Nail care supplies are an essential business tool. Many professionals rely on the way their nails and hands look. This is especially true in image driven industries, such as beauty supply stores.

It is important that you purchase your products from reputable nail care products suppliers. Keep these suggestions in mind to ensure that you choose a good selection of products:

1. Have quality nail care products on hand for basic manicures and pedicures.

2. Purchase long lasting nail polishes to use and sell.

3. Keep artificial nail enhancements in stock for customers who want to make their nails stand out.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use and sell quality nail products for manicures and pedicures

Quality nail care products for manicures and pedicures appeal to both men and women as everyone cares for their nails. Products, such as nail clippers, buffers and creams that you use and offer in your shop should have a quality that reflects your business. Using cheap nail products will probably get your business labeled as sub par.

I recommend: Barielle has a varied selection of nail care products, including cuticle creams and toe nail softeners. This company offers a tool that allows you to search for products according to nail type. Nail Buffs by Taras offers nail care kits that include professional grade nail care supplies.

Keep nail supplies, such as polish in stock to use and sell

Many women like to paint their nails, regardless if their nails are natural or artificial. Using and offering nail supplies, including nail polish, that are long lasting and durable will earn you many repeat customers. Keep in mind that you need to keep a varied selection of colors and polish styles, including glitter polish, in stock to appeal to any customer.

I recommend: The Supply Source offers numerous nail polishes and lacquers. This company offers wholesale prices on all the products it sells. You can find an MSDS sheet on many products on this website. Opi.com sells the entire line of its signature nail polishes. This company has a “Professionals Only” section that offers discounted prices. You have to register for access to the professionals section.

Consider using and offering artificial nail products

Offering nail services and products for artificial nails will broaden your customer base. Some women, especially professional women or women with thin nails, enjoy artificial nails. Using quality nail salon products, including nail art supplies, and selling these products to your customers will earn you some very loyal customers.

I recommend: Simply Elegant offers a full line of artificial nail supplies, including glass nails that you can use an alternate to acrylic nail products. This company offers direct pricing to qualified nail and beauty professionals. You can access the request form by clicking the 'Order Online' option on the navigation bar. DiscountBeautyCenter.com offers acrylic nail supplies, including acrylic nail accents. This company offers free shipping on qualified orders.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Offer customers who purchase nail supplies from you an information sheet about those nail care products. Basics, such as proper methods of use, help customers to get the most use out of their products.

Salon owners and nail technicians should carefully consider the nail products and nail tech supplies they use. The money you save by purchasing low-cost products could cost you in customer loyalty. Nearly 94% of women and a small percentage of men spend more than $6 billion a year on salon manicures. The market is competitive in both price and quality. If a client is unhappy with either, she can simply take her business to your competitor down the street.

Nail care products include both the cosmetics and the tools used for a manicure. In a nail salon, products often include acrylic nail supplies and the new gel nail products. In addition, nail techs should stock their stations with seasonal and popular nail art supplies. Keep these things in mind when stocking up on nail supplies:

1. Customers don't just want beautiful nails. Products should ensure proper hygiene and maintain health standards.

2. Trends change with the seasons. Stay informed about the latest fashions.

3. Women consider manicures a necessity and a luxury. Provide the best nail salon experience possible.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stock nail care products you can rely on

You won't find a shortage of nail polishes or manicure supplies to choose from. However, quality varies from brand to brand. Keep your customers satisfied by only using proven nail salon products.

I recommend: OPI provides a complete line of nail lacquers and nail treatment products. They monitor the trends and help you stay up-to-date with the hot products your customers want. Register as a professional with them and take advantage of all they have to offer. You can also register as a professional with the well-known brand Essie.

Choose only quality artificial nail supplies

For customers who prefer artificial nails, products need to be selected based on quality and reliability. You'll ruin your reputation if the products you use chip, crack or fall off before it's time for the next manicure.

I recommend: Miami Beach Nail Co. acrylic nail products have an excellent reputation for not lifting. You can buy small sizes to try out and bulk product for your salon. Gel nail products are newer than acrylic and are earning the reputation as less damaging to the natural nail. Make Nailogic your one-stop-shop for both supplies and training for gel nails.

Express yourself with the latest in nail art

Clients often want nail art to coincide with holidays or special events. Artificial nails make an excellent canvas for the creative nail technician equipped with nail art supplies, including rhinestones, decals and freehand or stenciled airbrushing.

I recommend: Sign up for the Trendy Princess newsletter to stay current on trends in nail art, nail jewelry, application tools and storage cases. Their website features a nail art photo gallery and a series of nail art how to's. You can order individual items or large quantities at wholesale. Colors In Motion supplies kits and accessories for nail airbrushing.

Purchase nail care tools that last

Nail technicians need to be armed with the best nail care tools they can afford. Good quality tools may cost more, but will last longer and cost less in the long run than less expensive tools that have to be replaced more often.

I recommend: Body Toolz Inc. provides a complete line of nail care implements, including a line of ergonomic tools. Order online or request a catalog.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you own a full-service salon, make sure the nail techs you rent space to provide the nail salon products and services your clients want. Otherwise, you'll lose manicure business to the nail salon next door.

Many people think that making the most of nail care products is something that only nail salons and other businesses in the beauty industry can do. However, almost any business can find creative ways to use supplies for nails. Products, such as nail polish and remover have many uses that aren't limited to just nail care.

Consider the following suggestions to help you find the best ways to make nail care products work for your business:

1. Look around your business to find creative ways to use nail care supplies.

2. Help your customers relax with nail salon supplies, even if you don't own a nail salon.

3. Design a promotional campaign centered around nail care products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get creative with nail care products

Nail care products may seem like an unlikely addition to your business, unless you own an image driven business, such as a beauty supply store. In truth, nail care products can prove to be a good addition to many businesses. For example, employees can use clear nail polish to stop a run in stockings or to help hold a loose button. Nail polish remover can remove sticky residue off many non-porous surfaces. This is useful if you offer gift wrapping for merchandise, such as coffee mugs, in which case you must remove the price sticker. Hand lotion is useful as an alternative to licking their fingers for employees who are stuffing envelopes or working with large amounts of paper. Another idea is to give out nail care supplies in a basket to mark employee achievements, such as reaching a sales goal.

I recommend: No-Miss Nail Care Products sells a varied selection of eco-friendly nail care products, including nail polish remover that doesn't have the strong scent usually associated with the product. Beauty Sak has nail care products from numerous manufacturers.

Think outside of the box about nail salon supplies for pedicures

Pedicure chairs may seem like a nail salon product that can serve only one purpose. The fact of the matter is that if you think creatively, you can find new ways to use the chairs. If you have a business in an image driven industry, you can offer a complimentary foot soak while your clients are in the waiting room. Think of how relaxed and receptive to your products your client will be after a five-minute foot soak. In some cases, you may be able to pitch your product while the client's feet are soaking. Just be sure to change the water after each client.

I recommend: JTE System offers a varied selection of nail salon products, including pedicure chairs and trolleys. This company offers financing to qualified salons and beauty professionals. The Supply Source sells both regular and pipeless pedicure chairs. This company offers online demos of select nail care equipment.

Use nail care products to promote your business

If you own an image driven business, such as a nail salon or beauty accessory store, handing out promotional nail supplies is one way to promote your business. The same is true for almost any business, especially when the target audience is women. There are, however, some promotional nail products targeted toward men, such as a kit that includes a simple nail file and clippers.

I recommend: Branders.com offers a promotional nail product kit that includes a nail file, nail clippers and tweezers. The prices quoted on this company's website include one single color logo imprint. This company offers personalized service. When you start an account, a personal representative will help you. PromoPeddler.com offers a varied selection of promotional nail products, including a kit that includes a miniature nail polish.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep in mind that the nail care products you order for your business are a direct reflection of your business, so cheaper isn't always the best option.

Whether you own a spa, salon, nail care shop or beauty supply store, staying up to date with the proper terms for nail care products will ensure you’re stocking up on the best adornments, equipment and tools. With nail care products like “cuticle pushers,” “growth activators” and “drills,” you’ll not only be giving customers the most current nail embellishments and treatments, you’ll also be sure the manicure and pedicure techniques have their nail health in mind.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Paraffin bath

Paraffin bath equipment allow customers to dip their hands or feet into a warm, liquid wax to soften skin and cuticles. Consider offering deluxe treatments with paraffin waxes with luxurious fragrances or natural ingredients for advanced skincare.

I recommend: American Discount Beauty Supply provides details about paraffin bath equipment and accessories that clients will appreciate and enjoy.

Cuticle pushers

Improve the look and health of your clients' nail beds by using cuticle pushers to gently push the cuticle away without bruising or tearing. Cuticle pushers can also work in conjunction with cuticle clippers to maintain well-groomed, healthy nails.

I recommend: Discover additional details like styles and construction features of cuticle pushers through Body Toolz.

Growth activator

Clients who want longer fingernails may be interested in the use of a growth activator to promote nail growth and strength. The product is simple to apply during manicures since it can serve as a base or top coat.

I recommend: Get more details on nail growth activators such as ingredients, application tips and instructions through the product descriptions at Barielle.

Fungus killer

Customers who wear acrylic nails may battle fungus if the technician used improper techniques to apply the original nails or tips. Keeping fungus killer nail care products on hand can help treat the problem before it spreads.

I recommend: Look into the features and benefits of eco-friendly fungus treatment products through No-Miss.

Drills

Drills are lightweight, electric nail files that allow technicians to groom nails and create sculpted looks with less hand fatigue. Also called electric files, the equipment is ideal to maintain and shape thicker acrylic nails.

I recommend: See a selection of drills and discover their speeds, sizes and specific features through the Miami Beach Nail Company.

Nail dangles

Nail care clients who want additional adornment for their freshly polished and sculpted nails may also want a few nail dangles applied. Also called nail jewelry, the dangles attach with small jump rings through a tiny hole in the nail and feature charms and gems.

I recommend: Look at current sizes and designs of nail dangles and sets at the Trendy Princess website.