last week i did a friend nails for free
and i did her 2 sisters for 5 euros each to trian myself to uv gel
but now she keeps askin me to do her mom aunt and all
for the same price
and it s ok for me to be nice beacuse they are like family
but i feel kinda abused
plus she has a BIG family
so if i have to do everybody ...
i m scared to say no
so today she wanted me to come
i just didn t call and stayed quiet
i guess i will have to talk to her about it but i m always scared about her being upset
i still need to go there to get 5 euros from last week
i should have asked 10 at least for the products and my time
it s good to train but i spend time and products and everybody here knows it s not free even if i m not declared yet

If you need the training, there's no harm in doing it, but be clear that when you are up to par, you will be charging regular prices for the infills. Tell her that you need to cover the costs of your product and your travelling. Say you've only just worked out that it's actually going to cost more than you charged originally. Tell her you are sorry, but you can't do it for less than XX amount. If they can come to you perhaps you can take off the amount you would charge for travelling.
I understand that they are friends, and I do some friends for cost. Let them know however, that you need to cover expenses and when you get busy they will have to pay the regular amount to be sure they get an appointment.
Just let her know your position... she may not have even realised how expensive it is for you to do it! She may think she's helping you out if you have told her that you need to practice. Good luck honey. If she doesn't understand and is ungrateful, you are best off rid of her. She can't be that good a friend if she doesn't care about how you feel.

I come from the school of thought that didn't charge for being a model when i was training.
My thoughts are the minute you charge, it becomes a professional service and in my experience that leaves the door open to free repairs cause you did a pants job in the first place, and numerous complaints re lifting or anything else we do incorrectly when we are newbies.

I was always greatful to the poor misguided fool that let me anywhere near their quivering fingers whnen i first started. And then they actually smiled at me and murmered encouraging words to me about their thick, mishapen stodgy nails that i called "enhancements".

I think the purchase of products and the time you spend doing model's nails is an investment in your future career.

The minute your nails are looking better or at least at the point where the wearer has stopped wearing mittens even in the middle of summer - then by all means charge charge away. Even do up pretty little price lists just for family and friends and post them out in christmas cards for all and sundry to see. The main thing is to be consistant with who you charge, and how much you charge to family and friends. That way if they compare notes that is one less thing to bitch about.

Family - Can't pick 'em, Can't kill them either