[quote=ValencianNails;270772]thought it might be interesting to find out where everyone started when choosing education.
so kind of following on from Sassy's recent Education Article, where did you start off?

Hi all, I had a cosmetogy course many years ago, and while I practiced and taught cosmetology then, I did a bit of "tips" and acrylic- it was all very new then and who thought it would last? LOL!
Last summer I took a 300 hour course in "nail technology" It is a requirement in this province and includes manicure, pedicure, diseases and of course all the bacteriology, sanitation etc. as required. The therory was more in depth than the practical really, and soon learned I needed a couple of one on one's to help me.
The product I trained in was LCN, and since then have worked in Briza and will do the official 1st training in it in Sept. Work in almost all gel.

I believe the regulations across Canada are all quite strict and you won't find too many unlicienced techs here.

Although we are still required to take a class.... most provinces do not have any licensing in place. I'm in BC, and we were deregulated about 4 years ago... and believe me, there are many unlicensed techs out there... pretty scary.

My Course sounds a bit different to most people here it was 3 months full time we trained in mani & pedis, sculptures, l&p, gels, all wraps, nail art, air brushing, electric drill & massage. We had to do 100 sets of nails before we finished and had to have our times down. my course provided all models and we received full acrylic, and pedicure kits worth over AUS$500.

Oh and also had to have a very extensive knowledge in all nail diseases, sanitation, product breakdown (ie what chemicals are in the products), courses in OH&S, retail and management of salons, could go on for ages but to much to list!!!

Plus if anything new comes out on the market or you are not feeling all that confident in any areas you can go back at any time for one on one training completly free of charge.

I chose untrained because in the beginning I was untrained and I practiced on my nails and family and friends nails until I decided to go to beauty school to get my license...which I still haven't gotten Hopefully next year I will be able to go to school full-time, get my license and open my shop...everybody keep your fingers crossed!!!

I just finished a 16-week course that included acrylics, wraps, gels, nail art, electric file:EVERYTHING. I have a Certificate for everything and have to go get licensed by the state I live in on Nov 6th. I loved school, but there is so much out there for me to learn I'm sure!

You are right there will still be a lot to learn....I personally think that we go on learning ALL the time and really need to keep up with the newest ideas in the nail industry which is evolving all the time.

I started doing a PT NVQ course in beauty therapy, then did a 4 day course with Alida, to add another string to my bow, i was going to do a VTCT course but after reading the mixed reviews on it on here i decided that i would go ahead and do the Foundation Course with Creative, as it seemed to be a more consistant learning package.

Vicky x

i had always wanted to doing beauty courses since leaving school but for one reason or another it didn't happen

but then once my daughter started primary school i decided to bite the bullet and in feb 2005 i enrolled on a manicure/pedciure course and also a cosmetic makeup course

i have done more college courses since then and i am loving every minute of my studies

i was a bit unsure of what to put as my course i did at college but it was a 4 day course.i did 3days learning then i continued at home for just over 2months practicing and written work,then the 4th day was my assessment day.i choose to vote college.i learnt about hygiene,nail diseases/disorders,contra-actions/indications,nail anatoymy/physiology,health and safety.the understanding of products,application and maintenance of acrylic and fibreglass enhancements.plus loads more and im still learning new things everyday and i love it.

I initially started a college course and did nvq 2 in beauty therapy which included manicures and pedicures.

I then did nvq 3 but didnt do nail enhancements as we had the choice of doing epilation or nails...i chose epilation,not that im regreting that but i felt the training for nails wasnt really good.

Since then have done numerous product and conversion courses with different companies.

i enjoy education immensely i feed off it and my minds all a buzz

Since coming on here several months ago,i have never found a site so amazing.Ive learnt more about nails and it has wetted my appetite so much so,i want to learn more

I did a 5 day acrylic course with a creative teacher and a 3 day Gel course with the same lady in a class of five people at a beauty supply shop. it was very intense but i will be futhering my education when i find the right course.

I did a years College course which covered Make up Manicure and pedicure it was IHBC we even did eyelash tinting and massage it was excellent.
The teacher was fantastic, very hot on Contraindications and nail diseases ect
we had to sit a written exam at the end of the course.
After the exam one girl said to us all;
"That lunula question in the written exam? it is something you get on your cheeks isnt it"? awww

I realized I liked nail extensions And I took further training course I did this because I had already done mani and pedi , The course wasn't up to the standards I expected (Its a small world so I wont mention any names)

I realized what a costly mistake that acrylic nail course was,
the only good thing about it was I got a really good study booklet which is fantastic .
I shall take further training when I can afford it. and I want to be able to choose with confidence the best suitable product for me to use
Until then I shall play around with my training kit and my training hand as I really love doing nails

I trained at college doing my HND in Beauty and management. To be assessed to become a "nail tech" i had to do 1 NAIL!! obv not enough so went and worked with a well respected (in my area) competition winner, got a lot of good basic experience (and bad habits) but got itchy feet to learn more so left and decided to take the plunge and retrain from scratch with CND doing a 5 day foundation!! quite scary to invest again in basic training as had been doing tip and overlays sucessfully for more than a year; after retraining got a job at my educators salon ... best £500 i've spent!!

I did the Creative Manicure & Pedicure Spa days and then a 5 day L&P followed by the Brisa Gel course, I followed this with the custom blending and then a nail decoration day. I was lucky enough to do these on a 1.2.1 basis.
It was all very intense but well worth it, and though I do feel that I have soooo much more to learn finding this site has also been a massive help.
There is loads more I want (and need) to learn but I feel I had probably one of the best starts with Creative and love what I do.

I trained on the Creative 5 day L&P course with Diane Plummer, then did my manicure and pedicure a month later, its an ongoing process, Im much happier with my work but not where I want to be, I have had two 121 sessions too and intend to have more in the furture.