How long did it take to 'click' with you?

[ckk]

Hi everyone

Ive been reading through the forum for a while and thought I'd introduce myself and also ask a question.

I am studying nail technology level 3 in Australia. I really love it and I couldnt ask for a better teacher! I am just struggling a little but with l&p and gel. My l&p sculptures could be improved but are by no means awful...my gel is a wee bit iffy..Ive had trouble getting a nice shaped nail and getting a crisp smile line. I am improving as I go along but it doesnt feel its by much.

Im just wondering if any of you really struggled while you were studying? Did any of you feel sometimes like just giving up? But I'm being very stubborn and I'm determined to make this work!!! I have 4 children and I want a nice life for us :o) For those of you that did struggle how long did it take before it 'clicked'? I know everyones different..I guess I'm just looking for some words of reassurance!

My course actually finished last night but our tutor has said we can go back as often as we like until we have the confidence to go out into the big wide world! I'm starting to think I may be there for the forseeable future lol.

Thank you for any stories and advice you are willing to share!

Alex :o)

 

[geeg]

It is a long road to full competency with nails even if you are gifted with artistic talent. If you have not got a natural talent to help with learning the skills then the road is even longer.

If 'clicking' = gaining control of the product, then as you rightly point out, the time it takes is different for every individual. It's early days to start thinking of giving up (if you were). At least a YEAR of dedicated practice on as many individuals as you can get hold of, is what I would say is the average time it takes to feel the in control of the product instead of it controlling you.

Good luck with your course and your subsequent apprenticeship and welcome to the site. We can always help with problems and THE technique book for doing perfect nails 'nailclass' by gigi rouse could be a real help to you as it has helped thousands.

 

[ckk]

It is a long road to full competency with nails even if you are gifted with artistic talent. If you have not got a natural talent to help with learning the skills then the road is even longer.

If 'clicking' = gaining control of the product, then as you rightly point out, the time it takes is different for every individual. It's early days to start thinking of giving up (if you were). At least a YEAR of dedicated practice on as many individuals as you can get hold of, is what I would say is the average time it takes to feel the in control of the product instead of it controlling you.

Good luck with your course and your subsequent apprenticeship and welcome to the site. We can always help with problems and THE technique book for doing perfect nails 'nailclass' by gigi rouse could be a real help to you as it has helped thousands.

Thank you for your reply Gigi!

I was feeling a little disenheartend as the other girls in my course manage to get their nails done in around 2 hours and they look pretty good! Though they do normally use tips and I do sculptures. I take around 3 hours and thats concentrating really hard and not talking all the time. I would love to get my speed up but like you say that will take time. All the salons around here say you need experience to get a job with them so I am thinking of voulenteering a couple of days a week to get experience and hopefully that will lead to a job!

Thank you for the link to the book, luckily my hubby gets paid tommorow so I am going to buy it as a little treat to myself. I have been looking for a nail book for a while but none of the bookshops here stock them...so this will be great!!

Thank you again xxx

 

[geeg]

I'd rather take three hours to do sculpted nails that pleased me than 2 hours and a result that didn't please me. Speed is the last thing that should be on your mind at the moment. Where's the fire??? Ther is no competition. Just learn your craft slow and steady and get it right!!! xx

 

[user 25446]

If it makes you feel better, most Russian nail techs take between 3 and 3.5 hours for a new set. Anything less and their customers think they rushed the job!

As Geeg said, don't worry about speed for now. It's like learning to drive, focus on the technique and when you have that sorted, then you can aim to go faster.

Nearly all nail techs have the same experience - very few leave school able to make a good set. Our industry relies on people continuing their education after school to really develop themselves, and that's a process that never stops. None of the best nail techs are ever totally satisfied with their nails, that's what makes the job interesting!

 

[geeg]

If it makes you feel better, most Russian nail techs take between 3 and 3.5 hours for a new set. Anything less and their customers think they rushed the job!

As Geeg said, don't worry about speed for now. It's like learning to drive, focus on the technique and when you have that sorted, then you can aim to go faster.

Nearly all nail techs have the same experience - very few leave school able to make a good set. Our industry relies on people continuing their education after school to really develop themselves, and that's a process that never stops. None of the best nail techs are ever totally satisfied with their nails, that's what makes the job interesting!

Ain't THAT the truth.

 

[yaut]

couple hours earlier I finished my 11th set of nails ever. it took me just over 3 hours to do it - exactly the same time as my very 1st set. I'll probably need to do 1,111 sets to get my time down to 2 hours I also hated my coursemates being faster than me. but I didn't like the way their nails looked like. I choose quality over speed but still it's very frustrating that's taking sooo long.

 

[Cutesteph]

It took me at least a year for it to "click" and even now im still learning everyday. I wanted to give up SO many times.

In fact you could recap all my struggles in salon geek forums LOL.

I practiced a lot and started taking clients in November. My work improved quickly when I strted workin on clients often. Im ALWAYS looking to improve.

Dont give up it takes time!

 

[ckk]

Thank you so much for your replies I'm sorry I haven't responded sooner, I've had 3 out of 4 children sick in a row.

I finished my course last week but I'll still be going in when I can to get some more practice in under my tutors watchful eye! I'll also practice on some hopefully willing friends. I wouldn't mind taking 3 hours if I looked at my nails and thought they were perfect.. But I am my own worst critic and I normally feel very dissapointed in myself afterwards.. Even though the nails are ok. I am striving for perfection and that's where I beat myself up!

Thank you for your kind words!! I'm gonna practice practice practice and I WILL get there xxxx

 

[geeg]

Thank you so much for your replies I'm sorry I haven't responded sooner, I've had 3 out of 4 children sick in a row.

I finished my course last week but I'll still be going in when I can to get some more practice in under my tutors watchful eye! I'll also practice on some hopefully willing friends. I wouldn't mind taking 3 hours if I looked at my nails and thought they were perfect.. But I am my own worst critic and I normally feel very dissapointed in myself afterwards.. Even though the nails are ok. I am striving for perfection and that's where I beat myself up!

Thank you for your kind words!! I'm gonna practice practice practice and I WILL get there xxxx

This is the area where every ARTIST beats themselves up.

I am never completely satisfied with my nails; I can always see the faults, but I have learned that the client can not and if the client IS satisfied then that is what counts in business.

I no longer stress about perfection ... as long as I work as perfectly as I can every time.

Glad to see you back and that the children are obviously better. My mum had 4 and she said when one got sick, the house turned into an infirmary for a week or more every time. lol

 

[Christine81]

If it makes you feel better, most Russian nail techs take between 3 and 3.5 hours for a new set. Anything less and their customers think they rushed the job!

Well it sure made me feel better! I've been a nail tech since 2006 and I still need between 2-4 hours for a set of nails (I only work part time) depending on how complex design the client wants. :o