Dear Nail Dairy: Confessions of a Nail Tech

[dearnaildiary]

Weddings Are Beautiful, But…

We absolutely love that you choose us for your wedding nails but please, please, PLEASE book an appointment or two before the big day’s appointment. We have covered this before…. we cannot make miracles happen on short notice. We take pride in our work and know that weddings are a time that many pictures are taken. We want your wedding nails to be flawless… so give us a chance to ensure that we are given the time to really get those cuticles in picture perfect shape and to know which of our products work best for your nails.

[dearnaildiary]

Quiet During the Massage, Please

Ok so recently, we’ve been having folk letting out some pretty seductive moans during the massage portion of the service. Umm…. That’s creepy. Please. Stop. Control yourselves!

[dearnaildiary]

Same-Day Cancellations = Theft

Although the salon is a busy place, it is extremely hard to fill same-day cancellations. If you have more than one service scheduled, that’s even more money gone from our pockets. Yet, we accept you with open arms when you decide it’s convenient for you to return. With the exception of pandemic related illnesses, all we ask is that you make us a priority, too.

[dearnaildiary]

Nail Damage Cannot Be Reversed Overnight

At my salon, we take pride in the proper care of your natural nails. We do not recommend cutting the eponychium, which is the living skin around your nail (often mistakenly called the “cuticle”). If you have been visiting salons that take shortcuts to make your nails beautiful for the short term, please do not expect us to be able to reverse damage done to your nails in one visit. On that note, if you aren’t open-minded and ready to make a change, you won’t have great results anyways. Please come back when you’re serious.

[dearnaildiary]

Licenses

In my state, cosmetology licenses are to be displayed in plain view. Next time you’re at the salon, see if your favorite nail tech is licensed. Please respect nail techs who actually go through the proper channels to perform services on clients.

[dearnaildiary]

Pre-Pedi Must Do’s

Honestly, we only have a few requests, actually just one, before your pedi…

Please wash your feet and legs

If you physically can’t, that’s cool. However, some of you are just being lazy. We want to keep our towels nice and white and y’all are making it hard. We shouldn’t have to throw out your towel every time you come in.

(I’m kidding y’all. But no, seriously.)

[dearnaildiary]

“Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover…”

Sometimes the “quiet” nail tech has noticed you blatantly taking interest in everyone but them. The “quiet” nail tech may be going through the toughest time of their life and really not have any positive, exciting news to share like their counterparts so they shy away from small talk. This tech has genuinely greeted you but because they didn’t have the fakest demeanor so you’ve completely written them off by responding with a short answer. Yet, you go out of your way to get to know literally everyone else who comes your way. The “quiet” nail tech has observed this behavior from you on many occasions and has chosen to stay to themselves. Now the “quiet” nail tech is the “rude” nail tech and has literally done nothing to you. Now you didn’t have a great experience because YOU didn’t give this human being the time of day.

[dearnaildiary]

We Are Not Podiatrists

We are limited in what we can do during your pedicure services. We are also limited in what we can say during services as we cannot diagnose any conditions. Please stop asking us and consult a podiatrist for:

ingrown toenails

lifting/damaged toenails

peeling, flaky skin between your toes

suspected toenail fungus

toenails with whitish spots that do not go away after removing nail polish for a few days

Thank you

[dearnaildiary]

Nail Prep Is Key

Trust me, we want to get to the polishing just as much as you but nail prep is truly the key to a long lasting manicure.

[dearnaildiary]

Fuzzy Clothes Are A No-No

Why do you wear fuzzy sweaters and vests to your mani appointment? Of course, we will happily re-do a nail because one of your fuzzy wuzzies flew into your polish.