120 N A I L P R O D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3

HauteHoliday

Spread holiday cheer with festive,

thoughtful gifts that your clients will adore.

B y I l o n a F r e n c hThe holidays are the most wonderful time of the

year to show customers your appreciation. After all, your loyal, beloved

clients are the ones who keep you in business and

show gratitude for all of your hard work each time

they book an appoint-ment. It’s only natural

that in the spirit of holiday giving, you demonstrate how much they mean to

you with some generosity of your own.

PH

OTO

: ©

THIN

KS

TOC

KP

HO

TOS

.CO

M/I

STO

CK

PH

OTO

.CO

M;

PR

OD

UC

T P

HO

TOS

: A

RM

AN

DO

SA

NC

HE

Z

122 N A I L P R O D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3 N A I L P R O . C O M 123

❜Tis Better to Give than Receive Whether they’re stuffed in fluffy red stockings or delicately placed within an elegantly wrapped box, salon-inspired presents, such as lacquers, gift sets and moisturizers, will delight clients during the holidays. Since giving is always more fun than receiving, here are some great gift-giving ideas sure to leave everyone smiling.

Personalized PresentsWhen it comes to the holidays, Newport Beach, California-based Rosey Toes offers its best clients a substantial gift certificate for services. “Depending on the type

of client and how much money they spend determines what we give them,” says owner

Krissy Haiflich. Clients can choose manicures or pedicures, and some VIPs receive a “mani and pedi of choice, so we give them a gift certificate to use. That’s a $120 gift.”

To spread holiday cheer, Szilagyi also offers clients gift

certificates or, if time permits, a surprise complimentary service

alongside scheduled appointments. “I give them either holi-

day nail art or a paraffin hand treatment with a

massage included,” she says. “I just book a little extra time for it. This also helps introduce a service to them if they’ve never had it, so they can experience how special it feels.”

Handmade holiday cards are one of the most cost-effective and personal gifts you can offer clients. At Rosey Toes, Christmas and Hanukkah cards are handcrafted. “All of the

cards are signed by anyone who knows the specific clients. Each year, we make a different little card that we print off with the client’s name on it, and then include a gift certificate for them, and they love

it.” Although a group email blast would be a huge time-saver around the salon’s hectic

holiday schedule, handwritten notes on merry little cards offer a personal touch that clients will notice—and remember.

The Gift of Giving“Giving your clients a present to show them that you appreciate and love them expresses that you never want to lose them,” says Christy Greiner, nail tech from Simplicity Salon & Spa in Hagerstown, Maryland. “Especially in this day and age, [when nail services are] more of a luxury than a necessity, I do my best to keep them happy. They really do appreci-ate receiving presents because they don’t expect them. A lot of them were shocked. My first-time clients said things like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve never received a present from my nail tech.’ It sets you apart from others.”

Giving holiday gifts can be par-ticularly meaningful to some clients. “One of my regulars had gone through a really bad year,” says Nicole Brown, nail tech at Dayton, Ohio-based Salon Reveal. “She had experienced a couple of deaths in the family and some other personal issues.” When Brown’s client was getting ready to leave after an appointment, Brown gave her a rather large gift basket filled with an assortment of nail products. “When I gave her the basket, she was just so surprised. She gave me a huge hug and she actually almost cried. To see some-one tear up over what (to me) was a simple little gift, meant a lot. It just proves how the little things can make such a difference.”

When it comes to gift giving, making clients feel special as soon as they enter your salon goes a long way. Eva Szilagyi, owner of Lake Forest, California-based Eva Salon, wants both new and current clients to instantly feel at home in her salon. “I make sure they are greeted with coffee or hot cocoa and homemade cookies. I also offer champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries around the New Year.”

Sometimes, regular clients deserve a bit more attention than the standard walk-in. “I have some clients that are my favorites, of course,” says Greiner. “I have two clients—they are a husband and wife—who give me extravagant gifts. So I get them presents as well. They gave me a Pandora bracelet three years ago with a charm on it, and I gave her a necklace and a bracelet and got him a bottle of wine.”

❝When I gave her the basket, she was just so surprised. She gave

me a huge hug and she actu-ally almost cried. To see some-one tear up over what (to me) was a simple little gift, meant a lot. It just proves how the little

things can make such a difference.”

Dream Polish is the ultimate in holiday

glamour. From its blinged-out bottle to its diamond-powder

formula, this creamy lacquer applies flawlessly and evokes a new level of luxury your clients will appreci-ate. Alessandro International,

800.645.3340, alessandro-international.com

As the quintessential holiday

gift from nail techs to clients, Pedi-Sox keep feet cozy and

warm during the chilly winter months. Not only do they help freshly painted

toenails maintain their flawless finish, but Pedi-Sox also aids moisturizer

absorption for softer, smoother feet. Pedi-Sox, 888.536.1577,

originalpedisox.com

Color is a feast for the eyes and the

inspiration behind the lacquer collection Blink of an Eye. The rich colors are ready to meet cool temps

and mingle at holiday get-togethers. The versatile set includes three lacquers that are full of micro-fine glitters and three satiny pigments. Misa Cosmetics,

888.733.6472, misacosmetics.com

Secret Society Nail Lacquer

Gift Set evokes a daring sense of decadence unlike any

other. The set includes three luxe shades and a free fashion acces-sory that will add a dose of drama

and glamour to any evening look. Orly, 800.275.1111,

orlybeauty.com

124 N A I L P R O D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3

At Riverside, California-based Karen Allen Salon and Spa, techs hand out $20 gift cards for any spa service to guests who purchases gift sets at the store. “For corporations or businesses that have been using our salon and spa as an incentive for their staff through the year, we always send them a gift basket, which includes Aveda products and gift cards, as our appreciation for their business,” says Khanh Nguyen, salon president.

Melissa Poindexter, a tech at Cata-lina Hair and Nails in Avalon, California, gives discounted service coupons to new clients for the holidays, but gets more personal with gift choices for loyal clients. “If it’s a long-time customer and I know she likes or collects a certain something, I’ll go in that direction. Also, little handmade nailcare kits filled with a

top coat, file and some lotion or pedicure

slippers and heel cream

are always a hit and inexpen-sive when bought in

bulk.”Brown

enjoys custom-made bath salts in

fragrances that she knows clients like. “I’ll make cute little baskets to put stuff in, so that way they can reuse the baskets and have their homecare items all together,” she says. She visits craft stores to pick up ribbons in various colors and styles to personalize each gift. “Then I’ll order the bottles from different companies, and mix stuff up.”

Haiflich plays a lot of French and jazz music at her salon, which has

inspired her gift

giving. “People

love our music; they’re always

asking for it,” she says. “Last year, we did a Rosey Toes playlist. We made all of the CDs, made labels and packaged them. We gave them to a lot of our clients.”

In the past, Greiner has bought mini stock-ings in a variety of colors to give to clients. “They were fuzzy on the top, and I’d write their name in glitter and then I’d stuff inside a mini file, mini polish, buf-fer block; I included different items for each person.”

Greiner has also decorated clear plastic ornaments stuffed with nail products. “I got the ones that you could open up, and then inside I put tinsel, a mini polish or a mini oil in each one,” she says. “For a couple of them, I put in crinkly paper. You can use silver. You can put anything in them, but I made them all different. I painted their name on them. They can use them forever; they just take the little items out and they can always have them as an orna-ment. They were fun to do, too.”

Gift bags are a time-honored treat that clients appreciate. “One year, I did mini gift bags,” says Greiner. “I personalized each one of them and I started in November, just to make sure I included everybody. For my really special clients that know my

5-year-old son, I gave them a wallet-size picture of him in the gift bag or envelope.”

“I have given gifts of mini nail polishes, mini nail files, sample hand cleansers and hand creams,” says Szilagyi. “I have also given clients

small gifts such as eyelash curlers and eyebrow

tweezers. I make sure that the

way I wrap these gifts are fancy, with lots of colorful cellophane, swirly strings and

bows.”Jumping

on the perfect opportunity to

take care of client’s needs, Katherine Pratt,

Midwest sales representative for Me! Bath in Chicago, believes it’s best to offer product solutions that help clients maintain a healthy, shiny mani/pedi between appointments via mini hand lotions, cuticle treatments, exfoliators, decorated nail files and coupons for add-on services.

No matter what thoughtful gift you offer this year, clients will appreciate the gesture. But remember, anyone can order a computer-generated card, attach a little candy cane and hand it to clients on their way out the door. An out-of-the-ordinary gift, lovingly assembled in consideration of each client’s preferences, will stand out.

“Taking the time and putting your touch on gifts makes all the differ-ence in the world to people,” says Brown. “It makes them feel that they are appreciated.”

❝Taking the time and putting your

touch on gifts makes all the difference in

the world to people. It makes them feel

that they are appreciated.”

With the Relax and De-stress Set from Dermelect

Cosmeceuticals, your clients get two powerful tools in the fight against aging: the

Revitalite Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector which tightens, brightens, and lifts; and the Resilient

Stem Cell Regenerating Treatment, which increases skin’s elasticity and leaves skin looking soft, supple and well-rested with

its regenerating formula. Dermelect Cosmeceuticals, 888.693.3763,

dermelect.com

Packaged in a beautiful red box with a

gift tag, Hand & Nail Mois-turizing Gift Set for the Holidays includes Hand & Body Butter, Nail

Polish # 74 (Real Red), Polish Top Coat and Cuticle & Nail Conditioner. Bio Sculpture USA, 800.770.4493,

biosculpturegel.com

Red nails are essential during the

holidays. That’s why your clients will appreciate the Winter Reds

Trio Pack. The classic gel polish set comes in two fabulous shades of red

that make a festive statement with up to 21 days of wear. Also included is a free

Gelish Rhinestone Heart Keychain to bring some good cheer. Gelish,

714.773.9758, gelish.com

Ready-made for a glittery night on the town, the Harlem

Lights Collection from Color Club features six shades of blues and gold-

flecked metallic polishes that pay homage to Harlem’s vibrant past and present with names like Apollo Star, Savoy Nights and Lady Holiday. If your clients’ nails could

talk, they’d be singing the blues. Color Club, 800.221.8080,

shopcolorclub.com

Your most chic clients are always on

the lookout for of-the-moment nail lacquers. Luckily, the Essie

2013 Holiday Gift features five mini polishes in their most popular shades,

perfect for stuffing in a sparkly clutch for on-the-go touchups at

any holiday gathering. Essie, 866.313.7845, essie.com

All natural and containing 100% veg-

etable oils, the Light Elegance Cuticle Oil Gift Bag lets you share

the gift of healthy nails with clients. Lav-ender, basil, tea tree and jojoba oils are the simple ingredients needed to protect and restore moisture to the cuticle while leav-

ing behind a subtle yet enticing aroma. Light Elegance, 800.275.5596,

lightelegance.com

A sleek finish and sparkling

leather case make Tweezerman Silver Shimmer Slant Twee-

zers the perfect gift for your clients this season. Designed to shape with complete accuracy and precision, the tweezers are a fret-free addition to any beauty regime. Tweezerman,

800.645.3340, tweezerman professional.com

Gift your clients with Lomasi Crème.

Available in four sweet-smelling scents, these creams offer intense hy-

dration and relaxation, ideal for creating the ultimate spa experience when added to any manicure or pedicure service. They come in a set of 20, so you can give them

to all of your closest clients. Young Nails, 800.777.9170,

youngnails.com

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3 N A I L P R O . C O M 127

The Shellac & Additives Duo Kit from

the CND Charmed Holiday Col-lection features two limited edition

Shellac shades and a complimentary Additives pigment. This sweet set

allows you to create a world of nail art looks that will shine under those

beaming holiday lights! CND, 800.833.6245, cnd.com

Nothing says winter wonderland more than Frosty the Snowman

himself. With the Let It Snow Duo, your clients can take home

two snowmen-shaped polishes that promise to be the cutest new addi-

tions to their collection. Jessica Cosmetics, 800.582.4000,

jessicacosmetics.com

Stuff the stockings of lacquer

loving clients with the Take Ten gift set, featuring 10 bestselling mini OPI Nail

Lacquers with a spectrum ranging from soft sheers to creamy

reds to rich burgundies. OPI, 800.341.9999, opi.com

Hand Icing provides clients with

nourished and protected skin. Formulated with shea butter and a high concentration of vitamin E, the lotion prevents flaking and chapping

and locks in essential nutrients during the colder winter months. ME! Bath,

310.338.1490, mebath.com

Sparkle this holiday season with

three 1/2-ounce brilliant nail lacquers from Dare To Wear. Ice Crystals Holiday Lacquer

Set comes with polishes in cobalt blue, frosty silver and hologram diamond silver glitter. LeChat,

510.741.9998, lechatnails.com

The Spicy Gift Pack naturally enhances holiday beauty with its So-

phisticated Shimmer Stick, 100% biodegradable Cherry Pie Nail Polish, Base Coat, Top Coat and conditioning Nail Polish Remover. Keeki Pure &

Simple, 866.512.7713, keekipureandsimple.com

Jazz up holiday looks with

Illuminate Lacquer Duo with Fair Trade bag, a must-have

gift set that includes two luminous lacquers: red shimmer Intention and purple shimmer Intuition. The duo is paired with a custom-designed Fair

Trade bag. SpaRitual, 877.SPA RITUAL, sparitual.com.

Help spread some holiday cheer and

keep your clients’ manis look-ing fresh with the File Catty. These

adorable nail file compacts are decked out with everything from dancing

gingerbread men to holiday wreaths, and will undoubtedly get your clients in the celebratory spirit.

Flowery, 800.347.7456, spilo.com

Indulge the senses with Spa-to-Go

Kits, available in Milk & Honey and Pomegranate & Fig. Soothing and moisturizing milk proteins soften and

condition while honey, a natural humectant, hydrates and nourishes the skin. Pomegran-ate embodies nature’s potent antioxidant, while fighting damaging free radicals to

promote younger, firmer looking skin. Cuccio Naturalé, 800.762.6245

cuccio.com

Have clients that are traveling for

the holidays? Give them some on-the-go glam with the Quilted Manicure & Nail Art Kit. This

handy set features a striper brush, rhinestones, silver striping tape and a cherry-red lacquer by China Glaze for

all your holiday looks. It’s So Easy!, 800.635.8966,

itssoeasynails.com

Cold, winter days equal dry skin and

nails. Show your clients you care by giving them the Sequin

Bag from LCN. This beauty must-have includes Vanilla Nail Oil and White Tea

Hand Cream to hydrate and protect skin from not-so-lovely weather, all cased in a flirty and festive sparkling bag.

LCN, 800.866.2457, lcnusa.com

Timeless Holiday Collection offers

the latest innovative skincare technologies without using parabens,

artificial colors, fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, formaldehyde or alcohol. Gift ideas

include Ageless Beauty Deluxe Retail Set, Eyes Youthful Repair Kit, On-the-Go, Cleanse

& Renew, Repair and Exfoliation. Timeless by Pevonia, 800.446.3751,

timelessbypevonia.com

Clients need simply to pair one of

the shades found in Run-ning With Heels and Strappy

Happy with their favorite holiday duds to make a bold entrance

into the season. Venique, 855.708.3600,

veniquenails.com

Clients will enjoy complementing

their party dresses with the whimsy, carefree and effervescent Ruby Wing Cupcakes and Cham-pagne Collection. Each decadent color-changing nail polish delights the senses and celebrates life’s sweetest moments. Ruby Wing,

800.221.8080, rubywing.com

128 N A I L P R O D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3