Nail Salon 101.... If I get one more person telling me about some damn PORCELAIN NAILS... Check the Note.
Examples of typical scams include:
SOLAR NAILS - Solar Nails is a BRAND of acrylic manufactured by Creative Nail Design. It is one of the original brands. It is a true acrylic and nothing more.
GEL NAILS - which are actually acrylics with a UV gel top coat (If the product doesn't look like a gel and it's liquid and powder-it's basic acrylic)
CRYSTAL NAILS - simply a clear tip with clear acrylic overlaid on the entire enhancement
PORCELAIN NAILS - nothing more than acrylic or gels possibly with a UV gel top coat
DIAMOND NAILS - the reason these are "more expensive" is because they are hard like diamonds (real Diamond Nails are a dip... resin and acrylic powder)
BAIT & SWITCH salons will have three jars on the table, possibly hand labeled, one says acrylic, one says gel and one says fiberglass. They are all acrylic, but the consumer will be told fiberglass and gel are better for their nails and cost more
NONE of the above services are anything special,
nor should they incur any additional cost.
|
Bottled Water
July 9, 2011
Yesterday, I saw someone really working in his passion. As many times as I've had my Volvo detailed... This guy worked in this Charlotte humidity and made my car look freaking BRAND NEW. It took him 2 hours from wash, compound, to wax. Made the headlights gleam, and tail light bright. And he smiled the entire time he worked. Passion is golden! (I didn't even ask for the compound-he JUST DID IT).
But even noticing his passion and how hard he worked, I'm reflecting on how I could have made his day better and I didn't do it... All I needed to do was offer him a bottle of water yesterday. I am always thinking of ways to be a better person, and I am feeling convicted because he worked so hard, and I didn't offer him water yesterday.
He was there again today washing one of Moo's client's car... So on the way out of the salon on my way to lunch, I gave him a bottle of water from the salon. He was so grateful that he offered to do my next 4 washes for free. Wow!
Just because he's in the service industry didn't make him a servant... And he was just happy because he didn't have to walk back into the landlords building to get just a CUP of water. That made me think, we are so quick to take the little stuff for granted. I just can't stop thinking about the smile on his face due to a bottle of water.
Glad to see his passion... But being so passionate, he almost overlooked his health in this heat...
Basically saying, sometimes you need to see yourself in other's situation and help them out and be a SMALL BLESSING and you never know what might be given back to you. Understand the BOTTLE of water had MORE to offer than the CUP!
~The 7 Digit Diva
|
Time for Prom Mom
April 2, 2011
Prom season is here already!!!
Tis the season that the ladies and gents get ready for prom seaon. I am kind of an old fashion nail tech that keeps the nails toned down to draw attention to the hair and dress. The nails should be elegant in design, and I think this is the year to bring a little bling to their nails.
This year I will be doing "PROM SPECIAL" ROCK STAR Nails using Young Nails Glitter/Acrylics. These mixtures will add pop to ANY prom dress, and still make a "subtle" statement.
For me Young Nails is one of the funnest acrylic lines to work with, due to the fact the sky is the INFINITE limit. They offer glitter acrylic, glitters that I can mix myself, colored acrylic, colored monomer for a great translucent effect, many mylars, confetti and and more. However, this is about letting your prom goer be the Rock Star she wants to be for a night.
I usually have the guest bring their dress and shoes in so I can see the color scheme and get a feel for the statement she is trying to make... Yes we've all been there and yes they are trying to make a statement (since we did, when we went to prom-lol).
Their nails do not have to be as busy as the ones posted, however, the sky is the limit as what we can come up with and the personallity of the young lady going to the prom. So let's use our Imagination and get things rolling for the prom. Since time can slip away from you, try to make the nail and hair appointment on 2 different days. I always suggest to my guest to book their nail appointment the day before the prom; that way hair and makeup can be done the day of for a fresh effect.
Let's Rock out with Rock Star nails for this 2011 Prom Season Charlotte NC.
Tis the season. Time to get the Minx and CND for those office parties, and holiday family get togethers.
Minx will be great to accent the perfect dress or evening gown for the occasional office party or formal Christmas party.
CND Shellac will be perfect for those busy on the go types, that are throwing the party and COOKING the meals for the family as well. Contact your nail artist, and get those appointments on the books since this is one of the busiest times of the year for your nail tech.
If you aren't that out going, the basic manicure and pedicure will go just fine for the regular maintenance for hands and feet. Top them off with a great polish, then Deck Those Halls.
Rock Star Toes and nails seem to the hottest thing in the nail industry now. Glitter acrylic with a new name.... WOW!!! Anything to sell the service. I do them however, my clients opt for the glitter polish, due to the fact the rock stars take too long to soak off. And there isn't an acetone bowl to soak a foot in yet.
We do offer Rock Star Toes and Nails, the prices vary based on how many colors and items you get embedded in the service.
Today I am in transition to my own salon. I have temporary stop until my place will be ready. However, I will still be doing CND Shellac and Minx at my temporary home. God revealed my vision to me, and you are MOST DEFINITELY SOMEWHERE for only a season. It's time for me to have MY OWN salon, and my own educational center.
Wish me luck as I continue on this journey to new diggs and complete my vision for The Nail Cabaret - A Topaz Woodruff Concept Salon.
I want to offer Charlotte NC something different in it Nail Service Experience. Wait to see the final production!!
|
CND Shellac is Now Available in Charlotte NC
June 1, 2010
I am now offering CND Shellac-the No Chip Maniucre.
I did a test on 4 clients right after a trade show in March, and the CND Shellac has lasted 16 days without chipping or peeling off. It soaks off in acetone, and is very light. It DOES NOT add any strength to your natural nails it just moves and bends with it since it's a soft gel. I am going to try the French line this week on a bride to be. Let's keep our fingers crossed Charlotte NC, since Shellac has arrived at The Nail Cabaret, and master nail artisan Topaz Woodruff is offering them... So if you are in the Charlotte NC area, and looking for a nail tech, and not a chop shop, give me a try. I also offer Minx Nail Covers, which can last up to 12 days depending on your workload.
"CND (Creative Nail Design), the leader in professional nail, hand and foot beauty, is proud to introduce the first hybrid nail color after nearly five years of development in its state-of-the-art laboratory. Now you can say goodbye to chips, smudges, and dry time and say hello to Shellac™ Hybrid Nail Color! This revolutionary product applies like polish, wears flawlessly for 14 days of high-gloss shine, and is removed in minutes.
Shellac paints on like polish — base coat, color, top coat — and is cured in a UV light so there is zero dry time. The colors are hypoallergenic, and “3-Free” — no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. Shellac will launch in a range of 12 varieties of shades, from pretty French pinks and whites, to siren red and rich darks. The formula is thin and flexible like polish, so it not only looks natural, it provides strong natural nail protection with a resilient mirror finish that resists dullness and chipping, even during the most rigorous activities.
As amazing as Shellac is on, removal is just as satisfying! No soaking, drilling or filing is necessary. Nails are wrapped in individual Shellac Remover Wraps —integrated cotton pads that limit finger and skin exposure to acetone by keeping it pinpointed on just the nail. Ten minutes of time in exchange for two weeks of perfect color is all it takes. Say good-bye to manicure frustration and hello to pure manicure satisfaction." Nails Mag Blog
Every since I've added Minx to my menu, my client base has truely diversified. I get professionals and young ladies going to the prom. Since wedding season is fast approaching I think I will add a few french covering to my supply. Come in and check out the inventory, and if I don't have it, I can certainly order it for you.
I (Topaz Woodruff) am one of the few black nail techs in the Charlotte area that offer this service. I also can do spa parties.
The past week has brought me a bunch of positives: 62% of my clients rebooked; my average ticket increased $3 per client; the new Orly polish line is awesome, and so is the new foot file I bought to start out “pedicure season." To top it off, one of the sales reps that I talk to often sent her sister-in-law to me to have her gel nails filled. I can't get a better referral than that!
I’m looking forward to the challenge of rebooking around other service providers’ and clients’ schedules. Shonda and I discussed how to rotate clients that vary two, three, four, and six weeks between appointments. Until I get that all figured out, I am kicking off spring with a pedi promotion to get them hooked on a great product that will help cure those dry winter feet. I’ll be tracking those results, and repeating the promo in six months to make sure they have product to use for the winter months. I’m confident that will help get clients out of the mind-set that pedis are for summer only!
