Feel like giving up on nail extensions :-(

[Miss Sylk]

I qualified in NVQ level 3 Beauty 2004 and stuck to gel ever since. My teacher was rubbish at nails and i really didnt learn much, but over the years of working in salons and with different systems ive picked up a lot and learned more myself (as you do).

However, ive never been 100% with the extensions i do. Gel always runs into cuticles, get lifting, crators the wrong shape etc etc. I am a perfectionist, but these are far from it.

I dont see how i cant get any better at gel? ive been trying for so long?

Im now thinking of going back to acrylic, the reason why i never used it is it stinks and i have very slight asthma and end up coughing a lot. Also the filing is pretty intense and the buffing. I have a shoulder problem and it irritates it. So i chose gel.

This is stressing me out, ive only had my salon open a short while and the majority of appointments are nail extensions, so i cant not offer it right?

I tried the no - well tips today as suggested to me the other day, really love the look, but i somehow managed to leave a gap, when i turned the nail over id only half glued them on! good job it was me.

I feel like an idiot, im really good at everything else, i am. I always said i dont want to be a nail tech :-( boo hoo me. :cry:

 

[weezie]

Can you not get a one to one training session with the products provider you use? then you can trouble shoot all your problems with the trainer.:hug:

 

[Bagpuss]

It was suggested on another thread of yours but I'll say it again.... A better training course....it sounds like you have more than just a few tweaks to solve and I really think it would benefit you loads to get some really good and up to date training.

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

What brand are you using ? I only ask as you could try one to one training with an educator from the brand?like a refresher class, Or if you feel like a change (maybe the brand your using doesn't suite your needs? Then look on hear for some others to try,
It seems like you might just be having small issues than can be quickly fixed, gel in the side walls 1) brush angle when applying 2) amount of gel on brush 3) turning hand the other way breafly before curing,
Lifting could be your prep, tipping again could be covered in a good class and most classes run by distributors also come with the nice knowledge that you can get on going support from them!
Don't give up Hun , nails as I belive with most things shuld be an ongoing learning curve , :hug:

 

[Miss Sylk]

Thats the thing, i need a really good trainer, as i already know lots and i dont want to pay out just to be taught what i already know.

Trouble shooting is a good way of putting it!

Anyone know where i can get 1 2 1 training? think all the courses round here wont provide me with what i need.

I use Acrygel. I used to use star nails and that was just too runny. I like this one, ive not used any other ranges. I dont know of any Acrygel trainers in the uk.

Do you think Acrylic would be easier for me if i find gel too runny? i cant even remember how i once did acrylics! lol

 

[Bagpuss]

Thats the thing, i need a really good trainer, as i already know lots and i dont want to pay out just to be taught what i already know.

Trouble shooting is a good way of putting it!

Anyone know where i can get 1 2 1 training? think all the courses round here wont provide me with what i need.

I use Acrygel. I used to use star nails and that was just too runny. I like this one, ive not used any other ranges. I dont know of any Acrygel trainers in the uk.

Do you think Acrylic would be easier for me if i find gel too runny? i cant even remember how i once did acrylics! lol

you sure you dont need to start again from scratch....:idea:

some gels are runnier than others....you learn how to use them differently....its not all about swapping from one gel to another everytime you get problems...its about learning how to correct these problems.

 

[geeg]

It was suggested on another thread of yours but I'll say it again.... A better training course....it sounds like you have more than just a few tweaks to solve and I really think it would benefit you loads to get some really good and up to date training.

There is huge skill involved in being a good/great nail technician... I'm not saying that skill is no needed for other services, but artistic skill is different to other skills ..... looking at your posts,you are struggling with many aspects of nails services.

It is obvious to me that you lack the skills at the moment to feel at all comfortable with nails and that you need some quality products and the education to go with them. Every Beauty Therapist I have ever talked to has told me that enhancement services were the hardest treatment they ever had to learn out of all the beauty treatments!!!

I would book some 121 classes as soon as you can and stop all the angst that you are going through at the moment. If you don't, you will get a local reputation that you do not want where nails are concerned ... why keep struggling on and on?? Go and DO something about it.

 

[Miss Sylk]

I am only struggling with gel extensions. You must be talking about my problems with cnd varnishes? thats not a problem with painting, its a problems with the varnishes i have got, i can paint perfectly, no other problems with nail services.

Its hard to find a tutor who can teach me only what i need to know, i know a huge portion of what i need to, just need trouble shooting as another member perfectly said. I will defo start a search for someone who can solve my problems. Tips and help will get me through in the meantime, and thats what im searching for on here right now.

 

[Deena]

I know someone who swears by acrygel and I've heard of others who have nothing but problems, especially that it's a tough cookie to file down. If you can't locate a trainer for some 121 sessions with the brand, then maybe it's time to do some searches on here and either choose another type of gel or give liquid and powder a try, again with some 121 training to refresh your memory and iron out any problems.

Producing a decent set of nail enhancements in any system isn't an overnight achievement for most of us. Personally, I did my foundation course over two years ago now and it's been a hard slog but I'm determined, enjoy doing them anyway and get such a kick out of it now whenever anyone comments favourably on them, asking where I got them done!! I know I've come a long way, still have a long way to go and still see glaring 'Faults,' but that's because I've invested in good training and the uninitiated can't see what I can!

Do invest in some 121 training, as I've found they can instantly hone in on your own particular vulnerabilities and set you on the right path. Good luck!

 

[champagne]

Well usually on a 1-2-1 you pay for time, how you spend that time is up to you.....

I would ring CND (or similar).....tell them what you need and ask how much it will be...

It does cost money for good training....but if you want to be the best you can then its worth every penny...

 

[ValencianNails]

Thats the thing, i need a really good trainer, as i already know lots and i dont want to pay out just to be taught what i already know.
Reading about the problems you've been having I'd say that you don't know as much as you think you do and would definitely benefit from some retraining with a gel that isn't such a thin viscosity, with quality products and quality education you won't go far wrong.

Trouble shooting is a good way of putting it!

Anyone know where i can get 1 2 1 training? think all the courses round here wont provide me with what i need.
How many companies locally have you approached?
Don't be too quick to only go local, to get the best training you do sometimes have to look at travelling, but it's worth it in the long run.

I use Acrygel. I used to use star nails and that was just too runny. I like this one, ive not used any other ranges. I dont know of any Acrygel trainers in the uk.

Do you think Acrylic would be easier for me if i find gel too runny? i cant even remember how i once did acrylics! lol

I think that you should continue with gel for the time being, there are quality gels on the market that have a thicker viscosity and only go where you put them without running into the sidewalls etc.
All nail systems are acrylic based, however, if you do decide to start using L+P you should be prepared for the long haul as it's not as easy as you might think. It sets up pretty fast, you don't have time to mess about like you do when using gel, you also have mix ratio to consider and that can give some problems in the beginning.

hth's a bit.

 

[Bagpuss]

I qualified in NVQ level 3 Beauty 2004 and stuck to gel ever since. My teacher was rubbish at nails and i really didnt learn much, but over the years of working in salons and with different systems ive picked up a lot and learned more myself (as you do).

However, ive never been 100% with the extensions i do. Gel always runs into cuticles, get lifting, crators the wrong shape etc etc. I am a perfectionist, but these are far from it.

I dont see how i cant get any better at gel? ive been trying for so long?

Im now thinking of going back to acrylic, the reason why i never used it is it stinks and i have very slight asthma and end up coughing a lot. Also the filing is pretty intense and the buffing. I have a shoulder problem and it irritates it. So i chose gel.

This is stressing me out, ive only had my salon open a short while and the majority of appointments are nail extensions, so i cant not offer it right?

I tried the no - well tips today as suggested to me the other day, really love the look, but i somehow managed to leave a gap, when i turned the nail over id only half glued them on! good job it was me.

I feel like an idiot, im really good at everything else, i am. I always said i dont want to be a nail tech :-( boo hoo me. :cry:

Its the points that i have highlighted in red that are giving people the impression that maybe some retraining would be a good idea....even with another brand of gel there are runnier gels involved.....for example...you use a builder gel differently than you do a topgloss.

To be having gel running into the cuticle, lifting, crators, wrong shape....tips applied only partially adhered after years of working in a salon with different systems tells me that you should start from scratch.

 

[Miss Sylk]

I am looking into training now, if anyone knows anyone on here who can do this for me? please let me know, i only need a half day i reckon.

Its been so long since i used l+p that i cant even make that decision "im going back to l+p"

My main problem, i think, is prepping, although i spend a while doing this, lifting etc always happens, ive read the prepping tutorial on here and i dont have those products, i didnt think they were necessary for every system, i use sanitizer spray/dehydrator , sand block, prep pen and my cuticle tool. what am i missing?

Thanks

 

[GillyGirl]

Hi there.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I was just wondering where in east anglia you are? I was just going to see if there is anywhere i know of in your area for some help / training xx

 

[pamper yourself]

Hi

I've read through all the geeks advice and there are some very good points here.

You mentioned you have slight asthma, I do too. Whenever I go near l&p and polishes I start to cough. I wouldn't recommend that you go back to acrylics. Using these on a regular basis can aggravate your asthma more than you think. I once spent a whole week constantly on polish and it took me an extra week to get the feeling of the vapours out of my lungs. I didn't realize right away but the week after when I was doing another polish I started coughing again and I figured them as the problem. If you do decide to go back (it sounds like you've decided not to) I'd recommend using a good mask when filing and working with vapours.

Get the 121. I have recently changed my gel consistancy to a thick gel and will start with my extra lesson on Wednesday. Personally I think I like the honeylike gel better. Won't know till I manage to work the gel the way I want to.

Keep on trying and keep up the training. A refresher course from time to time could do wonders. Good luck

An

 

[Miss Sylk]

Thanks 'pamper yourself' good advice appreciated :-D

Im in norfolk.

Still needing some 1 2 1 training anyone? ill pay! x

 

[Bagpuss]

Thanks 'pamper yourself' good advice appreciated :-D

Im in norfolk.

Still needing some 1 2 1 training anyone? ill pay! x

There are alot of companies that offer 1 2 1 training....they wont come to you hun, have you rung any of them...and i should think you will pay...no-ones going to do it for nothing :lol:

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

your best off going to a Reputable companie than getting some one just to show you where you going wrong for a couple of quid,, at least then you will get on going support, a industry recognized certificate and experience from some one who is trained in teaching and knows the products and the industry (priceless) ,
I know how it is sometimes the cheaper or quickest option seems more appealing but in the long run its more "fools economy" I guess they call it,you know the old one about getting back what you put in?

Since I finished college ive been to lots of classes with different teachers (and there will be many more) and they are very good at knowing there pupal's levels (everyone seems to know different styles and or products nail education seems very diverse hear in the uk) but the teachers know this and they know how to bring out the best in there students, I'm only saying this as ive been there my self honey, I think it takes a lot of guts for someone who is qualified and has the certificates to then go back to learning and face it that they r not all game set and match good luck , :hug: