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Chat 4 Easy Tips to Begin Offering Nail Art Services!
Nail art is no longer a niche service. It’s everywhere! Clients of all ages are now sporting custom-designed tips and toes. However, some nail techs may be hesitant to offer this service because they are concerned they aren’t artistic enough, think it takes too much time, aren’t sure what to charge, or feel that their clients prefer classic looks. But we’re here to tell you to put those fears to rest. Nail art is a great way to boost your bottom line, and it isn’t as hard as it appears!
The truth is that you don’t have to be an artist to create awesome designs, and the most popular looks are simple and don’t require a lot of time. Offering nail art increases your revenue without any extra cost per service, and your clients want it—even if they don’t ask you for it currently. Advertise it, and they will come.
To help you get started, we’ve put together these tips:
1. Offer simple designs.
Clean, crisp lines are easy to create without any free-hand artistry involved. I prefer to use blank address labels that I cut into pieces and stick directly onto the nail to create designs. It’s easy and affordable, and you can pre-cut the address labels so that they are ready to use.
2. Repurpose your polish!
One of the best things about offering nail art is that your seasonal polish collections don’t go to waste! This is the best way to build your artist palette. Don’t be afraid to incorporate spring’s pastels or summer’s neons into your artwork all year. Clients love unique, custom designs.
3. Charge by the nail, not the service.
Instead of charging a flat increase on a service involving nail art, charge by the nail. This keeps the cost and time for service reasonable for both you and your client. Most clients only want a design on one nail per hand, and a solid color for the other nails. Depending on where you are located, I recommend $3 to $5 per nail for artwork in addition to your standard manicure cost.
4. Take photos of your work!
With your client’s permission, take a photo of her finished manicure and post it to your salon or spa’s Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Most of your clients will love showing off their new beautiful look, but remember to always ask them first. By posting your nail art in social media, you not only instantly connect with potential clients, you become more than your client’s service provider. You become their go-to person when they want to look AND feel fabulous. It’s a win-win!
Sounds like a cinch, right? With these tips and the following step-by-step designs, we’re sure you’ll nail it!
| Steps | Design |
Nail Candy | |
| STEP 1: Apply a basecoat of your choice. Then paint the entire nail with an orange crème lacquer. |  |
| STEP 2: Once base color is dry, apply a line of white crème lacquer to the lower part of nail and a line of yellow crème lacquer to the upper part of the nail. |  |
| STEP 3: Continue to paint in the sections with white crème lacquer and yellow crème lacquer to complete your candy corn design. |  |
Haute Harvest | |
| STEP 1: Apply a basecoat of your choice. Then paint the entire nail with a crème taupe or crème espresso lacquer. |  |
| STEP 2: Once base color is dry, apply very think strokes of an orange glitter or gold glitter. |  |
| STEP 3: Continue to cover the lower part of the nail with glitter lacquer until the look is complete. |  |
Wrapped Up in Winter | |
| STEP 1: Apply a basecoat of your choice. Then paint the entire nail with a midnight blue lacquer. |  |
| STEP 2: After choosing which design you love most, apply a thick line of silver shimmer lacquer to that portion of the nail. |  |
| STEP 3: Outline the section with a dark shimmer lacquer. |  |
Jingle Nail Rock | |
| STEP 1: Apply a basecoat of your choice. Then paint the entire nail with a white crème lacquer. |  |
| STEP 2: Once base color is dry, begin adding dots of holiday color. |  |
| STEP 3: Continue dotting with different colors until the look is complete. | |
Santa Baby | |
| STEP 1: Apply a basecoat of your choice. Then paint the entire nail with a red lacquer. |  |
| STEP 2: Once base color is dry, apply a line of solid black lacquer across the center of the nail using or striper brush. |  |
| STEP 3: When the black line is completely dry, use a detail brush and a gold shimmer lacquer to create a buckle just slightly off center. |  |
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