Gardeners - Digging in the dirt is hard on anyone's hands.  Be sure to wear gloves  (I wear them and dirt still gets in and under my nails).  If you apply top coat to the underside of your free edge (the part that sticks out over the tip of your finger) it will seal your natural nail or tip and keep dirt from sticking or staining the underside of the nail.  Also if you dig your nails into a soft bar of soap... it will cause the soap to stick under the nail providing additional support and keeping dirt from getting under the nail.  It is important to wear gloves when gardening.  There are germs, bacteria and microbes in the soil that you do not need to subject your nails to.

Domestic Engineers - Housekeepers, Housewives or anyone that cleans things for a living.  You are particularly hard on your nails. The chemicals you use to clean are very drying to natural and artificial nails causing them to become brittle and dry.  The ammonia and bleach to name a few actually start to break down the artificial nail product causing them to weaken.  As if this was not enough there are all kinds of nooks and cranny's that dirt gets into and we need to get it out so we use our fingers and nails to do this.  There are some things you can do to help keep your nails looking beautiful:  Wear gloves ALWAYS when doing any kind of housework or cleaning.  This includes... window washing.   Spring cleaning and gardening season is when my clients came in with the worst nails.  Top coat your nails on top and underneath every other day or so to ensure a perfect seal against the elements.  Keep them short when possible.  If you have had nails for any length of time...I am sure you have caught one in the dryer or washer, slipped off the car door handle, pulled a store door open and slipped off the handle, tried to open a box by forcing the tape to rip....any one of these results in a jammed nail or one that feels like it tried to rip off....if it did not break.  My advice to you is always try to do things with purpose...do not rush around....I always hurt my nails when I am in a hurry.

Photographers - Due to the nature of the chemicals used during the development of film you are not a great candidate for artificial nails, unless, you use your tools and keep your nails out of the solutions.

Clammy Hands - Once in a while a client will come in that is nervous and her hands will perspire.  You know who you are... This person will normally have problems with lifting.  To help eliminate this the nail technician should be extra careful in the prep of the natural nail.  A dehydrator (a product designed to remove oil and moisture from the nail surface) should be used twice.  You should keep your nails short and come every 2 weeks to be sure no lifting occurs.

Pools and Hot Tubs - Clients that soak in these are a nightmare to a nail technician.  They often don't mention that they are floating or soaking in a pool or hot tub.  They just complain that their nails are lifting and they want to know what the nail tech is going to do about it...  The solution is simple - when in the pool or hot tub try to keep your nails out of the water as much as possible.  It is VERY important that you use a Good Quality Top Coat Sealer to protect your artificial nails. This should be applied on top and underneath every other day or so.  One of my clients got herself a floating pillow and puts her hands on it while she soaks in her hot tub or regular tub for that matter.

Construction Worker - I've got to wonder why you want nails in the first place since I will assume you are the outdoors type....  Artificial nails can be dangerous if you are in any kind of occupation that involves hammers and manual labor.  I would recommend short nails.

Typist, Stenographer or Secretary - Although this may seem to be the perfect job to have nails; there are many nail enemies in the office.  Typing involves tapping the nail tip on a key board which can result in lifting or cracking of the nail.   Filing files in a filing cabinet presents hazards as well.  Jamming your nails, paper cuts that can become infected right before your nail appointment and believe it or not the dryness of the paper itself can cause dry hands and dry nails.  Advice: don't rush around, be careful when filing, wear nails short, and keep lotion on hand. A good cuticle oil applied twice a day can combat the dryness caused by paper handling as well.

Teenagers - I do not recommend anyone under the age of 16 getting artificial nails applied and I really do not think anyone that can not support the expense of artificial nails should have them applied.  Artificial nails are a commitment, if you can not make it, you should have a temporary service performed (nails that last a week or two).  Teenagers have a very active lifestyle and they break nails all the time.  It is really not a good idea for them to have artificial nails applied.

Teachers - Teachers make wonderful artificial nail clients.  Their hands are in front of people all day.  The only problem that their job presents is the chalk and the paper.   Chalk is very drying to the hands, skin and nails.  Try using a chalk holder to eliminate your exposure to the dust.  Hand lotion should be applied several times a day and top coat applied on top and underneath the free edge every other day or so. A good cuticle oil can help with the dryness brought on by chalk and handling of paper.

New Mothers - Your nails should be short.  I like new mothers to have artificial nails because they are not as sharp as real nails and therefore can not scratch or poke a baby as easily.   I do not ever recommend a mother to bring an infant or a child into a salon while she is having a service.  This is a place filled with danger and chemicals.   Once a mother at my manicure table tried to put her finger in her baby's mouth to feel for something right after I had applied a chemical to her nails.  I barely stopped her in time.  Your time in the salon should be restful.  This is your precious few moments when you are doing something for yourself.  Please leave your children at home.

Medications - There are many medications that cause lifting of artificial nails.  Heart medications, diuretics and ---- to name a few.  If you are on medications and your nails are lifting, inform your nail tech....she can take additional steps or change your service to suit your needs.

General Care for All Occupations - Make regular maintenance appointments for your artificial nails.  Nails normally (if applied properly) will last 2 to 3 weeks.   If you go longer than this you are asking for problems.  Between visits apply Top Coat Sealer every third or forth day from the cuticle to the free edge.  This will seal the nail and new growth, eliminating lifting and keeping your manicure fresh looking.  Applying Top Coat Sealer to the underside of your nails keeps the nails from separating or staining.  Cuticle Oils are great for eliminating dry and cracked cuticle as well as hang nails.  Lotions also keep the skin soft and supple.   Oils should not be applied if there is any lifting present until after the Top Coat Sealer has been applied.  Make sure all oils are off the nail surface before applying anything.  In case of nail injury, (like slipping off the car door handle) you should have a nail anti-fungal product on hand for preventative maintenance.