By Nails Done Right
Okay… this is one of those moments where I stop and think—
Wow. This is really happening.
Nail printers. Automated nail art. Technology that can put intricate designs directly onto your nails in minutes.
And after 40 years behind the nail table, I can’t help wondering:
What does all of this mean for nail technicians?
The Nail Industry Has Already Changed
The truth is, this shift didn’t start with machines.
Since 2020, I’ve watched professional nail products become much easier for consumers to buy. YouTube, TikTok and social media have made techniques easier to learn, and more people are doing their own nails at home.
Salon prices have changed dramatically, too.
There was a time when I was known as one of the most expensive nail techs in town. Today, salons right down the street charge nearly twice what I do.
I never thought I’d see that happen.
So when we talk about the future of nails, we’re not just talking about printers and automation. We’re also talking about a customer sitting at home thinking:
Maybe I can learn to do this myself.
And honestly? Many of them can.
But Nails Are More Than Color
A machine may be able to print an incredible design, but a professional nail service has never been just about putting color on a nail.
It’s preparation. Product choice. Structure. Balance. Retention. Maintenance.
It’s knowing why something works beautifully for one client but not another.
And then there’s something technology can’t easily duplicate:
the relationship across the nail table.
After years together, we know our clients. We celebrate their marriages, babies, careers and milestones. Sometimes we simply listen.
That has always been part of doing nails, too.
So… Are Nail Techs Being Replaced?
I don’t think so.
I think our role is changing.
I’ve watched this industry reinvent itself since I started doing nails in 1986. Products changed. Techniques changed. Gel changed everything. Social media changed everything again.
Now technology is bringing us another change.
Maybe instead of being afraid of it, we learn how to use it.
There will be people who want speed and convenience. There will be people who love doing their own nails. And there will still be people who value professional knowledge, craftsmanship and the experience of sitting across from someone they trust.
I think there’s room for all three.
After 40 years behind the nail table, I’m still learning, still creating and still evolving right along with this industry.
The future of nails isn’t coming.
It’s already here.
And I’m actually pretty excited to see what we do with it.