hi geeks
i need you all to help me please
i have been offered a hairdressing course at college , last year the mature students paid a small amount towards there course and then paid for there kit , this worked out at about £500 altogether , however this year mature students are not being funded at all and costs are nearer to £1000 , i have trained to do manicure pedicure silk / fibreglass , uv gel and arcylic nails but am still not that confident at them , i am booked on a 1 day creative conversion course in july . the hairdressing course is 2 years by the way . my dilema now is do i spend the money and have 2 years before i am qualified or do i spend the money and have more training in nails so that i can feel confident enough to start my own business as a mobile nail technician , i was thinking of the calgel course 2 days which can be done in nottingham for £460 plus vat , also while i have your attention would you go for calgel or brisa not sure which to choose from. plese help i am really confused now , i have always wanted to do hairdressing but it is the time and money that are putting me off a bit as am am 40 next birthday

Give it a bit of time for replies... it's Saturday and there's not many members on the site.

If I were you then I would do the conversion and concentrate on what I'm already trained to do.
I don't think you can compare Brisa and Calgel as they're totally different types of gel. I use Brisa and love it, ask 5 Brisa techs and 5 Calgel techs and they're all going to tell you that they love the product they use, it's a case of personal preference and what you want the gel to do for you.

Sorry I can't offer anymore help but I've not been in your situation before, I do think that your hairdresser friend has a point though, 2 years of training to get your certificate doesn't make you experienced, that's why I'd concentrate on the nails side of it first as you're already trained up.

hth's a bit

thanks sandi
i am starting to think along those lines , maybe the hairdressing is going to be too long and drawn out . i suppose it could take me years to perfect it.now i just need to choose a new system to train in out of brisa or calgel

Although its never too late to learn new skills, both nails and hairdressing are skills that require alot of time and practice before you are completely happy with them, so my advice would be to concentrate on nails as a career for now, and once you hve earnt lots of money, you could possibly plough this back into more training.

If you were to choose the hairdressing certificate, hands on training is vital.

Before you have started your course I would suggest you find a salon/mobile business willing to have you on a part time basis whilst you are training
IMO hair would be harder to navigate as a solo tech.

Here in Australia we can add upstyles[hair]to certain makeup courses [great for bridal packages ] without having to do a complete hairdressing course/apprenticeship. Normally 4 years, but they are advertising that it can be done in a year.......OK?
Maybe that's a less expensive option for you atm if available over your way?

Calgel or Brisa?
I'm a Brisa tech, can't comment on Calgel but do know there's some avid Calgel techs here on the site that can help you out.
IMO start with Calgel & move on to Brisa if you feel you'd like to.

HtH

XX J XX

I would defo stick with the nails and perfect what you know there first, rather than add something else which you won't feel confident in for a long time.

I have been doing nails for three and a half years and still find i am learning and improving, so it does take time to perfect any trade you have.

As for what gel to use, find someone who has the gels you wisht o try and give them a go, or see if there is any way to get a try me kit for both. As was said previously, what one tech loves may not be what you find good to work with. Plus, you have to consider that the training will help you to use these products to their best, so when you try them, remember this too.

Before deciding what gel, i would think about what supplier is easier for you to buy from, as well as on going training, which is closer to you?

Hope this helps hun, never an easy decision to make. Here for you though.