Friday 30 November 2007

Think out side the box.



Many of my students ask me ' how can I get my clients to
try something different'...



There she is sitting in front of you, and you ask her ‘ what shall we do today?’ Her reply is like so many others you’ve heard ‘ oh the usual, a French please’.

The traditional pink and white has been around for years and that’s what most of our wonderful clients seem to want, mainly because they don’t know what else is on offer. As a nail technicians we have access to brilliant trade magazines, the internet and some wonderful role modals, who are out there experimenting with coloured acrylics, so… why can’t you. What’s stopping you, producing some fantastic designs and giving you the edge over the competition around the corner? I know what you’re going to say, ‘the wonderful clients’! Who seem to be too afraid to try something else…

Are they afraid or just uneducated in the possibilities available to them?

When I first qualified as a nail tech I trained in pink and white but my main passion was nail art. Painting designs on nails gave me a reputation for being different but that wasn’t enough, I wanted to push the boundaries, and I managed to do that using
Ez Flow products. The coloured acrylics and glitters combined with some hand painted art work, even encapsulating gave me inspiration, but all I needed was the clients to be let loose on. They where few and far between at the start but now more than 80% of my clients have coloured acrylic, changing their designs on each visit. Not only will this increase your revenue but will give you and edge and reputation over and above those other tech’s less adventurous than you. You don’t need to be artistic to do this, just have a little imagination.

We as nail technicians have a duty to take care of our clients nails, however we can also influence them to ‘try something different’. Something small can give them a little push in the right direction, and then let them leave the comfort of the salon and go out into the big bad world, and I assure you they will come back and want more...

Why you ask? Because they will get so many compliments and enquiries about their nails that not only will they want to push the boat out on the next visit but so will their friends. I have found that people are pulling away from the traditional pink and white, not wanting to look like they have ‘false nails’. Well make sure you are a nail tech that can give them something different.

When your client comes in next time offer her something new and exciting, free of charge! Involve her in your business telling her you would like to try something out on her to see how it will look. I usually choose a ring finger and only try something small and uncomplicated to start with. It won’t take long or cost you any more, but could start you on the road to something new.
*Try encapsulating tiny silver or gold stars in the white, this way it looks different from just sticking something on, and your client can still polish her nails without loosing the design.
* Christmas is a wonderful time to give clients a tiny painted holly, on one of their fingers as a small gift. Comic relief sees those ladies supporting a red nose and even my die hard, pink and white, fans wear it with pride, All your mothers could have a small flower or for Valentines… well a heart.
* Daisy’s are a great one for the summer, painting some tiny little one on a finger goes well with the white, and later you can introduce colours.
* The boogie night’s collection from EZ Flow gives you a fantastic alternative to the pink. Using Foxy lady or Brick road instead of the pink gives a light glitter effect over the nail, great for the summer, as when the sun catches the holographic film it seems like the nails are dancing.
*The younger clients would be ideal candidates for something totally different, remember most of them are following a trend asking for pink and white so encourage them to stand out from the crowd and have an alternative nail. Remove one of the nails (usually the ring finger) and place a glass tip on it, either encapsulate some 3D acrylic art work or use holographic shapes in various different sizes and colours. Using a transparent glitter powder gives an illusion of light.
*Using coloured acrylic on one of the tips instead of white. Grape soda (purple) or Onyx (black) is a popular one, I usually balance out the design by using the same colour on the other hand, either with a very tiny star, heart or a thin line over the smile line.


When you have created an alternative look remember to take a photo, so you can build up a portfolio to show you other ‘Traditionalists’ what you have done. It’s important that you yourself are breaking the boundaries, and are willing to try something different! Wear these designs on your nails and tell your clients how you have found it.

It’s important that you are enthusiastic about what you are doing, and you sell the ideas. Make sure the client is always aware that you will put right, what you have changed on their next appointment. But ask them to give it a chance and to tell them to tell you what people have said or what they have thought over the past 3 weeks. Even if they don’t want to continue on the road of discovery you have placed an idea in their minds which might reappear in the future for a holiday or special occasion’s. For every one client who doesn’t like it there will be two who do. Once you started letting colour into your life the idea’s and designs don’t need to stop with just French.

I hope you have fun in your quest to ‘try something different’, and remember only the attitude is permanent.

Wednesday 28 November 2007

Step by step DVD

Get inspired with this New DVD,
with images and 4 step by steps, you can try your hand at fantasy and design.

The design steps are suitable for the salon, with both gel and acrylic to choose from at just £25 & free postage. email me on sam.biddle@btinternet.com for your copy now.

An audience with Sam Biddle

I have just been looking at the photos of the Victoria Smiths design day in Peterborough and I have to chuckle. I had such a great day; listening to Victoria's talk about design and fantasy and why it is important to improve your skills as a tech, how she was able to bring over the argument with humour and elegance, I was very impressed with how motivating she is. Amber Gibbons was also there to talk to everyone about sales and how to utilize this within your business. I enjoyed listening to Jacqui Jefford talk about her experiences within the industry and stress the importance of education.


The afternoon was then all about nails and design. I demonstrated a nail for Christmas, and with a step by step to take home they were set the challenge of duplicating the design.
Watch this space, I have so far had 3 fantastic pictures, and will be posting them all next week. I am very impressed and proud that everyone actually set out to do one…so many people say they will and then chicken out, it just goes to show that it is possible….so very well done. I am proud to have been a part of a creative journey, now you guys have taken the first step, don’t let anything stop you.



I hope everyone had a great time and with the feed back I have read from the nail geek and emails I have received since, it is defiantly one we need to do again. checkout this link for more feedback on the day;
http://www.salongeek.com/chit-chat/62383-audience-sam-biddle-various-dates-4.html





I would also like to thank Andrew; Victoria's husband for taking the photos and as promised, I am posting his pictures here (as supplied by Victoria) was this what you meant Andrew :0)?

Thursday 22 November 2007

Water - Fantasy Nail


A calming look, these waves go along way to sooth and
caress those cares away. Making the waves on a sculpting form and placing them onto the tip this is a beautiful finished effect.


1. Apply a clear tip with brush on resin, and thin it using a grey fox. Cut the tips into an almond shape, and using the grey fox file tailor the tip so that the point is central.

2. Place a light aqua colour, here I have used Italian ice around the cuticle area and down towards the free edge, as a base colour to this design.

3. Each wave is created individually on a sculpting form and then placed on the tip, starting at the smile line.

On the form placed clear then blended rock candy, and white granite at the very edge to simulate the surf. While the acrylic is still curing I used a scalpel to flick the edge up and eased the rest of the thin acrylic into an arch (wave shape).

4. Trim the wave to fit the nail and while it is still pliable attached it to the nail using brush on resin, the base of the wave should follow the contour of the nail.

5. On the very tip of the nail I placed a rim of white, which was also flicked, up to represent surf.


Tuesday 20 November 2007

North East Roadshow...update




wow...wow...wow

What a fantastic day, I am very impressed and loved the atmosphere and professionalism. The competition standards were brilliant ( fantasy design) I was honoured to be part of the judging team, I was really pleased to see so many enter, and I congratulate them for taking part.

A great big thank you to Louise and Lynn who organized everything....here's to the next one....


I haven't got any photos of the event yet....and will post some when I get them for Victoria.

Tuesday 13 November 2007

Athens - Greece.



I have come home from Greece where I have been training with AME, the new distributor for Ez flow there, Anna and Angelo Colledan not only own 21 Nyxi-Nyxi (Nails-Nails) salons but a large training school, I was honoured to work with Anna who is renowned in Greece for her nails. Both Anna and Angelo are fantastic people from Canada who moved to Greece 10 years ago, with tremendous strength and energy they have their finger on the pulse and are quick to take that leap, even if it s a leap of faith. A trait that can only be admired and even, if I am honest, envied. They showed me a brilliant time and although I was in Greece, I got to sample an Indian (meal, in case you were wondering) that surpasses the UK, I am now spoilt rotten and can’t step foot in my local Tandoori again. Of course the Greek food will always be my first love, I don’t know why perhaps a childhood memory of Stafados and Hallumi in Cyprus. It wasn’t all about food, I did some training for the some of the managers of Nyxi Nxyi salons and then after the show “an introduction to the design powders” seminar for those who purchased kits.
Now let me just say something about the show; I just wish I had more time to walk around it as there was so much to see. I was demonstrating design nails over the weekend,
crowds watched as I built flowers out of acrylic and gel, and completely changed the way people think about their product, which was the aim, moving one lady to tears I served my purpose and introducing new possibilities into their craft. I have come home feeling very lucky to have the job I have, I am blessed to be able to fulfil my creative urges and happy to continue to share this with anyone who wants to learn. Until next time.

Friday 9 November 2007

Dates for design


I keep getting asked for my class dates, and I have been very naughty and not planned ahead, well finally they are here and if any one is interested in further information please contact me by email on sam.biddle@btinternet.com for more information. These classes listed are held in the South west however if you wish to have me come to you, email me the details and we can arrange a date.

Fantasy or Design??? - 13th Dec 2007
Ez Flow Acrylic Design - 7th Jan 2008
Gel Design - 17th Jan 2008
Fantasy – get inspired class - 7th Feb 2008
Fantasy workshop
@ Creative bleu Open day - 12th Feb 2008
Ez Flow Acrylic design - 26th Feb 2008
Gel design - 28 Feb 2008
3D Design Workshop - 9th Mar 2008

dates are subject to change.


Fire - Fantasy nails



With a three colour blend and a simple technique of creating the flame off the nail, you can create these red hot fingers to sizzle.


1. Blend a red, orange and yellow together onto ether a clear tip shaped into a point or on a sculpting form, I have used Raspberry cream, Candy Corn and Lemon Drop, from Ez Flows Rainbow collection, making sure the tip of the nail is red.




2. On a sculpting form, created about 60 individual flames. Apply the blend on the form in a triangular shape and using a scalpel, when the acrylic flame is just about to cure lift the edges, so that they are ragged and uneven. You can tell when it is ready when the shine turns more satin.





3. Place 5-6 flames to each nail using brush on resin, at the free edge extend them out.





Sunday 4 November 2007

Latvia & Oniks Beta

Latvia and the Baltic beauty show; this was my first time in the country and although it wasn't much, my prays were answered and I got to see snow.


I was there to demostrate at the Oniks Beta stand, hold a seminar and judge. I demostrated fantasy as it is very popular in the baltics, that and design.

On the SaturdayI was one of the judges for the nail art and 3d fantasy categories. With a catwalk show of the finished designs and dancers I was very impressed with it all. I wish something similar could be held in the UK. There was an interval and entertainments half way through and even a mini interview with the judges, language permitting. This was a scary one for me. Each contestant received a reward, some goodies from the sponsers and flowers, a great incentive to enter. The winners each had a trophie and even more prizes and flowers.



Oniks BETA one of the top distributors in Latvia and run by the beautiful
Elena Tarlavskaya, here with her husband Boriss and Trang from Odassey nails, who also worked on the stand and judged in the competition, it was great to see him work. The sales manager Julia, helped organize me and my stay and was the interpreter for the whole weekend. she and I at the Russian restaurant on Saturday, great food and loads of vodka.








Saturday 3 November 2007

Put some colour into your work...





Stop dreaming about what you could be doing with colour and get inspired with a new concept introduced by ...


Red 10 and Jo Shirley.






This exciting new range of classes are available in and around the North east and offer you the next level in nail design and fantasy.



From 3D and illusion, to competition work and photography, each class is design to inspire and motivate you on your journey into my wonderful world of fantasy.

Come and visit Jo and I on Monday 3rd of December, at Red 10 nail bars, for an evening full of colour, this is a free evening for you to see just how much colour we can put into your life.


CALL Lynne NOW...to see when the next colour class is...and BOOK your place on it ...


Tel; 01302340550.