At holiday time, you usually see a hurry on nail services. However the funny thing about this season is that clients’ needs are far and wide! Your long-lasting options would be popular; a manicure that lasts for 2 weeks is a must for plenty clients who’re too busy for the weekly appointment or who could have a ten-excursion planned.

“Soak-off nail polish is a big trend,” says Tony Cuccio, CEO of Star Nail International. “Women who can’t afford to do it every two weeks will still are available in for holiday.”

At a similar time, you’ll see some nail clients more frequently in the course of the holidays. a glittery, high-fashion nail, ideal for a vacation party, might have a transformation back to matte for the office. For brand spanking new Year’s Eve, clients may get back for something special that they haven’t been wearing all week.

“This winter, nails will continue down the innovative path of customization of designs,” predicts Melissa Hoogendoorn, senior marketing executive at Venique. “Mix it up! Apply polish because the base color, after which add the embellishments of stickers and decals, or use stripers for intricate designs and patterns. For take-home use, encourage consumers to combine ’n’ match— create and customize their very own look pairing two polishes.”

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive VP and inventive director, says that during the nail art category nail techs can be smart to target elegance.

“It’s not Santa Claus at the nail anymore,” she observes. “Apply a Swarovski crystal or any other very sophisticated nail art in order that clients love observing their nails. A single accent finger is on trend, as are textures of all kinds. At OPI, we’re showing our textured nail color Liquid Sand in gold, which is still interesting to the patron.”

With their colorful displays and special holiday collections, nail brands always help salons sell nail services in addition to merchandise retail bottles. As an example, the limited edition Royal Life Holiday 2013 Collection from Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer, inspired by the royals’ “decadent lifestyle,” presents a regal range of gemstone tones in rubies, sapphires and emeralds.

click image to zoom The China Glaze Happy Holi- Glaze collection includes festively packaged gift sets of lacquer minis. China Glaze also invites on-the-go clients to dip into a bucket stuffed with mini bottles of iridescent Colour Travel Topcoat. “Tis the season for celebration, so don’t expect anything less when it comes to this season’s manicures,” says Brook Johnson, China Glaze associate brand manager. “With pops of bright colors providing a twist-on-traditional shimmer and shine, creating cheer at the nail hasn’t ever been more popular.”

RED POINTS THE WAY

And glitter lights the trail! Berry makes merry, but this year reds are dominating, say nail watchers.

“Red is classic,” observes Danny Haile, founder and CEO of Gelish soak-off gel polish, which this season is launching the Winter Reds Holiday 2013 Collection. “It flatters every skin tone and is optimal for all holiday occasions. The hues in our holiday collection are exactly what you’ll must get into the vacation spirit.”

Red gets the top start on holiday from trending all fall, adds Weiss-Fischmann. “Red continues to be big for holiday, especially tone-on-tone reds,” she notes. “And the tonality is deeper, with rich shades like deep burgundy.”

Red’s holiday buddy—green—shows up this season, too. “Greens were so hot in the summertime,” says Cuccio. “Some clients who loved their summer greens may want to carry that through for holiday.”

A method to do it’s to accent a red nail with an emerald jewel or holly-green glitter topcoat—or get the single-step look with China Glaze’s Here’s Tree-Mendous shade. Stocking up on glitter and glittery polishes is a smart move this season! You’ll find you’re dealing with bottles of options like Morgan Taylor’s Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds Oh My multi-jewel-toned glitter.

“Some women wear glitter only at the moment of the year,” Cuccio continues. “You may never expect to listen to certain clients ask for silver glitter, but they are going to for holiday. Bling is in.”

And gold is as big as silver. “A little black dress, a red lip and gold glitter nails—it’s classic,” says Irene Chao, public relations specialist for the Gelish and Morgan Taylor brands handy & Nail Harmony. “Clients love the glitter because they don’t should spend a whole lot on a glittery bracelet or ring to decorate up their hands. They get a mani, and they’re set.”

SHADY ALTERNATIVES
For clients declining to move red, the season’s palette is rich and carries some surprises. Gelish offers 130 long-lasting shades starting from magnetic-sensitive frosts to dazzling sparkles, neons and pure saturated colors.

“Clients can also choose between among Morgan Taylor’s pigmented pinks, daring greens, blues and purples and moody midnight hues to define their digits’ destiny,” says Chao. That moody midnight blue is considered one of two updated dark shades this season.

“When people rise up close, they realize it’s not black,” Chao says. “It’s an attractive twist.”

The other “new black” is gray. “Metallic and smoky shades give a timeless, classic look,” says Hoogendoorn. “Suggest that clients pair their nails with their lipstick for sultry elegance.”

Help clients who might be traveling to warmer climes to get into the mood by suggesting a fun getaway pedicure in bright orange or coral neon, Chao advises. “It’s not just the more youthful girls who’re open to brighter hues,” she says. “All women see the trends and wish to attempt out the attention-catching colors. The age-appropriate barrier is breaking down.”