Magdalena Miller

The easiest way to avoid awkward conversations about cancellation fees? Have the conversation BEFORE there’s a cancellation.

Your clients should already know:

→ How much notice you require
→ What happens to their deposit
→ What happens after a no-show
→ When full prepayment may be required

Then when someone cancels, you’re not suddenly making up a rule, you’re simply following the policy they already agreed to.

Clear boundaries = fewer awkward conversations + better protection for your time and income.

Comment 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐘 and I’ll send you my FREE Salon Policy template.

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A lot of nail techs see lifting and immediately think: more product, thicker base, stronger gel.

But adding more product doesn’t automatically fix retention, especially when the real problem started before the gel even went on.

I stopped looking at lifting as something I could simply “cover” with more product. Instead, I look for WHY it happened.

1️⃣ I READ THE NAIL PLATE
👉🏻I don’t automatically prep every client exactly the same way. I look at the nail type, condition and any previous retention issues.
Different nails can need different preparation, one routine doesn’t fit everyone.

2️⃣ I REMOVE WHAT YOU CAN BARELY SEE
👉🏻I make sure the invisible cuticle is properly removed from the nail plate, not just that the cuticle area looks tidy.
A beautiful-looking manicure doesn’t necessarily mean the surface is properly prepared for adhesion.

3️⃣ I KEEP PRODUCT OFF THE SKIN
👉🏻I control my application around the cuticle and sidewalls rather than trying to get the product as close as physically possible.
Product touching the skin can create an edge where lifting can begin.

4️⃣ I DON’T ASSUME THICKER = STRONGER
👉🏻If a client has retention problems, my answer isn’t automatically another layer of product. I check the structure and placement first.
More bulk doesn’t correct the reason the product is losing adhesion.

5️⃣ I LOOK AT WHERE IT LIFTED
👉🏻When a client comes back, I look at the pattern: cuticle, sidewalls, free edge and whether the same fingers keep having problems.
Where the lifting happens can give you clues about what needs changing next time.

6️⃣ I CHANGE ONE THING WITH A REASON
👉🏻I don’t start swapping products randomly. I troubleshoot the likely cause first and adjust what actually needs adjusting.
Otherwise, you can end up with the same lifting problem… just with a different bottle on your desk. 😅

Good retention isn’t about how much product you can put on the nail. It’s about everything you do BEFORE and WHILE you put it there.

I’ve created a FREE guide with 10 reasons why gel polish lifts to help you troubleshoot your retention problems.

Comment 𝐋𝐈�

“Appointment available tomorrow 💕”

…posted for the fourth time. 😭

We’ve all done it.

But your long-term goal should be a business where you have systems that create bookings, rather than panicking every time you see a gap.

That’s the difference between filling an appointment and building a book.

Comment 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 and let’s chat.

New clients are only the beginning.

If you’re constantly replacing people who never come back, you’re building your diary from zero every month.

Attract them.
Give them a reason to stay.
Get the next appointment booked.

That’s when your diary starts becoming predictable.

Comment 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 if you want help figuring out where your booking system is leaking clients.