Client consultation help

[bimbogeri]

This is a big ask and also I feel like a v stupid question, but I'm afraid I have to ask :o

When doing a client consultation, how do you determine which system is best for your client? Obviously I know that the decision will be based on lifestyle, previous experiences etc, but what exactly makes which product suit which lifestyle, and does anyone have either a full or just illustrative list of which lifestyles would be best suited to a certain type of enhancements?

I know that fibreglass are generally quite beautiful but not very hardy - my trainer said they were most suited for ladies who lunch who might not work with their hands a lot.
Likewise she said that IBD (I think in this aspect she did only mean IBD and not gels in general) would suit a hairdresser or someone with their hands in water a lot better than l&p as she said it stood up to water and was less likely to leave the client with greenies, but that generally the school of thought is that l&p is the hardest type of extension.

What general markers do people go by when recommending a certain system for their clients??

Sorry to ask such dense questions, it's something so obvious that I feel I really ought to know, and I do think I know some basics, but don't feel confident enough to be able to offer a truly 'proper' consultation...

 

[bimbogeri]

Just bumping this back up if no-one minds...!
Still none the wiser about recommending systems to clients, and can't seem to find an answer here already. Cheers!
Lol x

 

[mum]

Hi Bimbogeri
The answer to your question always used to be based on strength and ease of application but now, with quality and technology improving all the time, this is not necessarily the case any more!

For someone with hands constantly in water breakdown of product used to ba an issue and a fibre system was considered to be the most suseptible, but....now, the newer high quality brands (together with old faithfulls, such as Backscratchers) this should not be such a problem.

Worry about 'greenies' does not come from systems. It happens when there is lifting of the overlay and an overdue maintenance visit. This is down to preparation and application so lifitng never occurs.

L&p has always been considered the strongest. Not necessairly the case now. Gel technology has certainly improved to make the system capable of structuring an overlay and creating a very strong nail. Even some fibre systems now have a thick resin that allows for structuring.

Gel has a specific appearance when finished but a gel top coat is often used over l&p and fibre to give a long lasting, solvent resistant gloss.

White tips were not usually used with fibre but now, with thicker resins or the 'dip' systems, the 'step' in the tip is not a problem.

My advice would be if someone is really heavy on their hands or have badly bitten nails, the technician has a bit more 'design' variations they can use to create the right nail when using l&p and advanced gels (especially if the various natural coloured options are used). If the client has very delicate, thin or sensitive nails, a fibre system is very gentle.

However, in saying that, a good technician can do anything with their chosen system!

Even more than before, the strength issues with the systems are disappearing and personal preference of application and client preference counts for the question of what is the best.

Sorry if this is not a definitive answer but technology has moved on (fortunately for all of us) and the old bench marks don't count any more

Marian

 

[bimbogeri]

Thanks Marian, that's great. I know that IBD is a strong gel, so should be comparable with l&p, and so then my main choice will come down to if the client has any allergies, a preference from previous sets done, and how confident I feel with making my system work on their nails?
I haven't looked into training in fibreglass yet, but I do know I may have at least one customer in the pipeline who 'only' likes fibreglass. She is indeed a lady who lunches, and thinks fibreglass is the most natural looking system... I suppose if I don't train in fibreglass in the near future I'll just have to wow her with what natural nails can be produced with l&p or gel
Lol x

 

[mum]

Exactly

You wow her with what you can do.

It is useful to know a fibre system for the reasons I said earlier. Also, if a client is really worried about artificial nails but would like them, this system can be easy to persuade someone to try. Specially with a brush on activator. Just like nail varnish!!