Candice Idehen, owner of New York City’s Bed of Nails nail bar, knows how to take on a challenge. At just 26 years old, she single-handedly opened her own nail salon in the heart of Harlem. After she’d been in business for a few years, Idehen began noticing that during the colder months, clients started experiencing dry skin and excessive nail peeling because of a lack of moisture in the air. She also noticed a significant drop in business since women on the East Coast tend to get more pedicures in the summer months and fewer in the winter. To solve both problems, she came up with clever changes that bolstered profits and made her clients happy.
Maximize the moisture. At each of your nail stations, switch out water-based hand and foot lotions for richer creams or butters. If the moisture changes in the environment, your treatments should change along with it.
Talk up cuticle oils. When it’s super cold outside, educate clients on the benefits of cuticle oil. In February we always sell out of my favorite oil—CND Solar Oil. It really penetrates and hydrates the nails
Heat up your pedicures. What’s an easy way to boost pedicure sales during the colder months? Add a “warm up your cold, tired feet” angle to your pedicure treatments. Our winter hot bootie pedicure has become a huge winter hit.
Create winter color displays. By the time February rolls around, everyone’s skin is super pale. That’s why I make displays featuring polishes that brighten winter skin. Reds, jewel tones and shades with a hint of shimmer always do the trick.
Specialize your scrubs. Offer a larger variety of exfoliating treatments—be it cocoa or essential oil scrubs—that help clients buff away dry, winter skin buildup.
Uplift spirits with nail art. Being surrounded by dreary winter weather can bring down spirits. That’s why I always offer a few nail art specials that have a touch of whimsy and fun. Try nail art dice using a winter white base. It’s low on detail, supplies and time, but high on happiness.