These days, a majority of people is only aware of artificial nails via any of the nail salons in every strip mall; it’s either they walked into the nail shop or just saw it while passing by. Some of the salons are not English speaking; so, it’s not easy to communicate exactly what you need in terms of nail service.
Besides, it feels like you are the subject of the discussion when the language is strange to you. It sounds absurd, doesn’t it? But that’s just the way it is. No wonder some clients who walked into a nail salon could not hide their excitement when they discovered everyone spoke English to them and to other clients. The truth is this, the momentary friendship (at least) that can be found between you and the person holding your hands for manicure is severed when there’s language barrier.
My expertise in manicuring started way long time ago when Madge was the sole nail expert who people were aware of – remember the Palmolive commercials? Back in those days, the people who sought for manicure services were seen as sophisticated. It was such a wonderful experience as my clients would always want to pour out their entire life experience to me – that’s the outcome of the rapport that developed between us while holding their hands. The experience was worth it! I gave them rapt attention, and before I knew what was happening, I became a well-informed (about life issues) adult in my reasoning and speech, just that my teenage body was not transformed as well.
Before artificial nails came into the scene, manicures were done by hairdressers. Where I live – towards the south-east of United States, artificial nails were introduced towards the ending of 1970s. I was fast to get my license on cosmetology and specialized in nails. This is best for me since my skin is sensitive to shampoo, and standing all day to dress hair was another big issue for me.
Licensing wasn’t even popular for manicurists those days in most states – this is why my entire staff could afford to get a cover under my own license while working in my NAILS-ONLY salon. But they were smart enough to enroll for formal manicuring education to get their license. That was really smart of them because it is a BIG PLUS to have a license in manicuring these days.
Perhaps you may have wondered what that appalling smell in salon is and where it comes from. Do you know the ingredient used in making plastics and resins? That’s the source of that awful smell – it is called MMA (Methyl methacrylate). When I first started manicuring, the smell usually got me high (you know what I mean)…now I understand why customers did not complain about the hurry those days, even with the high price tag. Well, with time, the smell was no longer there – maybe I got immune to it, so did customers also.
Though Methyl methacrylate is sensitizing, it seems not to bother a good number of people. Well, it’s worthwhile to have your nails done – but more importantly. An expert would do an extraordinary job.
Image: PinkStock
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