Makear’s professional range — gel polish, rubbers & bases, builder gels, top coats, fluids & preparations and care items — gives technicians the tools to deliver consistently beautiful results. But running a profitable, environmentally responsible salon means pairing those quality products with smart inventory, storage and operational practices. This article explains step-by-step how salons (especially those stocking Makear through Arabesque Trading W.L.L.) can reduce product waste, protect staff and clients, and increase margins — without compromising service quality.
Why waste reduction matters (for your salon and the planet)
Reducing waste is both a cost and compliance issue. Less product waste means lower replacement costs and fewer hazardous disposals (acetone, solvents and soak-off residues are flammable and often classed as hazardous). It also protects your team from unnecessary exposures and positions your salon as a responsible business — something clients notice and reward. Regulatory agencies and practical guides recommend sealed containment and safe handling for salon chemicals to limit environmental impact and health risks.
1 - Start with smarter purchasing: order to use, not to stockpile
A lot of waste begins at the ordering stage.
- Calculate realistic par levels. Use the simple formula:
Par level = (Average daily usage × Lead time in days) + Safety stock.
Example (illustrative): if your salon uses 30 bottles of a popular shade per month (≈1 bottle/day) and supplier lead time is 10 days, par level = (1 × 10) + 5 (safety) = 15 bottles. Order to maintain that level, not to triple stock “just in case.” - Buy in the right sizes. For frequently used base/top/cleanser liquids, buying larger containers (and decanting safely into smaller pump bottles) reduces single-use plastic and per-ml cost. For coloured gel polish, stock core shades in moderate volumes and test new seasonal shades as limited runs.
- Leverage your Makear distributor. Arabesque offers salon registration, distributor support and new-product info; distributors can often advise best pack sizes and timed deliveries to reduce overstock.
2 - Use FIFO, batch tracking and clear expiry labelling
Products degrade with time and improper storage. A rigid rotation system avoids throwing out expired or separated polish.
- FIFO (First In, First Out). Always use older stock before new arrivals. Keep new shipments behind older boxes on the shelf.
- Date & batch label every container. When opening a bottle, mark the open date with a simple sticker: “Opened 07/2025.” Many gel polishes have a practical shelf life; properly stored products typically last 12–24 months — but observe manufacturers’ guidance (store upright, away from direct sunlight and heat).
- Log partial bottles. If you decant from a large drum or bottle into salon dispensers, label the dispenser with the decant date and origin batch.
3 - Proper storage greatly extends product life
Small changes in storage reduce thickening, separation and discolouration.
- Cool, dark, climate-controlled storage. Avoid hot rooms, direct sunlight and areas near lamps or heating vents. Keep polishes upright to prevent leakage and pigment settling.
- Avoid frequent temperature swings. Do NOT store gel polish in bathrooms (hot/cold cycles) or in window display areas.
- Use dedicated shelving for opened vs unopened products. This makes FIFO easy and prevents accidental use of old stock.
4 - Decanting & dispensing: measure, don’t guess
Decanting is a huge waste-reducer — but only if done correctly.
- Use measured dispensers (metering pumps, droppers, pipettes) rather than free-pouring. This prevents overuse and cross-contamination. For liquids such as dehydrators, primers and cleaners, a pump bottle dispenses consistent ml per use.
- Adopt colour sample pots for testing, not opening full-size bottles for every swatch. Use small, refillable sample pots for clients to test colours; reuse them after proper cleaning.
- Mix only what you need. For custom mixes or glitter suspensions, make small test batches and scale only after a successful client trial.
5 - Train staff: technique reduces product callbacks and product loss
A skilled tech uses less product while achieving a better finish.
- Thin, controlled layers. Thick coats consume more gel, cure unevenly, and lead to removal/rework. Teach technicians to apply thin, even coats and to cap edges — better wear, less waste.
- Correct curing. Under- or over-curing leads to lifting or rework. Use reliable lamps and follow Makear’s recommended cure times — inconsistent cures are a common reason for product waste (redoing services).
- Sanitation and tool hygiene. Dirty brushes contaminate product and may force early disposal. Clean, dedicated brushes and applicators reduce contamination and extend product life.
6 - Plan creative reuse & retail sell-through
Products that don’t fit a salon service can still generate revenue or be repurposed.
- Retail smaller aftercare kits. Convert larger care products into branded aftercare kits (cuticle oil, hand cream). This turns potential surplus into retail revenue.
- Donation partnerships. Partner with local beauty schools or training centers to donate unopened or near-expiry stock (verify safety/expiry first).
- Seasonal promotions. Move seasonal shades with limited-time offers and bundle deals before they become slow-moving inventory.
7 - Manage hazardous liquids carefully (acetone, solvents, waste remover)
Solvents and removers require special handling — avoid draining or careless disposal.
- Collect and seal solvent waste. Used acetone and solvent-soaked cottons must be stored in clearly labelled, sealed containers and disposed of via licensed hazardous waste facilities per local rules. Do NOT pour solvents down the drain. Practical guides for salons recommend sealed containment and routing to appropriate waste handlers.
- Separate waste streams. Keep flammables, aerosols and contaminated rags in separate, secure bins to avoid reactions and to meet waste-management requirements. Follow local regulation — many municipalities require special collection for solvent waste.
8 - Reduce single-use items and rethink disposables
Small changes add up.
- Switch to washable, reusable implements where hygienic (metal pusher, stainless tools that can be sterilized rather than single-use plastic sticks). For items that must remain single-use (certain buffers for infection control), buy in eco-friendly packs and track usage to reduce over-ordering.
- Use washable nail art tools instead of throwing away stickers or single-use pipettes when feasible.
- Introduce waterless services (where clinically acceptable) to cut water and product usage for pedicures — these are already gaining popularity for sustainability and hygiene.
9 - Measure waste and track KPIs
You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
- Track discard reasons. Log why product was discarded each week (expired, contaminated, client refusal, incorrect shade). Over time patterns will reveal purchase/handling issues.
- Waste per service KPI. Track ml of base/top/polish used per service (average). If the number drifts up, retrain staff or investigate supply issues.
- Cost of waste report. Monthly cost of discarded product helps justify investment in training, better storage or different pack sizes.
10 - Work with your distributor for refill, training & returns
Your Makear/Arabesque contact can be an ally in waste reduction.
- Ask about bulk or salon-refill options for frequently used fluids (some distributors offer larger drums or salon refill programs).
- Request training on product shelf life, storage and dosing — manufacturers frequently run workshops that reduce misuse and callbacks. Makear’s site encourages salons to register and connect with Arabesque — do that early to benefit from localized advice.
Quick salon checklist
- Implement FIFO + label open dates.
- Calculate par levels and order to par.
- Use metered dispensers for liquids.
- Store upright in cool, dark areas.
- Train techs on thin-layer application & correct curing.
- Collect solvents in sealed containers; arrange licensed disposal.
- Track waste reasons & waste cost monthly.
- Discuss refill/bulk options with Makear distributor.
Final thoughts: waste reduction = better margins + better reputation
Reducing product waste is practical and profitable. By combining Makear’s professional product range with disciplined inventory management, staff training, safe solvent handling and distributor partnerships, salons in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and across the GCC can cut waste, lower costs and offer greener, safer services. These changes protect your team, impress customers, and show that a modern salon cares about both results and responsibility.