Lets hear it for the boys!

Man-i-cures make great nail services...

Lets not forget when treating our clients that male members are coming over to the dark side and enjoying a session of pampering just like us ladies do. They know a thing or two about a beauty regime. Like the rest of us they have a busy work-life and need a bit of "me time" .

From my own personal experience, I have seen my treatment on male clients raise considerably over the past 5 years. I do treat a lot of couples, partners and often then leads to their children too.

Make it welcoming....

If you want to bring in both male and female client bases, make sure your work environment looks inviting for both. Nothing too pink and over girly. Lots of magazines in reception to suit all.
Once you get men into the salon, and they enjoy their experience of the treatment and the company plus the environment. You will have a loyal client for sure.

What to consider with a Man-i-cure?

Most men will not want to have colour enamel, so you will have a reduced treatment time straight away. Adapt your treatment around what he requires. So if he has requested just a buff finish, you can add in some extra massage time. Think about shaping of the nails. It is unlikely that you will need to offer different shape finishes, generally you would shape male nails more square. They may need more cuticle work.

Massage creams need to be unperfumed or suitably fragranced for all not too flowery. Be careful that men can be more hairy, so try not to pull or drag the hairs on the arms when massaging. An option instead of cream would be to use an oil as this glides easier. I would offer a more pressured massage and for a longer time as you will probably not be painting, if so it will be just a topcoat.

Expand your treatment menu....offer spa based treatments

What I always stress, is step out of the box and be creative. Dont worry too much what everyone else is doing. if the clients like you, the environment and what you offer, they will return and love to try new treatment experiences. I always try my treatments out on myself and family members...sometimes my husband and son are not so forthcoming with certain treatments, but they act as my models just the same!

Men tend to experience dry cuticles and callous skin on their hands so why not offer a hot oil manicure. Complete the full manicure but instead of finishing with a lotion or just plain oil for massage. Immerse the nails into a bowl of warm oil for 5-10 minutes and then use the oil to provide your massage...this is an excellent intensive treatment and great for a Groom to have before his wedding day as a course of treatments or just as a one off.

Paraffin wax treatment for the hands works much the same as the hot oil, an excellent treatment for joint aches and pains and great again for deep conditioning.

Heated mitts with a hand mask is another option to help soak up moisture and create soft skin with added conditioning for the cuticles.

All these examples of luxury, spa type treatments can be put into a treatment plan for a course of intensive treatment sessions or as a package for him and her? Bride and Groom packages work great along these lines. We are always offering make up, hair and tanning packages for the pre-wedding day, do you ever consider the Groom and his party of friends and family? 

I would also consider what we spoke about at the beginning, the environment and making sure the treatment area is welcoming. So another idea may be to offer men only nights or days. Or perhaps certain times slots on certain days offer these for your male clientele. That way they are not likely to feel so uncomfortable to walk into a female populated salon or treatment area.

This idea could also work well if you teamed up with other businesses like the local barbers to offer packages that worked both types of businesses at a discount or a loyalty type card scheme.

All it takes is a little thought, time and preparation. Trial your ideas, send out newsletters or questionnaires to see if the ideas you have sound good to your clients. They are what makes the business and you are only the other small part of that. Without them...there is no business. Listen to their feedback and take it on board positive or negative, its all valid. Go get em! Good luck : )