Nikki Dean - Nail Tech Lessons

Imagine telling a junior employee they shouldn’t get paid because they’re not as good as someone with 10 years of experience. 😂

I can't think of a career in which you get paid WHILE you learn.

A junior gets paid less than a senior.
A trainee gets paid less than an expert.
Someone with 6 months of experience earns less than someone with 10 years.

Nobody says: “Come back when you’re perfect and then we’ll start paying you.”

So why do we expect nail techs to somehow skip this entire stage?

Beginner prices exist for a reason. You’re not pretending to be an expert, you’re charging according to your current level while gaining the experience that will eventually allow you to charge more.

Because becoming an expert costs money too. Good courses are expensive!

You’re allowed to earn while you learn and there are plenty of people who are not picky and actually prefer a beginner so that it is more affordable but they still get pampered 💅

Confession: I know "days in my life' videos are interesting to watch but I feel like I have a very boring life right now so I'm struggling with what I can show. As a nail educator my viewers are nail techs but I don't think my life is relatable to them so why would they watch it 🥲
Consequently I've been slacking with my stories too 😕

🩸What should you do if you cut a client's cuticle and it starts bleeding?
The worst thing you can do is pretend it didn’t happen. The best thing you can do is stay calm, be honest, and follow proper safety protocols.
Here is the step-by-step breakdown:
1️⃣ Acknowledge it immediately. Don’t hide it! Your honesty builds trust.
2️⃣ Clean the wound. Use a fresh cotton pad and an antiseptic to prevent infection.
3️⃣ Stop the bleeding. Apply a hemostatic liquid (or styptic powder) with a disposable applicator. Hold it for a few seconds.
4️⃣ Modify your application. Do NOT apply gel or acrylic directly over the open wound/scab.
🧼 Recommended Antiseptics: You want to clean the area effectively. You can use Hydrogen Peroxide or products containing Chlorhexidine.

Save this post so you are prepared for next time! 💾✨

This is not me saying beginner nail techs should overcharge. I’m saying beginner pricing needs an exit plan.

Part 1 posted on 💸
Should you put your prices on your social media and website? YES and here is why:
If they are low, why hide it? It easily attracts people on a budget
If they are average, hiding them might make people think they are too high and they won't even inquire even though you might be within their budget
If they are high, they stop the wrong people from even messaging you and wasting your time and instead attracts people who are looking for the best. Not everyone sorts the shop by low to high prices 🤫

Follow for part 2 ✨
Should you display your prices or wait for people to inquire?

As a customer I HATE with a passion when a business doesn't have their prices public. The only logical reason I see is if you rely on getting comments under your videos which ask for your prices in order to increase your engagement and therefore views.
If you think you can convert someone in a dm, who genuinely can't afford your services.. good luck, you must be a brilliant salesman.
In part two I will talk about it more 🥰

Feel free to share your opinion below 👇🏻

The funny part?
Very often, the exact same people who question whether nail tech is a "real job" are also the first to complain about our prices.

You can't have it both ways.

This isn't a hobby we do on weekends. It isn't "a bit of extra money." It isn't playing with pretty colours.

It's years of education.
Thousands invested in courses, products and equipment.
Rent.
Insurance.
Taxes.
Marketing.
Content creation.
Hours spent answering messages, cleaning, disinfecting, ordering stock, learning new techniques and fixing problems clients never even see.

People often say, "I just want to support small businesses."

Supporting a small business isn't asking them to charge less. It's understanding that charging enough to make a living is exactly what allows that business to exist in the first place.

No one questions whether an electrician, plumber or accountant should make enough to pay their bills. But somehow, when the job is in the beauty industry, people expect passion to replace profit.

Passion is why I started.

Profit is what allows me to keep doing it.

And that's true for every nail tech who wants this to be more than a hobby.

To all the nail techs reading this: stop feeling guilty for charging prices that allow you to stay in business. You deserve to earn a living from a skill you've worked hard to master.

Have you ever had someone treat your career like it was "just a hobby"? Tell me your story below. 👇

Lets do some simple maths and stop feeling guilty about raising our prices as nail techs

Do nails need to breathe?
Before you attack me... yes, I know nails don't have lungs. 😅
But when clients ask, "Do my nails need to breathe?" what they usually mean is, "Do I need a break from nail products?"

In English, "I need to breathe" is often used as an expression meaning I need a break or I need some space. We even say our skin "needs to breathe" after wearing makeup all day. Correcting the wording when you already know what someone means doesn't really help.

Now to answer the actual question...

If your natural nails are severely damaged, they need time to grow out. Fingernails take around 5–6 months to completely replace themselves. The damaged part of the nail plate won't repair itself, you simply grow a new, healthy nail from the matrix while gradually trimming away the damaged portion.

If your nails are simply naturally thin, weak or prone to breaking, IBX can be a great option under your nail enhancements. It's designed to strengthen the natural nail and can improve mild weakness, but it isn't a miracle treatment for severely damaged nails.

Many people notice an improvement after the first treatment, but there isn't a fixed course. You can have IBX once or continue having it regularly for ongoing support.