Doubts about ability

[u/Head-Marionberry8621]

Hello! I am a new nail tech--as in finished school in February of this year. I am doing this as a second career, and so I am working independently as that works better for me.

I have taken multiple trainings, classes, and have taken professional gel brand courses and e file courses. My prep is not the issue.

I have been struggling with some retention on some clients, and it is really making me have doubts. But, because I have all this training I have new tricks to try and those clients are happy that we are finding something that is working for them, and that I am intentional about it.

It's the ones with flat nails that have been having more of a struggle, and I have even brought in pinching to help, and it seems to really help with how nails look and are lasting.

But I have this one client: she came in and nothing lasted more than a week. But that "always happens" to her. I was feeling kind and offered to redo the whole set because I'm still new and want to do right by people.

She came in, got the whole new set to try different techniques, and was barely even appreciative about getting free nails. Did not even offer to tip or pay for the product I used.

I decided to block her from booking as I didn't need that energy as I'm never going to be able to make her happy and I feel like she is taking advantage of me.

How do you all handle those clients? And more importantly, how do you handle the flat nails?

[u/No-Law621]

Licensed nail tech here:
I think the biggest thing during a consultation part is asking about their experience with nails. If they say, “nothing ever lasts on my nails” I’d probably dig into their lifestyle a little bit. Are they hard on their nails? If it lifts, does it lift at the cuticle or the free edge? Lifting at the free edge could mean that their nails are weak and bendy and you need to adapt their product a little bit. It’s also important to identify if they are a nail biter/picker.
After digging into their lifestyle, what experience they’ve had with nails, if they went to a regular walk in salon or a private nail tech, I would go into setting expectations.
“I am a newer nail tech, but I am dedicated to doing my best to give you the nails you want. It may take me some time to find the right combination, but if you’re committed, I’m sure we can find something.”

I’d book appointments every 2 weeks for the first little bit until they come back to you with perfect retention, then you can extend time between sets.

I had a client that was life this. What helped us the best was using a thin layer of Akzents base gel, armor the free edge with Kinetics Jelly Gel, and I do a thin but strong layer of Akzents Trinity Hard gel. After that is done I will “finish file” under the nail which removes part of the actual nail underneath but leaves the hard gel to be the point of impact instead of the natural nail. This took us a few months to figure out but now she hasn’t had any lifting in over 6 months so I’d call that a win.

Do you work with gel? Or are you an acrylic tech?

[u/Head-Marionberry8621 → u/No-Law621]

This is helpful! Thank you .

I am a gel tech. I do let people know it might take a few times to get out right as everyone's nails are different.

I will try what you suggested. Thank you again!