I can learn how to do nails in five minutes ????

[pips]

Some are lucky enough to be "naturals" at the practical work, but lack theory.

There are so many variables to take into account.

One important thing that drives many people is money ... thats all they want .... unfortunately, techs want the income, so they keep on keeping on.

But whats even worse is when the teachers and schools are only interested in money, they let students go way before they are ready..... just to make room for the next lot and sell the previous underqualified, innocent and somewhat gullible students product.

Not everyone can do nails, no matter how much money they spend.

Nails are an artform and just like painting (I mean accurate painting, imagine painting a picture of a nail that actually looked real) anyone can paint an "abstract", but I really don't think clients want "abstract" looking nails.

Nails should be quite precise, not an interpretation.

Tell that to the schools and teachers that are setting these new "techs" loose on the general paying public and reflecting on our industry as a whole.

All you have to do is look at the threads posted by newbies in here (please don't take offense guys), but really your teachers should be teaching you, YOU should be asking "THEM" the questions (apparently they are good enough to teach). Or are they too busy making money by cramming too many students in per class to give you some individual attention you have paid for and deserve?

If I was learning and had to look elsewhere for advice, i'd also be looking elsewhere for education.

So true carl, and like you i have nothing against newbies, i was a newbie myself at one point BUT as you say so many are asking questions which in my opinion should be asked or covered in the training.

And before people jump on my back im talking basic theory here, which to me is the first step in learning, getting to know all about the nails etc.

I remember my first day training and learning all about nails, shapes, diseases, infections, side walls, lateral nail folds, cuticle, lanula etc etc and i was sucked in and knew then this is what i wanted and i saved and worked hard to pay for my training.

I find it such a shame that these people are handing over cash to train in something but only getting the basics.

Ive trained with NSI ans Creative and both was equaly thorough in theory and covered everything. I even had to learn nail anatomy again when doing mani & pedi even though i knew it all from my training of enhancements.

Ok im waffling now so off for a drink, my mouths like ghandis flipflop :green:

 

[worthit]

I have read most of the replys on this thread and totally agree about good training as I myself have had some really naf training in the past first I went to college after qualifying in Man/Ped I went on to do nail exts's and being older I realised that this was my mistake as the tutor held a 2 day course it was awful and she didn't even show us how to take them off a £150 down the drain but I was naive and thought that it would be the best way to go through college but it wasn't it was really scary that the tutor thought that her course was good aarrrgh I thought of all those young girls on the course that really believed that they would make nail tech's as the pass paper was handed out whatever your capability was it was just a rip off so I practised practised but in no way thought that I was a capable nail tech NO WAY was I so I booked myself on another course IBD I got it free after spending on their starter kit at the show (Manchester) that was just a day course and still i didn't feel I was a capable nail tech far from it so I wasn't charging much at this point still wanting all the knowledge and practice I could get still I went on again and went on another day course which was really scary it was (Acrygel) an American company you probably know them they were excellent in their aftercare to a still novice like me any questions they were there at the other end of telephone which the college wasn't but it started failing as I was getting complaints alll thetime about lifting I lost clients through it so now I'm back with IBD and I like it as a product but since I have found this site I am feeling totally wind out of sales for want of a better expression my confidence has taken a huuuuuge knock as listening to you all and the training you have had I don't even feel close to being a tech like you guys are I am confused when you are on about things on here and feel that my training needs attention once again and now feel I went down the wrong route although at the time I thought the college would be the one oh god I've been mobile for 2 years and find it very hard to keep up the momentum does anyone else? I find my clients soo fickle and this industry sooo unpredictable etc has anyone else felt like throwing in the towel as I have sooo many times and now feel even worse about my nails etc

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks to all of you for this wonderful site:hug:

Kate xxxxx

 

[2littletoys]

great thread and totally agree with the thoughts on here.

I wanted to get into beauty therapy at college but parents would not allow it ( thought it wasnt really studying!!!!!!!) therefore im now 30, married with 2 boys and have decided now is the right time and i wanted to specialise in nails. It has cost me( nad my lovely hubby) a fortune but i feel it will all be worth it eventually.

I personally dont think you can do anything "on the cheap". You get out of life what you put in!

 

[Amethyst_Angel]

Have you seen some of the cosmetic surgery these days
I think some of those surgeons have indeed done a one day coresspondence course....:lol:

HAHAHAHAHAHAA! Oh wait... that's not funny at all!!

:hug:

 

[Missy G]

Interesting, I'm doing a unit in beauty covering manicure and I'm doing my bio sculpture course at the end of the month. I realise it will be quite a while and lots of practise before I can do a professional job of the gel nails. What further courses would you guys recommend???

I would do a conversion course, to do acrylic extensions after.

I done an intensive course first,then done a Bio course,started to go mobile just on my couple of days off, but was getting calls for acrylic all the time.So I thought well bugger loosing out on new clients and money Im going to get myself on acrylic conversion course,so I didnt have to turn these peeps down...it was cheap enough.

I did do acrylic on my intensive course,but they didnt train us in any paticular product,which your better off doing.

 

[~Emmsybabes~]

I was awarded a £200 grant last year, which I was told I could have in high street vouchers or toward my business..
That made me laugh so much....wtf would I want high street vouchers for..it was a business grant !!
The woman agreed it was silly, but also said I shocked her as most people went for the shopping vouchers !!
I used it to pay for my Ezflow training and kit...sensible.!
I was given an opportunity...I was very greatful..I took it,
And I intend to do my best by it.

I am the first to admit that at the moment, I am not doing as well as I could,
But believe me..I am always working in the background to improve..
So the day I have the opportunity to get my bum out there,
I will hopefully help toward giving the industry a bloomin good name :lol:

Carl its good that you brought up the "other side" of nails,
The contra-indications etc.... this is one area I do feel I need to work on,
I know my stuff ..But not enough, I do feel like I need to cover those areas more,

I have a looonnggg road ahead of me and I cant wait to get on it

 

[Amethyst_Angel]

I was awarded a £200 grant last year, which I was told I could have in highstreet vouchers or towards my business..
That made me laugh so much....wtf would I want highstreet vouchers for..it was a business grant !!

Highstreet vouchers??!?!?! Bloody hell... talk about unprofessional!!!

 

[mercedes69]

HAHAHAHAHAHAA! Oh wait... that's not funny at all!!

:hug:

Good job I have the ability to amuse myself :green:


Emms well done on not taking the High Street vouchers...which amazes me they are even offered !!! What on earth is that all about?
Just shows how professional you are to take the money and use it for the purpose it was intended...:hug:

 

[Tipsbygm]

Kate (worthit) hi i feel just like you i have lost a couple of clients due to lifting it always seems to be the people who i think could be real clients that go wrong my mums and friends are fine so i get confident hand some cards out and it goes wrong. I am back on the practising again after my ezyflow conversion but running out of people and money cos I'm doing lots of freebies. I am trying to decide what to do next i want to advertise and throw myself into it but i don't want to jump in to soon and mess up x

 

[Missy G]

Kate (worthit) hi i feel just like you i have lost a couple of clients due to lifting it always seems to be the people who i think could be real clients that go wrong my mums and friends are fine so i get confident hand some cards out and it goes wrong. I am back on the practising again after my ezyflow conversion but running out of people and money cos I'm doing lots of freebies. I am trying to decide what to do next i want to advertise and throw myself into it but i don't want to jump in to soon and mess up x

Mmm,is the lifting problem your fault though,when I first started nails I had lifting problems,thought it was my fault.Done a Bio course...no prob with lifting..then Ezflow ..only slight lifting here and there.

In the first situation I put it down to the products I was using , just the jobbys you buy in Sallys,not a pro make,as I seemed to be fine with Bio.

As for throwing yourself at the deep end I did,ok Ive made a few cock ups,never heard from the clients again..bothered..no theres plenty of others out there,I think if you keep putting obsticales in the way youll never get there.

Im not 100% on my nail disorders as my intensive course didnt go into depth on them,but I still went out there,people ask me questions,I might not know the answer and just blab me way through. I then just come home and ask on here so I know for future referance.

It could be the clients fault for not looking after them properly,and if your giving away freebees they definatly wont be looking after them properly,what will they care if your going to replace it for free.

Dont always blame yourself...I have learnt this one as I used to think it was always me..you dont know what the hell these clients do with their nails once theyve left you,if you know your prep is spot on and your application,then its not down to you.xx

 

[Tipsbygm]

Hi Debbie thanks for your reply ,i just had my sister in law round and they have lifted again i repaired them on Friday i will try to get a pic and post it you may be able to see where I'm going wrong .
I did the same as you using products from capital i had stopped my lifting by using cnd cuticle remover as you guys recommended but everyone kept losing or breaking nails so i did the ezflow conversion,this is dry prep and i thought i had been really thorough.
I don't know knocked confidence again i want to get it right before i advertise.

 

[lissa]

what a great thread !! i trained in acrylics at college as part of my beauty and now nearly 10 years on im still learnig and i must say i have learned more from reading Gigi's book NAILCLASS and from you ladies (gents)on this site than i have in my whole career as a beauty therapist!!

Also im doing a gel coures and made the mistake of doing my mates nails (free of course) but they fell off !! so i really don't know people have the confidence to out and charge after a one-two day course !!:lol:

 

[geeg]

Cheers for that Lissa! :hug:

My opinion if you want it is that the worst thing you all can do (the thing that will hold you all back) is to WAIT until you think you are perfect until you start to do nails for money. YOU NEVER ARE PERFECT!!

My advice, for what it is worth, is to get out there and get as many paying clients through your hands as possible ... only by jumping right in there and taking it on the chin if you cock up will you get the experience you need to really make a business of nails.

You MAY have to hold your hands up and say something was your fault in which case you should be glad the client gave you the opportunity to put things right, BUT... don't always put your hands up when you know in your heart that you have done your best and not made any mistakes.

 

[min11]

My opinion if you want it is that the worst thing you all can do (the thing that will hold you all back) is to WAIT until you think you are perfect until you start to do nails for money. YOU NEVER ARE PERFECT!!

See ever since I saw you I am still saying I need to build up the practice first, I know your right, I just need the kick up the rear to do it. I'll see if my foot will reach!

 

[geeg]

See ever since I saw you I am still saying I need to build up the practice first, I know your right, I just need the kick up the rear to do it. I'll see if my foot will reach!

Ever heard the expression ... JUST DO IT!!

Well ......

Every person I have ever inspired to go out and just do it has told me later that they wish they'd done it sooner!! Lesson to be learned.

You know what?? If you can't take the thought of it and it all seems like it is gong to be too stressful ... I'm really sorry, but nails are not for you!! You can't be faint hearted in the nail business. :hug:

 

[Tipsbygm]

OK maybe i will just put an ad in and go for it thanks guys i needed to be told. I have bought Gigis book i only got it yesterday i will read it tonight. I will be dreaming nails again i do that often sad i know.

 

[Missy G]

I kept umm and arrring wether to go self employed a couple of months ago,I came on here and people told me to go for it ...and I did,and loving it,you will come across obsticles,but there are ways round them,and theres help for everything out there.Good luck go for it.

If your anything like me I have another self employed job,which is my main earner,nails is like an added extra,so what ever I get is a bonus,but Im happy doing hours what I want to do and not whats in my contract.xx

 

[aliceellen1974]

Nails is a tough business and hard work - i have been doing it 6 years this year and still keep on learning.....

My clients are suprised when I tell them how long I have been doing this job as I swear they think I am going to say 6 months not years! Also they then tell me that sally/ann/belinda/amy etc down the road did a nail course and gave up either after the course or within a few months!

I would love to know what the rate is of people who take courses and people who become professional/ sucessful nail techs, I know its a statistic which we can never accurately find out but my guess would be around 5% make it through.

The scary thing for me was I did a VTCT course first at college and what they DIDNT teach us was scary, luckily I found this site, found CND and never looked back.

TOTALLY AGREE ADELLE! xxxxxxxxxx:hug:

 

[maguire]

I started training in 2006 and since then I have done quite a few courses and ready to book another, I have a full time job but with my hours I finish at 2pm then I do nails mobile, it has cost me a few thousand pounds with the cost of the courses and products which I can afford, I love doing nails it isn't even a job to me it's a pleasure and I get paid for it, I am nowhere near as perfect as some of the nail tech's on here but when I have no client I practice and one day I will be better than Geeg (hopefully). It has taken hours of dedication for me to get as far as I have, and I will still be learning when I get my zimmer

Well done Adele for this post.

 

[sodabubble]

I started training in 2006 and since then I have done quite a few courses and ready to book another, I have a full time job but with my hours I finish at 2pm then I do nails mobile, it has cost me a few thousand pounds with the cost of the courses and products which I can afford, I love doing nails it isn't even a job to me it's a pleasure and I get paid for it, I am nowhere near as perfect as some of the nail tech's on here but when I have no client I practice and one day I will be better than Geeg (hopefully). It has taken hours of dedication for me to get as far as I have, and I will still be learning when I get my zimmer

Well done Adele for this post.

wanna hear something funny? a while ago I did a product conversion (utter crap low end stuff, not my beloved CND!!) and the lady asked how long I studied nails for at college, I told her it was 18 weeks each for mani, pedi and enhancements and she laughed her head off and said she teaches the whole lot in a day!

so my point is it's not just us techs that think we can rush around and be fab in 5 mins, seems like some of the so-called pros think that too!