I have no problem with people doing their own nails. I started down the path to become a licensed nail tech because I did my own nails, then my daughters, and then my friends nails too. If you’re going to take the plunge and try to do your own acrylics though, do yourself a favor and read up on the subject before you get started.
Also, if you’re standing in front of the DIY acrylic products at the local beauty store, and a nail tech approaches you offering to answer any questions you might have… Take them up on the offer. God, or the fates, dropped them in front of you for a reason, utilize the knowledge they’re willing to share!
Of course there’s a story behind this little nugget of advice, and I’ll share it with you mostly for entertainment sake, but you might also learn a thing or two in the process…
After dropping my daughter off at school this morning, I decided to run to Sally’s Beauty because I had some time, and some money burning a hole in my pocket. They recently started carrying a new nail art line that has these gorgeous micro glitters, and I need to have them all. I NEED them, I tell you!
Why no, I don’t have a problem, why do you ask?
I walked in, gave a little wave to the lady working the register (they know me there and have stopped asking if I need assistance; same with the girls who work at the local professional beauty supply store. No, that is not more evidence that I have a problem thankyouverymuch), and headed down the aisle to go stand in front of the pretty display of sparkling glitters. As I made my way there, I passed two women standing in front of the do it yourself acrylic products having a conversation I couldn’t help but overhear.
Lady #1 “Don’t I need to have some sort of primer?”
Lady #2 “No.”
Lady #1 “But it says here on the back of the box that I need primer.”
Lady #2 “They just want you to buy more stuff. All you need to do is wipe your nail with acetone.”
I raised my eyebrows at that little bit of misinformation, and snuck a glance (while pretending to be concentrating intently on the glitters displayed in front me me; oh, the precious…) to see the box of ASP L&P acrylics she was holding. I’m familiar with the brand, it’s what I used before I was able to purchase professional quality products.
Lady #1 “I’m not sure, it says primer, not acetone.”
Lady #2, pulling a bottle of spray on nail sanitizer from the shelf, “This is what they want you to buy, and it’s $12. Just use the acetone, it does the same thing.”
I’m biting my lip now, reminding myself that I wasn’t invited into the conversation, trying to concentrate on the precious; the sweet, sweet precious… Um, I mean glitter.
Lady #1 “If I don’t use the right thing, what will happen?”
Lady #2 “Nothing really, your nails might not stay on as long, but that’s all.”
Lady #1 “Well, I need them to last through the wedding on Saturday.”
Lady #2 pulls a 100 grit padded file off the shelf and hands it to Lady #1 “Then just rough up your nails with this first, and the acrylic will stick better.”
I cringe, realizing that I need to intervene now or Lady #1 is going to do some serious damage to her nail plate. I take a deep breath, put on an ever-so-helpful smile, and turn to the ladies…
Me “Excuse me, I hate to intrude, but I couldn’t help but overhear. I’m a nail tech, could I perhaps answer some questions for you?”
Lady #2 rolls her eyes and turns her back on me.
Lady #1 “Well, I want to do my nails for a wedding I’m going to in Vegas this weekend.” pauses expectantly.
Me, smiling brightly, “Oh, how fun!”
Lady #1 “The box says I need to have primer, but my friend--who used to do her own nails-- says acetone will work?”
Me “Acetone and primer aren’t the same thing. You should wipe your nails with acetone or a nail dehydrant before putting the acrylic on, but you also need a primer to help the product stick to your nail plate.”
Lady #2 snorts.
Here I pause to find the correct bottle on the shelf, the one that actually contains primer, and hand it to Lady #1.
Me, gesturing to the coarse file she’s holding in her hand, “Also, that file is much too rough to use on your natural nail. You could end up filing completely through your nail without even realizing it. Use a buffer block instead.” I say pointing to the light grit blocks on display. “Use the coarse file, and a medium grit one as well, to shape the acrylic after it’s hardened on your nail.”
“Lady #1 adds up the cost of all the products she’ll need, “Wow, I could probably just go to a salon for the price of all of this.”
Lady #2 turns back to us and glares at me. “That’s what she wants you to think so that you’ll pay her to do your nails instead. That way she makes more money!”
Lady #1 scrutinizes me, now doubtful of my motivation for helping her. “What will happen if I don’t use primer?”
Me “With that brand of acrylic, your enhancements will start to lift as soon as you begin filing them. They probably won’t last more than a couple of days.” I tell her honestly. “Are you doing them yourself or is your friend applying them?” I ask, nodding toward Lady #2.
Lady #1 suspiciously, “I’m going to do them myself tonight.”
Me “Then you should probably be aware that it’s hard to do your own nails. It usually takes me two hours to get them shaped right when I do my own, and I do them all the time. The first time I did them, it took me five hours, and they popped off the next day because I didn’t apply them correctly. You might be better off if you can find someone who will help you with your dominant hand.”
Lady #2 “Or pay you to do them, right? See, I knew it!”
"Me “No, I don’t have any openings in my calendar until next week. I was thinking maybe you should help her, since you seem to have so much experience doing nails.”
I admit, the last bit was said a little snarkliy because I’d had just about enough of Lady #2.
Me, turning back to the beautiful, sparkly glitters… Oh the precious, my precious… “Anyway, I just didn’t want you to hurt yourself with that file. That’s a pain that takes months to heal. Have fun in Vegas!”
As I started plucking my glitter choices off the display, I watch Lady #1&2 bend their heads together whispering furiously.
Lady #2 “…don’t even know she’s actually a nail tech…”
Lady #1 “…seemed to know what she was talking about…”
Lady #2 “… want to spend that much?… …know what I’m doing…”
And to my great dismay, I watched Lady #1 put the primer, the buffer, and all but the coarse file back on the shelf.
As I stood in line behind them at the checkout, she gushed about how much money she was saving over going to a salon. I wonder if she’ll be so exuberant tomorrow morning, after she’s done irreparable damage to her nail plate, has had to run back to Sally’s at least once for a medium/fine grit file (because you can’t smooth acrylics with a coarse file), and has lumpy enhancements that are already half lifted off her nails.
As they left the store I gave a smile, a wave, and a parting shot; “Have fun filing tonight!” Only to have the cashier (a retired, and extremely experienced, cosmetologist), burst out laughing. Apparently she’d also tried to offer a helping hand and was rebuffed before I got there.
*sigh* Oh well, what can you do…
At least I have my precious…
Hugs,
