Desperate for advice about my Nail Tech course!

[sheridestrains]

Hi all. My name's Heather... I'm new to these forums, but am desperate for some advice about the nail tech course I am currently taking at my local cosmetology school.

I have just recently started the class and am working toward the 600 hours it takes to get licesensed here.

Here's my dilema: my instructor only teaches cosmetology. So I sit in on cosmetology students classes all day, and of course, I don't even use the same textbook that they do. So, to put it mildly, I'm not learning much, to add insult to injury, my instructor can hardly do an acrylic nail herself so how in the world am I supposed to learn anything?! I read all I can, and practice but its very difficult to practice what you haven't been properly taught! Also, this instructor only lets me use old, and cheap products to practice with...and she isn't informed about what products are good, or good for ME to use once I graduate. I hope to be able to do acrylic, pink and whites and gel nails, so I really need some advice on what starter kits would be good for me to try. Right now I'm practicing with some odorless(thats what my State Board requires for the exam) by Nouveau, but I'm having great difficulty with it as it never seems to set up!

Any advice on how in the world to learn in this situation, or how to discuss my issues with this instructor? ( I know her on a personal level, so that adds one more layer to the story.) I really want to learn proper and good techniques with good products, as I already have a job offer for once I get licensed. OH ME! What a mess I'm in......

 

[Kittensgotclaws]

Hi there, sorry that you are having a hard time :hug:
Can i ask, did you pay for this class? If so then i would ask for your money back, how are you able to learn anything if your tutor isn't able to create a set of nails herself? I really hope you are able to rectify this situation with your friend as soon as possible.
Jo.Xx

 

[Annie23]

I agree with above post, see if you can get your money back, this is seriously substandard education, basically what you are doing in class you could be doing at home and its highly unprofessional. Is she even qualified to teach nails? Because with your experience I would seriously question the validity of my education and certification.

I hope this does not ruin your friendship but learn from this never mix business with freindship its a disaster waiting to happen! Good luck :hug:

anne xx

 

[geeg]

Any advice on how in the world to learn in this situation, or how to discuss my issues with this instructor? ( I know her on a personal level, so that adds one more layer to the story.) I really want to learn proper and good techniques with good products, as I already have a job offer for once I get licensed. OH ME! What a mess I'm in......

How frustrated you must be, Heather .... there is help at hand.

You can learn allot about technique from GOOD videos. Go to CND.com and view their different videos re product application and finishing .. many of the CND videos are also on You tube to view. Try not to confuse yourself by watching thousands of independent technicians doing their 'thing' on you tube. Stick with CND and learn from the best who are also using the best products. :hug:

 

[honeycure]

Oh my gosh, you just described word by word of what I went through!

I too was the only nail tech there, and the two instructors had no idea how to do nails. "Theory" consisted of one sitting next to me, reading me the textbook as if I couldn't do that myself. The instructor did two acrylic nails on me, one with tip and one with form and that was it. It took a total of 5 minutes, and they both looked horrible.

My kit consisted of the cheapest nail products, and mine came with that crappy odorless stuff as well. The only thing I basically learned in that school was getting the ratio right, so my sculptured nail and natural overlay acrylic was perfect at stateboard while everyone else struggled with it. (the key is to use half of the monomer you'd use if you were using the regular one when you dip your brush in)

Honestly, I wouldn't stress if I were you. You definitely wanna know the basics (like sanitation and basic nail care), but the rest is something you'll pick up as you start working in a real salon.

I graduated barely knowing how to hold a pair of nippers. It's been almost 2 years now, and now I'm a certified Bio Sculpture Gel technician in San Francisco.

You'll do fine as long as you have the passion for it <33

Oh and about learning techniques, I agree with Geeg. You can't go wrong with CND.com

 

[sheridestrains]

I thank each of you very much for responding. Thank you honeycure, sharing what you went thru at your course was especially helpful. I wish there were more options for schooling where I live, unfortunately the next nearest school is hours away. I will take the advice and try to learn some things from the CND site. I was thinking of buying myself some of their products to try as it seems to be a popular choice for many of you. I will talk to the instructor, and if she can't give me any "nail" teaching time one on one, then at least allow my book work in a quiet room instead of having to sit in on her teaching the cosmo class. ( I can't focus with her teaching totally different text than mine!) Thank you all so much again. I was beginning to lose hope...and I really want to be great at nails! I'll definitely being using these forums now to get some more insite! Have a great week! :hug: