Liliya is Ukrainian - so I guess they got accidentally left off your list
She's very talented, but if you read the Russian or Ukrainian magazines or see their forums you can get the impression that everyone has similar skills.
That simply isn't true. They do have more exceptional nail artists that some countries - but in all fairness they don't seem to win the World Championship in salon nails more. What I would say is that the average is higher and they do have more 'stars'. Also without causing offense - there are some very educated people working in nails in east Europe (degrees are not unusual and I know several medical doctors).
I am not sure if the UK is behind or in front. Certainly it is different from many European countries and perhaps more similar to the US. There's a very high number of non-standard salons, and the education is shorter than some countries. But one has to bear in mind the UK was an early adopter of nails - even if it never really got the real nail art thing (many other countries didn't either) but on the other hand I don't see any real innovation either.
As more countries struggle with either non-standard salons, part-timers who work from home and may not pay tax, or people buying product from the local market (yes, it's common in some countries) - I wonder if the UK is ahead of us and that could be the future.
Perhaps this is really all detail and not important. For nail techs to earn good money more have to act and work professionally, and work as a business; invest in themselves, be the best they can, offer unique or different services and provide great customer service. Too many techs think 2 hours of chat is good service because it makes them feel rosy about themselves - that is not customer service! In fact it's not professional to get too close to clients - would you say half what you hear to your dentist?
I do think too many girls train as nail techs because a) they have limited qualifications, b) it's creative and seems fun (being in the business panders to their ego's) and c) it's a low-entry cost career. But I think that's true in many countries and to some extent manufacturers/schools are too blame for dishing out diploma's to people who are not ready (what's the point of a diploma if a girl can't convince a client they make a good service?). But also experienced nail tech who are quite happy to sit on their bums and never improve to a higher level - if more did this the professional status might improve.
I hear where you are coming from, but I just want you to understand that the situation is more complex. BTW - I had a look in your gallery and can see you are a nail art fan. That's all well and good, but I wish more techs perfected their standard shapes and actually chose the shape for a customer with certail nail beds etc. rather than plonking the same old, same old style because it's what they know. I also wish more techs understood nail bed extensions!
OK - I have a nail show to go to tomorrow so I will end now. Hope I have managed to provoke some more thoughts! :hug:
Bob xx
P.S. I love great nail art! We were setting up at the show today and met a lot of nail artist friends - it's wonderful to see their innovation and fantastic nails! But - these guys make shape and form, and can do terrific french too! Frankly, I hate canes, transfers etc - what I want to see is art on a nail. Someones idea from start to end, and great technique.
