Art of Nailz

Sorry Folks-- it's official, CA is closed. The Art of Nailz will be observing the Stay at Home mandate to aid in the attempt to slow/stop the spread of Covid 19. No new appointments will be scheduled and existing ones are postponed till further notice. ... If you're already on the book-- you'll be hearing from me at a more reasonable hour (because no one wants to hear from their nail lady at 3:48 AM!) Take care of yourselves! I expect to see you back in my chair soon!

Am I the only one who thinks we should get a rebate for the time we haven't been able to use our professional licenses?

Like life-- if only life gave us the courtesy of warning us how long it's going to go on for, right? So much has been going on in these last few months and I'm bummed that my clients and coworkers haven't gotten to share the ride with me along the way. I don't post much personal info anymore (cuz reasons) so I know everybody's way behind on the drama that is Maggie. ... I miss my peeps.

Ah hell nah-- they did not just tell me to just work outside. Right?Ah hell nah-- they did not just tell me to just work outside. Right?

All right! The moment we've been waiting for! @onelovenails_ will be reopening starting July 1st. However, yours truly (me,) will not be returning to the salon until July 15. In order to reopen, we are required to follow a few new regulations and in the interest of protecting ourselves and others, we have also agreed on a few other things.... Some of you have known me a long time and don't need to be reminded that I am fully capable and willing to enforce my policies-- for anyone who is thinking that I will "let you slide" rather than turn away business...save yourself the embarrassment and just don't book an appointment if you know you can't or won't abide by the new policies. You will be denied service. Sorry. We can have all the philisophical, political (lies, I'm not debating politics,) and scientific debates you want but some of these things are what the state requires us to do in order to reopen without risking our licenses, and some of them are just extra precautions for the safety and comfort of everyone working in the salon...remember, I share my business location with others, it's not all about me. MASKS REQUIRED the entire time you are in the salon. We will be taking temperatures NO GUESTS are allowed to come into the salon with you. Only one client at a time. NO WAITING inside the salon: when you arrive for your appointment, please text me to let me know and wait in your car until I text back to let you know I am ready for you. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: simple form to sign saying you realize we can only do so much. WASH YOUR HANDS! TOUCH IT/TAKE IT: when choosing your polish, any bottle you touch must be disinfected. So if you touch a bottle, please bring it to my desk so I can clean it properly before returning it to the shelf. IF YOU ARE SICK STAY HOME! DUH! Online booking is not currently available. If you would like to schedule an appointment please text me. (Don't DM me here, I never see the messages.) If you are an exisiting client, you will be hearing from me soon to go over all this again (and again) and discuss reinstating your services. Whew! I think that covers it. Hope to see you soon.

The ladies at @onelovenails_ and I still have some details to work through and I will be giving them a head start-- but I'm excited to be able to announce that I will be back at the nail table again mid-July! Yes, there are a ton of new regulations we have to follow, including wearing masks, not having a waiting area, and not being able to allow guests beyond our single client in the salon. If you're one of the people who have taken a stand against masks, I'm sorry I won't g...et to see you until the restrictions are lifted. Online booking will not be available for the time being. Appointment availability is limited. Current clients get first dibs. I'll be in contact with my clients soon to get everyone back in the book. New clients will be booked as times become available. *Everything I just said is subject to change based on forces beyond my control. So

Don't get too excited. Tulare county is among the 5 California counties that don't meet the new, relaxed, criteria for completing Phase 2 of reopening. Salons are Phase 3.

Folks...I really do miss my clients. I miss my co-workers, my wall of glitter, Starbucks on the corner, and a splurge at Chic Boutique on my way to pick up my latte. I realize patience is thin, tempers are short, and opinions are fierce right now. I know everyone is processing their own experience the best they can. Whether we agree or not, whether it makes sense to us or not, whether we like it or not-- California's plan for reopening puts salons in a high risk category. ... We don't have the green light to reopen yet, and we don't have a date to look forward to. The State Board has been sure to remind professional licensees that we are regulated by the state and are held to a higher level than merely our local governments. If you are a CA licensee who has opted to open early, I understand completely and you'll catch no flack from me. For my own business, however, I am currently in the unexpected position to adhere to the State's schedule for reopening and I intend to do so for the safety of myself, my co-workers, my clients, and my very high-risk mother. Thank you for understanding. I look forward to being back soon.

In case you're wondering: I do not have a plan in place for when CA salons are allowed to reopn. I'm sure we'll have to wear masks. The salon owner is ordering shields for our desks. If we're required to wear gloves-- I'm out. (Can't work in them AND I hold to the thinking that they are just wasted PPE that other professionals actually DO need and that they are not more effective than washing my hands and will create potential biohazardous waste unnecessarily.) We'll all be... washing our hands. No one's going to be touching their $#*!&@!!! cell phones during services. If you thought I snarked at you about touching your face BEFORE this? You ain't heard nothin' yet. And yes. This is a scary virus that I do not want. Your understanding and cooperation with my efforts to that effect will be greatly appreciated. All that being said-- I know y'all are dying for CA salons to reopen...I just want to be sure that nobody actually dies because CA salons reopen. Let's not rush it.

"At least you can still do YOUR nails!" They said.

@onelovenails_ I PROMISE I DIDN'T MOVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! Most of my glitter is still at the salon, after all. I just needed a "few" things so I can do my own nails!

Slightly bored (OMG SO BORED) nail artist just scrolling through the camera roll like, "who was this? How long ago did I do these? Am I even going to remember how to do nails again when this is over?) Answers: Christina (miss you so much!) March 18... And HELL YEAH I WILL-- cuz I already tested that theory with my 2017-18 hiatus from the biz. See more

No, I am not doing nails. I'm taking social distancing seriously...I am BORED AF though and still have a few pix I haven't posted.

Hey everybody! Just reminding my peeps that the Art of Nailz and my host salon @onelovenails_ is currently closed, doing the responsible social distancing thing. I expect this to continue for a while, but I'm only cancelling appointments one week at a time for now. I miss you all, and I'm looking forward to seeing you again when we can do it safely without unnecessary health risk to ourselves, our families, and our community.... Stay safe.

Please guys. This. It is SO DIFFICULT for many of us in the personal care industry to have to close our books right now. Not merely because of the obvious financial implications in a business where the vast majority of us will not get paid while we are out of work and do not qualify for unemployment benefits-- and many booth renters and salon owners will still need to find ways to pay their rent even though they are not bringing in any income and don't know how long that will... last-- But it's hard to say NO to requests (begging, pleading, bribery, and even threats to "find another nail lady" if we say no) because we are so used to being a source of comfort in trying times. We are used to being there for our clients, to hold your hand (literally) and offer solidarity and support. Humans are such social creatures and we are wired to come together when things are tough. It's hard enough to go through this alone, but it is unspeakably difficult for many of us in the personal care industry to cope with the added guilt of feeling like we're abandoning our clients-- emotionally-- when they need us for more than just a fill or a touch up. Please don't ask me to come to your home. I promise we'll fix your nails when this has passed. Thank you for understanding.