After 39 years of doing nails, I knew it was time to create something truly my own.
Introducing the Nails Done Right Pro Kit – a professional gel system crafted with love, care, and decades of experience. It’s affordable, healthy, and designed for nail techs who work long hours and still give every set their all.
✨ Try my full gel system for just $20! Here’s what you’ll get:
HEMA-Free Non-Acid Primer
3-Free Gel Base Coat (HEMA, TPO, HPMA Free)
Clear Universal Builder Gel (UV/LED Soak Off)
3-Free No Cleanse Top Coat
These products are odor-free, spike-free, and healthier for you and your clients. I formulated them to reflect the same TLC I’ve given every client for the past 39 years.
Thank you for believing in a nail tech’s dream. 💖 —Sincerely Linda J Reyes Founder of Nails Done Right
Did you know Florida Law states a pedicure tub MUST be cleaned thoroughly after each use AND after every single service must be filled with a hospital grade disinfectant and the unit must be running with the jets on for a minimum of 10 minutes.
AFTER EVERY SERVICE!!
Bet you didn’t know that!
I can’t tell you how many times I have gone to a salon and have seen the service provider pull off the little plastic tub liner and just rinse out the tub without cleaning before wrapping it with another liner.
Just because a plastic liner has been used DOES NOT mean a pedicure tub is clean and sanitized!
GROSS!
People, it’s time for a pedicure revolution!!
When you go in for a pedicure use this checklist as a basis for a good and healthy service;
Has the tub been cleaned and sanitized per state code? Washed, cleaned with soap, rinsed and filled with hospital grade disinfectant then ran for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Require that a new file and buffer be used. ( I have been using a new one time use nail file and buffer for years. Nobody wants someone else’s toe funk.)
Make sure all metal instruments are in a SEALED sterilization pouch and opened in your presence.
Cuticles! You can’t push back toe or nail cuticles if the tissue is dry. It hurts! I perform a cuticle treatment at the end of the service, before massage. That way the tissue is exceptionally soft and easier to push back and the excess skin can be gently sloughed away versus being CUT AWAY. Cuts and nicks can open you up for infections like MRSA or worse Hep C
For good soles; most salons still use a block to rub on your heals but that only removes a build up of callused skin. It’s important to remove and then SMOOTH your soles. If you rub your feet together and they’re still rough tell them! REQUEST them to smooth your heals with something. Do not settle with laziness or a speedy service. You’re paying a lot of money and your pedicure should be done efficiently. For years I’ve used a stainless steel pedicure wand that uses disposable one time use peel and stick adhesive abrasives (like a nail file). I use 2 grits, 180 smooth and 100 grit which to me is very coarse for most guests. Very rarely do I ever use 100 grit. By using this you can be sure it’s more sanitary. And the wand can be cleaned and STERILIZED. A good pedicure is all about leaving with soft smooth feet so when you rub your feet together at night they’re smooth on your sheets.
NEVER NEVER NEVER go for a pedicure and allow them to CUT the side of your toes! THIS will cause ingrown toe nails and possibly worse like a bad infection! Ugh! A nail salon is NOT who should be cutting your ingrown toe nails. Go see a podiatrist. Please. Or at least invest in your own ingrown toenail tool or cruette tool. Google it.
If using toe separators, be sure it is a brand new one. No one wants to have an old one used on them for fear of athletes foot funk. (I use a twisted tissue for my guests. It feels better and costs much less and is sanitary.)
In the past 2 weeks I have had the pleasure of servicing several new nail guests.
When they arrive at my salon they look around and say wow this is fabulous.. of coarse I blush a little and gently lower my head to reply “yes, this is all mine”.
Their next question is just that “does someone else work here?” And I quietly respond “nope, it’s just you and me”. Their eyes light up with amazement.
Wow they say..
When they see my 2 pedicure chairs they ask “oh, you do pedicures too?”
I politely respond to their question with a yes but. The but is, I will no longer provide a pedicure service on anyone who has issues like toe fungus or warts.
They have all shared with me issues they have currently or have had with their feet. And they all talk about horrible experiences having pedicures. Why would you go have a pedicure and pay so much money to come out with heals that are still rough.
Let NO ONE use anything that looks like a cheese grater on the soles of your feet. Or a blade! Yikes!
I remember having a pedicure years ago and she used a credo blade on my heals. Then knocked of the skin off by hitting on the side of the pedicure tub only to place it back into her pedicure tote. Oh my goodness I could go on and on.
Ugh, it’s so sad.
So, education is the key! And I truly believe this is something that all well educated and LICENSED service professionals should be talking about. (I’ll save the “are they really licensed?” topic for a separate blog post).
Sharing is caring and I care about your wellness whether you’re my client or someone else’s. I can’t do everyone’s nails so it’s time I toot my horn.
It’s been a while since adding new guests to my clientele. Nails I’ll do all day long but pedicures I’m a bit more particular about after all the funk going around town. Eew
I am very blessed to be in this industry for almost 4 decades and still thriving. I truly love doing nails.
I’m happy to answer any questions that you may have to further discuss this topic or anything else related to nails.
For an at home foot smoother check out my Pedi Pro Callus Remover available in 3 colors, purple, turquoise and black for the dudes ( cause they’ll steal yours)!
It’s been a long time coming but I am pleased to announce the newest additions to the Nails Done Right product line.
Opting for HEMA, TPO and HPMA free products can be a healthier choice, especially for those who are concerned about the potential harmful effects of these chemicals.
HEMA Free Non Acid Primer- this is the first step in my service and the first chemical to touch your nails. This step allows for superior adhesion and longer wear when used prior to gel.
3 FREE Gel Base Coat- HEMA, TPO and HPMA FREE- this is the 2nd step of your service AND the first light cured product applied to your nail surface.
3 FREE No Cleanse Gel Top Coat- HEMA, TPO and HPMA FREE- This is the final gel product applied to your service AND the product most likely to come into contact with your skin.
First for the technical part. Let’s learn more about these ingredients.
What is HEMA? HEMA is 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
HEMA is a light-curing monomer that helps build the structure and durability of gel polish.
While HEMA contributes to durability and adhesion, it has been known to cause allergic reactions in select individuals. HEMA-free alternatives are designed to reduce the risk of these reactions while still providing durable enhancements.
What is TPO? TPO is Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide! Whew! What a name! This is a photoinitiator used in light cured products to help them cure quickly. It can cause skin irritation, hormone disruption and has even been linked to carcinogenicity.
What is HPMA? HPMA is 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate is another chemical commonly used as an alternative to HEMA.
In my almost 4 decades of doing nails I have had a handful of guests who’ve had allergic reactions to the nail products I’ve used. My mother being the very first many years ago. Mostly though, the ladies had reactions while I was using acrylic, your typical monomer liquid and polymer powder combination.
Being know as a high quality product guru, fortunately I have had only 2 guests become sensitive to the gel products I’ve used in the past 20 years. One of them being a popular low cost gel polish and nail lacquer combo, which I will not name. But even I having not used that brand in years, had a reaction when I cleaned up the gel polish off the side of my clients nail with my thumb. Bad mistake. I know better, but when I’ve done that same thing using my brand of gel polish I’ve never had a reaction. And my products have no odor. This one is stinky too. So cheap isn’t always better!
That being said, since developing my own line of gel products I have had zero guests experience any reactions.
Why all of a sudden have I ventured into this new area of healthier products? It’s not like I’ve had any problems with what I’m currently offering but I like options. Quite honestly if you can have something that’s just as good AND better for you why not. I find evolving into a new realm of the nail industry is part of the larger picture, and it can be good for us long term.
2 things I’m very particular about when adding a new product for the Nails Done Right product line; it must have no stinky smell and have NO heat spike! A small heat sensation may be likely for very sensitive guests but after testing these products on hundred’s of ladies only 1 had a slight sensation to the 3 FREE Top Coat. And no one has had any sensation to the base coat.
In the past 2 years many of my guests have asked me what the difference is between the regular line and the new hema free 3 free products? Many of them have stated this “well Linda, my nails hold up so well I really don’t care what you use! So if hema free works just as good then why not! But I’m fine with the regular stuff too!”.
I love my ladies, and I love doing nails. I have to pinch myself when I look back on all the years I’ve been at this, and with still so many guests who’ve been coming to me for decades with their love and loyalty, honestly I’m living my best life, dreams really do come true xo
Welcome the new Hema free additions!
HEMA Free Non Acid Primer
HEMA, TPO & HPMA Free UV/LED Gel Base CoatHEMA, TPO & HPMA No Cleanse UV/ LED Gel Top Coat
Now that I am back at blogging it’s only fair to actually give you guys my back story. She here we go.
I started Nails Done Right in 2009 but this nail thing started a long, long time ago.
My name is Linda. I’ve been doing nails since 1986.
I quit school (Lake Howell HS) in the 11th grade in 1985. I hated school. I was a troubled teen with serious behavioral issues. We had traveled around a lot since 4th grade and I found making friends difficult. I started dating my husband that Summer.
Having a car given to me by my parents meant I needed to pay for insurance and gas money. So I had to get a job. Something close to home. My first job was when I was 17 years old. I worked at Popeyes Fried chicken on 436 in Casselberry. I loved working and making my own money so I worked a lot. After a year and a half I transferred to the longwood location by 434 and I-4.
One day at work I noticed these girls coming in with aprons and dusty white stuff all over them. After a week of visiting every day I struck up conversations with them. Donna, Del Marie and I’ve forgotten the 3rd girls name.
“Hey” I said, “I see you girls coming in every day and you’ve got these aprons on with dust all over them, what do you do?”
Donna was the senior of the group so she answered back “we are going to nail school. We’re studying to be nail technicians.”
Wow! Nail technicians! How cool I thought! I used to spend hours painting my nails, a different color on each even way back then! Only to end up in tears trying to remove the color from my press on tips because they would melt from the ACETONE polish remover! Haha. It took me going to nail school to figure that one out!
Ever since I was a little girl I had dreamed of being a hairstylist like my aunt Donna. I would brush and trim my Barbie’s hair, practicing every day, only to have my parents (dad mostly) take my dolls away because he said I didn’t know how to take care of my toys!
See way back then in the ‘80’s you had to be rich to afford getting your nails done. Having your nails done way back then was a luxury!
Donna proceeded to tell me that they were students. And as students they were allowed to work on people for practice. When she told me I could get my nails done for less than $20 I jumped at the chance! Student pricing was $17 for a Full Set and $12 for Fill’s.
OMG! I was The worst client ever! Every time I came in for a fill I’d have 2 or 3 nails missing lol… plus, I had always been a horrible nail biter. Ugh..
So there I am, the best client to practice on, every week I’d call Donna, you have time for a nail repair? Come on over Linda. So we all became friends.
120 hours and 6 weeks later they graduated nail school. They became the first graduating class of the Academy of Nail Tech Nēks and the rest is history. Donna went on to do my nails for a while.
Eventually I caught the eye of the owner of the school, Tina Kovacs. She worked out a weekly payment plan for me and i was off and running.
Eventually I realized that doing nails part time was more financially rewarding than working at Popeyes full time, so I quit and started my nail career. I worked with Tina for 3 1/2 years.
Funny thing tho, I must have said it for over a decade, aw naw, doing nails isn’t my career. One day I’ll go to cosmetology school and become a hair stylist.
It’s now 2025 and I am still sitting at a nail table filing ladies nails…
That’s all for now folks!
Next post I’ll tell you all the salons I’ve worked at
The most requested shade this week has been Tiffany 🧼 an opaque pastel turquoise perfect for this Florida Spring. This color looks fabulous topped with Mad Matte No Cleanse Top Coat. But my favorite way to wear Tiffany is with a coat of Unicorn 🦄 Chrome Powder
For the last 2 weeks it’s been a very pink trend. All shades of pink from pastel tCotton Candy 🍬 to a hot bright sparkly pink Phat Bottomed Girls .
But this week things switched up a bit. Here in Central Florida it’s the beginning of beach season. New Smyrna Beach seems to be the most visited by my guests. And just like the hues of a sandy shore this shade is reminiscent of the cool blue Atlantic ocean 🌊 off the East Coast.
Well hello there friends! It’s your happy go lucky nail lady Linda Reyes… I am soo excited to share with you my thoughts and experiences of this wonderful life of nails.
I have been sitting behind the nail table since 1986.
Currently I am the proud owner of a private nail salon called Nails Done Right located in Oviedo Florida. This is where all the magic happens. I cater to my ladies here, some I’ve known for several decades.
It’s crazy right! Who out there has had their nails done by the same person since their now grown and married children were in elementary school?! I’m so happy to say it’s me!
After years of testing products in search of finding the right ones to put my name on I started my own brand of gel! Man, the hours spent on research and testing has finally brought me to today.
I have over 100 beautiful shades of gel color handpicked by me with many colors being influenced by my long standing guests.
I have a line of gel products that build the perfect foundation of nail care that I have perfected according to my personal process of regular nail enhancement services.
Base gel, builder gel, the best chrome top coat gel and now a “hema free” line of base, builders and top gels.
It has been since October 2020 since my last post but it all starts here now!!
I have so much information to share with you all. And we’ll get to that real soon. But for now it’s just a big hello and welcome to my Nails Done Right Shop.
Aprés Glow gel polish & Profiles stamping plateTransfer foil & Moyou London stamping plateFor Sharon
We’ve had the most fun month of 2020… decorating nails for Halloween made everything seem normal again.. It’s not tho, not for a while still. But we’re in a Covid protocol routine now that’s here to stay. Masks up y’all it’s time to trick or treat…
September 22nd officially marks the first day of Fall! This is my favorite time of year. Although I love Autumn . Denise loves Halloween so much I decided a few years ago to decorate for her. And the clients love it too!
Thanks to my friend Lynda Danna at 1st Residential Funding for inspiring us with the scents of the season courtesy of everyone’s favorite candle shop Bath and Body works. I found these festive placemats at Big Lots.
TJ Maxx is my go to place for accessories like this “trick or treat” pillow.Thanks to B Cam for this fun pillow from the $5 Below store
When designing the salon I chose a neutral palate for all year then adding color for each seasonal holiday, and there’s many thanks to Target . Everything is pretty much grey on grey with a bit of white. So when Halloween comes the salon goes black. This year the black bat curtains went up mid August. Last year we had them up for only 2 weeks before Halloween so they must have been on the slow boat from China because they took so long! We loved them so much they stayed until January.
Since this was such a crazy year Denise and I decided there was no better time than now to start decorating for Halloween (this was said in August lol)..! Wishing everyone much peace love & beautiful nails this harvest season of 2020! XO
Nails Done Right 
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