How to manage your nail client’s expectations
By Katie Barnes | 07 January 2020 | Business, Expert Advice, Feature, Tech Talk
Many clients bring pictures of nail designs that they have found on social media to the nail desk and want us to recreate the exact nails from the photograph. While to some techs, having an image to work from is a safety blanket, many dread being presented with this.
Nail technicians use nails as tiny canvases, so taking away the creation and imagination element of designing a set of nails by directly copying another techs work can be challenging.
Each nail tech has a different skill level and has their own niche. Some techs enjoy liquid & powder colour blocking, others prefer gel painting. Both produce different effects. When an image is presented to them to copy, it may not be their style of work or preference of mediums.
It is much harder to copy something that is not your usual style than to create your own version using an image as inspiration.
These nail images can be great for inspiration. Look at colours and patterns and pull something from the image. Encourage your clients to find inspiration away from nail designs. There is so much inspiration around us: fashion, nature, textures and patterns. It can be good practice to encourage your clients to create a mood board visual on paper or on Pinterest which you can join or even provide them with a template for them to sketch their nail ideas or work together on this prior to the nail appointment. This is recommended for occasions such as weddings and special events. They don’t need an artistic flair, just to note desired colours, patterns and styles.
Just like when someone takes a photograph into a hairdresser, that style may suit the wearer in the image, but not suit the client requesting it. This includes length, shape, client’s hands, age, natural nail condition and lifestyle.
The nail industry has so many brands and ranges available – each with slightly different effects and colours. Photographs can also change the look of a colour and editing software can mask flaws and alter colours so do not represent the true colour.
This makes it almost impossible for a tech to replicate exactly an image they are provided with.
The time to create and in turn the cost of reproducing a image may also be much higher than a client initially expects. Many have unrealistic expectations and don’t realise different styles and different art takes longer than a set of one plain colour. Many images on social media are created for marketing and not realistic to salon work. Some images can take in excess of five hours, even days to create. These marketing images will also use models with perfect hands, nails and skin who will be able to pull off most styles and designs, unlike our client’s hardworking hands and nails.
This is why it is important to set out a realistic outcome and provide an accurate price during the consultation stage with your customer. Always under promise and over deliver. Be honest from the beginning and there can be no unwelcome surprises.
During the client’s first appointment, take the time to set realistic expectations. Explain the importance of being on time, providing inspiration or images prior to the appointment so you can plan your version of the design with the products you own design and at-home care for long lasting results.
A consultation should occur each time your client sits at your nail desk and should be factored into your service time. You can determine the client’s expectations from that appointment. You may not be able to create what they wish, and this is fine. The consultation, before any service commences is the time to explain the ‘why’ behind your inability to meet the request. Affirm you understand what they desire and offer possible alternatives which you can create.
Love Katie B x