Tips for the Perfect Manicure: Leave the Nail Salon with a Gorgeous Mani

Tips for the Perfect Manicure: Leave the Nail Salon with a Gorgeous Mani

Tips for the perfect manicure are a basic conversation away. Communication is key to leaving the nail salon with a gorgeous mani, and fortunately it is in your hands.

While attending Battle of the Strands this past weekend, which readers and followers are soon to learn all about, Ask the Pro Stylist ran into a friend in Las Vegas who is also THE GO-TO celebrity manicurist for the area. It was a joy to finally meet Shannon of Seriously Nails after lengthy online conversations.

Tips for the perfect manicure!

Shannon was a participant in the Battle of the Strands Pamper Party and provided detailed gel manicures, polish changes and more for beauty bloggers, press and industry professionals in attendance. As I sat in her chair for the gel manicure pictured above with embellished accent nails, I didn’t blink twice when Shannon began to file. Why? It was clear she is proficient in the art of nail design because she didn’t create a shape different than the natural contour of my nail bed, which was evident as the first nail was filed. While we chatted I realized the voice is a necessity for a successful salon visit, especially as miscommunication is a big reason for many nail salon fails. So, I decided to draft this piece on tips for the perfect manicure.

Salon goers have undoubtedly seen the YouTube video from Comic Video, See What Happen in Nail Salon – You Must Watch. It might be a tad racist, but this is a hysterical parody typical of 98% of the nail salons located on every corner and in between. The client agrees to whatever the nail tech says, because she has a difficult time understanding her. It becomes very clear is if the guest was specific from the beginning, there shouldn’t be any issues. Yes, I know this is a joke, but it is comical because we have all experienced this at least once in our salon visits.

Tips for the Perfect Manicure

If you find yourself in a salon where your primary language is secondary, examine the menu items and point to exactly what you want. Many salons have numbers associated to ease the communication gap.
Pick your color before hand.
Carry a picture of how you like your nails shaped, or find one on the wall or magazine.
Use your own manicure kit.
Be very vocal about how you want your callouses removed, if you do.

The bottom line is to communicate your needs before the start of your nail service as you would when you sit down in a hairstylist or colorist’s chair. It is your money, our body, so use your voice, and don’t be afraid of the word no!

Every week I devote a how-to day similar to today’s tips for the perfect manicure. See you next Tuesday when I cover finger waves with a curling iron. Until then, happy styling!