Barriers
CHRISTINE DALY
Home salon owner with AuDHD, based in Grimsby, Lincolnshire www.christinesnailstudio.co.uk
@christinesnailstudio.co.uk /christinesnailstudio.co.uk @christinesnailstudio.uk
Nail techs share how they navigate challenges to flourish in their careers .
Ibecame a nail tech because I enjoy not only the artistic side of the role, but how a manicure makes people feel. I believe that a good nail service is not just about the end result; it’s about how a client feels during the process.
services, not because they don’t want them, but because the environment can feel too intense. When I opened my salon, Christine’s Nail Studio, I knew that I wanted the client experience to be more comfortable.
My day-to-day life is busy. I’m a mum of five, so it’s a constant juggle to stay on top of my responsibilities. Most days, I’m sleep-deprived and running on caffeine, but my partner is a huge support.
I also have AuDHD (combined autism and ADHD), although I didn’t find this out until a couple of years ago. Looking back, it explains a lot. I’ve always struggled with noise and feeling overwhelmed in busy environments. For example, too much background noise or too many conversations happening at once can completely drain me. I need a routine, but I’ve always found it hard to stick to one and stay motivated, which can be frustrating. For a long time, there was a lot of pressure from people around me to ‘get on with it’, and although I tried, it usually left me feeling burnt out.
That’s a big part of why traditional nail salons have never felt comfortable for me. I find the experience rushed and overwhelming: the lights can be too bright, noise too loud and there’s an unspoken pressure to constantly engage. Instead of relaxing, I am hyper aware of everything around me, which is exhausting.
I’m not the only one who feels like this. A lot of people quietly avoid beauty Everything I do is centred around creating a calm atmosphere. I ensure my services aren’t rushed and offer silent appointments, headphones and fidget toys, as well as drinks and snacks. If a client wants to sit in silence or play their own music, they can. It’s about giving people the option to exist in a way that is appropriate for them, without pressure or judgement, so they can truly relax.
The feedback I receive from clients is positive and meaningful. They often comment on the calm nature of appointments, and some have said that it’s the first time they’ve felt comfortable during a nail treatment. They also note that I check in on how they’re feeling at each step of their appointments.
Supporting neurodivergent clients doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t have to completely change how you work, as small, intentional adjustments can improve how safe and comfortable someone feels, such as:
‘‘ Creating a space where people feel understood shouldn’t an add-on: it should be standard. ‘‘
• Slowing down appointments so clients don’t feel rushed.
• Reducing background noise where possible.
• Offering quieter time slots.
• Letting clients know it’s OK to have a silent appointment.
• Explaining what you are doing at each stage of a treatment, so nothing feels uncertain.
Not everyone wants constant conversation or feels comfortable in busy, loud environments – and that is absolutely fine. Creating a space where people feel understood shouldn’t be an add-on: it should be standard.
This matters to me because I know how hard it can be. I’ve avoided beauty treatments to prevent overwhelm, and understand that being on edge takes away from what should be a self-care experience. But everyone deserves to feel comfortable and good about themselves. Being able to relax and enjoy a nail treatment shouldn’t feel like a challenge.
I’m still growing and learning, and I have days where things feel overwhelming, but I know that what I’m building genuinely helps people – and that’s what matters most.