Why you should already be preparing your client’s summer wedding nails

Preparation for a bridal manicure can begin up to six months prior to the big day, allowing for a thorough consultation, trial manicures and maintenance appointments.

“The natural nail can take six months to grow from the matrix to the free edge and so it is ideally best to start the manicure process six months before the wedding day if possible,” says Liz Richards, head of education for Cuccio Europe. “There are many ways to promote this: it’s not just about having perfect nails for the big day, but also about helping to keep the bride calm and a monthly manicure/pedicure service will go a long way to helping with this.

“This also gives you the time to ensure the nails are tip-top before the big day, especially if the bride keeps up with the recommended aftercare at home. This also gives you time to really plan what nails you will create for the day and even run some trials if you are doing more intricate designs.”

“The natural nail can take six months to grow from the matrix to the free edge and so it is ideally best to start the manicure process six months before the wedding day if possible,” – Liz Richards, head of education for Cuccio Europe. 

Regular maintenance appointments using a chosen system to benefit the clients’ natural nail health are essential. “For clients that are more prone to breaking nails or are worried that their nails may not grow long enough naturally, you may want to offer them a few months before the big day to take care of their nails,” says Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System Gellux expert. “This could be with a builder gel, hard gel or acrylic overlay to keep them strong or a gel polish manicure to help the nails grow.”

Nail inspiration
The consultation could also include a discussion of the bride’s wedding plans to use as nail inspiration. “Always ask the bride about the style of the wedding, their dress and the materials and patterns in their wedding dress,” says Elissa Newton-Smalls, CND education ambassador.

“You might also want to ask about the colour of the bridesmaid dresses or even the design of the invitations. Taking little pieces of inspiration from various sections of the wedding can help you to create and design the perfect bespoke wedding nails.”

This also allows you to gather a rough idea of the time, skill and product required for the final design. “If you know that the bride will have an intricate design that will take time, it may be worth recommending her to come in for a rial manicure so when she comes in for the big day you can be set up with the necessary products and tools to save time,” says Vicki Croucher, marketing executive at The Edge Nail and Beauty.

Discover more tips for perfecting bridal nail services in the February issue of Scratch. 

Featured image courtesy of Ed Golden photograph, nails by Holli Dolli, HAD Nails.