The nail industry is extremely competitive, especially with your express nail bars popping up on every corner. You have to offer every nail fad on option from Gel Polish to Dip Manicures.

The key is to create a committed client. And first impressions count. Educating your client on their first engagement with you as to what nail application may be best for them, would set your service apart from others. Think consultations, selection process, pre-care and after care opportunities.

So, let’s explore the options:

Overall, both services offer a freedom regular polish can’t. The results allow your client to rummage around in their bag with freedom, open tin cans and even a car door with confidence!

As a finish, gel polish is much shinier and adds glow to the nail colour. It is also a great base to adorn with nail art.

A soft gel polish is less harsh on the natural nail, as the soak off process is fast and easy. Given this, gel polish, like any chemical composition-based application -including dip- will thin the nail overtime. To avoid this happening, seek to use softer tools during removal process if you need to do so.

Another great upsell to your gel service is to offer manicure treatment gloves during the application. Not only can they protect the hands from UV rays during drying, they result in an overall amazing experience! Your clients will indeed feel brand new, confident and most certainly feel the need to flaunt it to the girls!

It’s easy to use, feels great on the nail and is much lighter in application. It is still a form of acrylic yet applies faster and lasts almost double the time of a regular gel polish. The process also omits the use of UV light as part of the drying process.

Like any nail application, it is as safe as simply avoiding the UV light. Well yes, it is, but we do recommend using a variety of tools during application to make it a hygienic experience. First and foremost, use individual dipping jars for each client to avoid cross contamination. Second, use disposables to perform your pre-nail regime and post tidy up, and certainly clean your tools after every service! This is the advantage you will have over those fast-food style nail bars. And word gets around.

However, overtime the dip application can begin to scrape away the natural nail. This is where we highly recommend stocking a natural nail overlay and nourishing oil. An overlay coating before the service not only protects your clients nail yet acts as a buffer layer between the application. This is also a great add-on to your service.

Take a look at this great video to understand just how easy it is. Click here to watch the video.

Know your costs

The key to offering a nail service that sees a decent profit is to know your costs.

Tip #1: Choose the types of nail service you want to offer that are beneficial to your bottom line and skill set.

Will you offer nail art or other decorative add-ons? If you are a general beauty salon and not an actual nail bar, then think time efficiency. Is it worth offering nail art add-ons that consume more time than your salon can afford, or your therapist is not so skilled at? There are other easy to offer decorative options that would not only save you time, yet still offer something more. Think stickers that can go on one or two nails that only take a few extra seconds – this offers something unique for your clients and costs next to nothing.

Tip #2: Understand what your competition is charging for the same treatments.

It is important to know what nail bars and beauty salons are charging, and whether they have deals on. Keep in mind, nail bars can charge less for treatments as there is NO real form of active customer service, there is minimal hygiene upkeep, and they don’t sell retail. Therefore, to combat the price competition, look to offer small add-ons that come at minimal cost to you yet make a big difference to your client and service. A little extra can warrant those few dollars more at the register. Make the most of your manicure and pedicure clients by offering hand creams, cuticle oil, collagen and shea butter hand and socks. If they are going on holidays offer pedi paddles and nail polish for touch ups.

Tip #3: Understand the bottom line.

How much will each application cost you and what is the potential profit? This is a key aspect to understand if you are looking to offer either or both services. At the end of the day, Dip is more profitable and very popular. However, every client is different, so it is worth knowing the benefits and art in both services.

Plus, you don’t need lamps which will save you a lot in startup costs.

Download these great cost per service brochures by Gelish for your reference.

Gelish Dip Cost Per Application Download

Gelish Pro Cost Per Service Download

Explore the great Gel and Dip colours on offer at Barneys Salon Supplies