Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Why Your Nail-lady Won't Do Flare Nails


Nails by Allison Nicole
  First off, let me start by pointing out that I DID NOT DO the nails in these photos. Both photos are captioned with the names of the artists-- I believe Allison works in Atwater CA, but I'm not 100% certain about that.

Also, both of these artists are awesome. And they both do some wicked-ass nails and have built a reputation for rockin a look that many self-respecting nail techs simply refuse to offer...

Why?

Why would a nail tech absolutely put their foot down and flat out refuse to do something? I mean, other than something that's unsafe or illegal?


Nails by Jamie Rena Melchor; Oakhurst, CA

Well, my friends, welcome to the "duck foot" flare nail trend.

We hate these things.

Obviously, not all of us hate them, for instance, the two fine artists featured in the photos have obviously chosen to downright embrace this style, and have developed quite a following for it too.

But the thing is, you ought to understand, is that most of us worked our butts off to learn how to NOT do nails like this!

Ok... the "duck foot" nail is an extreme style. It's kinda obvious that someone went out of their way to make these nails flare... but we've all seen nails that flare that you're just not sure if it's on purpose or not, right?

That is what we learned not to do. Most of us who learned to sculpt nails on forms spent hours, days, weeks, years, learning to sculpt a nail with perfectly parallel sidewalls to gently tapered.

Believe it or not, there actually is a standard for what is considered "technically perfect" structure. It's a large part of the judging criteria in sculptured nail competitions. And letting those free edges flare out is the exact opposite of what they are supposed to do!

So, when you spend so much time learning not to do something, it can be downright maddening when your client walks in and asks you do that thing on purpose!

OMG! It makes your head spin! Here we've spent decades associating flared-out tips with crappy workmanship and you WANT your nails to look  like that?

And so there are a LOT of nail techs who just flat out refuse. They have drawn a line and said, "hell no."

And that's fine.

On the other hand, there are plenty of techs out there who have decided to rock the flare.

And why not? Fashion trends come and go, and nails are just a part of that process. Believe me, in 10 years you'll be looking at those duck feet nails in your photos and laughing at yourself for ever thinking they were "cool." And five years after that, they'll be back in again.

I have to admit. I have a hard time loving the flare. For lots of reasons, most notably that they are inherently structurally unstable. They are out of balance, with more weight off the nailbed than on it, and with that weight spread out over so much space, flared nails are a disaster waiting to happen. Too much free edge to get caught on things, leading to more lifting and breaking.

But women have always loved bad science when it comes to their nails. I'm not likely to change your mind with all my technical info.

So don't be surprised when you walk into the nail salon and your nail tech tells you that you've lost your mind when you request this look.

On the other hand, if you're a nail tech who refuses to take the opportunity to prove that the flare can be pulled off with exceptional technique and style-- don't be surprised when your clients tell you that you've lost you're mind for refusing to keep up with the times.

Either way... I've decided to go with it. Life is short and fashion should be fun... and there is nothing like the feeling I get when a client truly loves the nails I've done for her. So if she loves flares, then all I can do is rock those flares!





42 comments:

  1. Have fun with it Maggie!!! Glad you got to blog on this!!! The art is amazing, but, as you know, I am one that will not do it. I am only imagining the injuries when they are snapped off.
    Do you think we will ever see this in a competition? ;-)
    Great blog!
    Lynnette

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  2. I say "You have to wear them not me" if they want flares I will do them. However, I have drawn the line with down right ugly. I mean it is my name on them after all.
    I do sculpt them but have found a supply in Fresno that carries both the extreme and the baby duck shaped tips. Those are far easier to use.

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  3. I understand that you dont want to spend your time doing these types of nails, but it shouldnt be your choice what to do. Yes, you learned how to properly sculpt nails, but you should do what your customer wants. Not what you want. Wherever I go to get my nails done, they have no problem taking care of what I want. I guess you dont know how to please your customer as well as others if you are not willing to make them happy.

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    Replies
    1. Passive aggressive much?

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    2. A business has just as much say in what they will do for your money just as much as you can ask for whichever service you're willing to pay for. I know society has taught us that "the customer is always right" but that's bullshit. I've worked in customer service for 10+ years and sometimes the customer is just an idiot. Sometimes in customer service your job is not to bend at every beck and call of the customer, but to educate them on the services you're providing. You don't know anything about customer service if you think customers get to walk all over people and make demands when half the time the customer doesn't even know what he/ she is taking about. You go to a place of business for a service provided. They are the professionals. Not you.

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  4. totally ugly. they look ridiculous. but if that's what some women want- that is their business! I never saw anything so hideous!

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    Replies
    1. I have seen something more hideous........

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  5. your stupid these nails are nice and they look beautiful

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    Replies
    1. Oh god. This is so old, but *you're.

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    2. no ur nuts if u think this trash looks good

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  6. YEA THT PERSON IS VERY STUPID WHOMEVER POSTED FRM APR 2, 2012 09:22 AM... I ACTUALLY LOVE THESE NAILS... HE/SHE MUST LOOK RIDICULOUS... AND NEVER SEEN A MIRROR B4... DUMB ASS... JUS JEALOUS CUS SHE/HE DNT HAVE THIS TALENT...

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    Replies
    1. Why are you yelling!!? TURN OFF YOUR DAMN CAPS LOCK!!!

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  7. What a dumbass. Every salon I've been to, they do this, and I'm in a southern state. If you want to rant, rant about something that people care about. Frankly, I think women have much more to discuss than nails and your opinions on other women's opinions. Size/shape of nails is not your call.

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    Replies
    1. How about you don't follow a blog about nails if you don't want to see rants about nails. It's clear that the dumbass here is you.

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    2. lmfao exactly? who complains about nail blogging on a nail blog site? retard...

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  8. I don't think calling a Maggie a dumb ass is called for... you are right to have your opinions as does Maggie.
    Have a Blessed day

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  9. Some of the previous comments were absolutely ridiculous as are the childish people who wrote them. Did you not read the whole article?? She never said she wouldn't do them. She said, she'd do them if that's what the customer wanted. Maggie could rock this nail style along with any other nail style anyone wanted. Don't worry Maggie, I don't think you'll be losing any business from this blog!! Your work speaks for itself!!!

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  10. I think maggie did not disrespect anyone at all so no need to disrespect her....she gave her well said opinion about the nail style nd it is her blog.....so if u got offended by what she wrote mybe you shouldnt read them,cuz oviously u cant take some one elses opinion

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  11. As a Certified Tech I hate these nails. Im so glad I've never been asked to do them. I'm not sure if I would or could! It goes against every fiber of my being to make a flared nail. However, if the girls who are wearing them like them, then all the power to them. I hope their techs are informing them of the risks of wearing such an unbalanced nail. As for the comment that there are better things to blog about then nails,...I ask you: "why are you reading a nail blog?" There are billions of blogs about millions of different subjects out there and there's something for everyone. If you don't like this one, then move on! There are plenty of people who know Maggie is an amazing Technician whom Techs, students, and clients learn a hell of a lot from. People who post negative comments on subjects that they are completely naive about are just Trolls and karma will come around for you.

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  12. Okay i love this nails and im looking for someone to do them...i leave in danbury ct and i cant seen to find anyone ...please help....

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  13. I love them!!! those nails are sexy and its just a style that is in now and the haters can just keep hating haha

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    Replies
    1. There's a difference between "hating" and having an opinion about something that you simply don't like. Not everyone is going to like these, so learn the diffrence

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  14. I understand some nails techs are completely against this trend but wouldn't you want to make your client happy? I don't agree with the style but at the same time if thats what my client wants I do it.

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  15. I think the steletto nails, or any type of rounded, oval nails are the cheap looking ones. I myself have done flared since 09, on and off, with the fishtail/moon shape. and have gotten gradually more extreme. But I'm only in my 20's! I don't know if I'll wear them into my mid 30's-40's. I hate how people associate these nails with Jersey, just because of a TV show. I loved Jersey Shore, but it was my NAIL LADY that introduced me to that shape, not Tracy or Snooki. And I'm from the Detroit part of Michigan, where it's all about curved, pointy and natural short square nails (boring and basic). So I wear my flared and moon tips proudly, because they help me stand out. :D Been getting my nails done since I was about 16, and when I have a 16 year old daughter, wanting those nails, more power to her.

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  16. I'm not crazy about the flared-tip nails. I don't watch the Jersey Shore, I saw Theresa on Long Island Medium and I wondered, "What's up with those flare-tipped nails?" and googled here. So, here I am. :) Anyway, I'm not crazy about them and would not get them. However, if that is your style preference, just like we have our preferences for shoes, go for it. Theresa rocks them just fine.

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  17. I like the duck feet nails to an extent. The ones shown in the picture I don't like because they are too flared and wide for me (extreme) so i think I'm attracted to the baby flare (more flare than your average nail). As a female I have inherited long skinny fingers instead of short ones or short fat ones. My whole reasoning for getting duck feet nails is because straight normal angeled nails make my fingers look even more awkward than they already are and even more long and skinny not to mention i dont like short nails so length makes my situation worst. Too each his own. Some techs have made my nail experience the hardest experience in the world simply because they won't do what I ask them to, which is the style I want. Like I said I'm not in favor with the extreme duck feets in the pic, but I do like the ones that are more subtle. I'm not saying all do this but some have the experience but refuse to do the whole style period, I mean why? I don't want mines like the pic here. If Im paying you for it why not? Its business. I'm not satisfied with how my fingers look with the normal nail so this leaves me to go all around my state from shop to shop just to find a nail tech who is willing to do duck feet. I guess I'm just outta luck.

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  18. Why and when did this become a trend??? Those things are soo unattractive!

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    Replies
    1. agreed, but yah know people follow any trend that is "deemed" as hot or whatnot. #followers #beourownleader

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  19. Eww. Those are nice versions? Eww. I saw a woman with these a few weeks ago. It was so hard to keep myself from laughing when she caught her tips on her pocket, the counter and the shopping bag, all within ten seconds. Between these nails, the caviar manicure, outlandish nail art, velvet manicures and god knows what else, I'm starting to wonder if I'm the only woman with a job and no dishwasher. How do these people function? There is nothing more unattractive than a useless person.

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  20. I love this style. As a plus sized woman they make my fingers appear longer and skinnier. I Have Been Getting The Flared concave style since 2001.

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  21. I like them I DO NOT LIKE them with extreme flair though

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  23. These are the most disgusting nails I've ever seen. Women who want them must be shallow, bimboish and utterly stupid, I have no other explanation. Poor mail artists tbh...

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