favoritism.  I’m not saying that this happened, but if you put something out there like that for the entire Internet to read, it’s going to make people wonder.

After that first time, I thought what the heck; I will try it again next year.  I thought maybe if I did some research over the next year it would help me.  I also thought maybe the running of the competition was a fluke that last year.  Well, I was wrong.  Nothing changed.  Well, that is not necessarily true, I did make the top ten in two competitions this time, but for the most part, things were the same.

I actually saw an almost knock-down, drag-out figh,t due to one of the judges, being accused by a veteran competitor of letting someone from the company that they own win.  It was crazy.  I realized then and there that nepotism is rampant in the competition arena.  There really isn’t a fair shake given to the no names.

It’s sad that there is so much politics in competitions.  Why can’t we just have a fair and square way to come, have our work judged, critiqued and become better professionals?  That is what is currently being promised, yet that is NOT what is being delivered. 

Signed - Been There, Done That and Moved On