Holiday Nails in Aurora Silver - Tutorial by Anna Lajourdie

Akzentz Gel used : Aurora Silver, Modelling & Top Gloss Clear

Sculpting with Akzentz Competition White

Aurora Sparkles

The new Aurora sparkles purple is what I'm wearing now and I blinged it with embellishments for my christmas vacation nails.

Beauty Cosmedica Singapore Issue 36 Nov/Dec 2008

Design Gel Nails Tutorial by Evangeline Seah

PRODUCT MISINFORMATION ???

With more new gels and various brands of soak off gels flooding the market, the competition gets tough and it is only understandable that sellers are promoting their gels as being a better gel. Marketing the strengths and benefits of gels is important but recently we have heard some new selling points have been grossly exaggerated. A customer told me that she encountered some "hard selling" tactic from a supplier of an organic gel in the market that is healthy and more natural for the nails. They told her that they can prove their gels are organic by performing an experiment by lighting the nail, it won't catch fire because it is organic, unlike chemical gels which can be hazardous ???......

Anna Lajourdie (Akzentz International Educator) explains....

I think putting any product on the nails that requires maintenance is an enhancement.

Saying that particular gel (usually, but not only soak off) is any more "natural" then any other gel or L&P is misleading the client.

I might say that many soak off gels might feel more natural (because they can be applied very, very thin and are very flexible) but I would never say or advertise that they are more natural.

Certain companies use these tactics to the extreme trying to convice that their product is better, more natural (it lets the nails breath, etc), organic, don't contain chemicals etc.
Unfortunately that implies that other products are bad for the nails, they are unnatural, they damage (suffocate?) the nails, contains harmful chemicals (after all ALL the products contain chemicals because everything except for light and electricity is a chemical)

Meanwhile.... it's the improper application, careless nail technicians damage the nails, NOT the products.
Ok, we are talking reputable products, not MMA of course.

What I expect from reputable company is FACTS about their products, not good sounding (too good to be true) slogans.

Akzentz Gels after 6.1/2 - 7 weeks

This woman came in on September 23, arrived 20 minutes late which left me 25 minutes to do her fill... I did it that fast, glitter fade and all )

She had to cancel her last appointment 3 weeks ago, wasn't sure if she had anything left but she came in with all intact, no lifts, breaks or chips. EEven she couldn't get over how long they lasted! And she moved, which is why she had to cancel, so she was packing, cleaning, etc..... amazing!

Gina Silvestro -Akzentz Distributor/Educator

I don't need any convincing either Gina! I had 2 women that went 7 weeks! Not to hijack the thread but here's another testament to gel and of course Akzentz to boot!

Teresa - Ontario

Akzentz 15 New Colors !

We are happy to announce 15 “New” Options Colours available to order soon!

Introducing 8 “New” Options Colours in the following shades.
Amethyst Smoke– pearl
Café Couteur– frost
Chocolat– cream
Merlot– pearl
Peach Whisper– cream
Lavender Cream- pastel
Glacier Blue- pastel
Seafoam Green- pastel

Introducing 7 “New” Options Sparkles and Auroras in the following shades.
Sunlit Snow– sparkles
Golden Twilight– sparkles
Ravishing Red– sparkles
Midnight Dust– sparkles
Aurora Pewter
Aurora Blue
Aurora Purple

Akzentz Gel Class Conducted in Japanese at Ecsalonce in Singapore

Our native Japanese educators are certified Akzentz and Ezflow Educators and conducts the courses in Japanese language. Ecsalonce offers 4 classes per week to Japanese nailists.

Dry Flowers in Gels

Nails by newbies, Chris and Elva who just started learning gels. Nails are extended using Builder French White, Paint On White Ultra and Natural Pink with dried flowers and crystals.

Achieving the Competition Look with New Akzentz Competition White Gel

Nails by Lana Gavric (Akzentz Educator Canada)

KAREN HIX'S 18 KARAT MARKETING TIPS FOR NAILTECHS

Many nail technicians are good at what they do, but they lack the imagination or even experience to market their services. Karen Hix is a very talented nailtech based in California,USA and I find her marketing tips very helpful and posted it here for your reference. I'm sure it will open up your mind with some good ideas for your business to prosper ! All the best !

Karen's 18 Karat Marketing Tips

Here's what worked for me: put your clients to work for you! When I first was building my books, I gave away (YES -- FREE) 10 full sets of acrylics (OR GELS) to specifically targeted new clients. I gave them my business card that was a "coupon" for the full new set. These new clients worked at banks, escrow offices, grocery stores, real estate offices, law offices -- places where other people look at their hands, specifically their nails.

They would obviously loved their new nails and wanted to maintain them -- they would have to come back in 2 or 3 weeks for their fill. Bingo! A free full set, became a regular maintenance of income for me. Then in exchange for the free set, I just asked them for their referrals. For my existing clientele, I also asked for referrals, but "paid" them $5 off their next service for each new client they sent me.

This worked very well for me. You can't rely on walk-ins unless your salon is busy and all other techs' books are already full. My appt. books were full in no time using this technique.


While I agree that 30 clients in a year is an attainable goal, it shouldn't be your only goal.

That is a long term goal and needs to be broken down into short term goals. For example you say I want to have 30 clients one year from now.

OK, how are you going to do that?

You could start with these:

I will hand out 5 business cards every day and I will tell those 5 people what I do.

I will talk to every client who comes to the salon today and give them my card.

I will offer every client who comes to the salon today one service at 50% off.

I will offer every new client this week 25% off their next service if they pre book and keep that appointment.

I will start a referral program and offer it to all of my clients at every appointment.

I will send thank you cards to every new client after their first visit and offer them_________( you fill in the blanks)

I will read at least one trade magazine and try one new technique each month.

I will practice my __________(smile lines, efile, c curve, nail art, sculpting, whatever) at least __________minutes per day.

I will attend at least one trade show per year.

I will attend at least 2 continuing education classes per year.

I will visit the message boards daily or weekly and ask questions.

I will network with other nail professionals.

I will take business/marketing classes or attend seminars.

I will ask every client if they would like to book a pedicure with their nail appointment.

If they/I don't have time for a full pedi, I will then offer a toe polish change.

I will recommend cuticle oil to every enhancement client.

I will recommend heel treatments or foot files to every pedi client.

I will offer manis to every pedi client.

My nails and feet will always be impeccably done.

I will dress professionally, make up and hair done every day.

I will always be on time.

I will send a thank you card to every one who sends me a referral whether they are a client or not.

I will ask other business if I can leave cards and or brochures at their front desk.

I will network with the hairstylists/estheticians/ receptionist/other co-workers and ask them for referrals.



If you do all of these things you will have your 30 clients and then some in less than a year.

If you only do some of these things you will still get your 30 clients...it will just take a little longer.


And, you may think oh jeez, I don't want to give a 50% discount that's hardly any money! Well, would you rather have 60% of 50% or 60% of 0?

My reasoning for the big discount is this: it is rare these days to find someone who doesn't already have their nails done. Now, they may be unhappy or looking for a new tech or maybe they want to have their nails done where they have their hair done, BUT there are a bunch of techs in town and unless you already have a reputation as an outstanding tech these people have NO REASON to try you out, especially if you are the same price as other more experienced techs. So, you must give them an incentive to try your services. Once you have them in your chair you can dazzle them with your talent and knowledge. If you are good they'll be back. So, yeah, you may have only charged 1/2 of your regular price, but you have a client in your chair, who, if she is happy will do two things for you: book another appointment and tell her friends about you.

Now that you have this 50% off client in you chair you have the opportunity to ask her about a pedi, recommend some retail, ask for the referral and prebook her next appointment.

Above all else, you MUST be in the salon-every single day! You need to set regular hours and keep them. If you aren't there existing clients don't see you, won't get to know you and won't think of you when they need a mani/pedi/nail repair whatever.

It takes a lot of time, effort and hard work to succeed as a nail tech and this is all stuff they don't tell you in school.

Also, you need to get out of the every 2 week client mindset. With the great products on the market now clients are able to go 3-4 weeks without problems so you need to have more clients that you see less often. The upside is you can charge more for your services when they only come every 3 weeks.

I know this is a lot of information and you probably think you can't do it or it wont work but I'm here to tell you that it took me less than 6 months to be fully booked with a waiting list and having to hire more techs when I opened my first shop. I did all the things I mentioned above and even more-so I know firsthand that these things work and it can be done.

If you stay focused on the short term daily, weekly and monthly goals the year will fly by and you'll think-gee that wasn't so hard!

Nails was also not my first job. I was a Realtor and a property manager. I learned about marketing and sales with that job. I learned that it DOES NOT matter what you do for a living, if you are in sales or customer service you have to be proactive and you have to ASK for the business. Just because you have a license and work in a salon does not automatically entitle you to a clientele. Whether you realize it or not hair and nails IS a SALES job. You are selling services and you are selling yourself. Lets face it, no one needs nail enhancements or hair color. But it is our job to create that need or at least make em want it real bad.

When I could afford it, back in 92, I joined the chamber of commerce and the American Business Women's Association. They were both good investments in my business. Truly, any club you join, business related or not, will expose you to potential clients.

Building a clientele is sort of like losing weight. You have to have a goal and a plan and then you have to work it slow and steady every single day for the best results.

I have done the free thing. The way I did it was buy 2 fills and your full set is free. This way they have already paid for the next 2 appointments. About 50% of those people became regular clients for the salon.

Another promotion that has worked really well for me in the past is buy three get one free-did this for manis, pedis and fills.

I have also done a promo where the client pays for a year of fills and backfills in advance and gets a 20% discount.

I did this for pedis also-that was a great seller. If they wanted to give some of the pedis to friends so much the better because it gave us a new client.

There are so many things you can do to increase your business I could probably write a book!

Nail Demos by Akzentz Educators

Beauty Cosmedica Issue 35 Sep-Oct 2008

ACE Training Results & Certification will be available by Mid October

Hi girls, sorry for the delay as HQ in Canada took so long to prepare everything.
Will contact you as soon as we receive your certificates, letter and aprons !

5 Things you should know about gels

Product Info - courtesy of Gina Silvestro

1. Never use near direct or indirect sunlight. If you work near a window be sure to have a UV film applied to the windows. Even an optically clear film can reduce UV Rays by 99% without interrupting your view. Never work with gels outdoors, and be sure to store all gels and brushes in a solid colored container when traveling outdoors. Any exposure to UV rays will begin the curing process and possibly ruin brushes, products, tools etc.

2. Use the "line of light" to see if your application is smooth (the light reflection will be a straight line) or if you have dips (the light reflection will waiver). This will help to get your application perfect and possibly eliminate finish filing. Use a good light source over your work area to insure good visualization of the application process. Never use Halogen lights, they emit UV rays and may start the curing process. Low heat/low energy Daylight lamps work best for natural light that ismore relaxing to the eyes because it simulates the light outdoors.

3. To avoid contamination, always put the lids on the containers when finished with the products. Use only lint-free wipes and towels. When working with gels, lint is the enemy! If you notice a piece of lint, remove it. If you leave it in the gel you will see it because of the clarity of the product.

4. If gel gets on the cuticle during product application be sure to wipe off before curing under the UV light. I usually take a quick glance at all of the 5 nails before instructing the client to go into the light. This way you can check for gel that has pooled or run into the cuticle, which will cause lifting.

5. When applying layers of gel, always apply over a surface that is completely roughed up (etched) or on the inhibition layer (sticky residue). As a rule of thumb, shine doesn't stick to shine. Once you've removed the inhibition layer, you must be sure to remove the shine from the entire nail if you need to add more gel.

Stilleto using Trilite and Options Color Gels

This set of stilleto nails were done by Serene Teh using Trilite, Options White, Gel Art Green and Irish Kiss.

Akzentz New Competition White & Cool Coverage Pink

Here is another beautiful set created by ICE, Gina Silvestro using the new Akzentz competition white gel, now available at Ecsalonce. Check it out !

Check out Akzentz new Competition White and Modelling Gel

GEL REBALANCE (NATURAL NAIL GEL OVERLAY) By Anna Lajourdie

This rebalance was done on nails that were 5 weeks old

1-2. Sanitize the hands, apply Cuticle Softener and push back the cuticles.

3. Shorten the nails and cut the new smile line (a little bit above the natural smile line)

4. Remove all the gel from the area where the new white gel will be applied. This step prevents any free edge separation and it insures that the free edge turns out thin and you won't file through the white later on.
The yellow that you see around the cuticle is a stain left after nail polish that the client applied between appointments. The stain is very superficial and it buffs of with ease.

5. Remove the shine from the rest of the nail. I choose to use e-file and medium sanding band for all my prep work. Proper use of electic file is safe. Because my application is thin, I don't have to remove lots of product, which allows me to work with e-file set on minimal speed (I use Erica MT20).

6. Apply primer (I choose to use primer pen MAP)

7-8 Nails ready for gel application. The blue you see under the nail is an ink stain, not a "greenie"

9. Apply thin layer of Bonding gel. Cure 2 min.

10-11. Apply Competition White gel. Pick up a medium ball, press it onto the nail lightly, then using press and pull technique move the gel up to the right ear of the smile (keep the gel slightly below the brush and in front of it). Pull the gel down lightly. Pick up more gel if you have to and start in the middle again and work your way up to the left ear of the smile. Pull it down. If the gel looks slightly uneven and it has little shadows it's normal. Once you apply the clear gel over it the gel will look even.

12. Wipe the smile line from the middle to the right. Wipe the brush. Then wipe again from the middle to the left.

13. Apply Modeling Gel making sure that there is enough gel through the sides of the nail (this way you will not have to build the stress area too much). Pull it gently over the white gel.

14. Wipe the sticky layer (Modeling gel cures without shine). File the perimeter for the nail making sure that the nail doesn't look wide and it tapers naturally.

15. Holding clients finger sideways (which gives you a better view) file nice gentle arch (using e-file and medium sanding band)

16. Starting at the side of the nail file the sides of the nail and the cuticle area

17. Blend all the surfaces together making sure that you are not making the nail flat. Using a white buffer even out the surface of the nails. Dust and wipe the nails with Prep. Apply Top Gloss. Wipe with Gel Cleaner and apply cuticle oil.

Oval looks cool

Oval shaped nail is back in trend, it's softer, elongate the fingers and very feminine. Definitely a hot favourite this summer.

Sculptured Gels the "IN" Thing in Gel Nail Technology

Sculptured nail is the way to go in this decade, instead of gluing on tips, we sculpt by using forms as the platform for an extension. You can create a more beautiful structure, c-curve to cater to different type of nails and designs.

Tip Overlay a quick optional service for your salon

Tip overlay can be done using french white tips with a clear gel overlay, or can be created using clear or natural tips and then fill with white gel and overlay with pink/clear gel.

Natural Nail Overlay for the French Manicured look

Natural nail overlay is excellent for clients who has natural long nail, giving added strength and having the nails looking healthy and glossy at all times. It feels light and natural to wear with added strength and the french free edge does not chip and stays shiny for weeks.

Transformation From Technicians to Educators

Akzentz Educator training equips a technician with the relevant skills and confidence to present a class and perform demo quality nails. We provide the platform for growth and motivate individuals to become exceptional educators.

Let's get to work...

ACE Training Singapore 2008

The day began with demos, doing different kind of gel nails, glitters, embedment etc, product knowledge, troubleshooting, managing time, and lots of information from Gina's 18 years of experience in the nail industry as a practising nail tech and educator. We progressed through the training with hands on, working with the product and getting our nails evaluated. Education and learning with fellow technicians are always so enriching and motivating.