OK you nail geeks, what's your opinion on this...
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Sparklepink
modges r us..we r coolio!
i was lucky when i did my NVQ nat nail care cos my course was p/time my leacturer was a p/t nail tech too and worked in a salon, i like doing manicure but i never seem to do many
but then again i love my acrylics too and a mani makes a nice change once in a while when i did my NVQ in nail extensions we use CND products at college too..........i dont think they do acrylic where i went to college anymore....shame my teacher was really nice.....but i will say i gained far more going out and working in a salon full time with other nail techs than i did when i got my NVQ which just gave me a starting point.....and i've learnt more since going self employed and going on private company courses
Jess
Hi!
I'm from Norway. I use only Angel Love gel. I have tried lots of other gels, but Angel Love gel adhere best to my customers nails. Also, some chemicals are forbidden in Denmark, BPO and Hydrochinon, Angel Love does not contain any of these chemicals. I Love AL because it adhere very well, it is hard, but not as hard as acrylic and it is very smoothe to file in. My custmers tells me they have never had such good nails before. I have customers comming from all over Europe to do theire nails because they can't find any AL techs where they live! I have customers who can go 3 months betwwen fills! YAK, they do not look very good, but they stay on! (There are only 1-2 who goes so long between fills.) Mostly my customers comes for a fill after 4 weeks.
Cecilie.
I'm from Norway. I use only Angel Love gel. I have tried lots of other gels, but Angel Love gel adhere best to my customers nails. Also, some chemicals are forbidden in Denmark, BPO and Hydrochinon, Angel Love does not contain any of these chemicals. I Love AL because it adhere very well, it is hard, but not as hard as acrylic and it is very smoothe to file in. My custmers tells me they have never had such good nails before. I have customers comming from all over Europe to do theire nails because they can't find any AL techs where they live! I have customers who can go 3 months betwwen fills! YAK, they do not look very good, but they stay on!
(There are only 1-2 who goes so long between fills.) Mostly my customers comes for a fill after 4 weeks. Cecilie.
Hi Christie!
I have read a lot from you and your nails are amazing. You are SO talented! Wish I could be like you!
Over to the licence question.
Here in Norway, we do not have any licence-system either. In some ways, I don't care, but in other ways I wish we had. To be honest with you, I have seen SO much "crappy" nails in my life, and do you know where most of them are from? The US.... Oh yhe, there are also some from Norway. And do you know something else? There are nailschools here who have courses for 6 weeks (that's the longest here), and the students can't even pollish after they are finnished and the nails do not look like nails... I do also have a nailschool, and my students have 2 days at school, about three weeks at home to practise and then 2 days at school again. After 3 months they have to have two exams, one practical and one theoretical. I can tell you that some of my students makes better nails after one day than some of you over there.... I'm not telling that US nails are not good, because I have seen lots of very good nails here at the internet. The only thing I want to say is that all the "nail thing" has something to do with your attitude and your conscience. If you are a teacher with conscience, you teach your students to always do theire best, with or without a licence. PHU, this was hard to explain in English, but I hope you understood. AND I did not meant to be rude if somebody thought that!
Cecilie
I have read a lot from you and your nails are amazing. You are SO talented! Wish I could be like you!
Over to the licence question.
Here in Norway, we do not have any licence-system either. In some ways, I don't care, but in other ways I wish we had. To be honest with you, I have seen SO much "crappy" nails in my life, and do you know where most of them are from? The US.... Oh yhe, there are also some from Norway. And do you know something else? There are nailschools here who have courses for 6 weeks (that's the longest here), and the students can't even pollish after they are finnished and the nails do not look like nails... I do also have a nailschool, and my students have 2 days at school, about three weeks at home to practise and then 2 days at school again. After 3 months they have to have two exams, one practical and one theoretical. I can tell you that some of my students makes better nails after one day than some of you over there.... I'm not telling that US nails are not good, because I have seen lots of very good nails here at the internet. The only thing I want to say is that all the "nail thing" has something to do with your attitude and your conscience. If you are a teacher with conscience, you teach your students to always do theire best, with or without a licence. PHU, this was hard to explain in English, but I hope you understood. AND I did not meant to be rude if somebody thought that!
Cecilie
Hollyballoo
Truly, Madly Geeky...
mrs geek said:
But surely this is misrepresentation, fraud or something? Are the "established brand companies" not going after them and suing their butts off? If a client believes X is the product used (as advertised) when in fact the nail bar is using MMA products (which then go on to cause damage), the client would presumably be looking to the reputable company for recourse as opposed to the real offender?
Mind you, I thought the products these so-called nail bars use were bad but I cannot belive that, with one client who was kindly referred to me after using one of these places, said they literally "slice" the enhancements off with some form of knife when it comes to removing them...how on earth can they get away with these practices? I would be absolutely terrified of doing something like that, let alone allow someone else to do that to mine. It is just incredible what a client is prepared to allow someone to do for simple reasons of cheap, quickie extensions....
Jora
Active Member
We do have liscensing laws which is good. Although alot of the schools are inadequate. In my experience, our instructor had no salon experience, was not professional, etc. I know that all teachers are not like that and I have met alot of great nail techs who are willing to share info to help new techs. I also agree that our instructors were not paid well, so I guess you get what you pay for.
I would love to at some point, become an educator or maybe start a school. We'll see. Until then we just have to keep educating our clients, and sharing info to do great nails.
Holly
I would love to at some point, become an educator or maybe start a school. We'll see. Until then we just have to keep educating our clients, and sharing info to do great nails.
Holly
scratchmyback
Well-Known Member
The licensing situation in Canada is different as well. Some provinces are licensed, some not. I happen to live in one that does not license nail techs though I believe that will come soon. As a result anybody can pass themselves off as a nail tech and purchase CND and other products at the beauticians stores. All they need is a business card that says they are a nail tech and they will be allowed to purchase these products. Pretty sad.
I chose to take a 400 hour course in nail technology to get the necessary skills that I feel are required to call myself a nail tech. That includes all the natural nail studies, anatomy, diseases, sanitation and hygiene, manicure, pedicure and last but not least the nail enhancements themselves (all systems, acrylic, gel, and silk/fibreglass).
We have too many NSS in our area because of lack of licensing requirements in the province, and I hope they really think about changing this status soon.
I chose to take a 400 hour course in nail technology to get the necessary skills that I feel are required to call myself a nail tech. That includes all the natural nail studies, anatomy, diseases, sanitation and hygiene, manicure, pedicure and last but not least the nail enhancements themselves (all systems, acrylic, gel, and silk/fibreglass).
We have too many NSS in our area because of lack of licensing requirements in the province, and I hope they really think about changing this status soon.
Rhonda
Well-Known Member
I would like to jump in here, since I am in the US and was quite disappointed with my schooling. In Pennsylvania, they do not have any rules that govern the requirements of a "nail tech" teacher. Basically, I went to school on my first day and my "student teacher" walked in and quit. I was then given another "student teacher". What this means is that this was a student that had the required hours to be a cosmetologist. She is now spending a month or more so in school so that she can be a teacher as well. These gals no NOTHING about nails.
My schooling consisted of reading a chapter, having the chapter read to me, orally take the test and then take the test. My guinea pig could have passes. When I was practicing nail art, I was using acrylic paint and I was told that I should learn to do nail art with polish since acrylic paint will wash off when they wash their hands. Hello!!! Top coat, hasn't anyone heard of it???
So basically, they get you to know the basics so that you can pass your state boards, which is another joke, again, the guinea pig, might as well add the cat, dog and turtle could have all passed too. Should have thought about it earlier, I would have a fully staffed salon! LOL!
I then went and took the 2 Day Masters class that was run by another Creative Master. My instructor was great and I learned allot. I don't feel as though I am a "Master" though! I went to a hair show a few months ago and went to a class being put on by another Creative Master and was quite disappointed, since I came to the realization in her class, that she really didn't know her stuff. So I really don't know what the criteria in the US is for a Professional Product Instructor. It would be interesting for the Geek to compare notes as to what was required to become an instructor when he did as opposed to now. Here's the other kicker, we have one educator in my state. I waited almost 2 years to have a Masters Class that was under a four hour drive.
The CND training made me the nail tech that I am today! I must say, that the knowledge on this board is phenomenal!! I am so glad I found it. I am taking it to the next level now.
My schooling consisted of reading a chapter, having the chapter read to me, orally take the test and then take the test. My guinea pig could have passes. When I was practicing nail art, I was using acrylic paint and I was told that I should learn to do nail art with polish since acrylic paint will wash off when they wash their hands. Hello!!! Top coat, hasn't anyone heard of it???
So basically, they get you to know the basics so that you can pass your state boards, which is another joke, again, the guinea pig, might as well add the cat, dog and turtle could have all passed too. Should have thought about it earlier, I would have a fully staffed salon! LOL!
I then went and took the 2 Day Masters class that was run by another Creative Master. My instructor was great and I learned allot. I don't feel as though I am a "Master" though! I went to a hair show a few months ago and went to a class being put on by another Creative Master and was quite disappointed, since I came to the realization in her class, that she really didn't know her stuff. So I really don't know what the criteria in the US is for a Professional Product Instructor. It would be interesting for the Geek to compare notes as to what was required to become an instructor when he did as opposed to now. Here's the other kicker, we have one educator in my state. I waited almost 2 years to have a Masters Class that was under a four hour drive.
The CND training made me the nail tech that I am today! I must say, that the knowledge on this board is phenomenal!! I am so glad I found it. I am taking it to the next level now.
sawadee Ka
I not want anyone unhappy me i think good to learn on course but 4 day mean only short time cert mean not much .
Lady have cert for course and lady work salon 10 hour all day and learn from lady can do good and who you think better lady learn salon sure .
i go lady can do nail good and do long time and everyday if cert no have and can do nail good no problem for me .
If lady have many cert and not do nail many time and nail no good no one go to for sure .
Lady have to do nail many time to make good and lear all the time everyday .
Kop khun ka
Mui
I not want anyone unhappy me i think good to learn on course but 4 day mean only short time cert mean not much .
Lady have cert for course and lady work salon 10 hour all day and learn from lady can do good and who you think better lady learn salon sure .
i go lady can do nail good and do long time and everyday if cert no have and can do nail good no problem for me .
If lady have many cert and not do nail many time and nail no good no one go to for sure .
Lady have to do nail many time to make good and lear all the time everyday .
Kop khun ka
Mui
wkdwich
Active Member
mrs geek said:... you'll be interested to know, (maybe you do) but I think Utah (home of the Geek) is still an 'unliscenced' state (at least it was) :!: and it was only a couple of years ago that NY became a liscenced state.
Hi Sam!
NY became licensed almost 10 years ago.. summer of 1994, I took one of the 1st licensing classes here and took the 1st round of NY state board tests to get my license. I had been doing nails for 4 years prior when no licensing or certificate what so ever was required. If you wanted to get into the pro shops (distributors) you needed some kind of certificate, so I took a 36 hour course in acrylics.. no I had no manicuring schooling in there.. sculpts tips thats it have a nice day go find some victims.. err clients..
As far as licensing here.. every state exceopt for Conneticut now is licensed.. CT almost was 2 or 3 yrs back bt the polititans decided they didn't have the funds to police it so it fell through the cracks.
Utah now requires 200 hours for a mancuring license.
Debbie
Webmsater Beautytech.com
nail_star2003
Well-Known Member
Just thought I'd add my little bit here.
I initially did a 3 day course which enabled me to peform nail enhancements. I gained a Full Nail Technicians certificate which had covered natural nail anatomy as well as acrylic, gel & fibreglass extensions. For me this was ok as I just practised on friends and family who all knew that I'd only just been on a course and they knew I was just practising. I never did anything on anyone other than these people.
The difference is between myself and a few others, is that I continued to train. I did another 2 acrylic courses (1 with CND) and did various nail art courses. I realised though that I wanted a certificate that would allow my clients to know that I had acheived something that was national rather than product based so I took my NVQ.
I have a conscience so I could never pass myself off as a good nail tech if I didn't think I had trained hard and worked hard to get where I am now.
On the subject of the 'non-standard salons', I received a call the other day from a lady who had been to a NSS and after a week her finger was really sore. She phoned the salon and asked them to soak it off which they wouldn't do!!! We all know why, don't we! :gun: So she went home and pulled it off - ouch! As she pulled the acrylic off her nail had a load of pus come pouring out.ukeoff: She has know been left with a brown stain which to me sounds like a fungal infection. Am I right?
When I walked past the salon they have the cheek to have Creative Posters up in the window. I made up some really naff excuse and went in and said to the woman who couldn't speak much english 'I've just moved to the area and I just wanted to know what products you use as I've had allergic reactions to some products in the past'!!!! The woman then told me they were using OPI!!! I'm still confused to this day!!!!
I initially did a 3 day course which enabled me to peform nail enhancements. I gained a Full Nail Technicians certificate which had covered natural nail anatomy as well as acrylic, gel & fibreglass extensions. For me this was ok as I just practised on friends and family who all knew that I'd only just been on a course and they knew I was just practising. I never did anything on anyone other than these people.
The difference is between myself and a few others, is that I continued to train. I did another 2 acrylic courses (1 with CND) and did various nail art courses. I realised though that I wanted a certificate that would allow my clients to know that I had acheived something that was national rather than product based so I took my NVQ.
I have a conscience so I could never pass myself off as a good nail tech if I didn't think I had trained hard and worked hard to get where I am now.
On the subject of the 'non-standard salons', I received a call the other day from a lady who had been to a NSS and after a week her finger was really sore. She phoned the salon and asked them to soak it off which they wouldn't do!!! We all know why, don't we! :gun: So she went home and pulled it off - ouch! As she pulled the acrylic off her nail had a load of pus come pouring out.
ukeoff: She has know been left with a brown stain which to me sounds like a fungal infection. Am I right? When I walked past the salon they have the cheek to have Creative Posters up in the window. I made up some really naff excuse and went in and said to the woman who couldn't speak much english 'I've just moved to the area and I just wanted to know what products you use as I've had allergic reactions to some products in the past'!!!! The woman then told me they were using OPI!!! I'm still confused to this day!!!!
nailtech
Professionista
In my time I have used all 3 systems, but these days I prefer to specialise in gels - I can do anything with gels that can be achieved with liquid & powder.
As a salon owner at the time we had to convert to gels as my beauty clients who didn't wear nail extensions were complaining about the odour.
I've done my NVQ 2 then NVQ 3 in advanced nail techniques & have to say I prefer private conversion courses with individual companies (I have done many LOL!). And I do agree with Fiona, before I trained with nail extensions my salon was extremely busy with manicures from basic to deluxe (we used Spa Manicure when it first came out!).
Best wishes
Mrs Smith - not just a housewife LOL!
As a salon owner at the time we had to convert to gels as my beauty clients who didn't wear nail extensions were complaining about the odour.
I've done my NVQ 2 then NVQ 3 in advanced nail techniques & have to say I prefer private conversion courses with individual companies (I have done many LOL!). And I do agree with Fiona, before I trained with nail extensions my salon was extremely busy with manicures from basic to deluxe (we used Spa Manicure when it first came out!).
Best wishes
Mrs Smith - not just a housewife LOL!
hiya
i noticed on this POLL that mrs geek said that anyone can go into sallys and buy OPI products and start to do nails. the only opi products that can be purchased from sallys in my area are the nail laquers, moisturisers, avoplex oils, pedicure lines and surface files. i have to order mine from the local opi rep.
i noticed on this POLL that mrs geek said that anyone can go into sallys and buy OPI products and start to do nails. the only opi products that can be purchased from sallys in my area are the nail laquers, moisturisers, avoplex oils, pedicure lines and surface files. i have to order mine from the local opi rep.
Mrs Geek said:well, what can I say! The UK has NO liscencing laws at all so ANYONE can be a nail tek with no training. This goes back to past 'posts' on 'buying pro products over the counter'! Right now 'Mrs Smith the housewife', can walk in to Sallys, buy OPI or Star and go out and do nails with NO training whatsoever... that is why I took such a strong stance on the 'selling to the non-pro' line. We have from the beginning made it manditory that if someone wants to use CND, they have to do proper training - we have all different courses and last year we set up the 'Creative, Completely Covered Course' which started from the beiginning and took a tek right through to Masters including Natural Nail Anatomy. There is no law so-to-speak that says a nail tek has to have done Nat Nail Anat to become a nail tek.. that's just how it is. Good grief, if they can sell to anyone thay are not going to bother with that!!
We have spent years trying (and we are still trying) to change these laws but I suppose our situation is totally insignificant compared to what else is going on in the world... Iraq etc etc
I'm a Star
Well-Known Member
Its the same at my local suppliers also a sallys. i once asked the assistant and she said that they werent allowed to sell the other things as you had to have completed the OPI courses in order to purchase them.
OPI-nails said:
Fab Freak
Well-Known Member
hmmm but job blogs can still buy professional ranges at a slightly higher margin than trade - which drives me mad as you can't sell this on then and more and more people are figuring this out - my opinion is if it claims to be a 'professional' range then only professionals should be able to purchase...this is why once i have cmpleted my VCTC at college using OPi i want to convert to Creative...Love OPI said:
hi
i love L+P and Gel at the mo i favour L+P so i went with that as thats what i am wearing on my nails at the mo.
i love L+P and Gel at the mo i favour L+P so i went with that as thats what i am wearing on my nails at the mo.
Lellipop
Lelli Loo Loo
I do all 3 systems, But do love gels. I just think they look great and gel is so versatile to use
Didi
Well-Known Member
Well I like L&P but still find it a bit difficult with those blasted smile lines lol!!!! - then I did the Creative Gel course and fell in love with that - found it much easier than L&P but still think both are great. With regards to Silk and fiberglass have not done a course but maybe will after baby born - dont have any clients who ask about it!!
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