I have referred to them as "McNails" long before the term NSS came into use. I think it's an accurate moniker. Sherri On Nov 27, 2012 8:04 AM, "Jill in Ky" <[email protected]> wrote:
> In our area we do not have any high end spas that are known to offer nail > enhancements, so most problem nails come from one faction of our industry. > My clients and new people I meet would not know what NSS stood for & > explanations of a Non-Standard Salon are lengthy, so I reference them as > the "cheapy walk-in places". Everyone immediately gets the picture. > > Jill W. > > On Tuesday, November 27, 2012 7:50:05 AM UTC-6, KeyzKaren wrote: >> >> NSS – WHAT IT MEANS >> AND >> WHERE IT COMES FROM >> >> For those of you unfamiliar with the term “NSS” when referring to a >> salon, the words are actually Non-Standard Salon and refer to salons that >> do >> not adhere to standards of professionalism, safety and sanitation. The >> term >> was coined on the porch of our condo at the Orlando Premiere Show in >> August >> of 2000. Several of us were sitting around the balcony talking shop, as >> we >> love to do at show gatherings. This night, Diana Bonn, Simmy Bredal-Bell, >> Jenny Markakis, Debbie Doerlamm, Athena Elliott, maybe Mindy Borrego, >> maybe >> Pati Schemabari, maybe others…but Mare Horak, Tanis Darling and Ellen >> Flood >> were the ones I remember at this particular discussion. >> Diana brought up a topic that was bothering all of us....the >> discussions on the Beautytech.com forums had devolved into a hotly >> debated >> so-called racial war. When the topic of the awful things being done to >> clients at salons who cut corners, used cheap MMA, drilling into nail >> beds, >> ripping acrylics off with tips came up on the "Boards," as they were >> referred to at that time, someone coined the term "chop shop" to describe >> that kind of salon. What that person meant was that getting your nails >> done >> in a situation where your nails were ripped, shredded, several people >> working on you at once...was sort of like your car getting demolished by >> a >> "chop shop." Unfortunately, some people took that to mean a racial dig >> against Asians..."chop suey" and "chop chop" were terms that were tossed >> around on the boards. There had been no racial slur intended, and the >> resulting flame wars took everyone's attention off of the real >> issue--salons >> that damaged clients. >> Debbie had been monitoring several threads of conversation along the >> same lines, and we all agreed that what needed to happen is that we take >> away any racial indications, and turn the spot light back on the true >> issues. We decided that “discount salons” wasn’t really accurate because >> you >> could offer “no frills” services at a reduced price and still maintain >> the >> integrity of the nails, the safety of the clients and the professionalism >> of >> the work. We tossed several terms around, and when someone said, >> “sub-standard salons”, Athena said, “Sub-standard? They are NO standard!” >> For grammar’s sake, I said, they’re “Non-Standard” and I think Diana Bonn >> actually put it all together and said, “That’s it…we’ll call them >> Non-Standard Salons…or NSS for short. This way no one can cloud the >> discussion by claiming we’re saying anything racial!” >> We all decided that from that time forward, all of us as active >> contributors on the Beautytech Forums and Mailing List, would use this >> term. >> Diana Bonn would write posts on the nailtech mailing list and the forum >> as >> soon as she got home to make the announcement. And Debbie Doerrlamm >> subsequently wrote an article for Nails Magazine that was published in >> November, 2000, launching the term which has in the years since, become >> commonly used in the trade magazines and throughout our industry. >> >> >> Karen Hodges >> Grapevine, TX >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Kathy Admire >> Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 2:57 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: NailTech:: Re: What to say to clients who think that an NSS >> salon nails are beautiful? >> >> I'm sorry guys but wbat exactly is an NSS salon... >> >> Sent from my LG Mobile >> >> Karen Hodges <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >I can't give you the chemistry behind it...but I also have experienced >> that >> >my excellent quality gels will not properly adhere to cheap MMA acrylic. >> It >> >just doesn't. The gel layer will peel in a few days. I have also had >> >problems with good quality EMA acrylic adhering. Even if I "rough up" >> the >> >surface of the old acrylic... >> > >> >I think that MMA has a short life cycle...it breaks down, yellows, >> >crumbles, shrinks...and generally falls apart unless you reapply more >> MMA >> >on top of it. Maybe the new addition of MMA monomer "renews" it somehow? >> Or >> >maybe because a lot of users of MMA strip the old product off before >> doing >> >"fills" it *seems* to be in better condition than it will be if a new >> >client comes in to me and we try to transition her old product over a >> >couple of fills. I've observed that after 4-6 weeks her old product is >> >lifted, yellowed, shattered. >> > >> >In fairness to the client, I do tell them that sometimes my products are >> >not compatible with other brands...and we may have breakdown, but that I >> >will TRY to transition without the further stress to her natural nails >> of >> >grinding/soaking/grinding/**soaking that it takes to get old MMA off >> their >> >nails. I tell them that if they will stay with me and let us work >> together >> >over the next couple of months, I can promise them their nails will be >> >healthier, thinner, more natural looking...prettier. They either like >> that >> >program...or they don't commit. If they do, I will thin the product down >> as >> >much as I can each appointment....my products easily buff away...so I >> >usually end up removing a part of their old product each time. >> Eventually >> >we get them into good shape. >> > >> >As for the rings of fire and old fill lines and fills over lifted >> product, >> >I explain what that is, tell them what I know I can do about it... which >> is >> >nothing until it heals by growing down the nail bed over time...and >> >recommend we go with color (polish or UV gel polish) during this >> transition >> >phase. I tell them how much it will be and then shut up...and let them >> >decide. >> > >> >Both Katherine and Jill have given us good insights. It *is* all about >> the >> >client. And it is *also* about our reputations. I say: >> > >> > Behave with integrity. >> > >> > Do your best work. >> > >> > Educate the client. >> > >> > Stand behind your service and your products. >> > >> > Be proud of what you do. >> > >> > Never comment about another tech's work....simply let YOUR work >> > speak volumes for you. >> > >> >Best wishes, everyone! >> > >> >Karen >> >Grapevine >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >From: Jill in Ky >> >Sent: Friday, November 23, 2012 12:17 PM >> >To: [email protected] >> >Subject: Re: NailTech:: Re: What to say to clients who think that an NSS >> >salon nails are beautiful? >> > >> > >> >Your gel won't adhere over cheap acrylic? I'm not a gel tech, but am >> eager >> >to learn more about it, so can you explain to me the chemistry behind >> WHY >> >it won't adhere if you take the shine off the top of the old nail >> product? >> > >> > >> >I'd really like to know because I thought you could use a camouflaging >> pink >> >gel to help hide the fill lines. If that's not the case, then maybe I >> need >> >to stick to acrylic where I can custom blend the powder to help hide >> other >> >nail techs fill lines. For all the gel techs out there, jump in to help >> >instruct me on this, ok? >> > >> > >> >Jill W. >> > >> >On Thursday, November 22, 2012 5:57:24 PM UTC-6, Katherine Fahrig wrote: >> > I understand what you are saying and I agree in principal. However, in >> > this situation, that is not going to work. She wears a French Manicure, >> so >> > the yellow acrylic and fill lines show through my crystal clear gel >> > product. Additionally, my gel will not adhere to cheep NSS acrylic. So, >> > the problem is that the finished nails look horrible with the yellow ac >> > and fill lines showing AND they will not hold up. My gel will chip off >> the >> > top of that NSS ac in less than a week. I do not want my name on those >> > nails. I do not want her telling everyone that those yellow, fill lined >> > and chipping nails are my work. >> > >> > >> > Back in the day, when I did acrylic nails, I had an opaque pink that I >> > used on clients who came to me with horrid yellow acrylic on their >> nails >> > and I was proud to have my name on my work because I could make the >> nails >> > look good despite the crappy product underneath. Even if I used an >> opaque >> > pink gel, it would still chip off the top of the NSS acrylic. The only >> > thing I could do is start doing acrylic nails again. Not going to >> happen >> > for my own reasons, long story that is a whole different thread. >> > >> > >> > It's not an ego thing, it's a reputation thing. I will not put my name >> on >> > yellow, fill lined nails. That is not what my work looks like. I use >> top >> > quality products that do not yellow and correct (manufacturers) >> technique >> > that does not leave fill lines. I do not view a good work ethic as >> "ego". >> > >> > >> > I get what you are saying, but, this situation is not about ego, it's >> > about my name on substandard work. I have other clients who get their >> > nails done in other states, one who gets her nails done in Vancouver, >> BC, >> > I have no problem doing their nails. No, the work is not as good as >> mine >> > ( that part is ego ) but they all use a quality gel and I can do my >> work >> > with my gel over it and with one appointment I can produce nails that >> > deserve my name on them. I do not bad mouth the other salon or >> manicurist, >> > I like to hear about how things are in the other city for my clients >> who >> > live part time here and part time there, it's a fun and exciting life >> that >> > I can live vicariously through. It's not about me having to convince >> > anyone that I'm better than the other manicurist. It doesn't matter, I >> do >> > their nails when they are in STL and the other manicurist does their >> nails >> > when they are there. No competition, we are actually working together, >> > sharing the client. I'm cool with that. I'm not cool with someone >> telling >> > a client that they are getting gels when they are getting acrylic and >> then >> > the client expects me to make her yellow, fill lined acrylic look like >> the >> > clear, natural gel nails that I'm known for creating. >> > >> > I do not think that anyone should put their name on work that is >> beneath >> > them. Every single set of nails that walk out of my salon meet my >> > standards for quality, beauty and durability. That is customer service. >> > That is a full book of happy, satisfied clients. That is a reputation >> in >> > this city that I am the best. >> > >> > >> > Belittling, berating or insulting a client, coworker, manicurist >> > (licensed or not) is not good customer service. Doing substandard work >> > over a substandard foundation in not good customer service. >> > >> > Katherine >> > Nails at Panache >> > >> > St. Louis, MO >> > Sent from my iPad >> > >> > On Nov 22, 2012, at 11:03 AM, Jill in Ky <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> > >> > Katherine, I feel your pain & I hate when that happens! It is so >> > frustrating, but this is how I've learned to handle it after 25+ years >> in >> > the business- it all boils down to psychology: >> > >> > >> > After I've tried to educate someone & they still aren't getting it, >> I >> > stop trying. For me, I can recognize the feeling of being defensive >> when >> > it comes on me & it serves no purpose. I have to reign in that emotion >> > because ultimately I do not want to alienate the client (no matter how >> > stupid they appear to be). My goal has to be focused on giving her the >> > best possible service in the time that she's booked. If that means >> filling >> > over someone else's crappy work, then I'll do my best to make it look >> > right & create a stable nail (ultimately it will be her new nail techs >> > problem when her acrylic starts to break down). Then I direct the >> > conversation to something else more pleasant, the hour goes fast, and >> then >> > she pays me. It's not easy, but I try to take my ego out of the >> equation. >> > >> > >> > Think about it from the client's point of view......by YOU >> > contradicting what she's telling you & pointing out her new nail techs >> > flaws, the client is being made to feel like SHE made a poor choice in >> > salons because she's ignorant. No one want's to feel that way, >> including >> > ourselves. So then the client keeps talking about how beautiful & >> > wonderful the new salon is & how great their services are, because >> that's >> > HER way of trying to convince YOU that she DID make a good choice. She >> has >> > a need for your approval, but she doesn't realize that it hurts your >> > feelings & puts you on the defensive, so both of you get nowhere. It's >> > frustrating on both sides because both peoples egos are involved. >> > >> > >> > Obviously, the other salon is exciting to her because it's new. She >> was >> > probably excited about your salon back when she became a new client, >> too. >> > The new tech probably strokes her ego in ways that you don't anymore, >> > because we all get familiar with long time clients & thus, the >> honeymoon >> > phase goes out the window. It's only natural that it will eventually >> > happen with this new salon, too. Then when you eventually see her >> she'll >> > start to complain about them. >> > >> > >> > I wouldn't turn her away or insist that she soak off for a new full >> > set, but that's just me. I wouldn't want her to leave my salon with >> hard >> > feelings because SHE won't understand why after all these years YOU are >> > giving her the boot, plus she will tell everyone in town about how she >> was >> > so rudely dismissed as a long time client by you. And what if she >> doesn't >> > have the money in the budget to pay your prices for a full set? She'll >> be >> > forced by YOU to take her business elsewhere then. We're in business to >> > make money & HERS would be gone. What purpose would that serve? >> > >> > >> > If she were my client, I'd mentally prepare myself for when she >> comes >> > in (keeping my body language relaxed- not on the defensive) bragging >> about >> > her new salon & then I'd just let her talk it out of her system. I'd >> keep >> > my head down, fixing those crappy nails so they look good, & >> occasionally >> > at the right points in the conversation, I'd interject the little words >> > that will mean so much to her.... "uh-huh" & "is that right?" & "no >> way!" >> > & "you go, girl!". I'd be taking my ego out of the conversation & using >> > psychology to make the client feel validated. Eventually, she'll run >> out >> > of steam & you can direct the conversation to other things that are >> > important to HER. Aaaahhh, the honeymoon phase is returning! >> > >> > >> > It's a challenge in acting & psychology, but for me it's also >> > satisfying when it works because everyone leaves happy. One great thing >> > about being in the South is that you learn how to sugar coat phrases >> which >> > have underlying meanings. The best one to remember is "Well, bless your >> > heart!", which sounds very nice on the surface, & you can interject it >> > into your next conversation with her when she says what a great nail >> job >> > her new tech did. But what you really mean by that phrase is "Well, you >> > are dumb as a rock"! >> > >> > >> > Jill Wright >> > Event Coordinator & Nail Tech >> > www.nailtechevent.com >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > On Tuesday, November 6, 2012 1:55:18 PM UTC-6, Katherine Fahrig >> wrote: >> > Hey Techies, >> > >> > I have a client who used to be a regular gel client until she >> moved >> > to Florida last year. She now comes to me 3 or 4 times a year. It >> wasn't a >> > problem until this visit. She showed up with NSS, substandard, horrible >> > acrylic nails that are yellowing and have fill lines. She went on and >> on >> > about how she found a new salon that is so beautiful and the guy she >> goes >> > to is so up to date on all the latest things and does such beautiful >> work. >> > I'm looking at horrible, yellow, fill lines and acrylic ( she was told >> > that it was the new powder gel that they were using ) and I want to >> > scream! I pointed out the yellowing and the fill lines, she >> acknowledged >> > them and then said something about "taking it all off" for her fill. I >> > told her that she would have to soak them off for about an hour and >> then I >> > would do a full set, for the price of a full set. She said that they >> just >> > pulled them off, no hour wasted soaking them off. I had to keep my head >> > down so she could not see the horror on my face. >> > >> > What do you say to someone when presented with this kind of mess? >> I >> > did not have the time to soak them off and do a full set, so, I did not >> > push her to do so. I told her that it was acrylic on her nails and she >> > said that it was powder gel, didn't I know about it? I explained that >> it >> > was not powder gel it was acrylic and she still insisted that they said >> it >> > was gel so it is gel. I stopped short of telling her that they are >> lying >> > rat finks because she went on and on about how much she liked the salon >> > and the "guy" who does her nails and the conversation was quickly >> turning >> > into an argument with my client defending her "guy's" flat out lies! >> > >> > I'm still trying to get my hormones in balance so I could use some >> > advice as to what to say and what not to say. In general I do not bad >> > mouth anyone else's work, but, what do I do when someone is lying their >> > but off and the client believes them over me? I have certificates on >> the >> > wall that prove my advanced education and she's heard me go on and on >> > about all the conventions, continuing education, this mailing list, >> > industry web sites and trade publications that I've gotten all my >> > information from for 25 years and she still believes that lying sack of >> > *~#t!!!!! Sorry, I fell into name calling.....not sorry he is a lying >> sack >> > of _____. >> > >> > She was a good client for about a year before she moved to FL, I >> > educated her while she was in my chair and now she seems to have >> forgotten >> > all of it. On her way out she saw my old ProFinish two hand uv lamp and >> > exclaimed, "that's what they have, the new two hand lamp! What do you >> use >> > it for?" I told her that that lamp is a least 15 years old and useless >> > except to get regular polish clients to sit still for 4 minutes. She >> > looked confused, but, said nothing more. >> > >> > I thought about booking 2 hours for her next appointment and >> soaking >> > the ac off and putting on a new set of gels so she would be reminded of >> > how they should look, but, if I'm doing all that work, I'm getting paid >> > for a full set and she would not agree to that. Besides, she saw my >> nails >> > and the clients before and after her with beautiful, clear, non yellow, >> no >> > fill lines, gel nails. Maybe she listened and noticed more than she >> > admitted to and she will find a new salon in FL that actually does >> gels, >> > not acrylic (that turns yellow) with a gel overlay. >> > >> > So, Techies, I did a little venting, now, what do you all say to >> > clients who come in with NSS nails and tell you how beautiful that are? >> > >> > Katherine >> > Nails at Panache >> > St. Louis, MO >> > Sent from my iPad >> > >> > -- >> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> > Groups "NailTech" group. >> > To view this discussion on the web visit >> > https://groups.google.com/d/**msg/nailtech/-/GMGy0U4sa_EJ<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nailtech/-/GMGy0U4sa_EJ>. >> >> > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> > [email protected]**. >> > For more options, visit this group at >> > http://groups.google.com/**group/nailtech?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en>. >> >> > >> > >> >-- >> >You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups >> >"NailTech" group. >> >To view this discussion on the web visit >> >https://groups.google.com/d/**msg/nailtech/-/3erg2-Nbwz8J<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nailtech/-/3erg2-Nbwz8J>. >> >> >To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> >nailtech+u...@**googlegroups.com. >> >For more options, visit this group at >> >http://groups.google.com/**group/nailtech?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en>. >> >> > >> >-- >> >You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >> Groups >> >"NailTech" group. >> >To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> >To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> >nailtech+u...@**googlegroups.com. >> >For more options, visit this group at >> >http://groups.google.com/**group/nailtech?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en>. >> >> > >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "NailTech" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> nailtech+u...@**googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/**group/nailtech?hl=en<http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en>. >> >> >> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "NailTech" group. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nailtech/-/T8U2R80CNicJ. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NailTech" group. 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