Cuticle work?

[misteza]

Hi all,

Ok basically, I am a qualified mobile beautician that not that long ago finished an ITEC diploma in level 2 beauty. The thing is I feel that I have not learnt enough on man & ped, I honestly don't think it was because the way I learn or my attendance, I think it was my tutor and her lack of knowledge.

I feel I have so many unanswered questions and looking back when I asked my tutor something she totally fogged me off or tried to argue with me to totally avoid the point. So here I am hoping someone can help :-(

I did a manicure on a mate the other day, and it went wrong. The shaping and buffing went fine, but then the cuticles just didn't look proffessional. I soaked them and pushed them back used a wet cuticle knife to lift away dead skin from the nail plate and gently used the cuticle clippers to nip away the dead skin ON THE NAIL PLATE. As my friends cuticles were in a bad condition, really overgrown, there was alot of cuticle left although still attached to the skin not the nail (if that makes sense). Now when I was in college, I asked my tutor whether I should nip this away, and got the cold shoulder and no explanation on how to tidy this up.

I'm sorry about the long story, but please can someone help. I refuse to give another manicure until I know I can do it to a truly proffessional standard.

Thanks x

 

[kylieb]

Oh bless you huni, I completely know how you feel as I had a tutor myself for one of my subjects that I had the same trouble with!

It sounds to me like you have done very well. It sometimes helps to use cuticle remover. Get a good one as it will do half of the job for you by dissolving the dead skin cells. There is nothing wrong with clipping the cuticle from the nail plate as long as you are careful not to scratch it. Sometimes clients may need a few treatments as it cant always be cured in one. So this is a good way of promoting your client another service such as a warm oil manicure.
So don't worry if you cant get it all off tell your client that she might need a few treatments.
Oh and your a beauty therapist not a beautician lol xxx

 

[misteza]

Thanks kylieb, it's really frustrating trying to find something out but then being knocked down by someone for their own lack of knowledge, never mind eh. Suppose I will have to research more myself, more you know the better anyway!

Oh yes I was actually thinking beautician or beauty technician. Dammit, put that on my business cards too! lol

Thanks for clearing that up for me, I was really bummed at the result of my friends manicure, I did say to her that i'm not going to cut anything until I'm sure.
Going from my own experience I let loose on my left hand (i'm right handed) and started cuttin away at all sorts and found that my eponychium became very dry after a few days. Obviously all I could do to my right hand was push back the cuticles and nip away at the dead skin on the nail plate and it looked fine after a few days. Comparing my left hand to my right hand kinda made me ask that question what I should actually be cutting away.
I'm defo going to invest in some cuticle remover as it sounds like a dream!

So just to clarify, the only thing I should be nipping away is the dead skin attached to the nail plate, so the excess skin attached to the eponychium should stay attached? I told my friend to keep pushing it back gently when she's in the bath etc and always moisturise them. Is that right?

I'm sorry too sound slow but I just want to make sure i'm not giving the wrong info or doing the wrong thing!

Thanks again xxx

 

[kylieb]

This is what this site is for! Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Some therapists will cut the cuticles straight off. They started to do it in America as they realised clients will come back because if we cut skin off our body it chucks it back at us in double the amount. I would not advise cutting the cuticles off altogether as they will grow back thicker. Also the cuticle is there to protect our matrix from germs etc.
So what you are doing is right. Push them back and trim off any dry bits. It's fine to cut off the little bits of dry skin from around the sides, as it is dead anyway. Cream or oil is good to retail your clients and tell them to put it on before they go to bed.

Its good that you want to get it right and it sounds like you know more than you think you do!
Dont worry too much about your cards saying beautician. You can change it next time. Not a lot of people know the difference it's just a pet hate of mine. A beautician is someone that works at the make-up counter in boots! lol dont call yourself that! xxx

 

[misteza]

Oh gosh, counter of boots?... vistaprint here I come! lol!

Great, thanks so much for literally clearing my mind, I was tryna download ebooks on manicures and even thought to take a manicure course (I really know how to worry) lol

I have actually heard that the skin "panics" if you like, when it is removed in bulk. I suppose that explains why I had elephant fingertips for about a month.
I will have a look around for a good cuticle oil or cream to retail as I haven't started retailing much yet. Really can't wait to get started now!

I have to give a manicure on Friday and was just about to cancel, but I'm all for it now, so wish me luck.
I suppose because I didn't have the confidence in my work on my mates manicure it rubbed off on my work and attitude, confidence is key though.. and beauty technicians are not magicians!

I have officially fallen in love with salon geek.

Thanks a bunch kylieb xxxx

 

[Susie H]

Hi hun, I just wanted to add, if you are thinking of taking a mani & pedi course I highly recomend the CND one, its very though, the products are the finest and once you have done this course you will be able to buy all the mani/pedi products at trade price direct from them, including a really lovely cuticle remover that I also use to dissolve stubborn hard skin on the feet. If you want details you'd have to speak to someone at Sweet squard for a local trainer but it's well worth it:hug:

 

[loubilicious]

Hi there, it sounds like you're on the right track and you have been given some good advice already.

There are a couple of threads/articles on here you may like to read:

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/95751-cuticle-eponychium.html#post942018

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-application/12048-perfect-preparation-prevents-poor-performance.html

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-application/3007-perfect-preparation.html
The cuticle work for a manicure is just the same as for prepping for enhancements up until the 'removing the shine'

I would say invest in some CND Cuticle Away, and some Solar Oil. If you give Sweet Squared a call you should be able to register with them, (you'll need to send a copy of your certificate as they will only sell to professionals)

Susie mentioned CND manicure and Pedicure course. I did this course and it was a great opportunity to see the products in action, ask any questions and see it done by a true Nail expert! And the bonus is that the lovely spa products are included in the cost of the course.

HTH, Lou xx

 

[kylieb]

Oh gosh, counter of boots?... vistaprint here I come! lol!

Great, thanks so much for literally clearing my mind, I was tryna download ebooks on manicures and even thought to take a manicure course (I really know how to worry) lol

I have actually heard that the skin "panics" if you like, when it is removed in bulk. I suppose that explains why I had elephant fingertips for about a month.
I will have a look around for a good cuticle oil or cream to retail as I haven't started retailing much yet. Really can't wait to get started now!

I have to give a manicure on Friday and was just about to cancel, but I'm all for it now, so wish me luck.
I suppose because I didn't have the confidence in my work on my mates manicure it rubbed off on my work and attitude, confidence is key though.. and beauty technicians are not magicians!

I have officially fallen in love with salon geek.

Thanks a bunch kylieb xxxx

Hun I just realised...you are in Croydon! That's just up the road from me!! If you need any help with anything, even if you just want someone to practice on, i'm happy to help you!
Don't give up on anything you think your not good at sweet. A lot of things in this game just require a LOT of practice. Good luck for your manicure on friday :hug: xxx

 

[mary1981]

You've had some fab advice hun, it might be a good idea to get a book such as the Doug Schoon book, there is also some videos on here on the sticky posts. He explains anatomy so so well, lots of excellent pictures too. It might help fill in some of the gaps from your course.
I think i remember a post from Geeg saying that lashings of solar oil will help to shrink cuticles away too, and like others have said its great to recommend your client comes back for more treatments, and to retail cuticle oil and home cuticle treatments, such as CND cuticle eraser.

good luck hunny. xxx