I have heard so many worrying stories of poor care at nail salons lately.
I am not attempting to damage the reputation of High street nail salons - some are highly professional and wonderful places. Sadly, others know the ways to provide a very quick, poor service structured around keeping their costs ultra low and the profits very high. They know that, as the law stands right now, they can't be stopped. However clients can make an informed choice and avoid them - so know the signs of a NSS (non standard salon)
Be wary - of any salon that....
Doesn't have the products in their original containers.
If you can't see what the product is, how do you know what is being used? Any reputable salon will be happy to discuss with you the product that they are using. If they don't want you to know what the product is, then run away! If they do show you a product container, then make a note of the manufacturer and as many details as possible and then do some internet research about that product. If you can't find details of the product online then do NOT agree to using it. At For Your Nails Only the only products I decant are Isopropyl Alcohol, CND Scrubfresh and CND remover - this is only for ease of use, as it is much safer to have them in pump dispensers than risk spillage from an open bottle. You can always see the products that are being used and ask about them at any time.
Doesn't do a consultation form.
It is vital that a full record of your treatments is kept for future reference. An initial consultation form is full of important information. They need to know about your previous experience of nail salons, what you need and want, they need to know about your nails to advise you and ensure you choose and get the best service. They need to know a bit about your medical history and any allergies to ensure your safety. Records are also vital for insurance. In the event of something going wrong, a salon who has no record of your visits will totally be able to deny ever seeing you before. Salons with a poor professional attitude do not want any record of your being there, or any documentation of products used - so stay away from them! I always do a consultation form and they are kept securely for 7 years.
Can't/won't show you their insurance information.
I am insured and can show my insurance details to any clients if they wish to see them. If the salon you are choosing can't (or refuse to) provide you with details of who they are insured with, then how could you make a claim if you needed to? And do you really want people to provide treatments for you if you do not know that they are insured? Lack of insurance might mean they are just choosing not to pay for it. It should be a legal requirement, but sadly it isn't. Some salons just opt out hoping to ignore any issues that may occur. Lack of insurance might mean that they are unable to get any insurance - because the insurance companies have very strict rules about only covering nail techs who have recognised qualifications - and they may not have had the legitimate training needed to be insured. Training in the salon might have been their only education. As a customer, do you really want someone to work on your nails if their only training is being instructed a couple of times by someone who may not even have had proper training themselves?
Can't/won't show you their qualifications.
When you arrive at a salon for the first time, the first consultation should be almost like an interview. You are basically deciding whether to employ them as your nail technician! You should always make sure they are the right people to do your nails and that you are confident about their skills. It is not acceptable to arrive at a salon and just place your hands in front of a stranger and allow them to do a nail treatment without any communication other than choosing a colour. You NEED to be asking questions....
1. Are they qualified to do all elements of the job? They might have hard gel/acrylic training, but did they get training to use the e-file? They might be trained in Gel polish, but did they get further training to know how to work with the specific requirements for Shellac?
2. Are they currently training, recently qualified and still practicing, or have they got years of experience? What skill level do you want to pay for? Everyone has to learn somehow, but do you really want to pay full price for nails done by someone who is still studying?
3.Do they know enough about the treatment to know if it is suitable for you? Are you the expert in the services they provide? No. You are there for the service AND their expert advice. that is what you are paying for. If they don't know if your nails are suitable for the application you want, should you be having it?
4. Can they advise you of your options when choosing a service? If they are not willing to run through your options of choice at the salon and take the time to help you make the best choice, then get out of there fast!
Don't ever worry and think "I don't want to offend them by asking this" Instead think to yourself "I need to make sure I am safe here". That is your priority and right. If they are not handing the information to you, make sure you request it. Do NOT ever be afraid to ask what their qualifications and experience level are and yes, you are allowed to request to see certificates. They might refuse, but a qualified professional nail tech will always be happy to talk about their education and experience level and will advise you on anything you ask. Someone who is evasive about this and any other information, will very likely have something to hide.
Doesn't tell you anything about the service/aftercare.
A good nail tech will always discuss the suitability of the product for you and its aftercare at your first appointment. This is part of the information you need in order to decide if it is the best option for you. If a nail tech can't give you 1. Detailed information about pros and cons of a service (there are always pros and cons...no product suits all) and 2. Doesn't make any attempt to find out about your lifestyle, nail experience and habits, and 3. Doesn't inform you of any aftercare - then their lack of knowledge about the subject they should be an expert in, and their lack of concern for your care as a customer, should really be raising a red flag to you. Do you want them to apply the product if they can't give you information about it?
At For Your Nails Only, I always discuss a treatment with the client. Whether the client is new to FYNO or a familiar face, they will always get the information needed to make a choice about a new service - and I would always be very happy for them to take time to think about it first.
I have, in the past, actually advised clients to NOT have the work they want done, because their nails, or their circumstances at that time, meant that they would not have got the best from the service. If I were a NSS I would have just kept my mouth shut, taken the money and allowed them to find out later it was a wrong decision. But I don't work like that. It is always my responsibility to make sure that clients have the best for THEM. Their care is more important than my bank balance. And that is the difference between a myself and a NSS. They are focusing on mega profits being the key to their success. For me, success is all about happy clients who have healthy beautiful nails.
Remember - you are a customer paying for a service and you have every right to make sure that you have found a highly quality professional salon where you are going to be treated with the ultimate care and attention. Just sitting down in a chair and assuming all is fine because it is a 'salon' and believing that what they say is totally correct just because they say so, is not good enough.
Always take your time.
Ask questions.
Don't ever be pushed into having a service.
You are allowed to say "I will think about it" when they offer you a service you don't know anything about. Write the details down and do some research first (I highly recommend researching about Doug Schoon and always follow his advice)
Make sure you know the facts when you visit a nail salon. Don't end up making a costly painful mistake!
I am not attempting to damage the reputation of High street nail salons - some are highly professional and wonderful places. Sadly, others know the ways to provide a very quick, poor service structured around keeping their costs ultra low and the profits very high. They know that, as the law stands right now, they can't be stopped. However clients can make an informed choice and avoid them - so know the signs of a NSS (non standard salon)
Be wary - of any salon that....
Doesn't have the products in their original containers.
If you can't see what the product is, how do you know what is being used? Any reputable salon will be happy to discuss with you the product that they are using. If they don't want you to know what the product is, then run away! If they do show you a product container, then make a note of the manufacturer and as many details as possible and then do some internet research about that product. If you can't find details of the product online then do NOT agree to using it. At For Your Nails Only the only products I decant are Isopropyl Alcohol, CND Scrubfresh and CND remover - this is only for ease of use, as it is much safer to have them in pump dispensers than risk spillage from an open bottle. You can always see the products that are being used and ask about them at any time.
Doesn't do a consultation form.
It is vital that a full record of your treatments is kept for future reference. An initial consultation form is full of important information. They need to know about your previous experience of nail salons, what you need and want, they need to know about your nails to advise you and ensure you choose and get the best service. They need to know a bit about your medical history and any allergies to ensure your safety. Records are also vital for insurance. In the event of something going wrong, a salon who has no record of your visits will totally be able to deny ever seeing you before. Salons with a poor professional attitude do not want any record of your being there, or any documentation of products used - so stay away from them! I always do a consultation form and they are kept securely for 7 years.
Can't/won't show you their insurance information.
I am insured and can show my insurance details to any clients if they wish to see them. If the salon you are choosing can't (or refuse to) provide you with details of who they are insured with, then how could you make a claim if you needed to? And do you really want people to provide treatments for you if you do not know that they are insured? Lack of insurance might mean they are just choosing not to pay for it. It should be a legal requirement, but sadly it isn't. Some salons just opt out hoping to ignore any issues that may occur. Lack of insurance might mean that they are unable to get any insurance - because the insurance companies have very strict rules about only covering nail techs who have recognised qualifications - and they may not have had the legitimate training needed to be insured. Training in the salon might have been their only education. As a customer, do you really want someone to work on your nails if their only training is being instructed a couple of times by someone who may not even have had proper training themselves?
Can't/won't show you their qualifications.
When you arrive at a salon for the first time, the first consultation should be almost like an interview. You are basically deciding whether to employ them as your nail technician! You should always make sure they are the right people to do your nails and that you are confident about their skills. It is not acceptable to arrive at a salon and just place your hands in front of a stranger and allow them to do a nail treatment without any communication other than choosing a colour. You NEED to be asking questions....
1. Are they qualified to do all elements of the job? They might have hard gel/acrylic training, but did they get training to use the e-file? They might be trained in Gel polish, but did they get further training to know how to work with the specific requirements for Shellac?
2. Are they currently training, recently qualified and still practicing, or have they got years of experience? What skill level do you want to pay for? Everyone has to learn somehow, but do you really want to pay full price for nails done by someone who is still studying?
3.Do they know enough about the treatment to know if it is suitable for you? Are you the expert in the services they provide? No. You are there for the service AND their expert advice. that is what you are paying for. If they don't know if your nails are suitable for the application you want, should you be having it?
4. Can they advise you of your options when choosing a service? If they are not willing to run through your options of choice at the salon and take the time to help you make the best choice, then get out of there fast!
Don't ever worry and think "I don't want to offend them by asking this" Instead think to yourself "I need to make sure I am safe here". That is your priority and right. If they are not handing the information to you, make sure you request it. Do NOT ever be afraid to ask what their qualifications and experience level are and yes, you are allowed to request to see certificates. They might refuse, but a qualified professional nail tech will always be happy to talk about their education and experience level and will advise you on anything you ask. Someone who is evasive about this and any other information, will very likely have something to hide.
Doesn't tell you anything about the service/aftercare.
A good nail tech will always discuss the suitability of the product for you and its aftercare at your first appointment. This is part of the information you need in order to decide if it is the best option for you. If a nail tech can't give you 1. Detailed information about pros and cons of a service (there are always pros and cons...no product suits all) and 2. Doesn't make any attempt to find out about your lifestyle, nail experience and habits, and 3. Doesn't inform you of any aftercare - then their lack of knowledge about the subject they should be an expert in, and their lack of concern for your care as a customer, should really be raising a red flag to you. Do you want them to apply the product if they can't give you information about it?
At For Your Nails Only, I always discuss a treatment with the client. Whether the client is new to FYNO or a familiar face, they will always get the information needed to make a choice about a new service - and I would always be very happy for them to take time to think about it first.
I have, in the past, actually advised clients to NOT have the work they want done, because their nails, or their circumstances at that time, meant that they would not have got the best from the service. If I were a NSS I would have just kept my mouth shut, taken the money and allowed them to find out later it was a wrong decision. But I don't work like that. It is always my responsibility to make sure that clients have the best for THEM. Their care is more important than my bank balance. And that is the difference between a myself and a NSS. They are focusing on mega profits being the key to their success. For me, success is all about happy clients who have healthy beautiful nails.
Remember - you are a customer paying for a service and you have every right to make sure that you have found a highly quality professional salon where you are going to be treated with the ultimate care and attention. Just sitting down in a chair and assuming all is fine because it is a 'salon' and believing that what they say is totally correct just because they say so, is not good enough.
Always take your time.
Ask questions.
Don't ever be pushed into having a service.
You are allowed to say "I will think about it" when they offer you a service you don't know anything about. Write the details down and do some research first (I highly recommend researching about Doug Schoon and always follow his advice)
Make sure you know the facts when you visit a nail salon. Don't end up making a costly painful mistake!
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