When I got my nails done at a nail salon for the very first time, I felt like a fish flopping outside of the ocean, like I was desperately trying to swim on the sandy shore. Weird metaphor, but I really I had no idea what was going on. I just vaguely knew I wanted gel nails, said I told them that and showed them a picture, they gave me a price, and sat me down.
What do I need to know before going to a nail salon?
Looking back, I wish I had this article to guide me so that I wouldn’t be so starry eyed going in because nails can be confusing and nail salons can be quite pressuring too. This article is going to make your visit as relaxed and breezy as it possibly can be so sit back relax and read on.
What kind of services do nail salons offer?
There are so many services that nail salons offer, even if you think it’s a hole in the wall, they can make the most beautiful nails designs and give you the most relaxing time that makes you going back again and again. Here are a list of services you can expect from most salons:
1. Manicures
This is basically the basic of the most basically nail manicures. It involves nail filing, nail shaping, cutting and tidying cuticles. Buffing and most likely preparing it for some kind of nail polish, gel or acrylic.
2. Regular Nail Polish
Regular nail polish is what we all see kids playing with as a kid. It doesn’t require any UV curing under a lamp and takes a while to dry. It is the most inexpensive way to get your nails painted, however chipping after a few days is common, don’t expect it to last.
3. Shellac polish
Requires UV light to cure, doesn’t require nail filing to increase adhesion of the polish to the nail. Uses thinner coats than gel polish.
4. Gel polish
Gel polish or gel overlay is basically a type of gel plus nail polish consistency that is applied over the entire nail. Cured under UV light just like shellac, it’s thicker and stronger. It also requires the nail tech to file your nail so that the gel can adhere to your nail. Some people like this because it is a stronger hold, but some people don’t like it since it damages your natural nail.
5. Acrylic
Acrylics are most often used to form nail extensions. Sometimes this involves having a ready made nail extension that they glue onto your nail or it could be a mix of powder and liquid monomer. A round ball of the powder and liquid monomer the nail tech makes will be placed onto your nail and they shape it into a nail like shape to give you extensions.
How to pick which nail service to go for?
The most common nail service is acrylic extensions with gel polish on top. Especially if you have short nails, acrylic extensions give a good base to have ample space for cute or classy designs. Gel polish also adheres well to acrylic extensions so as long as the nail extension is glued well to your nails, the gel polish most likely will not chip.
You can be sure that if you go to a nail salon with a design in mind and just tell the nail technician to do it, they will give you acrylic nail extensions. Bear in mind that these are usually the most expensive option, so if you do not want them, specify with the nail technician before hand.
How to pick a nail design
Unless you went to a special nail salon that is quite famous for their designs, most nail salons are going to ask you for a picture of a nail design you want. I wouldn’t recommend letting them ‘do whatever’ or just ‘naming a theme’ because if you were in their shoes, most customers just give them a picture and they don’t have to think so hard.
I love choosing nail designs and you can easily find a lot of inspiration on Pinterest! Once you find a nail tech you trust you can definitely pick a theme and let them run with it, but if it’s your first time with them, you’re better of using a picture, trust me. The above picture of my ombre pink to blue nails, I just told my nail tech I wanted beachy, summer nails and that’s what she and I came up with! The little gold accents were a touch we added on right at the end. It get’s really fun once you can be creative.
However, when it comes to your first nail tech, I believe most of them would rather have a template to run off on. Believe me, my sister is a nail tech and she usually wants a reference picture too, especially if she doesn’t know you and your preferences. Even if you want a unique design, giving them a base picture to work off, or using several pictures to show want you want from each picture is a great start.
Remember, you want your nail tech to like you, she’s going to be holding your hands for at least an hour or so. 🙂
Everything you need to think about
How long do you want your nails to be?
Some of my girlfriends have nails so long to begin with, I don’t know how they function when their nails start to grow out. But, they look beautiful! I personally prefer to keep them at a comfortable typing distance because I work at my computer all day.
What kind of manicure do you want?
Do you want regular nail polish, gel polish, or even acrylics? Gel will be expensive but I usually get acrylic extensions and gel nail polish. This combination usually lasts the longest for me and it can last up to 5 weeks or even more.
How much are you willing to pay?
Ask for the price of your set BEFORE you get it. When you add designs here and there, it can really add up. French manicures often add $10 on top, and charms can be $5 per piece.
What kind of service to expect
For some reason, a vast majority of nail salons, at least where I live in Vancouver, Canada are run by Vietnamese. They have a real talent for it and most of the time all the nail techs will be Vietnamese meaning they’ll be talking to each other.
I’ve been to several nail salons and it usually involves you just meeting the receptionist or any nail tech in the salon, telling them the design you want, and then they’ll usher you to a seat.
Basic nail salon etiquette
1. Always be nice to your manicurist, if you like your set and they last for a long time, you just might end up coming back and asking for them again!
2. Tip well if you had a good set. Where I live in Canada it’s pretty common to tip 18% if you liked your nail tech. Although don’t be afraid to tip whatever you prefer, if you are really unhappy with your nail set but want to leave, don’t feel pressured to tip 18%.
3. Clean your hands before you go. No one wants to start a nail manicure with dirt under all your fingernails. Nail salons usually have a washroom or a sink for you to wash your hands, so it’s always nice to be hygienic.
How to maintain your manicure/nail set
If you go to a nail salon to get your nails done, make sure you take care of them so they last as long as possible! One of the easiest ways to ruin your nails is running them under water for too long. I’m of course guilty of this because I wash dishes all the time (without gloves) which my nail tech gets very mad at me for. I just trust her skills, because I’ve gone 4 weeks washing dishes everyday before a nail extension popped off. Totally my fault though.
List of Things To Do To Take Care of Your Manicure
- Don’t take long showers or baths with hot water.
- Use gloves when washing the dishes
- Do use cuticle oil everyday
- Don’t file it down by yourself, you might break the seal leading to the nail extension lifting from your natural nail
Think about when you’re showering as well, hot water melts glue so if you take long hot showers, think about turning down the temperature just a bit, or making your shower shorter. Or perhaps postponing that bath because hot water really takes its toll on our nails, and skin by the way.
