Hi Skin Geeks I was wondering if I can pick your brains on training courses.

I want to become in the next year (if thats possible) a mobile therapist even if its only on a part time basis, offering waxing, facials, spray tanning, eyelash tinting, etc.

I have been looking at courses and to be honest the more I look the more confused I get. Theres VTCT's, NVQ's, product based training days, theres a course at my local college for waxing on an evening once a week over 10 weeks. I am so confused about it all, I haven't really any knowledge of this side of things and I don't want to end up wasting time and money on things that aren't any good. I want to be able to get out of the 9-5 grind and am more than happy to update or upgrade any training once I am in a better position to do it, in fact I am definitely going to do more training.

I can't go full time into anything at college my commitments at the moment won't allow it, though I would like to go to college if it would help me in the future.

I suppose my question to the skin geeks is how did you get where you are and what would you do differently if you were just starting like me?

I did Beauty Therapy full time at college over two years.

Check with your local college if you can do the first year part time, some either offer courses in the evening or two days per week but longer hours. Im guessing that it would work out more expensive to do lots of short courses than a college course.

I don't think there are many places that offer facials as a short course either as there is so much to learn, you need to know all the muscles & bones of the face, different skin types, the facial routine etc.
I found facials to be the most in depth module, and i know i couldn't have learnt all of it on a short course. xx

I've just found a course that 2.5 hours per week over 24 weeks its at Park Lane College in Leeds on a Monday night.

It gives an National College of Further Education qualification which I think is a step down from NVQ. Has anyone else ever done one of these and what did they think? I'm trying to find the best training I can get that fits round my lifestyle at the mo which is working 8.30 - 5 and running round after 2 kids.

This is what it teaches -

Manicures & Nail Art

Hygiene
Nail structure
Manicure techniques
Hand & arm massage
Pedicure
Foot/leg massage
French manicure
Nail Art


2. Facials & Waxing
Hygiene
Cleansing
Facial massage
Face masks
Skin types
Eyebrow shaping, lash & brow tinting
Lip waxing

3. Make-up: Beautiful Eyes
Hygiene
Day/evening & Bridal make-up
Colour analysis & corrective make-up
Application of false lashes
Eye make-up

I went to college full time for 2 years which becaue it was full time it was paid for. I started at 9 and finished at 3 sometimes 4. I used to get changed at coleg and go to a cleaning job afterwards until 6pm. Doing this allowed me to go to college and still earn a wage.

you would also need an anatomy and physiology diploma. Maybe you could do this before attending any other course rather thatn doing then all at once.

I've just re read your post, maybe you won't need your A&P diploma after all. Wouldn't the beauty specialist course not cover want your wanting. NVQ level 1 or level 2? Our locla college ran a night course for this?

If our intending on working in a salon they would be looking for more than this qualification though

Thanks for that Mama, I'm wanting to be mobile to start with and gradually ease out of the 9-5. I really want to do NVQ but I cannot find anywhere near me that offers it on a PT basis, I know SHELLEY one of the geeks did hers on a Saturday morning which would be ideal but its not happening in sunny Leeds.

I wouldn't stick with this as my only training to be honest I'd really like to do NVQ as I like learning so I see this as the first step really, as I say I don't know if its any good but I'm struggling to find anything else at all.

This sounds like the beauty specialist course level 1/2 NVQ

Soz for being thick is that a good starter course then or not?

I suppose it all depends on how much it is costing you at the end of the day and what yu're going to get in return. Ask if they are having an open day where yu will be ablw to ask all the relevent questions. Also you will need to check with insurance companies to see if thwy will cover you with this qualification.

Thanks for that mama the course is 158.00. but I hadn't thought of the insurance aspect. Its all going to be for nothing if its not going to be acknowledged by the insurance. Thanks again hunny, much appreciated.