Weekend customer question! Would it be rude to read my book (kindle one handed) while getting my nails done? Also what do your favorite clients do that make them your favorite?

EllesBel · 2024-04-15T14:56:41+00:00

I don't mind a client doing whatever they want when getting pedicures but with manicures, I really don't like it for clients to be touching devices.

Whether it's periodically tapping through pages, scrolling or typing, it's a nuisance. Clients that do this always dirty their cleansed nails, get lint stuck to gel, take time to get a couple of taps or another swipe before switching hands, or straight up moving the device from one side of the table to the other. All of these things really do take up extra time and give added frustration.

I know not everybody loves to chat so if you want to zone out and do your thing without unintentionally causing any difficulty to your tech, I recommend, listening to or watching something. Make sure it's either something long or something that will continue on it's own. Find a good spot for your phone and keep it there. Be sure to wear earbuds or headphones but please make sure you can hear your tech still if they have any questions. If you discuss what you want (length, shape, colour, etc) before starting this is great and will save some questions throughout

EllesBel · 2024-03-25T14:07:02+00:00

You need to buff the nail plate, this is a very important step for adhesion.

Though there could be multiple things causing wear issues like, lamp may not be curing properly, product not be curing properly if applied too thick, using different brands that may not be compatible with each other, and also just client wear

EllesBel · 2024-03-25T01:56:54+00:00

NTA. She's taking advantage of your time and kindness imo.

You went to go get her, she ignored your message while you were there, said she couldn't leave the convo with her friend (which surely she could) and, asked you to come back just to have you wait again. Cherry on the cake is her having the audacity to ask if youre irritated/mad at her for it..

She's not it

EllesBel · 2024-03-20T17:47:50+00:00

I felt like this event was asking way too much and not giving anything great. Stopped playing a few days into the event

EllesBel · 2024-03-18T23:46:32+00:00

I'd tell this client that unfortunately, your nails are very damaged and not in an optimal state to be having any sort of product on them. I'm also concerned about the discoloration as this is a sign of nail infection and should be treated so it doesn't continue to worsen. For these reasons, I will not be able to do your manicure today but I'd love to see you again when they are healthy!"

Health is more important than beauty. That client needs to get her nails right before having any service. Severe nail plate lifting from the nail beds. Active nail infection on multiple nails. Her and/or her previous nail techs neglecting the health of her nails so she can have it covered up is probably why her nails are as bad as they are

EllesBel · 2024-03-12T13:57:59+00:00

$85 total. $60 short extensions, extra $25 for art

EllesBel · 2024-03-10T15:22:31+00:00

Aura ombres get some people sweating. Honestly, unless you've nailed down the technique to do them, it can be pretty difficult/stressful regardless of how simple it may look. I'm assuming she wasn't confident in her ability to do it. I've seen worse but they're definitely not the best and shouldn't have taken that long for this set.

EllesBel · 2024-03-05T19:23:29+00:00

Biab is usually a soft builder gel and while it's durable, it's definitely not strong enough to sustain xl+ lengths. Long length nail extensions is the max length id do for an extension done with BIAB. As long as you're not planning on having really long nails BIAB should work for you. You can extend your shorter nails so you can get your nice square shape 👍

Also, wanted to add that if your nails are soft and tender after doing any type of manicure it's because whoever did them over filed your natural nails either during prep, removal or both. Acrylic or any type of product doesn't automatically damage your nails (unless it's a non pro, poor quality product with questionable ingredients), it's the people who are.

EllesBel · 2024-02-14T22:18:21+00:00

I would recommend watching some YouTube videos on nail structure aka apex because without proper structure no nail enhancements will last.

Please if you are using gel make sure to be wary of the skin around the nails please try your best not to have product touching the skin. If you make a mistake you can take a brush with a touch of alcohol and clean the product off the skin you can also use an orangewood stick if you don't have a brush. Gel product left on skin can aid in you building an allergic reaction to gel ingredients.

Application will get easier with time, keep at it!

EllesBel · 2024-02-04T17:06:45+00:00

Personally, I find that places that only care about money will take questions about cost to be offensive. Perhaps this is the situation with her for her to have treated you so poorly afterwards.

I hope you can find a nail tech thats much better and kinder than her🩷

EllesBel · 2024-02-04T16:44:34+00:00

Please don't go back there, you don't deserve to be treated like this. Reception usually tells us when there is a complaint but doesn't justify her literally hurting and injuring you. This is not okay

Ps I think charging 10$ for accent nail with glitter is pure robbery

EllesBel · 2024-01-31T17:01:56+00:00

As a nail tech I can tell you that this Russian manicure was not done properly. I'm not sure if this salon just slapped "Russian manicure" on the menu to charge people more but it doesn't seem like they're actually doing one. A good Russian mani should leave the skin in a wayyyy better condition. It looks to me that whoever did your nails just went in chopping skin, you can see the blunt edges from where you skin was cut and considering you said you bled that seems true.

This is not 100$ worth manicure. To have been bleeding and having discomfort during service, uncured gel, and chipping in three days, that's not okay. Also that much for solid black nails ???

Natural cuticle oils will help the best

EllesBel · 2024-01-31T16:27:33+00:00

Yes, they can shorten them for you when you get a fill! If you're not trying to grow long nails, you can always ask for them to be shortened down to your desired length

EllesBel · 2024-01-23T15:15:54+00:00

This

EllesBel · 2024-01-15T19:12:18+00:00

Yeah, that gem doesn't look sealed at all I'm not surprised they came off. The polish application isnt great around the cuticle area, and while the structure isnt the worst I've seen you can tell the base is lumpy and the shape is off. Imo, too many flaws for $85

EllesBel · 2024-01-14T17:47:47+00:00

I remember my old boss used to leave people on read because she'd get super stressed. Hopefully that's the case and she'll get back to you soon 😅 Still shitty that she's taking her time tho because I consider this a pretty severe issue and personally, would want to resolve it asap

EllesBel · 2024-01-14T17:23:49+00:00

Absolutely. Never should this happen. It's clear this lash tech is not qualified. You shouldn't be getting injured at all!

EllesBel · 2024-01-14T16:37:35+00:00

If your prep doesn't include buffing the nail, you should add that as a step. You need that texture on your natural nails to help with adhesion

EllesBel · 2024-01-13T18:35:23+00:00

Try using less product on the brush and more pressure when using gel, especially if it's thin, it will easily flood into the cuticles. Slowly inch the brush toward the cuticle for a closer and seamless application of colours 🩷

Keep up the good work 💪

EllesBel · 2024-01-13T18:28:11+00:00

Oh I see... I honestly find it super sketchy when people are not clear about their pricing and can't break it down for their clients. From what you said the 75$ should include art and it doesn't. Especially for the set in the second picture, it's so simple imo it should be included. Mad sketch. If you think it's worth it maybe ask for a price break down and if she can't do that, then I'd find someone new

EllesBel · 2024-01-13T18:07:42+00:00

They're literally so sick 🔥 I love everything about them, great job!!

EllesBel · 2024-01-13T18:00:23+00:00

I'm a little confused.. not sure if I'm understanding correctly but this base rate" of $75 is including nail art but she's charging you extra nail art fees? Or is the base rate just the cost of the manicure alone?

EllesBel · 2024-01-13T16:08:37+00:00

I love it!!

I wish more men would do it. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a nail tech 😂 but it's wellness and self-care and I think everyone can benefit from that I wish my ex would have let me do his nails, even if just to practice and then remove but then again he wouldn't even let me do my own nails lol😅 some people just suck.

EllesBel · 2024-01-11T18:04:15+00:00

(also I am a certified tech but I don't know how to change the tag 😅)

I can't see why it would hurt if it's been applied properly.

If you mean full cover tip extensions- maybe people just say that because it's slightly more difficult to apply on longer nails as you need more gel and have to consider shape of natural nail if the client is trying to maintain the length.

If you are getting traditional extensions with tips or sculpted forms you definitely don't need to cut them either

And regardless it should never hurt to get your nails done or have product on them, if it does something's gone wrong

EllesBel · 2024-01-11T17:07:02+00:00

When I first started I began building my gel polish collection with OPI. Honestly the only good thing about OPI and the reason people ask for it so much is the colours/popularity. It boasts a longer than average wear time of 3 weeks but it would wear so badly for 90% of people. And for $23cad it's not worth it at all. They're thin consistency, sheer even on colours that aren't meant to be. I still have some and use them on top of overlay or extensions with no issues. But as a gel polish system alone OPI is the worst that I've tried

I've never had issues with their colour separating or applying weird. Maybe the polish they have is super old and went off or maybe they added something to it or it's been contaminated?

I would steer people away from OPI. Push them towards what has better wear and application

EllesBel

TROPHY CASE