Hi Everyone

My name is Jackie and I have joined the site in hope of some great advice.

I am looking for a change of career and would like to do something that will fit around the kids. I like the idea of all things beauty like and am thinking about hair/makeup and nails.

I am planning to attend a local college to train on hair and make up which could take some time (around 2 years) and I would like to start earning a bit bit of money in the meantime so I can give up my existing job so I wondered whether to get on and do a nail course (there is a creative nail academy near by).

My only worry is I have never been any good at practical stuff and I am concerned about paying for the course and then discovering that I really don't have what it takes to be a nail tech. Is this a skill that can be taught? I am usually usless with a paint brush and it is only recently that I have been able to paint my own nails.

Any advice?

Hi and welcome

I was in similar position to you a while back and took a big gamble and went back to college to do beauty and I am so glad i did.

Just finished my beauty course this summer so it is all systems go now.

All I can say is give it a go. If it doesnt work out then you can always go back to applying for jobs that you do know - i you dont you will always live to regret it!

HTH

p.s. fill you profile details in so we can all hear more about you!

Hiya Jackie and welcome to the site

I am sure that you willenjoy your career change and the point you made about not being very artistic shouldn't matter some techs just do manicure, pedicure and enhancements other will do more artistic art work etc on peoples nails with a good course and good advice and lots and lots of practise I am sure you will become a fab tech.

Thanks for the encouragement. I think it would be a good idea to have a go at home before enrolling on the course and I know I can get a creative starter kit but what else do I need? Will any brush do to start with and what about files and nail tips? I have seen a training hand and some of those training fingers on e-bay quite cheap. Is there a book or video I can get?
I have had my nails done loads of times so I know how to do it but I am not sure which files to use when.

I am just really cautious about paying loads of money and then not being any good or not likeing it. I have taken several courses in various different subjects over the last few years and I seem to keep changing my mind about what I want to do . I just don't seem to have found anything that I am good at that I enjoy doing. I must admit I am a real girlie and love anything that is hair/makeup and nails.

Hi there and welcome the site

I uderstand your anxiety about wasting money but i can assure you that having a practise at home is not even a taster as to what you would get if you trained.

Imho if anything this will put you off,it is a hell of a lot harder than it looks but with the right tuition and the desire to learn,you are onto a winner.

Are you sure you can get a creative starter kit,they don't sell to non professionals hun x

In regards to a brush,one day it will be your most prized possesion and contributes greatly to the outcome of your ehancement.

As for ebay,there are plenty of threads on here,take a look.I would personally buy a nail trainer from ebay fyi but that's all !

Hth Becki

Hi Jackie,

Welcome to the "geek"!

I never thought in a million years, that I would be a nail tech! I have another home based business, that in springtime, I sit and do nothing for about 3-4 months, so I thought I'm not going to sit at home with these kids anymore, so they can drive me more crazy, LOL. So I decided that I need a life, and signed up for a basic nail course. I'm such a clutz, thought OMG, I couldn't paint my own nails to save my life!! Now I have to try and do a smile line, YIKES! Glue on a tip....get the acetone!!! But it just all came to me. My instructor asked if I was a tech already, and of course I laughed at her, and said no. She said I was a natural. Now, I absolutely love it!!! I even signed up, and took a pedicure course. Lovin that as well!! I think I like doing pedicures more than nails......is that alittle bizzare, or what!!! Maybe its just the gratitifcation to hear people say....oh that feels so soft, or I didn't think my feet would feel that good.....its knowing that you made someone feel alittle bit better about themselves when they leave, then they did when they came.

All I can say is, go for it!!! Don't let nothing stop you! I've only been a nail tech for about 2 months now, and I'm still learning, and the people on this site are very helpful!!

You know, the last few days I have been going over this issue! I have loved and had "nails" for many, Many years (off & on) and have "messed" w/doing my own Many years as well. I have been SO disappointed w/the different salons I have tried since we moved up in this area (northern Idaho) over a yr ago and since joining online here have learned Much and has given me great Incentive to perhaps pursue a career (even at my 52 yrs of age) in becoming a Nail Tech. I am retired, my husband works full time so it would give me something to do as well as doing something I LOVE And earning money to boot! The closest place is the "American Academy of Nail Technology" in Post Falls Idaho, has anyone attended this institute and would certainly appreciate any input before deciding to take this major step and do these types of places give anykind of "Grants" etc.? - let me know your opinions

In doing a bit more research today there is a smaller Beauty School closer to where I live (approx. 27 miles) that has a 3 1/2 mth program for about $2800 (that's better than $3500) ! And much closer plus being in Idaho only requires somewhere between 300-400 hrs. (instead of in the Washington area it's 600). So I may drive in Monday and see what it's like, maybe being "smaller" I would get more "1 to 1" hands-on and I can always take "extension" classes afterwards (If I pass) Seems like that's what alot of you gals do to help better yourselves , I'll let you know what becomes of this!

Hi and welcome xxxxxxx

Hi

One thing I would personally say that you could benefit from is getting some professional books, designed for the NVQ level2 qualification.

The books give you a really good insight into every aspect of nails, even down to the way you dress, running a salon, going mobile, the different systems available to learn, step by step info, loads of picures, whole sections on how to do a professional polish job, colours, nail art, the list is endless and I really think you would benefit from getting one.

I have got 'The complete nail Technician' By Marianne Newman - sorry if that is spelt incorrectly(!)

and 'The encyclopedia of Nails' By Jaqui Jefford and Anne Swain.

Both have been essential to me. I read them over and over again, they will be so much more than just a 'book' - I promise!

With all respect, you will not know everything that is involved in 'doing nails' just by having watched your own being done. There is so much to learn, and this is why you will see on here many techs talking about furthering their training.

Good luck, keep trying, stick at it - read books and get on a course hun - it could be the first steps to a career you will love!!!!

hi and welcome to the site...
Nailclass by Gigi Rouse is another fab book, a definite buy for any tech old or new
you can get it in Geekmart on the site... Geekmart

Hi there and welcome

i think you have you head screwed on why not start with a manicure & pedicure course and then see how you feel aobut them and wether you get a passion for all things nails. You can always just offer these services for a start and see how you get along and read some of the books mentioned and see if you will be able to juggle hair, nails and make up.

Just ordered a couple of books from amazon so will see how I get on with those. Also going to the local college on Thursday as they have a health and beauty open day so I can chat with them about courses and stuff. I like the idea of doing it at college as they cover more than just acrylic and you learn manicure and pedicure as well and it is a lot cheaper. It is just the time scales as the courses are min of a year, I was hoping to get out there before that doing stuff even if it is only on the cheap for family and friends.