NAIL experts have revealed the golden rule that clients must follow if they don’t want to be ghosted.
There’s plenty of bad habits such as being glued to your phone and creating awkward conversations that can lead to a frosty atmosphere in the salon.
And Fresha, the leading marketplace platform for beauty and wellness, found that more than 100,000 customers missed appointments over just four months in the UK.
But it’s actually a much simpler, and easily solved, issue that two leading nail technicians say annoys them.
April Arabella, from Cherry Bomb Nails and Freya Poppy Bowden, of Sugar Rush Studios, both revealed that not doing your homework before an appointment can waste a lot of time.
Nail technician April says that clients often misunderstand nail terminology, and advises you to do your research before booking an appointment.
She said: “Clients will often book add-ons, such as BIAB without fully understanding what it is or because their friend has mentioned it.
“I’m all for clients communicating what they want, and I always have a bit of time at the start to discuss what they’re hoping to get from the appointment.
“But when wanting nail art, it’s also best to check out your nail artist’s Instagram or website to ensure it’s achievable and within their design style.
“These are the first things that would help us provide a smooth service, otherwise, I end up spending time having to explain what everything means and look at designs when the info is available to them pre booking.”
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Freya also advises clients to send ideas ahead of time.
“It is possible that the rise in non-standard nail shops has given clients the impression that they can just turn up to the appointment and ask for something crazy on the spot which is a misunderstanding”. she said.
“Sometimes clients ask for something really intricately hand painted and are shocked when they’re having to sit for hours.
“If you are on a time limit or know that you get restless, ask your nail artist to be transparent about timings so that you are aware before we begin. This alleviates the pressure for us both.”
It’s not the only advice the beauty pros have for nail fans when visiting a salon…
DON’T: Be a no-show without telling your nail tech
To set clear boundaries for clients when booking, April notes that “most nail techs will have a cancellation policy in place to protect their business”.
She added: “We’re normally self-employed so it simply is the phrase ‘time is money’ if I have someone cancel, it’s harder for me to get it filled if it’s so last minute.
“I have this on my booking policy so new clients can see when they go to book.”
Freya also adds that she has a strict policy in place where if a client cancels within a 48-hour period or doesn’t turn up, then they are asked to pay the service amount in full.
She said: “This is important for us as we are very busy, and we don’t deserve to be expecting the work and not be paid for a portion of it.”
DO: Be honest with your nail technician
Some clients may have had a bad experience with a previous nail tech or suffered damage due to lack of training.
April said: “I like to start appointments by saying if anything hurts or feels uncomfortable to let me know.
“Usually, I find starting off like this shows that I’m happy to listen and actively encourage open communication.”
Speaking about the importance of strong professional relationships in the beauty industry, Sophie Vongkhamsao, in-house Senior Beauty and Content Marketing Specialist at Fresha commented: “Here at Fresha, we’re deeply committed to supporting the beauty and wellness industry.
“For clients, timely arrival, considerate booking, and proactive communication are all appreciated.
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“On the other hand, nail technicians can cultivate client loyalty through clear communication, setting reasonable expectations, and offering flexible rescheduling options.
“By keeping these mutual courtesies in mind, both clients and nail professionals can enjoy a more rewarding salon experience, especially during the bustling winter season.”
