Feeling very disheartened

[mummy earth]

Hi, I'm a beauty therapist of 17 years and have never done nail enhencements as i always concentrated on the therapy side so I thought calgel was the way forward. However after spending almost £500 on training and kit I still can't get it right, its not the product or the training but the 3 sets I have done look so thick.

The overlays were thick, but are still on after 3 weeks, the sculpts I did I thought were ok but after having having colour gel on top look pretty grim and don't get me starte on tips, I can't buff to save my life please help. I also did a pedi with calgel nail polish and to be honest after 17 years I have never seen such a bad paint job, the polish just wouldn't dry, I feel like giving in, wish i'd nevre done the course I'm never going go be able to charge for this.

Al

 

[annemac]

Don't get disheartened it takes alot of practice, I am still training at the moment. The wise Geeks on here say just keep on practicing and you will get there. So chin up and keep at it. xx

 

[fifitrix]

Just to say there are a lot of Calgel geeks on here and I'm sure they will help, I know that Minkus on here does Calgel.

 

['chelle]

Ah have a :hug:.

Anyone on here will tell you that enhancements must be the hardest skill to learn. My educator told me that the average student needs to do 100 sets of nails before they begin to look acceptable. Just keep on going, practice on anyone and everyone, have you got a training hand? If so do a hand a day on that if you can, eventually it will start to fall into place.

I dont do Calgel myself, but Like Fifitrix says, there are lots on here that do, and none of them bite (as far as I know!!):lol:

Good luck

 

[Terese]

Hi yaplease persevere, like the other geeks have said, it is practice...I started with Calgel last summer and like riding a bike you have to keep practicing....

With regards to thickness....it is easy to overload your brush..grab your brush and practice lifting amounts out of the pot...I aim to scoop up on the side.....and think less is more ( you can always add more).

I also have those fingers and false tips and practice on those

When I do the toes I make sure the clients feet are as straight as poss as it is sooo easy for the gel to end up way down the bottom by the cuticle, you may have to change postion and if its not uncomfortable for them bend their toes slightly

Your doing well and this site is good for help

 

[xAnnaBannAx]

Hi, I'm a beauty therapist of 17 years and have never done nail enhencements as i always concentrated on the therapy side so I thought calgel was the way forward. However after spending almost £500 on training and kit I still can't get it right, its not the product or the training but the 3 sets I have done look so thick.

The overlays were thick, but are still on after 3 weeks, the sculpts I did I thought were ok but after having having colour gel on top look pretty grim and don't get me starte on tips, I can't buff to save my life please help. I also did a pedi with calgel nail polish and to be honest after 17 years I have never seen such a bad paint job, the polish just wouldn't dry, I feel like giving in, wish i'd nevre done the course I'm never going go be able to charge for this.

Al

This is one of the things that annoy me about nail courses....they pretty much all make you think that after doing a course with them (usually lasting only a few days) you will be qualified and ready to work..and stupidly most of us believe its that easy!
I wish they would put as much effort in to explaining that altho your qualified you will have to put in so much hard work and practice.. as they do in selling you the course.

Do not get disheartened...i doubt if there is anyone on here that can say they did a course and that was it...they could immediately do what they were trained to do with confidence...it takes time and practice.

Just the other day i was showing one of my friends the first few nails i had done with l & P...we were in stitches about it cos they were about 10 inches thick! lmao and when i did them i remember feeling pretty upset and like ill never be able to do it! I still have days like that now..but i just have to take a look at the first ones i did and i soon realise..ive improved no end!

Just keep practising and gradually you will improve over time...and realise that if you havent done nails before then you cant expect to go and do a course anywhere with any method and be able to do it just like that.
You cant buy SKILL whatever the cost!

A trainer hand would be a good investment if you dont have one as you practice on them as much or as little as you like...but look for a second hand as they are quite pricey new. You can practice and save the nails off them and see how your progressing too.

hth a bit

 

[cabinkel]

Dont be disheartened, I know exactly how you feel!
I introduced Calgel into my salon last year, and honestly thought I would never get on with it, I couldnt do it, it was never going to work etc. I now think it has been the best thing I ever did! My trouble was the sculpting, I just couldnt do it. In the end I decided to not beat myself up, take a deep breath and go back to the beginning. I decided to master the natural nail overlays first as that is the main thing I wanted to do, I now have these off pat, although still have the odd wobble with a french! Now this is well established, (and one of my most popular treatments) I am going to start trying to master the sculpts again! Just think, one step at a time, and keep at it:hug:

 

[suzie49]

As everyone else has said, it all takes practice, I never thought I would get it, ANY of it but I am I am actually starting to charge now. (great feeling)

Best advice has already been given, get a hand trainer, second hand of ebay there always on there, pricey otherwise, best investment you can make, and she never moans at you or gets tired.... but give her a cute name she will appreciate it :lol:

:hug::hug:

 

[Bagpuss]

This is one of the things that annoy me about nail courses....they pretty much all make you think that after doing a course with them (usually lasting only a few days) you will be qualified and ready to work..and stupidly most of us believe its that easy!
I wish they would put as much effort in to explaining that altho your qualified you will have to put in so much hard work and practice.. as they do in selling you the course.


Just keep practising and gradually you will improve over time...and realise that if you havent done nails before then you cant expect to go and do a course anywhere with any method and be able to do it just like that.
You cant buy SKILL whatever the cost!

I don't know of any reputable nail courses that make you think you are ready to work...thats the misinterpretation of the student...thinking it looks easy so it must be. You cant go blaming the training companies...

Your second para is more accurate than your first.

 

[pippadoodle]

Please dont get disheartened. We all have or had times like this im sure. I use Calgel, have done for 3 years, its a fabulous system. Just keep practising, persevere and I bet in one year from now your opinions with be different. If you need any help at all, pm me or why not give Calgel head office a ring, they are there to help xx:hug:

 

[Susie H]

Oh hun, you know what, all I ever wanted to do was sculpt with l&p and I did 2 further courses to learn to sculpt and was still to scared to put them on a client and then in January this year I set up my home salon, and out came my nail trainer and I did a hand a night at least 5 nights a week, and now I cant wait to try them out on someone, it does work and the best bit is that you get to keep the practice ones so that you can look back week by week and see the improvement, and the places where you still want to improve, keep at it hun, you'll be so chuffed when you get there.:hug:

 

[thg]

just keep going like the rest of us chipping away. some sets your not going to like some set's you'll like, but if the clients are booking there next appointments, you must be doing something right,
i've just done 2 sets of forever french and toes today , and i didn't like any of them. i hate feeling like that.
But they were happy with the results and have booked there next appointments, i've been doing nails for nearly 2 years now.
So keep chipping away.thg

 

[xAnnaBannAx]

I don't know of any reputable nail courses that make you think you are ready to work...thats the misinterpretation of the student...thinking it looks easy so it must be. You cant go blaming the training companies...

Your second para is more accurate than your first.

(NSI) Following completion of the foundation courses, students will graduate with an NSI Diploma of Graduation, which is highly recognised and approved by the Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists and BABTAC (British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology). This will allow students to obtain insurance and enable you to practice as a qualified NSI technician

(Calgel) Starting a business can be financially
demanding that’s why we have a produced this kit so you can start getting a return on your investment the day after training. The kit generates over £1,500 of revenue and enough product to carry out approximately 43 sets of nails.

(Creative) Our famous foundation courses are unique in their approach to inspire, ignite and educate budding professionals with a foundation skill that allows them to get out into the field and start working safely, straight away.

(essential nails) Our Diploma Nail Courses will take you from absolute beginner to expert Nail Technician in the shortest possible time. Learn Gel, Acrylic, Fibreglass, Sculpting, Maintenance or Airbrushed Nails in the comfort of your own home. No travelling, no classrooms, no hassle. On passing the course you will have the practical skills to earn up to £40 for a set of nails, working in your spare time or professionally in a salon.

These are just a few statements...i could go on...and it is MY OPINION that ok they do not make nor force people to believe that doing nails are so easy they can work straight away...but when somebody that knows little or nothing (in particular ) about 'doing nails' then IMO these statements fully lead people to believe they can just do the course and thats it! Its not usually until you start doing it that you realise...thats not it by a long chalk! ​

 

[july]

Hi, just to let you know that I still feel the same. I've trained with Brisa gel in December, spent in excess of £1000 (including travelling from Bristol to Wales) and I've done 2 sets on clients. That's it. I've practice on friends but get sooo disapointed as they never last more than a week on. Ever. I'm starting to hate it as if I hav a client calling for gel nails I even try to talk to them out of it as I'm dreading it.
Jules

 

[Bagpuss]

(NSI) Following completion of the foundation courses, students will graduate with an NSI Diploma of Graduation, which is highly recognised and approved by the Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists and BABTAC (British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology). This will allow students to obtain insurance and enable you to practice as a qualified NSI technician

(Calgel) Starting a business can be financially
demanding that’s why we have a produced this kit so you can start getting a return on your investment the day after training. The kit generates over £1,500 of revenue and enough product to carry out approximately 43 sets of nails.​

(Creative) Our famous foundation courses are unique in their approach to inspire, ignite and educate budding professionals with a foundation skill that allows them to get out into the field and start working safely, straight away.​

(essential nails) Our Diploma Nail Courses will take you from absolute beginner to expert Nail Technician in the shortest possible time. Learn Gel, Acrylic, Fibreglass, Sculpting, Maintenance or Airbrushed Nails in the comfort of your own home. No travelling, no classrooms, no hassle. On passing the course you will have the practical skills to earn up to £40 for a set of nails, working in your spare time or professionally in a salon.​

These are just a few statements...i could go on...and it is MY OPINION that ok they do not make nor force people to believe that doing nails are so easy they can work straight away...but when somebody that knows little or nothing (in particular ) about 'doing nails' then IMO these statements fully lead people to believe they can just do the course and thats it! Its not usually until you start doing it that you realise...thats not it by a long chalk! ​

:lol::lol::lol: the only 1 there that is questionable is the essential nails one....come on, your kiddin me right. Did you really think that the day after training your nails would be perfect....:lol::lol::lol:

Are we really to start blaming the training companies because people didn't realise that they had to practise...

 

[lilly]

i agree minkus, i have been " gelling" for over 2 years and and only now begining to feel more confident ! you will have all the info needed to start BUT its all down to practice !

 

[xAnnaBannAx]

:lol::lol::lol: the only 1 there that is questionable is the essential nails one....come on, your kiddin me right. Did you really think that the day after training your nails would be perfect....:lol::lol::lol:

Are we really to start blaming the training companies because people didn't realise that they had to practise...

They are all questionable...but i agree essential nails would win the prize! lol and lets be honest..the reality is that a lot of people believe it..people without knowledge tend to be pretty naive id say...i dont mind admitting i did think it would be easier than it was...but then when you watch someone creating an enhancement...they make it look fairly easy! :green:

 

[geeg]

Naughty naughty and Very misleading to just quote bits and pieces.

In the case of CND, CND students do work safely from day one after a foundation class ... that is perfectly true ... it does not say that the work they do is perfect or competition quality work just SAFE work .. it does go on to say that a CND technician is not Fully qualified as an expert nail tech UNTIL they have completed to Master Level.

Don't dare to give misleading quotes from CND and not give the whole of the information just to make your spurious points look valid.

 

[xAnnaBannAx]

Naughty naughty and Very misleading to just quote bits and pieces.

In the case of CND, CND students do work safely from day one after a foundation class ... that is perfectly true ... it does not say that the work they do is perfect or competition quality work just SAFE work .. it does go on to say that a CND technician is not Fully qualified as an expert nail tech UNTIL they have completed to Master Level.

Don't dare to give misleading quotes from CND and not give the whole of the information just to make your spurious points look valid.

erm..actually i beg to differ...my letter states only what i had quoted and then goes onto say about the cost of the course...nothing else...it says nothing here about not being fully qualified until completing to master level.

I am not calling cnd or anyone else..just trying to point out that someone with no knowledge or experience reading these kinds of statements often do not realise how much more hard work there is to it and do think they do the course and thats it..(and yes..really that is down to their own ignorance and naivety)

 

[cabinkel]

Just remembered, you can go to calgel for "trouble shooting" days, where you can address any difficulties. Im sure they still do these days, and they used to be once a month or so. Might well be worth giving them a call.:hug: