The nail care and color category of professional beauty has grown hand over fist—or foot. Manicures and pedicures are considered maintenance, not luxury, services. That said, clients have spaced out appointments to save money during economic woes so wooing them back to a more frequent schedule means knowing how to entice them with must-have colors, product systems and know-how. We talked to nail industry trailblazers and leaders and asked them to share some nail inspiration for salon pros to pass on to their clients or to put a spring into their own manicures.

How important is advanced education for a nail technician?

“A great many people think that once you've learned the basics of all the services (manicure, pedicure, artificial nails) that you're done and ready to be a professional nail technician.  While this is true, it depends on the quality of nail technician you want to be. The Nail Industry as a whole is constantly evolving, from the introduction of newer chemicals and products to improve on our services to styles and fashion. As an example, square nails have been popular for nearly 20 years. Now the trends are going more rounded, almond shape.  Do you want to be the old school nail technician doing only square nails or do you want to be on trend with the changing times and suggest a new  look for some of your customers?  For me, I think it is mandatory that we keep learning. With all my years of experience, I am still constantly learning new techniques, designs, applications. I learn from other industry experts as well as new technicians to the industry. I never want to be old fashioned, out of style or a nail dinosaur.”

-- Cuccio International’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales and Global Education Director Elaine Watson

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