Help for a Lefty :(

[mrsnails]

Hello,

This may sound a bit odd, but hoping somewhere out there someone can help.

Is there anyone in the Devon area who would be prepared to help me?

The problem is-Im left handed, which is causing me so much trouble with filing!

I know it sounds rediculous but I cannot hold it in a way that feels natural, Im all elbows out and crooked wrists.

I've been offered a job in a salon and I know this is not going to look professional.

Please please if anyone could help I would be so greatful.

My 'training' was pants and even my 'trainer' couldn't teach me how to hold it effectivley as a lefty

 

[tigi]

oh am with you on this one and after years have been able to hold the file ( in an odd cack handed sort of way). sorry i am not near you or i would help.......lefties of the world unite!!!!!

 

[tigi]

its important to relax........ and find a technique that although isnt beautiful, it works and is practical.... i find curved nail files useful and sanding blocks too tremendously helpful. but my favourite little file is my little black one from cnd (minds gone blank koala?) and the white blizzard boards.


the blizzard is great and i really havent found anything else as comfy. the little black one is tops too. when getting into zone 3 i find sanding blocks great and am less cack handed with them.

maybe there is left handed educator out there willing to do a video tutorial. righties are probably rather perplexed at all this but its very very hard to explain the problems.

 

[JRS]

I completely understand what you mean. I too am left-handed and have tried explaining to many people but I dont think any one understands! I have trouble with the cuticle nippers more than anything, I just cant seem to be able to hold them at an angle that looks professional and is comfortable. I believe that I have wrecked my opportunity for a job on more that one occasion due to being left handed!

My advice would be to try supporting the clients hand in your right hand whilst holding the nail file in your left hand at the far left end. (i.e. thumb and forefinger should be on either side of the board). Also filing from right to left should make it easier. I havent had any problems with filing but can not get my head around the cuticle nippers or buffer for love nor money...

Hope this helps

 

[dellaznailz]

Where abouts in Devon are you?

I'm in Cornwall. not a 'leftie but have had plenty of left handed students so know your problems. PM me if you like :hug:

 

[MissOwen]

I'm a lefty too but not sure i've ever had a problem with the filing thing, i just reversed what i was seeing others do to adapt it to my cack handedness!!

Being a lefty isnt all bad, we're supposed to be more creative as we use the opposite side of the brain more..... or something like that!!!! :hug:

 

[tigi]

Apparently 10% of the population are lefties.......but i hav eto say i struggle with lots of things, my handwriting is disgusting, i cant open tins, i struggle with filing, waxing even can be a blooming nightmare too sometimes.

I think being shown HOW to file by a left handed person is the BEST way to learn. Although there are some clever people who can mirror it by reversing it, i am not one of them, therefore I file like someone has just had all the bones in her hand broken............

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE is there and educator out there can do a video for those of us that struggle?


tigi

xxx

 

[MissOwen]

Apparently 10% of the population are lefties.......but i hav eto say i struggle with lots of things, my handwriting is disgusting, i cant open tins, i struggle with filing, waxing even can be a blooming nightmare too sometimes.

I think being shown HOW to file by a left handed person is the BEST way to learn. Although there are some clever people who can mirror it by reversing it, i am not one of them, therefore I file like someone has just had all the bones in her hand broken............

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE is there and educator out there can do a video for those of us that struggle?


tigi

xxx

The broken bones thing made me giggle!!

A video from a well respected lefty would be a lovely idea!! Even the mirroring thing doesnt work on some bits and i've had to just adapt it to fit.... it may be there is a better way that i could be using.

Lets hope a grand lefty in the world is reading and will come to our aid :green::hug:

 

[wg19]

I'm a leftie, when I did my initial training I decided as the whole filing thing was alien to me anyway I would learn to file with my right hand so that I would be able to use both in case that ever came in handy. Having mastered filing right handed I found that I could not do it with my left! Now I use my left for application of everything, I also use my efile with my left hand but can only hand file efficiently with my right!

 

[*sarah*]

Lefties Ahoy :lol:

I had a real problem with my brush angle to start with, but I think it just takes practise not had a prob with filing is easier to use sponge boards for smoothing enhacements though!For free edge I hold my file with my thumb & fore finger at the end and hold each finger as I'm filing xx

 

[mrsnails]

Thanks for all your replies.

Its good to know Im not the only one out there:hug:

Im in the Torbay area of Devon and I don't drive otherwise I'd be down to Cornwall right now Della !

Cuticle nippers aren't a problem for me as depending on what side Im nipping I change between my left and right hand !

I've tried to mirror a righty but I just can't get it - it isnt working for me to mirror !

Im getting a bit depressed with it to be honest, last night I threw my file across the room (practising on nail trainer!) because as I am taking massive chunks out of my right hand with the file-so much so I can barely move my right thumb because the fleshy bit on top is so so sore, my right index finger is now at bleeding stage because I keep catching it :cry:

I so so so want to be able to do it but I just can't

 

[dellaznailz]

Have you tried watching a reputable nail dvd in a mirror? put it on your laptop and place this at an angle near to a large mirror and watch it several times before trying to copy.

hth's

 

[mrsnails]

Dellaz, that sounds like a good idea, although knowing me I'll probably get my arms in knots :lol:

Can you recommend a good dvd please?

 

[chocolatepickle]

I am right handed and still look cack handed at times with a file :lol:

There are some really good filing tutorials on the creative website, in the just for pro's area xx

 

[*sarah*]

Get some flexi wrap doll, I use it when filing, as I usually file my right index finger and the edge off my thumb nail! this saves me lol hth xx

 

[Mandita8601]

I'm failing to see how filing with your left hand is different to filing with your right hand, other than the fact the file is in the other hand. When the client gives you the other hand it's the same as the mirror thing you're talking about. But even then both hands are filed in the same way. I'm right handed, you probably guessed. Sometimes i'll use my left hand depending on the position of the clients hand. Is it not the same as filing your own nails then having to do the other hand? It's just practice. In fact it's not like doing your own, that's harder because you're having to use the hand you wouldn't normally.

 

[NoCleverName]

Hello fellow lefties! It's nice to meet some lefty techs :green:

I find when I hold my file, I hold it in between the pad of my thumb and left side of index finger with the top of the file sitting behind the middle knuckle in my index finger....if that makes any sense. I'm often worry it's not right and will cause issues later.

Filing wasn't the issue for me, I felt quite comfortable with it. For me it was using my brush. It was hard for me to work straight on in front of me and feel comfortable. I'm sure this is due to me writing with my paper at almost a 90 degree angle, which started in school so I didn't get pen ink on my hands...lol It took forever for me to get used to holding my brush and body differently.

 

[Katmoz33]

I'm also left handed and to be honest i have never thought of it before this thread...hmmm i'm not very observant maybe I do hold my file weird ?! X I will be checking when I'm at work today lol

 

[neadypp]

im a lefty. i no its not right but i use both hands to file. although tbh i only noticed i use both hands to file bout 6 months ago and ive been doing nails for 5 years lol its just what i automatically did. im going to pay more attention when i do nails today to see exactly how i use my file.

 

[Dawn]

Oh, am I missing something? I'm left-handed, and have never had a problem with filing. Is there a special technique I've not been shown? I'm doinge a level 2 manicure course, and had the internal verifier in on my class last week - nothing was said about me being left handed!

The only problem I have is I end up filing the tip of my right hand thumb and forefinger (lol).