UPDATE

 Well guys, I just got an email from the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology here in California that read in a sing-songy sort of manner that they're so excited to let us know that salons will be able to reopen as of August 31st....

PYSCHE!

Not us! 

Nope. Tulare County remains in "Tier 1" which basically means people keep getting sick and dying in our county at a higher rate than other counties so nail salons can still only continue to operate outdoors.

Well...it's late summer now. You can kinda smell fall creeping in around the edges. Pumpkin Spice is back at Starbucks (All hail the pumpkin spice gods! ...yes, I'm a founding member of that cult, thank you,) the June bugs are long since gone, and the evenings are cooling off enough to be downright pleasant.

It would be entirely feasible to wheel the nail desk out onto the sidewalk after about 6 PM these days. Except for the lacewings-- those things are still a nuisance.

Except now we have the additonal issue of smoke from the entire state being on fire! 

And I'm still unclear on the City's tolerance for salon services being done outdoors on City property? I don't see any other nail techs in town out on the streets. 

The hard truth of the matter is that, for the time being, I have, once again, stepped away from the salon business. 

It was a rough decision that was made after too many sleepless nights worrying about the financial impact of the continued closure, too many frustrating internet searches trying to stay up to date with whether or not we'd be able to reopen, too many concerns about the rising numbers of serious cases of COVID-19 in the county and access to information about how those cases affected local hospitals. 

It was a rough decision that came upon discovering that I am facing some unexpected health concerns that put me in a far higher risk category than I'd suspected.

It was a rough decision that came after heartbreaking evidence that people in my community would rather risk my life than take simple precautions against spreading disease. 

I mean...really. 

But then, many of you have heard me say for years that the real reason so many people want a zombie apocalypse is that-- deep down-- we really just want to kill our neighbors. I just didn't realize how spot on I was! 

Anyway...I thought I'd just go ahead and slip in a little of that old sarcastic, pot-stirring Maggie I'm famous for. I wouldn't want to disappoint anyone. 😏

Once again, the Art of Nailz site will continue to exist and with luck, I'll be updating it soon with good news and glitter. 

Until then-- stay safe. Don't kill your neighbors. Don't let your neighbors kill you. Be kind. 

And don't get too good at doing your own nails! 

On Working Outside

Let me tell you a story:

I think it was the summer of 2005. I had my own salon in a retail pad-- you might remember, when I was behind the donut shop?

It was July and we were having a record heatwave-- 30+ days in triple digits.

My air conditioning went out in the salon.

Anyone remember that?

Mom was working with me back then and she spent that month making multiple trips back and forth to the neighboring 7-11 to buy bags of ice. 

Which I was using to keep my nail products cool in an ice chest beside my nail desk. 

Every nail I did that month looked like utter crap. Because acrylic cures faster when warm. 

I had to buy different product, a "summer" liquid that's designed to set slower in warmer temperatures. 

It was still setting faster than I could work with it-- and I work fast. 

I did a lot of filing, and I had a lot of lifting-- because the faster acrylic sets, the less time it has to properly bond to the nail plate. (That's the super quick and easy explanation.)

The other problem I faced, was that nearly all salon products need to be stored at temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Once my primers and my monomers get hot-- they're dead. Heat breaks them down and renders them ineffective. 

Solvents evaporate faster, leaving products half-cured and useless in their bottles.

Oh, and let's not forget a discussion on sunlight. 

Our UV-cured products-- all these fancy gel polishes, hard and soft gels (whatever that even means these days, but don't get me started on that) and, to some extent, our prized protein bonders-- they take heat a little better. 

They still can't be stored at higher temperatures, but they're still reasonably easy to work with in warmer temps. What they can't handle-- is sunlight. Because the "UV" in "UV-cured" stands for "ultra-violet" and ultra violet light is something the sun doles out in far greater quantities than my gel lamp. 

I once worked in a salon where I sat directly in front of a south-facing window-- I lost a lot of gel brushes to that window and a couple pots of gel, just from the sunlight pouring in through the blinds.

Now imagine actually working outside.

Plus-- bugs. I already do most of my services after 5 PM and in the summer heat of the Central Valley, I think we can all agree that sunset appointments would be preferred. But that's when the bugs come out and bugs love UV light. 

Can you imagine?

Yeah, me either. Doing nails outside isn't a viable solution to the issue of reopening the salon. And that's assuming the City of Visalia, the landlord, and the various insurance companies involved with determining liability all agree to let nail techs move their desks outside.

Oh yes, let's not forget the fire codes that abhor an extension cord!

So even though the state may be letting us work outdoors-- the state isn't the one that has to actually do nails outdoors. 

I'm sorry to say, it's not going to happen. 

Reopening-- What to Expect

It's finally time!

One Love Nail Salon will be reopening July 1, 2020.

However, Maggie (me,) will not be returning to the salon until July 15, 2020.

The salon has some new policies in place and it's vital that everyone who chooses to book an appointment be aware of them:

1. Yes. Face coverings are mandatory. For you, for me, for everyone in the salon and for the entire duration of the time we are in the salon.

I understand that many people have strong feelings about face masks so you need to understand that this is a non-negotiatable issue for receiving services. 

It's one of the requirements we have to follow in order to reopen without risk to our professional licenses and just a good idea.

If it's a deal breaker issue for you-- I will not be able to accomodate you at this time. 

2. We will be taking your temperature when you arrive.

This is something my co-workers agreed on as a precautionary measure for the protection of everyone in the salon. 

Again, there is not opt-out. If you are uncomfortable with this, you should not attempt to book an appointmentn with me or any of my salon colleagues.

3. Wash your hands: There will be hand santizer gallore! But if you want me to touch your hands, you'll need to wash them with soap and water for 20+ seconds before we begin your service.

On that note-- I will not be wearing gloves while I work. It is not a requirement for reopening and it's been a point of serious consideration for me through out my career, not just in the face of the pandemic: I have long held the opinion that if it is not safe to touch my clients (and vice versa) then neither of us have any business attempting a nail service. Full stop. 

I will-- of course-- also be washing and santizing my hands between each client. However, if you are not comfortable receiving services from a nail tech not wearing gloves, again-- I will not be able to accomodate you at this time.

4. No Guests! There can only be one person per nail tech in the salon at a time. Do not bring anyone to your appointment with you, they will not be able to wait inside while you are getting your nails done.

5. NO WAITING INSIDE! We cannot have people waiting inside the salon. When you arrive for your appointment, please text me to let me know you are here and I will let you know when I'm ready for you to come in. 

6. Sign the Waiver! It's just a basic form that says you understand that no matter how hard we work to protect your health and safety, there are no guarantees that you won't get sick. 

You've probably seen them posted on the entrance of about every business that's open. We're just going one step further to make sure you can't say "I didn't see that."

Online booking is currently not available. All appointments will have to be scheduled directly with me. Text me (or leave a voicemail, but really, text me) at my business number: 559-640-7319 for appointments.

I am not currently taking new clients! If you have never been to me before, I will be happy to take your information and put it on a wait list, but at this time, I am choosing to reopen slowly and will be keeping my availability to a minimum.

 

Non-Essentail Nail Tech is Busy Being Non-Essential

The Art of Nailz by Maggie is currently closed!

I am taking the stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19 down seriously. 

I will not be offering services during this time.

And here's the long-winded, slightly manic rant that I know you all expect:

First off-- I never wanted to be an  "essential" worker. I've always said that I love that no one's going to die if I miss a day of work.

I never thought I'd be in a situation where someone might die if I DON'T miss a day of work!

I love that over the years, I have had so many wonderful, loyal clients who feel that I am essential to them but let's face it-- if the worst thing that happens in all this is that you need a new set the next time you see me, we're gonna call that a win.

You are not going to die if you don't get your nails done. However, we are currently dealing with a situation where you might die if you do get them done.

Or you might kill your nail lady.

Or you might kill your nail lady's mom.

Or your nail lady might have forgotton to wipe down the gas pump when she filled up on her way into town and then I probably touched my face before I got around to washing my hands.

The point is-- the world does not need me right now.

I know you want me, but let's not get confused.

I am busy chillin, staying healthy, and helping others stay healthy too.

No. I won't be doing nails on the sly at my home or yours.

I've considered the risks all along the way and continue to re-evaluate my personal opinions on a daily basis.

At this time, the risks to myself, my clients, my loved ones, and my community are just too great for me to justify.

OK. That wasn't very long or manic or even terribly rant-y. That's the advantage of having backspace and delete buttons.

Believe me-- I've gone on 30 different rants and shouted several curse words while calling nearly everyone on the planet a variety of creatively insulting names and declaring myself the ultimate authority on all things concerning wisdom and truth.

I know my clients, colleagues, and personal friends are deeply saddened by the edits.

As much as I miss my glitter and rhinstones, it should surprise no one who knows me well that the part of social distancing that is most challenging for me is the lack of a captive audience.

I miss you guys!

I Interrupt This Apocalypse to Bring You an Important Message

Honestly, I'd prefer one of these...but it looks like somone delivered Corona by mistake.

So, in light of the current Coronavirus pandemic, online scheduling is currently unavailable.

If you need to get ahold of me, text me at 559-640-7319.

Sorry folks,
Stay well.

Maggie