Hi everyone,

I hope you don't mind me joining.....

I'm 28yrs old and I live in the West Midlands with my husband and 2yr old daughter, I'm also 3mths pregnant again and terribly sick anyway....

.... I started working at a college 5 years ago and became very interested in Beauty Therapy and went on to do the part time courses available which were VTCT. I did Manicure & Pedicure certificate, Make up & Beauty Consultancy certificate, Beauty Specialist Diploma, Nail Extensions certificate and nail Art certificate, over a 3 year period. It was hard work but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Because I worked at the college I asked how I could do the NVQ2 in Beauty Therapy as it was a full time course and I was full time working, because of all the courses I'd done there was a way (at the time) to APL the work I'd done over to the NVQ as well as do additional work in my own time, so I stayed after work and a couple of lecturers had to additionally assess my performance and I had extra assignments and work to do which I did all in my spare time.
When I got pregnant for the 1st time I wanted to do my NVQ3 in Beauty Therapy which I was able to do during my maternity time off work, so just two weeks after having my daughter I started a 3 and half day a week course undertaking all I needed to do for NVQ3 BT. I loved it and couldn't get enough of it.
Since completing NVQ3 and going back to work I've done very little as time and money has been against me.

I'm angry with myself for not pulling my finger out more but now I'm pregnant with my 2nd child I'm considering not going back to work at all and doing beauty from home.

I have a very big interest in Nails and Nail Art, although I'm not very creative I do try very hard.

My problem is confidence and I take things to heart to quickly and 'give up' which is why I packed my mobile nail tech round in a year ago, I had a customer who had her nails done in the Gel system for 6 months or more then evertime I went to infills she kept complaining of the lifting and how 'crap' they had become. I took this to heart and thought maybe I'm doing something wrong but because I've done nails for 3 years I was embarrassed to admit to any of my work colleagues (the therapist lecturers) that I was doing something wrong, so now I'm glad I've found this site for when I do start up again.

I pretty sick at the moment with this baby and I fear we're going to have to move out of our house soon so I don't plan to do anything too quickly but maybe this could be my chance to do some additional training before taking the plunge again.

I'd appreciate it if I can get loads of constructive advice if possible.

Clair

Hi Clair and welcome. I've not got enough knowledge about the courses to advise but there are lot of beauty experts on here and they are always glad to help. So just wanted to say hi and you could try a piece of ginger root in hot water for the baby sickness? Worked for me. Congratulations too.
Helen x

Welcome to the site Clair. Wow ... you sound like you have done an awful lot to let it go to waste so please don't. We will all be glad to offer you help and encouragement.

I'm a nail geek and I would guess that rather than you it was most likely the products you were using that let you down (that and what our dear clients do to their nails when we are not around). But we can get to all that later.

Enjoy geeking and please help us all with your expertise. Experts are more than welcome on the site as it is mainly newbies we teach and who have the time to come here and question. Please feel free to help wherever and whenever you can. Something to do while you await your new born.

Hope it all goes well for you and that the sickness soon disappears like it seems to do round about this time!!

Hi Clair and welcome to the site.

I think everyone struggles from time to time with confidence (I know I do). With regards to your nails if you already don't have one I would advise purchasing a nail trainer they really are wonderful. Also a copy of the 'nailclass' book once you have it its always there to refer back too!

Just don't give up!

xx

Thanks for the welcome.

I don't feel confident enough to 'help and advise' others although I will mention wherever what I used to do but it probably isn't correct way or not advisable but at least I get to chat and stuff.

I have one of those fingers that you can stick to a hard surface and practice applying tips and gel/acrylic so once I feel more human (sickness is doing my head in) I will get that out and have a go.

What really annoys me is I have a few friends who I've asked if I can 'practice' on them for free and they're not interested, I can even offer my services for free - god I must be bad! lol

Hopefully I'll pull my finger out once the sickness goes away at the moment I can't do anything without wanting to throw up all the time

am new too and happy to be here

Welcome to the site both xx