I’m a nail tech and here’s the annoying habit I hate customers doing – I’ll happily put you on probation
A NAIL tech has revealed the annoying habit that she can’t stand with customers – and tips to become the favourite client.
Sami Pelling is a 34-year-old nail expert from Essex with over 10 years of experience in the industry.
Speaking to Fresha, the leading marketplace platform for beauty and wellness, Sami revealed the traits that can put customers firmly in her good or bad books.
Describing what creates the dream client, she explained: “Shows up on time, has realistic expectations, enjoys a bit of glitter, and likes to chat.
“It makes the whole experience more enjoyable when we can connect and share a few laughs!
“Leaving kind words or reviews after their appointment helps build my business and motivates me to continue providing great service.
“Settling bills without any fuss demonstrates their respect for my time and work, which I value greatly.
“Receiving a coffee or a small gift is a lovely surprise that brightens my day and shows they care.”
But on the flip side, flaky nail fans who cancel with very little notice or simply don’t turn up for appointments risk probation.
Sami said: “Last-minute cancellations or no-shows can seriously impact my schedule and income, as it leaves me with little time to fill the slot with another client.
“To manage this, I require a deposit to secure appointments and have a cancellation policy in place.
“If a client repeatedly cancels or fails to show up, I place them on probation, which means they must pay in full before their next appointment to ensure their commitment.”
Sami revealed that she also finds excessive phone users particularly annoying.
“While I understand the need to stay connected, excessive phone use or other distractions can interrupt the flow of the appointment and sometimes affect the curing time for the nails”, she said.
“I prefer that clients engage with the process and enjoy their dedicated time, as it helps us make the most of the session.
“After all, it’s their relaxation time, not phone time.”
She added: “When clients take too long to choose a colour and keep changing their minds [is annoying too].
“It can disrupt the flow of the appointment and impact the overall timing.”
To help clients feel more comfortable and relaxed during their appointments, Sami suggests: “Clients should come prepared with any inspirational pictures or ideas they have in mind.
“It’s also helpful if they’re clear about their preferences and communicate any concerns beforehand e.g. if they have broken a nail or want lots of nail art, it’s always best to let us know beforehand so we can account for the fact it may require extra time.”
Biggest beauty mistakes
Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty.
“No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you’re not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted.
“There aren’t many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime.”
- Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital.
- Using expired products: Best case, they’re ineffective and don’t deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ – for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the ‘POA’ symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it’s safe once opened. If you can’t remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging.
- Not knowing your undertones: If you’re using make-up with the wrong undertones, it’ll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist – if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they’re green, you have warm and if they’re a mix you have neutral.
- Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you’re trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key.
- Not washing your face before bed: it’s as simple as this, if you’re not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that’s been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn’t going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you’re probably going to end up with dirty pillows too – yuck!